Nature has always been a part of my life. My mom - a true nature lover and Master Naturalist - taught me to love and appreciate all aspects of nature. She giggled with delight upon finding wildflowers, like tiny bluets and trillium or hearing birds chirping in our backyard in Arkansas. Even my dad joined in on the adventures, driving us around nearby parks to catch a glimpse of deer, owl, or raccoons. To spend time in nature is a family affair!

After high school, I studied at the University at Little Rock and University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and obtained a B.S. in Nuclear Medicine Technology. Yes. I am that smart! For 11 years, I worked in a hospital setting running diagnostic test on patients using radioactive materials, served as the Radiation Safety Officer, and created educational materials for patients. Unfortunately, I experienced a great deal of career burnout. I was the only technologist at a small hospital, I was on call 24/7 except every other weekend, and the job was stifling my creativity. So I quit and went back to college.

In 1998, I went back to college at Texas Womans University for a post baccalaureate degree in Mass Communications. As part of an assignment in a photojournalism class, I decided to follow the local fire department in Wylie, TX and document fire fighters and police on scenes of accidents, fires and rescues. Who knew I'd be doing this for 27 years! It's been a wild ride documenting these brave men and women. They count on me to give their jobs meaning through photos.

In 2006, my amazing husband Rick took me to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. I had no idea at the time what I was going to experience but I can tell you now, it changed my life forever. This is where I learned that nature had the power to recharge my batteries, refocus my priorities and reset my soul! I remember leaving Yellowstone on our last day feeling a lump in my throat and tears forming and crying out "I have to come back! Yellowstone stole my heart!!" Each year since then and sometimes twice, Rick has taken me back to my heart's home. Yellowstone has become the Reset Button for My Soul.™

In 2004 I quit my corporate job and began freelancing as a graphic and web designer. In 2012, I claimed a niche working with entrepreneurs, authors and coaches who wanted to use speaking as a marketing strategy. I quickly became recognized as an industry leader providing visual branding and speaker strategies to my clients. Sharing my message on branding, I spoke on stages across the USA and virtually around the globe, co-authored an International Best-Selling book and a National Best-Selling book, and published my own book with rave reviews from Tom Ziglar, Zig Ziglar’s son.

In 2015, Rick and I moved to four acres in north Texas surrounded by trees and prairie land. Photographing wildflowers, birds and animals like armadillos, skunks, and lizards quickly became a daily adventure in my own backyard. But I was struggling to find balance with my work. In fact, I was on the verge of career burnout. It wasn’t until our trip to Yellowstone in 2020 that I walked away with a fresh perspective and a big idea. A new adventure was just around the corner as I began a new career as an Inspirational Keynote Speaker.