I always wanted to be a Cheerleader. Every Saturday growing up, my parents took my siblings and me to
University of Michigan football games. While they watched the play on the
field, I was fascinated with the cheerleaders. They were fun, exciting and got
a crowd of 111,000 people on their feet and HAPPY! By age 6, I declared my
dream: I wanted to be a Cheerleader when I grew up!
This dream was well and
good until I tried out for the high school cheerleading squad and realized one
important thing: I couldn't do the splits OR a cartwheel. My dream ended
there.
As I got older and people
asked me what I wanted to "be" when I grew up, I didn't know. I was
creative, so I went into marketing. In fact, I did everything "right"
according to the "American dream". I married a handsome lawyer, I was getting
promotions at work and we owned a big house in the suburbs and a beautiful
golden retriever. Yet by 25, I cried every day, feeling miserable and stuck. I
wanted to move to the City, feel excited about work, happy in love and life,
but I couldn't do any of those things. I remember thinking almost daily
"This is it - this is all there is to life."
Then on March 3, 2001, everything changed. It was my grandfather's
birthday and though I didn’t usually go to synagogue, he was going and it was a
nice escape. As I entered, my heart leapt. In the pew behind Grandpa stood Ida,
my former youth group advisor. I broke down crying in her arms. She assured me
it would be okay, then gave me advice: Become a youth group advisor. Within weeks
I began volunteering with 40 high school girls who were filled with hopes and
dreams. I found myself encouraging them to love themselves, to pursue their
dreams, to be their best selves. I became their confidant and cheerleader and
they became mine. I realized how much I love coaching others and I was EXCITED!
I ended up getting a divorce and through the process, I led an online women’s support group of other divorcees. I then clearly heard the higher calling: I am
meant to encourage women to love themselves and live fulfilling lives. I am
meant to be a professional "cheerleader." But how could this be this
a “career”?
Fear crept in. I spent years researching masters programs but lost
hope. I found myself again in unhealthy relationships and unfulfilling jobs. I
bought a nicer car and a boat but I could hardly get out of bed I was so
ashamed and empty. Then in 2008, life changed when a man followed me home and
held me up at gunpoint. Knelt on the floor, I begged for my life. I made G-d a
promise: If you let me live, I will pursue my dreams - I will live my purpose.
With that the man took my purse and ran.
Just months later a friend wrote to me: "You're always so
positive, have you seen this?" It was a link to Penn’s Positive Psychology program. Though my father told me it was the stupidest decision he's ever
heard, I sold my boat, quit my job and moved to Philadelphia. It was the best
decision of my life. Today, I am a coach helping
people find their purpose and overcome fears to pursue their dreams. I speak
with women at corporations such as Avon and Morgan Stanley about how to be
successful and happy. I teach Positive Psychology at Penn and I love being the
cheerleader to my students, my clients, my friends and family that I was always
meant to be. I am living my DREAM and I feel blessed beyond measure!
I hope my story encourages you to pursue your dreams. Remember - EVERYTHING is possible when you follow your passion and BELIEVE in yourself.
xoxo,
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