The short version...the rest will be coming in a book sometime in the next 50 years.
My Story
How did I get here? I’m glad you asked.
It all started when I was accepted to attend a writing and running retreat in Bend, Oregon hosted by Olympian Lauren Fleshman in May of 2020 … and you know the rest. At the time I was working as a middle school language arts teacher and was in the midst of burnout. Honestly, the pandemic was a welcome break from the breakneck speed of a normal school year and the ever increasing pressure of academic rigor.
As school became virtual and hours reduced, I found myself with enough time to participate in “27 Wilder Days,” a virtual writing event hosted by Laurie Wagner of 27 Powers. The practice blew me away. It opened my eyes to a whole new world of processing emotions, events, feelings, thoughts, relationships, and perspectives. I spent just 15 minutes a day writing and I could not believe the words that came out of me.
I was hooked.
In the fall of 2020 I applied for one of ten seats in Laurie’s Wild Writing Teacher Training program in hopes of becoming certified to teach this incredible practice. To my delight, I was accepted and became part of a cohort of women from around the world that successfully completed a rigorous six month training program.
As I was completing the training during the spring of 2021, my burnout reached a level that was not sustainable. I was chronically stressed, starting to become disengaged, and felt myself purposely disconnecting from my career, my colleagues, and even my family. This was not me. I had lost myself, and as a result my family was losing me. So, I made the brave decision to leap into the unknown. I resigned from my 16 year teaching career in June of 2021 and launched The Unapologetic Pen that July.
It was a fast and furious start and I have never looked back. This writing practice has grounded me, brought me relief during stressful times, helped me recall events from my past that shaped who I am, and created a record of small moments with my family that I don’t want to forget. I am honored to now lead other women through this life-changing practice.
Beyond writing, I love to spend time biking, reading, hiking, drinking coffee, helping my kids with their show calves and traveling with my husband.
And because I put in a lot of freaking work, I want you tell you that I have completed four Half Ironmans, five half marathons, two adventure races, and climbed one 14'er....and lots of physical therapy (-:
A Few of My Favorites
If you need book or podcast recommendations, reach out!
