My Roots in Performance
I’ve never been the shy type. Growing up in a very musical family, I started in the church choir and on the stage of my local church as a little girl. Between the plays and the singing contests, being in front of an audience felt like home before I even hit my teens.
From the Stage to the Spotlight
That love for performing followed me into adulthood through musical theater. I spent years on stage, sometimes performing for crowds of over 1,000 people, and even caught the eye of a talent agent along the way. While theater gave me my stage presence, it also taught me the discipline needed to connect with an audience, whether they are in the front row or watching through a screen.
The Art of Nursing and Connection
My 36-year career as a nurse has been one of my greatest teachers. Every day, I work to pull people out of their shells, encouraging them to be vulnerable so I can meet them where they are. Whether I’m educating a patient one-on-one or helping them through a difficult moment, I’ve learned how to speak with authority, empathy, and clarity.
Wellness Education and Group Dynamics
In my clinical life, I’ve had the opportunity to teach wellness and healthy eating classes alongside physicians. Interestingly, I found that speaking to a small group of 20 people can be more nerve-wracking than a theater crowd of a thousand! In those settings, people are watching your every move and asking tough questions, which forced me to get very comfortable with being “on” at all times.
Engaging the Tough Crowds
I was eventually tapped to lead training for a large hospital system, focusing on customer satisfaction and staff engagement. After studying at the National Institute of Health, I had to stand in front of large groups of employees who often didn’t want to be there. I had to use humor, skits, and jokes to make the material stick. If you can engage a room full of people who were forced to attend a meeting, you can talk to anyone on camera!
Just Being Me
Today, talking about fashion, fitness, cooking, and nursing just rolls off my tongue. I’m not playing a character; I’m just being myself. All those years of performing, teaching, and nursing have made the camera feel like an old friend. I’m just having fun, sharing what I know, and inviting you all along for the ride.
