A story that really inspires resilience and the drive to develop it is my scuba diving accident that occurred in April of 2021. I nearly drowned 60 feet under water due to a failure in a piece of my equipment, had a heart attack and became unconscious. The story imparts the lesson to be in control of our own emotions, even fear, during situations that are unplanned and unexpected. Not only did I learn that fear got the better of me, but that we always have a choice in putting our pre-frontal cortex in charge. This could have changed my outcome. I use this story in my own life and speaking in front of an audience to impart that we can do hard things and getting back into the wetsuit was one of mine. I have dove more than 150 times since that event occurred and am proud to say "I can do anything."

At the time of the dive accident I had been teaching for about 9 years and teaching a course with foundations in emotional intelligence for the past 3. After nearly dying during that situation, I awakened to the knowledge that I am still on the earth to make a different kind of difference. Of course, caring for NICU babies was a vital part of my journey. The concepts and topics I create are timeless and universal, therefore they are not just for nursing or healthcare professionals. Sharing and developing all people, because we are all humans in the success awareness brings to our personal, professional, and academic success, is what I am going for now. I have brought my speaking outside of the conventional classroom to my local community and to several states including California, Hawaii and globally (virtually) with 8 countries represented speaking for Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society. I am frequently utilized as a closer because conference planners want to close the conference with the kind of inspiration and positivity I bring. Attendees often say after my presentation "I connected with you!"...One of the best compliments ever!