"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." - Howard Thurman

Books & Business April, 2024. My first time attending Books & Business in Austin, Texas. This 2 day conference, hosted by Amber Vilhauer (CEO of NGNG Enterprises and author of Infinite Impact), was one of the most significant moments of my year. I met the most incredible humans, made new friends for life and we are now co-creating some awesome things for the world. While at B&B, I was able to speak on stage about the book I'm writing about my self-love journey and how I've unlocked what makes me come alive - and this is my gift to share with the world.

Infinite Impact has helped me discover what I'm here to do, who I'm here to help, and what gifts I receive in return - a beautiful circle of giving and receiving, something I'd been missing. I, like many, am good on that giving part and not so great at the receiving bit. I've since learned just how important the receiving part is, to keep the energy flow moving in the world.

I now have a solid values filter for my life, empowering me to make big decisions and cultivate the life I want most with the people who light me up and are excited to do great things together.

My self-care and self-love journey has been completely life shifting for me this year and the process I went through has been so effective, I feel like other people will want to know this. It all happened so fast. Granted, I was READY to do the work, look inside, find my answers - and that's gotta be present for this to actually work - but wow. Yes, this process of coming alive can happen VERY QUICKLY for folks, if they are ready to do this with me. The daily self care checklist for busy as f*ck and burned out humans is a thing and a practice but it's only half of what's necessary... the community of support is the missing link.

Towards the end of this video, I mention "our" community. OUR. Little did I know, what was about to unfold... B&B brings people together and friends can have explosive ideas and take immediate action. I knew I wanted a community but didn't quite know how to build one. I knew what I wanted and what it would provide but couldn't do it alone. What began to manifest in the following months was mind blowing.

Friends aligned with ideas, the right people showed up, a team formed, heart energy started pouring into a thing and before we knew it, The Kaizen Collective was taking shape. A website, a platform, a place for those wanting to be the best versions of themselves and create the life they want most. An online community offering courses and classes every week, ranging from life coaching, facilitation training, networking social hours, poetry writing sessions, self care accountability groups, and so much more... all in one place. All different levels of engagement are available, more in depth trainings and coach certifications, alignment sessions, one on one coaching - and it's all REAL people. LIVE zooms with actual coaches and guides.

The Kaizen Collective IS the community I spoke of and didn't even realize it at the time. I'm a firm believer now in what can happen when I say yes to what resonates with me - it resonates for a reason. The POWER of my invitation, asking others to come with me and "hey, wanna do a thing?" and when it's the right people, incredible things come into existence.

My book will be published in 2025. 11.2.25 is the goal I have set. Claiming it now. The Kaizen Collective is coming first, closing my insurance business by EOY and then I will be able to focus and settle in to finish my book.

I am in constant awe of what I've done in the last 9 months. The inner work, the depths I've discovered, the parts on me I've reconnected and fallen in love with, the parts I abhor lovingly accepted and embraced, the friends I've made, career shifts, relocation in progress, all of it... I am grateful beyond words. The miracle of all of this.. simply incredible.

Coming alive... best decision I ever made. Getting here wasn't easy, I've cried probably more this year than I have in 20... but you know what? It's absolutely worth it.