Grab a cup of coffee and get to know me a little bit more!
Q: What led you to coaching?
A: It seems like my whole life has! God creates beauty from ashes, and He revealed to me that He wanted me to use my pain and experiences to help others. That's what life is all about: helping others. We were created to support and love each other; to let each other know that we're not alone and that you've got someone right next to you to help, support and encourage you. That's my mission.
Q: Who do you look up to?
A: Yeeks! That's a long list! My Mom--she is my best friend and we do everything together. My Dad and my sister--their work ethic and dedication to family. My Dad would do anything for his family! My Grandma Carlson for giving me her strong-willed personality and style. She never let anyone treat her badly and stood up for herself and her family. My Grandma Lewandowski for being the biggest role model for faith and God. She was an absolute saint and the biggest believer I've ever known. She inspired me to find God.
Q: What's your favorite way to celebrate?
A: With the people I love: going out for lobster rolls! I mean, I'm pretty easy to please. I'm content just sitting by a fireplace and having coffee with people I love.
Q: What is your favorite Bible verse:
A: Esther 4:14. "For if you remain silent at this time, you and your father's house will perish. And who knows, perhaps you were created for such a time as this." Forever and always my favorite. Speak up! Use your voice!
Q: What are your favorite ways to spend a day?
A: Driving through the country on a summer day and picking wildflowers with my Mommy! Fishing on the boat with my Dad. Going to the zoo! Road trips and stopping along the way to discover new towns and shops. Slumber parties with my sister. Sitting at a coffee shop with a friend having a super deep conversation. Going to a hockey game (go Wild!) or a football game (go, Pack, go!)
Q: If you could have dinner with anyone, alive or dead, who would it be?
A: James Dean, Anne Frank, Bob Dylan and Fred Rodgers. I mean, how much fun would that dinner be?!
Q: What are your passions?
A: Coaching, obviously! Music--I lived in Nashville and worked in the music industry for years and wrote my own music. I love discovering new artists and just listening to new music for hours. I absolutely love the ballet. I could watch it 24/7. In 2019, I finally got to see the NYC Ballet Nutcracker at Lincoln Center with my Mom and it was the best experience ever! I cried and cried. It was so perfect to do that with my Mom! Another passion is bully/suicide prevention advocacy. I actually have a blog called Let's All Be Friends (www.letsallbefriends.org) that I started years ago for bully prevention. I am a co-chair of the AFSP MN Chapter and have gone to the MN State Capitol to speak on bullying/suicide and I've also gone to the US Capitol in Washington, DC.
Q: What's your advice on regret?
A: Never, ever, ever give up! Giving up is the birth of regret.
To help avoid it: live every single day as though it's your last. Treat everyone with respect, love your neighbors, make sure your family and friends know what they mean to you. One of my favorite James Dean quotes is: "Dream as though you'll live forever; live as though you'll die tomorrow."
Q: Current obsessions?
A: I just discovered the show Heartland and have been binging that!
Q: What is one word to describe you?
A: Playful! I love life, and I love experiencing life to the fullest! I love going places, discovering new things. I'm pretty sure everyone that knows me gets worn out after spending a day with me, haha! My usual saying is "what should we do next? where should we go next?! let's go to one more place yet!" Life is an adventure and I love my life!