Hi, I’m Vanessa.

I see you…

I see you struggling, like I did. That first solo year was hard. There were so many new, and often unexpected challenges.

  • I see you feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about the future.

  • I see you stressed about your finances.

  • I see you wobbling in your confidence.

  • I see you struggling to make decisions, there are so many new ones to make, the stakes are high and the support is low.

  • I see you struggling to coparent with your ex and maintain stability for your kids.

  • I see you questioning your old beliefs and wondering what happens now?

  • I see you simultaneously curious and terrified about finding love again.

This is NOT how you will feel forever.

“Transformation doesn’t ask that you stop being you. It demands that you find a way back to the authenticity and strength that’s already inside of you. You only have to bloom.”

~ Cheryl Strayed

Here is my story

In the 5 years leading up to my divorce, I felt a low-level anxiety that never quite went away. I constantly questioned whether it was me, him, or our relationship that was the issue. I struggled with emotional needs that weren’t being met, a lack of meaningful communication, and habits that clashed with my values. I kept circling back to the thought: “I think there might be more to life…I think I might WANT more from life.” But these thoughts were terrifying and overwhelming.

I was being confronted about my previously held beliefs around money, sex, emotional connection, and identity. I felt unseen and misunderstood wondering, who was I, really, just for myself? I tried everything—self-help books, therapy, and marriage counseling—all of these were helpful to some degree but coaching is what really gave me the framework to explore who I was and what I wanted AND propelled me to action.

Going through divorce was full of grief, struggle and big challenges but it also gave me the opportunity to rebuild my life. When I finally gave myself permission to want what I wanted I had to work through mindset blocks, process grief, and learn to set boundaries. Believing I could be self-reliant was one of the hardest things I ever did. But once I took those first small steps toward my future, each one gave me the energy and confidence to take another. And over time, I realized that the loneliness I had felt in my marriage was far worse than being on my own. Now, I help other women navigate this same journey, using everything I learned along the way to help them create lives they love.

Some fun facts about me…

  • At 21, I grabbed a backpack and journeyed solo across Europe, from the western shores of Spain to the eastern edges of Hungary and Greece—exploring everything in between!

  • A proud West Coast girl, I currently call North Vancouver, BC, home, but my journey began in sunny San Diego, California. The ocean has always been a part of me.

  • My family’s remote island cabin, passed down from my grandmother since the 1940s, is one of my favorite escapes—where time slows down, and memories linger.

  • You’ll often find me swimming at hidden beaches during the summer, soaking in the sunshine—but don’t count on me for cold plunges come Fall or Winter!

  • I’ve always been a voracious reader. As a girl, I’d devour books in one sitting. These days, I still carve out plenty of time to indulge in a good read.

  • With three short stories already published in anthologies and a memoir draft that’s slowly coming to life, writing has always been my creative outlet.

  • I was married for 20 years, married at 23, divorced at 43, and I now share life with my three incredible kids.

  • We’re a family that gravitates towards computers, art, theatre and music - think more introverted creative than sporty!

Kind Words from Clients

  • Rachel M

    “Thanks to Vanessa I learned that separation doesn't have to be so scary and overwhelming, both for me and my kids. With her kind, caring guidance I was able to move out of freeze and into action. Slowly through clarity of intentions and small measurable steps I started to feel a building of momentum, strength, clarity and empowerment....even excitement about the future. It was so meaningful to get clarity on what matters most and be accountable through actionable steps and regular check ins. I believe I accomplished with Vanessa in 6 sessions what might have taken me years, if ever.

    Overall, I learned that separation can be a healthy and uplifting journey. The heaviness of the years leading up to the separation can shift and your kids benefit from seeing more peace and freedom in their parent. My friends and family witnessed me build confidence and momentum and were amazed by all the changes I had accomplished. “

  • Rebekah K

    “When I first connected with Vanessa, I was feeling frazzled, panicked, overwhelmed, blurry and not very confident in myself based on where my life was at. I was trying to create a beautiful life for me and my boys, full of stability, happiness, confidence and family time. I felt stuck in the face of some big vague goals I felt like I should accomplish but that felt so far away. With Vanessa it felt so good to slow down and really explore all of the much smaller, yet very important, foundational goals that come first. I loved Vanessa's 'homework' and action items with accountability. It felt like reading a self-help book, but with a personal buddy to guide you through, ask good questions, encourage you and offer tools to make changes and grow. One of the biggest changes I've noticed in myself since coaching is my newfound peace in my parenting journey. I've even had people tell me how they admire my parenting and my sense of peace, and that feels like the best compliment! Coaching has helped me balance my energy throughout the day, manage my time, and it is affirming that I am on the right path. Friends and family have told me that I now seem calm, peaceful, grounded and happy. The coaching sessions felt perfect to me, I appreciated the flexibility, connection, and check ins. I always felt a sense of excitement at the end of all of our sessions.”

  • Bryony H

    “Finding Vanessa was like a big neon blinking sign from the universe, a gift to start the journey of healing and building the second part of my life. From our first session I had the feeling of being in the right place and by the end of that first session I felt excited and optimistic about focusing on my goals. I was struggling with how to build a life of stability, balance and clarity, for my son and myself, after recently separating from a 17-year relationship. I was grieving the loss of my marriage and the dream of the life we would build together. I longed to intentionally inject joy into my life again and build confidence in trusting my intuition. With Vanessa I felt supported during a time of crisis and after working with her my loved ones noticed that I am less anxious and more determined about moving forward with my life. The biggest change I’ve noticed is my ability to trust my intuition, be patient with my healing journey, and be realistic about limitations and putting boundaries in place all while moving forward with grace. Vanessa held and guided me so gently through this empowering experience. She knew exactly what I needed and my progress was astonishingly effective in our short time together."”

  • Krysta S

    “Vanessa is incredible! I highly recommend her. Her guidance was a huge driving force in my personal development in this new chapter of my life.
    I was confused and scattered, but now I’m confident and solid. Go see Vanessa if you’re in this phase of life…the investment in yourself is so worth it.”