The mere fact that I am alive, living without pain in my body and smiling at the thought of working with you, hopefully inspiring you - is a miracle.

I was born with the most common inherited blood disorder in the United States that statistically should have me in constant pain going in and out of emergency rooms on weekly basis.

The death of my biological mother, seeing my father battle his addictions my entire life and losing my brother on my 13th birthday to his genetic disorder made me view my relationships with others in a different light.

Hearing the negative comments about my body and the way I spoke caused identity issues.

My experiences have shaped and formed who I am and I knew what I had gone through was tough, but didn’t notice anything extraordinary, then.

I know that I am not the only one who has experienced hard times.

It wasn’t until I began to share my stories that others complimented my strength, my resiliency and how I was constantly able to turn things meant to be stumbling blocks into the stepping stones that propel me forward. Fortitude.

Difficult circumstances have shown up consistently but I was always inspired by the strong women I saw around me. They inspired me to grow and tap into my own reserve, the thing that allowed me to press forward even in the face of adversity. Fortitude!

We all have the ability to overcome the issues we face but at times we need some assistance as we have not grown to realize our own reserves just yet. Our ability to move beyond the hurt of the past into the hope of the future already resides within us.

When someone has or is displaying fortitude it means they have a mental and emotional power - the reserves to carry them through hardship, pain or adversity with courage. We often admire the strength of others; the fortitude that someone else displays. The truth is, we have it already. We just need to be reminded of it more regularly.

My mission is to combine education and storytelling to live healthy lives. By sharing my stories, it is my profound pleasure to assist in the healing, in the heart-work that is finding your fix of fortitude.