my journey

A Spark Ignites

I’ve always been drawn to adventure. When I interviewed my uncle — an airline pilot — for a school project, something clicked. I thoug From a young age, I was drawn to the idea of freedom, adventure and possibility. My uncle was an airline pilot, and when I interviewed him for a school project, something clicked. I thought, I could get paid to fly?! When my uncle took me up in a small plane, I knew what I wanted to do.
But not everyone saw it that way. My parents, who raised me to believe girls could do anything boys can do, were surprisingly cautious. They worried about the instability of the aviation industry and the risks involved.

Trying the “Safe” Route

So I followed my parents’ plan. I enrolled in a traditional university, doing what seemed right—but it felt wrong. I spent over a year feeling lost and uninspired. 

Eventually, I redirected my course. With persistence – and a lot of convincing – I enrolled at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a school known for turning aviation dreams into a career.

That choice taught me what it means to chart your own path—especially when it’s uncomfortable or misunderstood.

Learning to Navigate

At flight school, I stood out. Every move I made was visible – on the radio, in class, in the hangar. Expectations were low and scrutiny was high in an environment where female aviators were seen as an anomaly.

To move forward, I had to exceed expectations—again and again. I had to learn how to navigate not just systems and skillsets, but people and power dynamics.

After graduation, I moved into the corporate world to tackle a pile of student loans, and my pilot career was pushed to the side. The challenges changed—but the core lessons remained: the ability to adapt, lead and keep going in the face of resistance was essential to my success.

Over time, colleagues and friends began coming to me—not just for advice, but for clarity, for perspective, for support during big life transitions. I realized that helping others navigate change was just as fulfilling to me as flying.

On Course and In Command

I went back to school and earned a degree in Health Psychology. I became a certified coach, then a master coach, and later an instructor for coaches in training.

For more than 20 years, I’ve helped executives make high-stakes decisions, guided professionals to lead with confidence and supported individuals seeking meaningful, lasting change.

Through retreats, seminars and coaching experiences like:

Bravery 101
Heart at Work
The Creative Business Plan
The Confidence Code
Soul Safari
Life Coach Prep School
Ditch the Resolutions
and Damn Thirsty Adventure Camp
…I’ve helped people navigate what’s next.

Along the way, I married, moved from Seattle to San Diego and expanded my work across industries and continents—growing Damn Thirsty Coaching into a global business.

The Comeback

At 49, I decided to return to the flying I loved but had set aside for nearly two decades. Weeks before flight school began, I was diagnosed with stage-three colon cancer. I wasn’t even sure I’d pass a flight physical.

After surgery and recovery, I got back to it.

While the world shut down during the pandemic, I pressed on. I trained, earned the necessary flight ratings, and at 52, I started my first job as a commercial pilot – proving that it’s never too late to soar.

The Work I Do Today

Today, I bring the best of both worlds—my training in high-pressure environments and personal development—to help clients design resilient careers and meaningful lives.

At Pilot Your Path, I help people:

• Identify their destination — what they truly want
• Chart their route — with practical, values-based plans
• Reduce drag — clear resistance, doubt and overwhelm
• Increase power — build confidence, focus and resilience

And stay on course—even when life brings unexpected turbulence

This isn’t just coaching. It’s expert guidance for meaningful transformation – whether you’re navigating a life change, a leadership challenge or a new dream.