Meet Kat

After the gavel went down on my divorce, I sold everything, left the warm embryo of suburbia, and moved to San Francisco. As the healing process began, I tried to recapture the life I had lost – but none of my former skills helped me. I tried to be very urban, very hip – and I had no idea how to do that. I was more alone than I ever had been. And I was scared to death.

I bumped into walls in this new environment and stumbled in new relationships. I dyed my hair platinum blond and wore black leather to be slick and cool. I was a size 4 (without the “1” in front of it – which is very thin for me at 5’9″).  I was using old skills from my old life that were useless in this new, tough, and unforgiving world. I was driven by a part of myself that I had never met before — a needy little girl desperate for love and affection. I had lost my personal power, that safe place inside of me that’s secure and strong. My daughters lost the mother they knew. I didn’t know who I was anymore. I fell into a deep depression.

One morning, I stood in front of a mirror and looked at myself. Staring back was someone I didn’t like, someone who scared me. I glanced up and saw a sign my daughter had given. It read: “I came to live out loud.” Something snapped. I squared my shoulders and stood up straight.  I knew what I had to do: I had to change my self-perception. From that moment, learning how to love my life – with all of its bumps, imperfections and uncertainties — it became my research project.

In between bouts of sadness and doubt, I searched for spirituality, love, and learning to rediscover who I was again. I created an escape hatch. I drew from my master’s degree in social work with a specialty in women’s sexuality, my years as a communication skills coach and personality expert, and my background as a relationship therapist. I even tapped into my experience as a sales trainer in corporate America. After all, I was doing the ultimate sales job –on myself! I created a six-step plan to manage the challenge of starting over in my 50’s: Six Pillars of Personal Power. Through determination, my plan began to work. That plan saved my life.

Since then, I’ve shared the plan with friends experiencing big life changes. They’ve thrived because of it – and I am thrilled! Now, it’s my joy to inspire you on your new journey. The most challenging project and the hardest person to motivate is always your own self. Take the next step and learn to live your life now. I know how hard it is! In the end, we’re not in this life as a dress rehearsal. We’re here to live it to its fullest – even with all the heartbreak, the sadness, the murderous news around us all the time … it’s the life we have. We can start anew. We can make crest beginnings. I see it happen time after time after time. Happiness is out there waiting for us. Little miracles abound, even in our most desperate moments. The trick is to open our eyes and see them! You can do this. Yes you can! Of course you can! After all, you’re worth it!