I was an introvert with extrovert tendencies, a tomboy with a flair for fashion. These apparent contradictions meant I could hold two distinct ambitions simultaneously: To become a veterinarian and indulge my passion for animals or be a backing singer at Harlem’s Apollo Theater. As it turned out, however, my talents led me in many other different directions.

 

I studied English literature at University College Cardiff in Wales; worked in high-end fashion retailing; spent five years in local government working in industrial relations; established “Muddy Boots”, my own country clothing business, and worked in production at the Ridley Scott Film Company making TV commercials.

 

In October 1993 I headed for America looking for adventure. I settled permanently in New York, although I went back to England regularly. I found a “home away from home” with the riding community in Millbrook, NY and worked with horses and equestrian clothing for the first few years.

 

It was during this time that I met the British fashion designer, Annie Walwyn-Jones. We competed our horses together and became firm friends. When she asked me to come and join the company, I jumped at the chance. We worked together for over ten years and had a fabulous time touring many places, selling her private label collection, in America as well as major cities in Europe.

 

In August 2005 a bad riding accident proved to be a significant turning point. It led to some serious soul searching about my life’s purpose and I came to the conclusion things had to change. In 2007 I went back to school at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York. After graduating the following year I established my life and executive coaching practice and became a regular contributor on WKZE Radio. I also obtained my certification in Equine Assisted Learning and became a facilitator at The Horse Institute in Ancramdale, NY where we create tailor-made leadership programs for executives and individuals.

 

In 2011 I was given the opportunity to work with Rehabilitation Through The Arts, a non-profit organization who run innovative creative arts workshops in various aspects of theatre for incarcerated men and women. In collaboration with Emmy Award winning writer and director Dennis Watlington I produced his off-Broadway play “Bullpen” in Woodbourne Men’s Correctional Facility in Upstate NY. It proved to be a profound experience both eye-opening and humbling to discover depths of kindness, generosity and talent in a place of deep incarceration with such extraordinary men.

 

Recently I was fortunate to expand my experiential facilitation work to include MIT Leadership Sailing, a very exciting collaboration with The Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA where we are developing innovative executive programs using sailboats.

 

Established in 2014, Exploring Inner Elegance was inspired by all of these twists and turns in my journey. Life rarely seems to go as planned, but I have come to understand that when we end up in difficult situations, there is so much to be learned and miracles abound. It is in adversity that we often exhibit the kind, caring and compassionate side of ourselves and there is much elegance to be found in the most unlikely places.

 

I hope to be able to share some of these experiences with you as you share yours with mine. Together we can make the world a more Elegant place.