Core Magnificence

2025: A Year Full of Movement, Learning, and Milestones

2025 was packed with experiences that stretched me, inspired me, and reminded me what I’m capable of.

🇲🇽 I kicked off the year in Mexico, soaking up sun, connection, and a fresh sense of possibility.

🎭 I went to so many plays, concerts, and shows, feeding my love of creativity and expression.

✨ I learned new healing modalities that expanded the way I support and work with others.

🚗 I took an East Coast Road Trip, exploring, laughing, and enjoying the open road.

🔯 I began a year-long Kabbalah program, adding depth and structure to my spiritual practice.

🇮🇹 And I celebrated turning 50 in Florence, during an unforgettable Italian road trip.

It was a year of growth, adventure, and saying yes to the things that matter most.

Next Up 2026. ...stay tuned for more...

A Ritual That Grounds Me

“Peace isn’t found in silence—it’s found in the space between thoughts, when you remember who you are.”

One ritual that grounds me is meditation. I started meditating during a retreat that I attended when I was feeling lost and needed some direction in my life. That retreat led me to start Core Magnificence as a way to help others find their way back to their true selves, before the world told you who you should be or how you should live.

My first meditation experience was not relaxing or peaceful. I could not figure out how to shut off my brain. The retreat leader let me know that I don't have to shut off my brain, I just have to find a way to let the thoughts flow without following them. Once I realized I didn't have to be perfect, it was easier to just let go.

I meditate each morning as part of my morning rituals and will also take 10 minutes during the day if I feel like I need to center myself. It has been a game changer for me in my relationship with myself and others. I find I can stay calmer in stressful situations.

A Moment I Saw Myself Clearly

"Leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about trust. And sometimes, it takes someone else’s words to remind you of your own strength."

During my career in HR, there have been a few moments when employees or managers have said something that caught me off guard and reminded me that I make a difference each day.

One such comment came from a supervisor during a period of organizational change. I was working through the process with the team and told them it was going to be tough for a little while, but we’d make it through—because that’s what we do.

Afterwards, the supervisor came up to me and said, "If you were running into a burning building, I’d follow you." I was shocked and didn’t know how to respond. I think I said thank you or something like that.

Later, I sat with that moment and realized I was respected as a leader. I was just being myself and doing what I believed was right. That’s what I try to do each day.

There have been other instances where people’s words made me pause. Sometimes I get so caught up in the task at hand that I forget the impact I have on people’s lives.

That moment reminded me of the quiet power of showing up with authenticity. When you lead with honesty, empathy, and conviction—not ego or performance—people feel it. They trust it. And sometimes, they follow it.

A Family Trait I Carry

“I carry their grit in my bones. What they built with sacrifice, I carry forward with purpose.”

Perseverance. My parents both came from humble beginnings, but they never let that impact my brother and I as we were growing up. They knew they wanted to give us a good life and opportunities they didn’t have—and they did.

As I got older, I began to see my upbringing in a new light. My parents never stopped working hard to give us a better life. They leaned on each other and on family for support. I never realized how much watching them push for what they wanted had shaped me.

I’ve been called stubborn many times in my life because I don’t give up on my dreams—but I can’t help it. It’s the way I was brought up.

Thank you Mom and Dad for showing me how to persevere. Love you both 💓

Reinvention Moment

While at Western I majored in Psychology and minored in Ancient History. During my studies, I learned how a person's memory could be changed right after a traumatic event based on the questions asked. I was intrigued. 🤓I learned about the fallibility of eyewitness testimony and discovered there was a professor at the University of Guelph studying it.

I reached out to him to see if he was taking honours thesis students, and he said he would definitely support the idea. I was so excited! 😁I graduated from Western and then I transferred to Guelph for my honours year, only to find out I had to take additional classes because some of my Western credits didn’t transfer.😖

Thankfully, the courses were similar and I reused some of my papers with a few tweaks… lol. Unfortunately, during the six-month delay in starting my thesis, the professor I wanted to work with took a sabbatical.☹️

So I scrambled to find a new supervisor and connected with a professor studying labour unions. He agreed to take me on, and my honours thesis explored how unions could use effective messaging to gain public support—even when the public is adversely impacted.🤓

That thesis introduced me to Human Resources, and I became a certified HR professional. Sometimes life throws you curveballs that redirect you onto the path you’re meant to travel. Who knows what I’d be doing if things had played out differently?

I’m grateful for the life I’ve created and the people I’ve met since moving to Guelph. Always look for the positive.

First Big Risk

I’ve taken many risks in my lifetime, but one I remember fondly is the time I agreed to go skydiving with my friend Marie’s sister, Stephanie. She wanted to write a story about skydiving and asked me to do it with her. It was a weekend of training and pushing my fears aside.

On jump day, I remember staring out the door of the plane and thinking I was nuts. I jumped with a camera person and two instructors—this was not a tandem jump. They were there to make sure I didn't flip before the chute was pulled! I had to check my altimeter, make sure my chute deployed, and confirm all was well. Once I was deployed, they continued to free fall before pulling their own chutes.

What a RUSH! I was floating up there thinking what a beautiful world we live in and grateful for this opportunity. I had earbuds in my ears so they could direct me while I landed. I came in pretty smooth, but then the wind caught my parachute and pulled me backwards on my butt.

Only thing bruised was my ego… lol.

I still remember that day fondly and am grateful that I took the leap.

First time I lived on my own (away from home) was when I attended University of Western Ontario. I remember the day my parents dropped me off at the residence called Saugeen Maitland Hall (aka the Zoo). I was nervous and excited about what was to come. I didn’t know anyone else who was at the university with me, so I prayed my roommate would be nice.

Turned out that my roommate was not compatible with me, and within the first two weeks of university, I had a new roommate. She was awesome. I made friends on 7 Lower that are still in my life today.

I learned how to manage my time, make good decisions (mostly), and had the first real taste of freedom. Second and third year, I lived in a townhouse with women I met on 7 Lower. So many wonderful memories from those years.

Grateful for Mai and Connie who are still in my life today.

Soundtrack of My Teenage Years

New Kids on the Block helped me find my tribe in grade nine. I put up posters of them in my locker, which broke the ice with others in my homeroom. We bonded over the band and the music during breaks. One of my closest friends, Marie, and I even made a video to give to the guys at one of the concerts. We went to many! The music became the soundtrack for my high-school years. I can’t listen to those songs without being transported back to those years and those friends.

I'll be lovin' You Forever!

No one Limits my Potential

In grade 8, I changed schools to be in the right neighborhood for high school. Leaving my friends from kindergarten was tough, and I had to make new ones while adjusting to a new school—knowing I’d be switching again the next year. Thank goodness I’m an extrovert!

One day, my teacher pulled me aside and suggested I take math at the general level instead of advanced. I was shocked. I’d always had high grades, and while math wasn’t my strongest subject, I was university-bound.

I thanked her for the suggestion—and then made my own decision. I chose advanced math. I refused to let someone who barely knew me dictate my future.

I worked harder, got a tutor for physics, and not only made it through high school—I graduated on the honor roll. I got into the University of Western Ontario, and the rest is history.

So when someone tells me I can’t do something, I remember that moment—and remind myself: I can do anything I set my mind to.

When has someone tried to limit your potential? How did you handle it? Share below...