Author, speaker, professional singer, and certified life coach specializing in resiliency, I was born and raised in the northwest suburbs of Chicago and completed my BA in applied behavioral sciences from National Louis University in 2012 after becoming a Solo Mom in 2009. Growing up in an alcoholic home and then marrying into another alcoholic family offered real-life education in the world of addiction. Certification in coaching was the natural next step for me to help women everywhere and myself. After more than 350 hours of training, I was certified in 2014 through the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching, or iPEC. It was there that I knew I had to write my story. Lessons from the Ledge is available on Amazon, and I know there is a message in my mess. I am passionate about being real and fearless, especially when it comes to the challenges we face as Solo Moms. It has been a privilege to write for ESME and now to be a bigger part of this amazing and vital tribe. As we lean on one another, we strengthen one another. We are not alone.