If you’d told me years ago that I’d become a parenting coach, helping families build stronger connections, I would’ve laughed and said, “Me? I can’t even get my dog to listen!” My journey has been a messy, winding road of challenges, doubts, and painful lessons. Yet, looking back, I see every twist and turn was essential to bringing me where I am today.

It began in the chaos of my own family. I grew up witnessing my parents' struggle to communicate and connect with us kids.  My parents made some serious mistakes and they carried that unspoken guilt for years. I had hardworking parents, but they struggled with communication and were stressed out by so many things.  They were emotionally triggered by all of them, including me and my sister.  It felt like we kids got the fallout of our parent’s misdirected frustration. This created a constant underlying tension.

Our home was everything EXCEPT calm.  In addition, my personality and that of my sister were completely different.  I was shy and introverted, and she was bold and brassy.  Combine that with a father who was a massive controller, it was a recipe for disaster.  I’m a firm believer that children need to respect their parents for them to “want” to obey.  As kids, my sister and I did not respect our dad.  So, without respect, the only way for Dad to get us to listen and do what he asked was by fear or by force.  This isn’t just unique to our family – I would go so far as to say it’s a law of the universe.  I feared my dad (and not a healthy kind of fear).  I did what I was told out of fear, which set me up for having a very timid and insecure teen and young adult life.  My sister did not fear him. Without respect or fear, the only tactic left for my dad was by force. 

The power struggle in our home was INSANE.  Remember I said my sister was bold and brassy? I think my sister was way more powerful emotionally than my dad.  Needless to say, their relationship looked anything but loving.  And that’s a hard thing to process since we grew up in a Christian home.  Dad had no loving parenting skills.  His mom died when he was 10, and he was raised by a staunch military father.  My dad parented us by the only method he had learned. As a kid, I didn’t realize I was witnessing the same struggles many families face today, where stress seeps into every crack of family life; where unskilled and emotionally charged parents just wing it, hoping they get enough things right that their kids grow up to be functioning adults.

For me, it wasn’t just my family growing up but also my marriage. After eight years, my marriage ended in divorce. The decision was hard, but the aftermath was even harder. My children and I had to rebuild everything —trust, communication, and emotional bonds. Divorce wasn’t the answer I thought it would be. It caused pain in ways I never imagined. Rebuilding trust and learning to communicate felt like an insurmountable mountain. But we did it —one conversation, one hug, and one tear at a time. It wasn’t easy, but I learned the hard way that divorce; what feels like the solution, can leave scars that take years to heal. Over time, I remarried, and my new husband adopted my children, blending our family in ways I never imagined. While being a blended family comes with its own set of challenges—loyalty issues and moments of jealousy—it’s taught me more than I expected.

Fast forward to my early career as a licensed counselor. I poured my heart into building The Power in Parenting, my private practice. But to be honest - it was tougher than I expected. I saw firsthand how these same challenges shaped families. Parents, are exhausted, frustrated, and wracked with guilt in how they have responded to their children.  Their stories echoed the struggles I’d witnessed growing up—desperate for peace and connection but unsure how to get there.

My private practice wasn’t perfect. I would often question myself—“Am I making a difference?” “What if I’m missing something big?” But those doubts drove me to dig deeper, especially when I worked in family court. There, I saw how parenting struggles could ripple through every aspect of family life. Through my 16 years in private practice, I noticed a pattern: parents were overwhelmed, unsure, and struggling with the basics of connection, trust, and communication. Without those, parents struggle with setting boundaries, and expectations, and following through with what they say.  That’s when I realized how crucial connections are to a child’s emotional well-being, and the ability for parents to effectively “parent.”

The truth was clear: parents weren’t just battling tantrums or backtalk — they were longing for respect, peace, and deeper bonds with their kids. As I listened, I began implementing the 4 EPIC strategy pillars of being Engaged, Present, Intentional, and Consistent.  It was rewarding to empower parents with tools to improve their relationships. Seeing them regain confidence and restore peace in their homes was profoundly fulfilling. While meaningful, being a counselor has limitations. I could only serve clients in my licensed state, and my practice wasn’t solely focused on parents. This was frustrating because I’d seen the power of helping parents grow—and I couldn’t do enough of it. I realized my greatest joy came from helping parents and watching how powerful parents could be in transforming their family environment. So, after 16 years of working with hundreds of families, I made a tough but bold decision: I closed my private practice and stepped away from traditional counseling. The thought of leaving felt like a leap into the unknown, but I had a vision: to reach more parents, anywhere, anytime.

That’s when I founded EPIC Parenting Academy — a platform to help families wherever they are. It’s one of the most fulfilling decisions I’ve made. I draw on my experiences as a child, as a parent, through divorce and remarriage, and in my counseling career, to coach parents by offering the tools I wish I’d known sooner. I have taken everything I've learned to do what I love most: equip parents with tools to navigate defiance, communication struggles, and emotional regulation.

EPIC stands for being Engaged, Present, Intentional, and Consistent — the same four principles that helped me rebuild my family after it had been shattered. These aren’t just buzzwords; they are the very tools that helped me turn my parenting struggles around. They helped me reconnect with my children, find balance, and build the connection I always wanted. Now, they’re the foundation of EPIC Parenting Academy.  Through coaching, workshops, and online courses and resources, I’ve helped transform countless families. I’ve seen firsthand the miracles that happen when parents adopt these strategies: better communication, deeper connection, and more harmony.

I’ve seen how EPIC Parenting works — parents regain their confidence, establish respect, and restore peace in their homes. They develop a calm, consistent approach, and feel empowered as they watch their children thrive. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing parents transform, build stronger connections, and create respectful, resilient families. But here’s the thing: I didn’t get where I am alone. Every challenge I’ve faced has shaped my approach to families. While I’m confident in the strategies I provide, I know my journey is ongoing.

Here’s what I’ve learned: none of us start (or end) with all the answers, and we won’t be perfect parents. We stumble. We doubt. But, with a willingness to try and the right tools and support, we can create lasting change—not just for our families but for future generations.  And the best part...

Parents don’t have to “wing it!”  The truth is, this journey isn’t just mine — it’s the journey of all parents. It’s the shared story of every parent who struggles, hopes, and dreams of a better future for their children. So, if you’ve ever felt like you’re failing, overwhelmed, frustrated, or unsure how to make it all work and think your home will never be the peaceful, connected space you’ve dreamed of, I’m here to walk alongside you, offering the wisdom gained through my hard-earned lessons. That wisdom comes in the form of tools, strategies, support, and community as you become the confident, empowered parent you’ve always meant to be.

Together, we can BE EPIC—one day, one decision, one family at a time.

Are you ready to BE EPIC together?

Oh, and for how I turned out? I've gone through a journey of growth and healing. I'm no longer shy and introverted. I am confident and empowered. But it took years. My life is full. I am happily married, and I am now a grandmother (they call me Mimi) to 6 grandchildren and another on the way!

I'm living the purpose I was created for - Helping parents to BE EPIC! No more winging it! No reason for any parent to struggle, get frustrated, or respond in ways that make you feel guilty.... Schedule your call with me TODAY!!