My Background
Why The Thriving Monkey
The name The Thriving Monkey is both personal and intentional.
As a child, my grandmother called me “monkey doo.” I was endlessly curious — fascinated by monkeys and always wanting to understand how things worked. That curiosity never left me.
Years later, meditation and mindfulness introduced me to the concept of the monkey mind — the constant mental chatter that keeps us stuck, fuels self-limiting beliefs, and disconnects us from our bodies. I began to understand that thriving isn’t about pushing harder; it’s about quieting the noise and learning to work with your body, not against it.
I was also born in the Year of the Monkey in the Chinese zodiac, a symbol of curiosity, intelligence, and adaptability — a meaning that felt especially fitting. To me, the monkey represents curiosity and awareness. Thriving represents steadiness, intention, and sustainable health.
The Thriving Monkey is the intersection of both — calming the chaos and moving forward with clarity.
What sets me apart from other coaches:
Education has always been part of who I am. My grandmother was a teacher, and I’ve long felt that same teacher’s heart — a deep desire to help others understand and feel empowered. That love of educating, combined with my clinical background, is what drew me to coaching.
Health advice is everywhere — often conflicting, oversimplified, or trend-driven. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unsure who to trust. I don’t sell products or promote quick fixes. As a registered pharmacist and National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC), I help you cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters for your body.
We look beneath the surface — exploring metabolism, hormones, appetite, and energy — while addressing the mindset and behavior patterns that keep people stuck. Together, we create a personalized, science-based approach designed to fit into real life, not overwhelm it.
My work is grounded in trust, straight talk, and genuine relatability. I bring both clinical expertise and lived experience: I’ve navigated menopause, lost the weight, and kept it off. I understand the physical, emotional, and identity shifts that can accompany midlife and beyond.
At the center of my work is a simple question:
Why do we stay stuck, even when we know what to do?
By addressing the barriers to change, I help clients move from frustration and survival mode toward clarity, resilience, and sustainable thriving.
This work resonates deeply with those seeking thoughtful guidance through metabolic, hormonal, and life transitions.
This isn’t about quick results — it’s about cultivating the insight, confidence, and habits that allow you to truly thrive.
Credentials & Expertise
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National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC)
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Registered Pharmacist
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Functional Medicine Coaching Academy (FMCA) graduate
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Specialized focus on menopause, metabolic health, GLP-1 medications and weight maintenance
From an early age, I was fascinated by the human body. My mom was a nurse, and I felt naturally drawn to medicine. As a child, I read her nursing textbooks, captivated by how the body works and heals. My love of science and biochemistry led me into healthcare. I began in nursing, but the path didn’t feel like the right fit, which led me to pharmacy and after years in practice, I became disillusioned. I watched medications layered upon medications, yet many people weren’t improving — they were feeling worse and experiencing a diminished quality of life. Over time, the influence of the pharmaceutical industry on healthcare became impossible to ignore, and I felt called to move in a different direction.
Today, I feel aligned with work that truly improves lives. Whether someone chooses to use medication or not, I help them cut through the noise, make informed decisions, and move toward their own vision of health and wellness.
I believe our bodies are designed to heal when given the right conditions.
Food is medicine. Lifestyle matters. Lasting health requires more than prescriptions.