About Me

I grew up in Jacksonville and went to school here. I left immediately after graduation and joined the U.S. Navy. That took me to a few different places, all within the States. After the Navy, I came back to IL and went to Nursing school. I did Paramedic training while in Nursing school because, I guess, I just needed more to do!? LOL! I was working in the ER and I loved never knowing what was going to come in at any given time. Once I graduated, I continued working in ER and obtained trauma certifications and instructor certifications after that. I still felt like I wanted more. I decided I would do travel nursing. It sounded fun and challenging. I had never been to the east coast and fall was coming, so I signed up. I was all set to leave on Sept 13. The year was 2001. Then the most horrific event of my memory happened. Sept. 11 hit like a freight train. It was completely out of left field and left me speechless and feeling powerless. I had no idea what this meant for me as I was heading right for the storm... I left a day earlier than planned, hoping to stop and be of some help. I was alone, driving across this great country of ours. It was a great trip I will have to tell you about sometime. BUT, I can get long winded about 9/11 because of my experience there. I have been back to ground zero several times. Another story for later. LOL! So, I traveled for a few years on the east coast, mostly suburbs of Boston. I did make it down to FL for one assignment after they had been hit by 3 hurricanes in quick succession. Then I found myself back in IL working in the ER still. It was beginning to wear me down. The culture of the ER has changed. It is no longer about everything we can do for the patient. It has became what CAN we do for the patient? What is insurance going to allow?  And customer satisfaction scores determine everything... I started to look at other means of income. I wanted something not as stressful, for mind or body. I thought I should try to increase my education and that would help so I was working away at getting my BSN. I  thought changing environments would help and give me a new perspective so I went to work at an Ambulatory Surgery Center. It wasn't bad UNTIL I was convinced to take a coordinator, or charge-type position. This was the beginning of the end. Tried to adjust and really do official office nurse but it was too late. I had my BSN by this point but I was burnt out beyond repair.

I was looking through some programs on Lincoln Land's website and saw that they started a new massage therapy program and I was intrigued. I called and spoke with a lady giving her my background. She told me they had already started for the year BUT they were just doing anatomy and she thought I could catch up those 2 weeks if I was OK with it? I was put on the spot but just said, "yes, sign me up!" Just like that I was now a full time student again! AGH! I continued to work as a RN while I finished school and for several months after graduation. In December 2016, an opportunity presented itself to work full time at a spa and I jumped on it. I was scared, of course! People told me I was dumb and I wasn't going to make enough money to pay my bills and blah blah blah... Well, I will tell you that making more money just means spending more. I adjusted my lifestyle just a bit because I value my mental health over dollars. My quality of life has improved beyond measure. I am a much happier person. And in case you wonder, massage therapists have to take continuing education also, just like nurses and other professions. I have had additional training in deep tissue work which is what I do most of my work in. I also have Reiki certification. So, moral of the story is that I love to learn. I never want to stop learning new things. I love working with my clients one on one and knowing I am helping to improve their pain or stress. I couldn't be happier about the decision I made that day. A snap decision that has paid off in so many ways.

If you have any specific questions about me or my training, simply give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you.