I moved to Colorado in 2004 with a Bachelor's Degree in Photo Journalism.  I had been toying with the idea of law enforcement and decided to research what it would take to become a cop.  As a kid, I had always wanted to be a cop, and as a teenager, I had wanted to be a school counselor.  It is interesting to look back and see how life brings us new opportunities...  We just have to be willing to take them.

Anyway, after a year long process, while working as a security officer, I began my law enforcement career in the late summer of 2005.  I LOVED my career.  I felt that even though it was most certainly difficult and full of challenges at times, I also felt that I was able to make a difference.  It is those times where I could see I made a difference, and that change is possible, that allowed me to continue this journey.

I worked in the jail for almost ten years, before transferring to patrol.  While in the jail, I also completed my Masters Degree in Criminology.  Patrol was a new adventure full of new challenges.  After some years on patrol, I became a School Resource Officer, working in a middle school.  Oddly enough, I remember thinking... now I get to be a cop and school counselor, and that is truly what it was.  Such a rewarding experience, but also my most challenging. 

Simultaneously, I had also tested and been chosen to be a Hostage Negotiator on our regional S.W.A.T. Team.  It was after one of these calls that I broke down.  We were called to a situation where a step father was holding his three year old step daughter hostage.  While it all ended without injury to anyone, I later realized that this incident had a huge impact on me.  One that I could not ignore.  I sought help and received it.  I wrote about it.  I worked out.  I found my way back to be able to function and be happy.  Then the first student at my school committed suicide... to be followed by another serious attempt, and another completed suicide in the same community.  All three were females and they had all chosen the same method.  I transported far too many kids to the hospital that year!  This was followed by a death in the family, and then when life was finally going to go back to "normal" after the holidays, I returned to school, only to get a call from a supervisor.  A friend and former co-worker had committed suicide that day!  This was the sixth suicide of co-workers in my 15 years at this department.  While a seed had already been planted... it was that week that I signed up to become a certified life coach.

My calling is to make a difference, but there were no rules as to how that difference is made.

I am a life coach and I work with current, future and former first responders (and their families) who are struggling with feelings of helplessness, anger, anxiety and depression.  I work with them to discover coping skills so they can develop a new sense of purpose, empowerment, tranquility and joy.

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Having made this change for myself has been the best decision I have made.  While I have always had a natural instinct for asking questions, and a genuine curiosity, this feels like I have finally come home.

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