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When You Can’t Find the Answer, Take It to the Trails

When You Can’t Find the Answer, Take It to the Trails

I stood at the edge of the river, looking across the bridge that leads to my favorite hiking trail. It was a Friday morning, and I’d been wrestling with a question I couldn’t answer sitting in my office.

I'd been working on the manuscript for my second book, Walking with the Sage, which focuses on the practice of accessing your inner wisdom through intentional time in nature. But staring at the computer screen, I was stuck on “the hows.” How do I share this? How do I guide others through this practice? What does that even look like?

So I did what the book itself teaches. I headed into nature.

The Gift of Starting Again: Wisdom from Your Future Self

The Gift of Starting Again: Wisdom from Your Future Self

I had a plan.

After deciding to leave my corporate career, I knew exactly what was next: start my own business, publish my first book, step into the life I'd been preparing for during all those years of night classes and weekend explorations. The path forward was clear.

So why did I feel so off?

How to Know When It’s Time to Leave a Successful Career

How to Know When It’s Time to Leave a Successful Career

My decision to leave my corporate career wasn't a gradual realization or a carefully weighed decision. It was instant and visceral—a knowing so clear it bypassed my logical mind entirely. When I learned my boss announced his retirement, I couldn't imagine the process of proving myself once again or navigating yet another reorganization. If I was going to prove myself to anyone, it would be to me.

But here's what's important: that moment of clarity didn't come out of nowhere. It arrived because I'd been following intuitive breadcrumbs for years – small, seemingly insignificant nudges that my inner wisdom had been laying out for me all along.

From Whisper to Oak: How the Acorn Theory Can Guide Your Midlife Reinvention

From Whisper to Oak: How the Acorn Theory Can Guide Your Midlife Reinvention

It’s 3:00 a.m. and you’re wide awake — again.

By every external measure, you’re a success. You’ve checked the boxes, climbed the ladder and built the kind of life others envy. Yet, there’s that little tug, a quiet whisper suggesting that something isn’t quite right.

This isn’t a crisis or a breakdown. It’s a subtle, insistent knowing that you’re meant for something more.

Vibrant, Creative and Whole: Making a Vow to Your Future Self

Vibrant, Creative and Whole: Making a Vow to Your Future Self

The year-end pressure lingers, bringing with it the tired ritual of the New Year’s resolution. It’s a cycle built on the nagging feeling that something needs fixing — that if we just worked harder or optimized better, we’d finally arrive.

But you know the truth: these January efforts rarely survive the month. That’s because resolutions are about improving the past. What’s called for in these times is a way to claim your future. This is especially true if you’re contemplating your next life chapter and dreaming of moving from what is to what’s possible.

So this year, consider replacing goal-driven resolutions with a more soul-powered process. This year – make a vow to your future self.

A Radical Gift

A Radical Gift

I gave myself an unexpected gift a few weeks ago, and it had a ripple effect that has radiated throughout my life. It wasn't an expensive piece of jewelry or plans for an exotic vacation. Quite the opposite. It was a change in my daily schedule.

I kept an iron-clad calendar during my corporate career. It was the only way to ensure all my personal and professional responsibilities were executed without fail. But the curious thing is that intense discipline over my schedule never eased when I started Athena Wellness – until recently.

Here’s what changed.

Who Am I Now? The Quiet Work of Creating Your Second Chapter Identity

Who Am I Now? The Quiet Work of Creating Your Second Chapter Identity

To build a successful life, you need to develop an identity that’s robust, reliable and suited to manifest that success. But what happens to that identity when you make a life change?

This moment of searching isn’t a problem to be solved – it’s a powerful invitation. Identity transformation is necessary to adapt to new circumstances, such as a major career change, an empty nest, or a shift in your partnership. And when you approach it mindfully, it empowers you to design your next chapter with clarity and confidence.

The Parallel Path Strategy: How to Explore Your Deepest Desires in Midlife

The Parallel Path Strategy: How to Explore Your Deepest Desires in Midlife

When you spend years building a successful career, you learn to trust one thing: the continuous ascent. You master the sprint, strategize for the long game, and enjoy the achievement that comes in its wake. But what happens when that climb no longer feels compelling?

This isn’t something to dread. The restlessness you may be feeling isn’t a sign of failure. It’s a sign of growth. Think of it as an invitation – a permission slip – to shed the rules that no longer fit and start walking a path that’s truly your own, beyond the unspoken constraint of success.

An Unexpected Adventure (Rewild Your Well-being, Part VI)

An Unexpected Adventure (Rewild Your Well-being, Part VI)

Have you ever made a decision to venture out of your comfort zone and then spent tons of energy to prepare yourself for it, only for plans to change? That’s exactly what happened to me a few months ago and today’s post is about preparing for an experience and what to do when it all goes awry.

You know how it works. You have an idea of a something monumental you really want to experience and you tuck it in the back of your mind. Maybe it’s a place, like visiting the Taj Mahal, or a natural phenomenon, like witnessing the northern lights. Sometimes, it’s an activity, like running a marathon.

I find as I get older, it’s about doing the things I always wanted to do – while I still have the capacity to do them.

Nature's Gym (Rewild Your Well-being, Part V)

Nature's Gym (Rewild Your Well-being, Part V)

A climate-controlled box. A structured class. An expensive membership. All uninspired components of how we typically think of fitness. But I’ve found that the most restorative gym on the planet is the one you already have free access to: the wild world right outside your door.

For years, I treated my fitness routine like an equation: outdoor runs and hikes for cardio, indoor gyms for strength training. It was a reliable system, but I wished I could bring more of my fitness activities outdoors.

Then last spring, something caught my attention…

The Freedom of Letting Go (Rewild Your Well-being, Part IV)

The Freedom of Letting Go (Rewild Your Well-being, Part IV)

Every creative project begins with a process of gathering materials, ideas and inspiration. We can think of our lives as immense creative projects filled with gathered resources: beliefs, routines, objects, obligations and experiences.

It’s been my experience that the most important part of living a creative life isn’t in the gathering—it’s in the sorting. Without a willingness and a process to sort through what we’ve collected and discard what no longer fits, our life masterpiece remains hidden beneath the weight of it all.

Finding a Seasonal Life Rhythm (Rewild Your Well-being, Part III)

Finding a Seasonal Life Rhythm (Rewild Your Well-being, Part III)

Have you ever felt a sense of being out of sync? A feeling that even though you’re working hard and pushing forward, your energy is low and your efforts feel strained? That feeling of friction may be trying to tell you that you’re working counter to seasonality and the natural rhythms of your life.

Today, we're diving deep into the concept of seasonality, which is especially important as we navigate midlife transitions. We'll examine how to stop working against your own rhythms and start flowing with the natural seasons of your life.

The Antidote to Midlife Malaise (Rewild Your Well-being Series, Part II)

The Antidote to Midlife Malaise (Rewild Your Well-being Series, Part II)

Have you ever felt a sense of quiet dissatisfaction? A feeling that after years on a well-defined path, your life has become too predictable, too routine, or you’ve lost a bit of your spark? That feeling of midlife discomfort is a signal that your own wild, vibrant nature is yearning for something new.

In the first article of this series on Rewilding Your Well-being, we began to explore why your midlife transition is the most powerful invitation you’ll ever receive to imagine and create your most fulfilling chapter yet. In this article, we're diving deeper into the concept of rewilding your midlife and how to reclaim your innate resilience and instinct.

Unearthing Your Next Chapter Through Nature (Rewild Your Well-being Series, Part I)

Unearthing Your Next Chapter Through Nature (Rewild Your Well-being Series, Part I)

If you’re a professional who has spent years on a structured path to success, a new kind of journey is calling. It’s an adventure into the outdoors and into yourself. Welcome to the Rewild Your Well-Being series, where we view your midlife transition not as an ending, but as the most powerful invitation you will ever receive to explore, reimagine, and create your most fulfilling chapter yet.

Today’s article is the first in our brand new series. Throughout the upcoming installments, we'll explore a unique approach to personal transformation that uses nature as a catalyst and guide.

Strong & Vital, Pt. XIV - Embracing Your Vibrant Future

Strong & Vital, Pt. XIV - Embracing Your Vibrant Future

This is the final article of the Strong & Vital series, where we’ve been focusing on redefining healthy aging. We went beyond outdated paradigms to find ways to embrace a life brimming with energy, purpose and well-being. And we explored the three core pillars of a vibrant life: body, mind and spirit. Today, I’d like to leave you with some inspiration, a few takeaways, and a glimpse of what’s to come.

Strong & Vital, Pt. XIII - Supercharge Your Wellness Practices with Nature

Strong & Vital, Pt. XIII - Supercharge Your Wellness Practices with Nature

In the last several articles in this series, we covered the four wellness practices I do myself and recommend to my clients and students. Today, we’ll explore how to supercharge those practices and elevate their benefits with nature.

The decision to take your practice outdoors isn’t just about a change of scenery, although that’s always welcomed. It’s a strategic choice based on clear benefits. First, the physiological benefits, which include improved cardio vascular health, lower blood pressure and cortisol levels, enhanced immune system, reduced risk for chronic illness, better sleep and more energy. That, in itself, is reason enough to take a long walk.

But psychological benefits are interesting. I think we all agree that we feel better after spending some time outdoors – feeling less stress, mental focus, emotional regulation and an improved mood. But do you know why this is the case?

Strong & Vital, Pt. XII - From Insight to Impact: The Practice of Inspired Action

Strong & Vital, Pt. XII - From Insight to Impact: The Practice of Inspired Action

If you’ve been following this series, chances are you’ve reflected, journaled, held your big life questions and you’ve gotten glimpses of clarity. Perhaps you even have a clear vision for your next big life move or a deep understanding of what truly matters to you. But what do you do with that insight?

We’ll answer that question by exploring the power of taking inspired action. This practice helps you move beyond just knowing, allowing you to transform your inner wisdom into intentional action that creates real-world impact.

So what does “taking inspired action” mean and how is it a practice?

Strong & Vital, Pt. XI - Your Path to Clarity: The Art of Holding a Question

Strong & Vital, Pt. XI - Your Path to Clarity: The Art of Holding a Question

We often think the best answers come from external experts or exhaustive research. But it’s been my experience that the most profound insights are often waiting within you, ready to be discovered. In this article, we'll explore a practice that is as simple as it is insightful, designed to unlock your inner knowing in a surprisingly enjoyable way.

It’s the practice of holding a question and I think you’ll agree that it’s a unique and interesting way to cut through the noise and confusion so you can listen for the answers that truly resonate and move you down your most authentic path with confidence.

This practice is a conscious, sustained engagement with a specific query, allowing for exploration – not just in your mind, but also in your body and your heart. It's about inviting insight to emerge with curiosity, rather than trying to force an immediate answer. Think of your question not as a problem to be solved, but as a seed you plant and tend, trusting the natural process to unfold and bring clarity.

Strong & Vital, Pt. X - Illuminating Your Path with the Practice of Journaling

Strong & Vital, Pt. X - Illuminating Your Path with the Practice of Journaling

For many of us, particularly in the midst of a demanding career and personal life transitions, gaining clarity on "what's next" feels more crucial than ever. What if a simple, accessible practice could illuminate your path forward, helping you process information, pinpoint desires, and map out your next steps with confidence?

Today, we'll explore how a powerful tool that can help you sort through the whirlwind of thoughts, feelings, and decisions that come with navigating life’s rich complexities and exciting possibilities: journaling.

The essence of journaling is an intentional way of focusing your attention, leading to greater awareness, insight and inner harmony. It’s not about merely recording the events of the day; it’s a dynamic practice of active introspection, reflection, and discovery.

Strong & Vital, Pt. IX - Finding Stillness in the Practice of Contemplation

Strong & Vital, Pt. IX - Finding Stillness in the Practice of Contemplation

I invite you to take a deep breath…

That’s all it takes to turn your attention inward – one moment of presence.

It’s no secret that our world and lives can feel chaotic. But I've noticed a growing desire in my clients and students for genuine moments of pause. As they journey through the complexities of midlife, the yearning for inner peace, deeper insight, and a sense of spiritual connection has never been more palpable.

In this article, we’ll focus on one of the most foundational and accessible of these practices: contemplation.