My Story

My journey with grief began over 14 years ago when my own life was changed in ways I never expected. Through navigating my own experiences of loss, I discovered a passion and purpose I never saw coming: walking alongside others as they navigate their own grief journeys.

Grief is something we will all experience at some point in our lives, yet it is often something we struggle to talk about. We are taught how to celebrate beginnings, but we are not always taught how to navigate the endings, changes, and moments that reshape who we are.

Grief has a way of bringing us face-to-face with the parts of ourselves we may not have been ready to explore: our beliefs, our values, our worldview, and the stories we carry about who we are.

Because the truth is, every one of us is shaped by the stories we have lived. Some stories are created from our experiences, some from the expectations placed upon us, and some from the moments that change the direction of our lives.

Grief invites us to pause, reflect, and discover what parts of our story we want to carry forward, what we may need to let go of, and how we can make sense of what we have experienced.

We hold the pen. We may not have chosen every chapter, but we have the power to continue re-writing our story.

Stories have always been at the heart of my work.

I believe there is something powerful that happens when we share our experiences and when we allow ourselves to be seen, heard, and vulnerable.

Stories create connection. They remind us that we often discover pieces of ourselves in the words, emotions, and reflections of others.

They create those moments where we think, “I get you. I’ve felt that too.”

My hope is that through connection and shared stories, you are reminded that grief is not the end of your story. There is a beautiful life waiting for you, one that can hold both your grief and your joy.

How it began:

In the summer of 2012, an unexpected chapter of my life began when I was diagnosed with a chronic health condition; a progressive visual impairment that would gradually impact my sight and change the way I experienced the world.

At the time, I didn’t realize it, but this was the beginning of my grief journey.

I was grieving more than my health. I was grieving the life I thought I would have, the future I had imagined, and the version of myself I was beginning to lose.

Alongside the changes to my vision came many secondary losses:

  • Loss of safety

  • Loss of identity

  • Loss of income

  • Loss of freedom

  • Loss of sense of self

  • Loss of independence

There were moments where I felt completely overwhelmed by the uncertainty ahead. I found myself asking the questions so many people in grief ask:

Why is this happening?
Who am I now?
How do I move forward when life no longer looks the way I envisioned?

For a long time, I sat in that pain, trying to make sense of a reality I never asked for.

But eventually, something inside me knew there had to be more.

My story couldn’t end here…

The Healing Experience

What transpired:

In the fall of 2018, I made a conscious decision to explore different paths of healing. I began learning from ancient philosophies, embracing holistic practices, and connecting with incredible practitioners who supported me in ways that transformed not only how I approached my grief, but how I approached my entire life; mind, body, and soul.

I also began therapy and started creating space to truly process what I had been carrying. For the first time, I began to understand my grief differently, not as something to fight against, but as something that needed to be acknowledged, felt, and honored.

Along the way, I began noticing changes. My physical health improved, including my vision, which was something I had never experienced before. But the greatest shifts happened internally.

The heaviness I had carried for so long began to soften. The laughter and smiles that once felt distant slowly found their way back into my life.

Through confronting and processing my grief, I reached a place of greater acceptance, not because everything became easy, but because I learned how to move forward while honoring everything I had experienced.

This chapter sparked a renewed appreciation for life: a deeper connection to myself, a clearer sense of direction, and an insatiable zest and hunger for embracing life in a way that continues to guide me today.

Where I am now:

Today, I am living a life rooted in intention, connection, and gratitude while continuing to honor the ever-changing waves of grief that have shaped who I am.

My own journey through loss is what led me here. Through my work as a Grief and Loss Practitioner, I work with individuals who are learning how to rebuild their lives after loss, offering space to process their emotions, understand the complexities of grief, reconnect with themselves, and explore ways to move forward.

Outside of Heart Centered Healing, I facilitate grief and loss support through the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), an organization that holds a special place in my heart. Through workshops, group support, guest speaking opportunities, and grief education for volunteers, mentors, and staff, I create spaces for individuals experiencing sight loss and their loved ones to learn about grief and the many challenges that come with navigating life after vision loss.

I am also the host of The Story Hour Podcast: Voices Unscripted | Stories Re-Written, a storytelling podcast created to bring honest, raw and real conversations, lived experiences, and heartfelt reflections to the forefront. Through these conversations, my hope is to remind people that behind every experience is a story, and within every story is an opportunity for connection, understanding, and growth.

My relationship with grief has changed over time. My grief has not disappeared, but I have learned how to carry it differently. Through this journey, I have rebuilt my confidence, discovered a strength I never knew I had, and learned that grief and joy can exist together. Even after profound loss, it is possible to create a life filled with meaning, purpose, and hope.

When I’m not supporting others through grief, you’ll often find me outdoors in nature, walking, hiking, or staying active. I love reading, learning through books and podcasts, exploring new places, going on new adventures, and spending quality time with family and friends. I find a lot of joy in the simple moments that make up everyday life.