THIS KID. THE CATERPILLAR.
I was a quiet kid with my nose in a book most of the time, but around age 8 I became a full throttle extrovert. Silence was uncomfortable for me so I tried to make everyone around me happy...all the time. My parents put me in french immersion from kindergarten through to my final year in high school... so yes, I can speak French {but rather slowly}. I was 13 when I volunteered at the West Scarborough Boys & Girls Club and realized that giving back was always going to be a part of my life. I went on to study international business and secretly fell in love with global economics. My Mandarin teacher told me he appreciated my positive attitude and grit {谢谢}, but still I “should drop his class and take Spanish”... to this day I regret that I quit something because someone else thought it would be too hard for me.
THE COCOON.
In my late 20s, I came to the realization that I had built my life on other people's expectations {or maybe lack thereof?!}. I set about rebuilding my life on my own terms. I found professional success in the luxury industry in Toronto, London and Paris, but deep in my heart I knew that the luxury field wasn't my calling. I wanted to help people and didn't know where to start; I volunteered as an ambassador for the Canadian Women's Foundation {and personally moved 2 women out of poverty and helped raise funds to do the same for other women}… I was finally getting closer to what made me happy, I could feel it. Out of personal interest, I began studying holistic nutrition, meditation, yoga and eastern philosophies. I found so many answers to my own life's questions that I became very passionate about sharing what I was learning with other women...with curiosity, humility and joy, I had stumbled upon my calling.
THE TEACHER. THE BUTTERFLY.
Every day I teach the benefits of meditation and mindfulness, holistic wellness, yoga and conscious living - I am so grateful I get to do this work! I created Meditation Pusher to teach people the profound benefits of having a daily meditation practice that helps you access your peace, activate your power and unlock your potential. Plus, I am still giving back; my husband and I purchased a school in Haiti as a wedding present to each other through the Pinball Clemons Foundation when we got married - best gift ever! I continue volunteering where I can and mentoring young women towards their professional goals. In 2018, my husband and I decided to embark on the VISION 2020 Journey with The Toronto Foundation to thoughtfully create our own source for giving - Theine Foundation. I remain a student of meditation, mindfulness, holistic wellness, yoga and gratitude every day in recognition that we honour each day knowing that our lives are a field of practice.
THE FOREVER STUDENT
In June of 2022, I was diagnosed with Stage IV Ovarian Cancer. For seven gruelling months, I underwent intense chemotherapy, major surgery and what often felt like a baptism by fire. During that time, I wrote my first book Meditation Pusher Volume 001: The Future We Make and began reimagining my work. I wondered how I would teach everything I was learning about uncertainty, grief, mortality, time, joy and gratitude. For Meditation Pusher, I decided to create The Practice, a quiet place online dedicated to my students and the most heart-forward expression of my work. In the early part of 2023, I was in remission for a few months. However, it returned in June 2023, indicating that I have an incurable cancer. Currently, I am working on my second book and Theine Foundation. I am enjoying my life and have never felt happier to be here with you…and for you. I continue to be a student of life, love, peace and potential.
I HOPE OUR PATHS CROSS SOME DAY.
In the spirit of community, I’d like to know about you too…