The Before: Burnout, Shame & Hiding

For years, I avoided the camera. When I did catch a glimpse of myself, I saw more than a body—I saw the weight of burnout, body shame, wine-and-cheese coping, perfectionism, and decades of putting everyone else first. Midlife felt like an endless loop of trying to fix myself instead of finally being myself. Behind the smile, I was hiding—from the camera, from the mirror, and often from my own life.

The Turning Point: Brave in Bali

In March, a group photo was taken in Bali. When I later saw myself in it, I caught my breath—not in admiration, but in pain. I instinctively touched the necklace around my neck—a piece I’d bought in Bali. It carried one word: Brave. That necklace became my reminder that reinvention isn’t about perfection—it’s about courage—the courage to finally be visible in your own life.

The After: Courage Over Perfection

By July, my “after” photos told a radically different story. This time, I chose to be seen. As the camera clicked, a wave of panic hit—but I reached for that same Brave necklace, grounding myself in the courage this journey requires. I had begun shedding not just pounds, but the stories and patterns that kept me stuck. The “after” wasn’t about looking perfect in yoga wear—it was about choosing myself, stepping out of hiding, and letting courage win over perfection.

Why I Created Balanced Buddha

My life has been messy, painful, joyful, scary, and deeply human. I’ve survived a long battle with food and body image, breast cancer, divorce, PTSD, and profound loss—and through it all, I’ve learned that transformation isn’t about chasing perfection or living on a therapist’s couch. It’s an invitation to begin again.

That’s why I created Balanced Buddha—to help women turn midlife chaos into clarity, courage, and unapologetic freedom.

Reinvention isn’t about perfection. It’s about living life on your own terms.