About

For thirty years, I was a very successful New York commercial real estate broker. While I enjoyed great success in my real estate career, on a personal level, my body was begging for mercy. 

In my late forties, I began experiencing chronic fatigue, and relentless digestive issues. By the time I reached my early fifties, my symptoms had worsened. A routine checkup revealed the toll my lifestyle had taken: I had high blood pressure, insulin resistance, gut issues and signs of burnout. It was a slow and painful awakening. 

I realized I had built my career at the expense of my health. Determined to turn my life around, I began a journey of self-discovery and healing. I knew I needed to change, but I just didn't know how.

For me, changing my eating habits was hard. I kept trying, but my taste buds were stubbornly loyal to the foods that had kept me going during my real estate career. When I decided to overhaul my health, I assumed that changing my eating habits would be as simple as switching from processed food to healthier options. “I’m disciplined in every area of my life,” I told myself. “How hard could this be?” 

The answer hit me like a ton of bricks. Changing my habits and beliefs around food was the hardest thing I faced in a long time. I didn't realize that even some of the "allegedly" healthy foods had hidden sugars and very unhealthy seed oils. Trying to change long held beliefs and habits was not easy. Willpower alone was not helping. Deep down, I knew it wasn’t just about willpower. My body and mind were addicted to the quick hits of dopamine from sugar and processed foods. Changing my eating habits was more than just a physical challenge—it was an emotional and psychological battle. 

My own journey gave me a deep empathy for my clients. I understood that changing lifelong habits wasn’t about flipping a switch; it was about rewiring the brain, one small victory at a time. My hard-fought transformation helped me to comprehend just how scary change can be. 

Upon retiring and moving to Florida, I reflected about doing something meaningful to help others. I realized how profoundly my own health struggles had changed my perspective. I realized that many people were trapped in the same cycle of sacrificing their well-being, knowing what they needed to do, but not knowing how.

A spark ignited: What if I could help others avoid the path I had taken? I began researching certification programs in health coaching. Despite being decades older than most of my classmates, I threw myself into my studies with the same passion that had driven my business success. By the time I became certified, I had developed a clear mission: To empower others to prioritize their health and well-being. 

I launched my health coaching business, aptly named Courage to Change Health Coaching, because the willingness to make changes requires courage. Drawing on my corporate background of advocating for others, I knew I could apply this experience to my health coaching practice. 

I reflected on my journey with gratitude. My first act in the business world had given me the tools to succeed; my second act as a health coach gave me a sense of purpose. My story became a testament to the idea that it’s never too late to start over, to heal, and to give back. I realized success isn’t worth it if it costs your health. But when you find balance, success becomes so much sweeter.

For me, the sweetness wasn’t just in my own health—it was in watching others find theirs.