Tell readers about yourself – how did you end up in Palm Coast, family?
Larry, (married 41 years) and I sailed into Palm Coast in August 2005 after 7 years on a sail boat. Three of those years were spent training Boy Scouts how to sail and snorkel in the Abacos. We were captains for a private charter through the islands ending that trip in Guatemala. When we returned, we managed a private conference center on one of the out islands for 2 years in the Abacos.
We stopped in Palm Coast rather than returning to San Diego, CA because of the connection to the Atlantic Ocean. We have been fortunate to have our daughter and family (husband and 2 grandsons) move here 3+ years ago.
How did you get into the health and wellness industry and in what areas do you specialize?
In San Diego I worked as a Marriage, Family, Child Therapist in private practice. During sailing, I didn’t get the CEUs necessary to extend my license. My first job in Palm Coast was to teach the Fresh Start Program for displaced homemakers at Daytona State College. When they changed emphasis in that program, I left it and started a new private practice as a Life Coach and Hypnotherapist, as part of The Body Therapy Center.
Talk about writing your new book. Is this your first and what is the inspiration behind it?
After 50+ years of believing that I couldn’t write (per my college professors) I was encouraged to write down the tools that I have been teaching my clients over the years. I figured out I was letting a very old message about myself get in my way. Three friends who are published writers and COVID were the impetus to sitting down and try writing. Then another friend gave me the publishing help I needed to make it actually happen last November.
What do you hope readers will take away from “21 Tools”?
The handbook is designed to provide an easy to read, overview of 21 of the tools that anyone can use for self-improvement. There are pages for notes. There are stories from actual clients who use the tool successfully. There are references for follow-up readings. And of course, encouragement to contact me to go into depth, when aware they could benefit from more assistance, to manage any problem in their life.
You’ve faced a number of challenges in life, how do you stay so positive?
I stay positive, most of the time, by practicing what I have been teaching others. When I use the tools, it always works to make me feel positive about myself. Then it is easy to project those characteristics to others. Smiles to stimulate smiles.
