After 30+ years in financial services, I reached a turning point: I had built a successful corporate career, but I felt called to something more—supporting women through midlife health with clarity and confidence. My own experiences with fatigue, poor sleep, and burnout, along with the loss of my aunt, made that calling impossible to ignore. I didn’t need more information—I needed a path. That’s where IIN made all the difference. The Health Coach Training Program™ gave me the foundation in coaching, behavior change, and holistic wellness to bridge my corporate background with integrative health.
Today, as founder of Balance Beyond 40, I support high-achieving women over 40 navigating perimenopause and menopause, helping them restore energy, balance hormones, and prevent burnout through science-backed wellness, yoga, and nervous system support.
AFTER 30+ YEARS IN FINANCIAL SERVICES, WHAT INSPIRED YOUR TRANSITION INTO HEALTH AND WELLNESS COACHING?
A: For as far back as I can remember, I’ve always been interested in wellness. I was the informal go-to for friends and family when it came to health, but at the time, I had no idea this could become a career—or even that coaching existed.
Years later, I lost my aunt when she was only 41 years old. She was my best friend, my mentor, and like a mother to me. That loss changed me. I knew I wanted to do something meaningful to give back and help others prioritize their health. I spent a few years researching, trying to figure out what that could look like. That’s when I kept seeing IIN through ads, conferences, and conversations, and decided to explore it further.
While working in corporate, I began to see a pattern: many high-performing women were succeeding professionally but struggling in silence with their health. I was one of them. That realization shifted everything. Health coaching allowed me to combine my corporate background with a more holistic approach to help women feel better so they can show up powerfully in every area of their lives.
WAS THERE A DEFINING MOMENT THAT LED YOU TO FOCUS SPECIFICALLY ON MENOPAUSE AND MIDLIFE HEALTH?
A: Yes—my own experience. I struggled with fatigue, poor sleep, and brain fog, and I wasn’t getting the answers I needed. I was often told, “It’s just part of being a woman—you just have to push through it.” That answer never sat right with me.
I also developed fibrocystic breast tissue, which became a 10-year journey. That experience pushed me to dig deeper. When I began making targeted lifestyle changes, everything shifted. I realized how underserved women in midlife are—and that they don’t have to struggle in silence. That’s when I knew this was the work I was meant to do.
FOR SOMEONE UNFAMILIAR WITH HEALTH COACHING, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE ITS IMPACT—ESPECIALLY FOR WOMEN OVER 40?
A: Health coaching is a partnership that bridges the gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it. For women over 40, it’s transformational because their bodies are changing, and what worked before often no longer does. Coaching provides personalized support, accountability, and a safe space to navigate those changes with confidence.
WHY IS COACHING SUCH A POWERFUL SUPPORT TOOL DURING PERIMENOPAUSE AND MENOPAUSE?
A: Because this phase is not just physical—it’s also emotional and mental—and women’s bodies are being “remodeled” due to hormonal shifts. Coaching helps women feel seen, supported, and empowered.
Instead of guessing or feeling frustrated, they gain clarity, structure, and strategies that actually work for their changing bodies. When a woman feels good, she shows up more powerfully in her work, her relationships, and her life.
TELL US ABOUT BALANCE BEYOND 40 AND THE WOMEN YOU SUPPORT.
A: Balance Beyond 40 is my wellness coaching and yoga practice dedicated to helping professional women over 40 reclaim their energy, confidence, and strength.
I primarily support women in demanding careers who want to feel strong, focused, and in control of their health during midlife. I partner with them to create sustainable solutions that fit their lifestyles and help them achieve their health goals.
WHAT ARE YOUR CLIENTS TYPICALLY EXPERIENCING WHEN THEY FIRST COME TO YOU?
A: They’re often frustrated and exhausted. They’ve tried everything—more cardio, eating less—but nothing is working. They’re dealing with stubborn belly fat, poor sleep, low energy, and feeling disconnected from themselves. Most of all, they feel like they’ve lost control of their bodies.
YOU HIGHLIGHT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN HORMONAL HEALTH, ENERGY, AND PERFORMANCE. WHY IS THIS SO OFTEN OVERLOOKED?
A: Because we’ve been conditioned to separate health from performance. In reality, your hormones drive your energy, focus, and resilience.
When they’re off, everything is affected, yet many women are told to just “push through it” or that it’s “just part of being a woman,” which leaves them feeling more frustrated and unsupported.
HOW CAN HORMONAL SHIFTS IMPACT LEADERSHIP, PRODUCTIVITY, AND BURNOUT IN HIGH-ACHIEVING WOMEN?
A: Hormonal shifts can affect sleep, focus, mood, and energy—all of which are critical for leadership. When a woman is exhausted or experiencing brain fog, it impacts her decision-making, confidence, and overall productivity. Over time, these changes can lead to burnout, even in women who are incredibly capable and driven.
WHAT’S ONE STRATEGY THAT CONSISTENTLY HELPS YOUR CLIENTS RESTORE ENERGY AND BALANCE?
A: Stabilizing blood sugar through balanced nutrition and consistent, sustainable movement.
When women focus on high-protein meals—especially when breaking their fast—and incorporate movement that fits their lifestyle, it creates a ripple effect: improved energy, fewer cravings, better mood, balanced blood sugar, and more sustainable weight management.
HOW DO YOU INCORPORATE MINDFULNESS OR MOVEMENT PRACTICES IN A WAY THAT FEELS SUSTAINABLE FOR BUSY PROFESSIONALS?
A: What I’ve seen work well is helping women create a rhythm that fits their lifestyle. I keep it simple and realistic, using short, consistent practices rather than long, overwhelming routines. That might look like a five-minute meditation, a 10-minute yoga practice, a walk after dinner, or gentle strength training a few times a week. It’s about creating rhythms that support their lives, not disrupt them.
WHAT INSPIRED YOUR BALANCE METHOD AND 90-DAY MENOMASTERY BLUEPRINT?
A: The BALANCE Method was inspired by both my personal journey and the women I support. I saw how many women in midlife were trying to manage everything—careers, families, and caregiving responsibilities—while feeling overwhelmed and burned out. I had walked that same path and knew how important it was to create balance in a sustainable way.
I wanted to design a structured yet flexible system that addresses the real challenges women face in midlife. The BALANCE Method and the 90-Day MenoMastery Blueprint bring together science-backed strategies and practical lifestyle shifts into a framework women can follow and sustain.
WHAT MAKES YOUR APPROACH DIFFERENT WHEN IT COMES TO SUPPORTING WOMEN THROUGH THIS LIFE STAGE?
A: I’ve been where many of these women are today. It took me years to understand what was happening in my body and what I needed to feel strong and confident again. Many of my symptoms were dismissed, and I don’t want other women to experience that same frustration. I strive to be the source of support I wish I had.
My approach combines practical solutions with mindfulness and yoga to create a rhythm women can tailor to their lives. I understand the demands of corporate careers and burnout because I’ve lived it.
I don’t believe in extreme diets or unrealistic routines. Instead, I focus on simple, strategic changes that align with a woman’s lifestyle so results feel achievable and sustainable.
WHAT LED YOU TO PURSUE YOUR TRAINING THROUGH THE INSTITUTE FOR INTEGRATIVE NUTRITION?
A: I was looking for a program that took a whole-person approach to health—not just nutrition, but lifestyle, mindset, and behavior change. IIN aligned perfectly with what I wanted to pursue.
HOW HAS YOUR IIN EDUCATION INFLUENCED YOUR WORK AND APPROACH TODAY?
A: IIN laid the foundation for how I live my life and how I support women today. It taught me to meet clients where they are, honor each person’s individuality, and focus on progress over perfection. That philosophy is deeply embedded in my coaching.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST REWARDING PART OF YOUR JOURNEY SO FAR?
A: You cannot give what you don’t have. Being able to use the skills and training I gained at IIN to transform my life, support my loved ones, and positively impact my clients has inspired me to walk the path alongside them and coach by example.
Watching someone go from feeling stuck and frustrated to confident and energized is incredibly fulfilling.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO WOMEN NAVIGATING MIDLIFE WHO WANT TO FEEL STRONG, ENERGIZED, AND IN CONTROL AGAIN?
A: Start small and stay consistent. You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Focus on building simple habits and rhythms that support your body, and trust that those small changes will compound over time. Small changes, big results.
WITH SUCH A FULL PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND, HOW DO YOU PRIORITIZE YOUR OWN HEALTH AND WELLBEING?
A: You can’t pour from an empty cup, so I believe in filling mine first.
I treat my health and well-being as non-negotiable. Just like a meeting or deadline, I schedule time for movement, rest, and nourishment. It’s part of how I show up fully in every area of my life.
WHAT’S ONE DAILY PRACTICE THAT HELPS YOU STAY GROUNDED AND ENERGIZED?
A: I have a “miracle morning” routine that is essential to me—just like a cup of coffee is for others.
It includes warm water with lemon before consuming anything else, a few minutes of stillness or meditation, and movement, whether it’s yoga or gentle stretching. It centers me, sets my energy for the day, and keeps me connected to my body.
YOUR FAVORITE SPRING SNACK?
A: My favorite spring snack is fresh blueberries. They’re simple, satisfying, and energizing. Year-round, I also love to snack on nuts, especially macadamia nuts and pecans.
BEST DECISION YOU EVER MADE IN YOUR CAREER OR PERSONAL LIFE?
A: Investing in myself through education, coaching, and personal growth has completely changed the trajectory of my life and career.
A BOOK OR PODCAST YOU’D RECOMMEND TO THE IIN COMMUNITY?
A: The Power of Intention by Dr. Wayne Dyer. It has transformed how I approach life, set expectations, and position myself for success.
IF YOU COULD BE ANY FRUIT OR VEGGIE, WHICH WOULD YOU BE—AND WHY?
A: A papaya—it’s nourishing, vibrant, and naturally sweet. It represents how I believe health should feel: supportive, energizing, and enjoyable.