I was born into South Africa’s apartheid regime, from which my family subsequently emigrated. Four countries before I was 9-years-old – new cultures, homes, friends, and schools. Shortly after arriving in the United States, my parents divorced. My father, who worked long hours and traveled extensively on business, took full custody of my younger brother and me. I became a surrogate mother by my tenth birthday, as my brother and I would bear witness to a revolving door of nannies.  

Inconsistency, instability, neglect, and emotional abuse became normal for me. A decade of disordered eating followed. I learned to navigate the upheaval of my childhood and my unmet emotional needs by denying them, focusing my attention on others, and becoming adaptable to a fault. The high price was deep, unacknowledged wounds. 

From the earliest time I can remember, I was called to live a deeply meaningful life.

What I didn’t realize during those formative years was the meaning I sought, could be derived from understanding the circumstances of my life and all the lessons and skills I would attain as a result. I worked at healing. I peeled back layers of wounding only to discover my wounds were harder to eradicate than I’d anticipated. But I persisted, and accumulated invaluable wisdom along the way.

Every time I made a shift for the better, my life improved exponentially, thus bolstering my courage. I began to understand that everything I suffered, was the narrative I concocted to survive, because I lacked the emotional maturity and tools to tackle such adversity so early. I learned I would be okay no matter what challenges I face. With the right tools, I began to consciously empower my evolutionary journey from a broken-hearted little girl into an actualized woman aligned with divine grace.