There's a lamppost in my neighborhood that's become one of my greatest teachers.

If someone drove by often, they'd probably wonder why a grown person keeps riding slow circles around the same lamppost.
I suppose I'd wonder, too.
A few months ago, I broke my wrist snowboarding.

The cast is gone. The healing isn't.

I'm getting ready for Burning Man, where a bicycle isn't just something I enjoy riding—it's how I get around. That means miles of riding every day across the playa. I know I'll be riding with discomfort. I just don't know when my wrist will start complaining.

So every afternoon, I ride.

Not to see how far I can go.

To see how well I can turn.
I circle a lamppost.

A tiny traffic island.

Anything that asks my wrist, my balance, and my confidence to work together.
It's funny.

I've been riding a bicycle for most of my life, yet now I find myself wondering if I can make a smooth left turn.

How tightly should I grip the handlebars?
Can I lean a little farther?

How slowly can I ride and still stay balanced?

I honestly don't know if I'm improving.

Some days I think I am.

Other days I'm not so sure.

But I keep showing up.
One more ride.

One more circle.
One more conversation with a wrist that has its own timetable.

Somewhere during those circles, I started wondering if I was practicing something much bigger than riding a bicycle.

How often do we spend our lives trying to get back?

Back to the body we once had.

Back to the confidence that once came so easily.

Back to the version of ourselves that no longer exists.
Maybe there isn't a way back.

Maybe there isn't supposed to be.
I'm not trying to become the person I was before I broke my wrist.

Or before postmenopause, for that matter.

I'm becoming acquainted with who's here now.

She asks more questions.

She pays closer attention.

She doesn't assume.

She listens.

I've discovered that trust doesn't suddenly return one morning when we wake up.

It arrives quietly.

Almost unnoticed.
One turn that feels a little smoother.

One ride where I grip the handlebars a little less tightly.

One afternoon when I realize I spent a few moments enjoying the ride instead of evaluating it.

Maybe healing has always been like that.

Not dramatic.

Not obvious.
Just ordinary moments that don't seem important until one day we realize they've been carrying us forward all along.

Tomorrow afternoon, I'll probably be back at that same lamppost.

Riding another slow circle.

Still wondering.
Still learning.

Still becoming acquainted with the person who's riding the bicycle today
​

2024: A Year of Fire, Water, and Epic Adventures If I had to describe 2024 in one word, it would be "unforgettable." This was the year I poured my heart into creating something meaningful, traveled across two continents, celebrated milestones, and tackled a few unexpected challenges. While I didn’t blog last year, I was living the stories I’m finally ready to share with you. ​

Embracing the Deep Freeze: Insights from Freezer Burn
In the heart of a bone-chilling Texan night, where the cold cut through layers like a knife, I found myself at FreezerBurn — a local Burn event near Austin. Having previously danced on the sun-kissed Playa and reveled in the warmth and sometimes rain of several local Burns, this frosty escapade unfolded as a new and exhilarating chapter in my Burning Man adventures.

​In the profound stage of postmenopause, I find myself navigating a landscape where physical changes challenge the resilience of my body. Muscles may appear to fade, and bones yearn for support, while the intricate dance of hormones subtly shifts. Yet, within these changes lies an empowering truth – postmenopause is not a decline but rather my time to thrive.

Life is an unpredictable journey, full of twists and turns that keep us on our toes—literally in my case, considering I recently did my regular pilgrimage to Burning Man with a broken toe. Join me as I reflect on the unexpected adventures of the past year, from the eccentricity of Portland to the nostalgic Thanksgiving in Columbia, MO, and the pursuit of a Master's in Health and Wellness Coaching at the age of 60.

Class has started. Either Fall is still here, or spring has started; hard to tell. :)

​As expected, sciences are hard for me. I remember why I am here, learning about the details of how the body works. That helps me relax into it a little, as I spend hours each day (literally), trying to get the joint actions and muscle performance knowledge into my brain.

Time flies. In 2 weeks I get to start my exercise science class. I am understanding how much it and all my classes will help me with improving your health. Learning the body...  it'll take a lifetime, of course. ACC has much to offer, as does the University, how wonderful is that?

Whew! The move from Portland, OR has certainly brought me to healthier places! :) I am happy to be here, and look forward to meeting my new communities.

My work with older adults in Portland has shown me my current path, I am now looking for those who want some support with finding back to health, a more ideal weight and more smiles. I offer one-on-one personal training and small group fitness classes. I work with any age and am highly interested in working with those with chronic pain, RA, OA, fibro, IBS, etc., in order to help find a way to live with the least pain possible.

I also am a Zumba instructor, so should you be looking for that, I will happily teach a Zumba class, or a Zumba Gold class (low impact), or a Kids Zumba class.
My Fitness Technology education was filled with anatomy, movement theory and group fitness instruction. In addition, I have the ACE group fitness certificate and the above-mentioned Zumba fitness certificates.
​
I will work with you at your home, in a small gym, or outdoors. The choice is yours and also depends on your goals and your situation.

​Ready to Thrive in Postmenopause?
Take the first step toward rediscovering your vitality! Whether you’re seeking personalized coaching, practical wellness strategies, or just someone to guide you on your journey, I’m here to help.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today!