Life, for me, has always been about resilience, family, adventure, and a sense of humor. From a GED to a Ph.D. in sport psychology; overcoming polio as a child to world class adventurer; finding my “calling” as a sport psychologist, from an extreme rock climbing fall in 1977. I feel it’s all been a gift. I am a mom, grandma, and a great-grandma, still active in climbing, some surfing. yoga, and swimming. I was born in Orlando, earned a BA from UCF in 1975, and promptly moved to Colorado, with my two daughters, then teenagers. The next 25 years were spent between parenting, teaching, guiding for wilderness organizations, and participating in extreme sports. During that time, I also earned a Masters degree in educational counseling and a Ph.D in sport psychology. When I moved back to Florida, in 2000, to be near family, I began a small business, www.savageperformance.net, while also teaching, as an adjunct, in the psychology department of FIT. In October, 2021, I said goodbye to academia, bought a camper van, and took off with my dog, Enzo, for a 6-month journey across the western United States, to revisit my old favorite places. Now that my wanderlust has been fulfilled, I am focusing on building my business, practicing yoga, enjoying family, and enjoying life immensely.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I have two daughters, both adults; two grandchildren, also adults; and one great-granddaughter.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I have had many “careers” in the past; teaching, for the most part, but in quite a diverse arena. Academic teaching ran the gamut between secondary public and private schools to college faculty to remote wilderness teaching for ten years with Colorado Outward Bound School . Currently, I am a personal consultant / trainer / coach in my own business, Savage Performance. I am also completing a memoir, which should be published next year.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Long doggers, Island Beachside for breakfast.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community? And what brought you here?
23 years. Spending my earlier years in Orlando the closest beach life would be in Brevard county and thats how I came to buy my house in Indialantic.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community? Why? Marilyn Howard. We belong to the same book club. She is Humble, Smart and well read.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Any TED Talks that have to do with sport psychology.
Q: What advice would you give to your younger self?
Choose courage over fear, laugh as often as possible, keep an open heart, be kind, stay fit.
Q: What is something on your bucket list? Why?
New Zealand – next decade birthday.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Stick Figure.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Our library system.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
The Dalai Lama, we would dine at my home.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
The ocean; The Edge Rock Climbing gym.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Traveling & enjoying friends and family.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
My BFF is Enzo, my dog.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
rock climbing.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My granddaughter, Jessi. She became my meaningful purpose.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family, friends, Serenity.
