If you are thinking about quitting- read this first...

I just got home from an epic week, where I spent 7 days with 3 BRAVE ladies and we launched 3 incredible businesses!

And to think - just a few years ago I was ready to quit everything!

A few years ago, after surviving what I call almost murder, I came to a harsh realization:

Trauma had changed my brain and my body.

It changed how I think, how much capacity I have, and what motivates me. I went from running a successful architecture and real estate development firm—overseeing $30M in assets—to losing everything overnight.

When I tried to rebuild, I hit a wall. I couldn’t focus. I was exhausted, overwhelmed, and constantly second-guessing myself. Everything I used to be great at suddenly felt impossible. I was ready to quit.

Here are three lessons that changed everything:

Lesson 1. Trauma changes your brain and your body.

Prolonged stress - a.k.a. survival mode, is exhausting. I was “doing the work” every day—healing my body, regulating my nervous system, processing the emotions—but all of that takes time, energy, and emotional capacity.

I had to face the truth: I didn’t have the same stamina or mental bandwidth I once did. And I couldn’t just hustle my way through it

But that didn’t mean I couldn’t chase my dreams. I learned that I didn't need to work harder- but that I needed systems that worked with my brain and body, not against them.

Lesson 2. It’s not about knowing when to quit—it’s about knowing why.

Trauma doesn't just change your brain and your body, it changes your heart and mind.

After trauma, I tried to rebuild my old life—my business, my relationships, my reputation. I was desperatly trying to get back to the last place that felt “safe.”

But I couldn't seem to keep up. In fact- most days I couldn't even muster the energy to get up. I thought I wasn't good enough, or that I was broken. but I realized it's wasn't about a lack of motivation, gumption or ambition- it's that I didn't believe in what I was doing - and frankly making other people millions while I was literally just trying to survive was not aligned with where my heart was.

That’s when I realized: Quitting something that no longer fits isn’t failure; It’s integrity. Sometimes what looks like giving up because you are falling behind is really about moving beyond something you have out-grown.

I couldn't be prouder of the business I run today- helping BRAVE women regain control of their brain, body and business!

Lesson 3. Pay yourself first—with your energy, your time, and then your money.

You all know that you can’t pour from an empty bucket. Some of us just learn that lesson harder than others. A huge mistake I was making in my healing was chasing a sense of security from people and things outside myself. I thought that if I could just make enough money, I would feel secure; if I could connect with the right people I would feel safe, and that I just needed to keep everything and everyone happy and I would finally beable to relax. Boy, was I wrong!

So, I started to pay myself first. My morning belong to me- to relax, be creative, make my bed, take a shower- or just veg out. This is my time to regualte my corizol, and fill my own buckets. After that- I work on my goals, personal or business. I make sure that I build that internal sense of security that I am working towards things that are important to me. And then, only if my buckets are full - do I pay-it-forward and give my energy and time to others. And when I made this shift - a funny thing happened- the money started to come in.

Fast Forward: The Launch

It's been a few years since that moment when I wanted to quit. (and I'm not going to lie - there have been a few.) But I'm so glad I decided not to.

Last week I found myself sitting on the floor at the Boston airport, waiting to board a flight to Florida—first class, all expenses paid!.

A group of women had asked me to come teach them how to do what I had done: to build a business that works with their trauma brain, not against it.

A business that’s S.M.A.R.T.: Sustainable, Mission-driven, Aligned, Resourceful, and Trauma-informed.

These 3 BRAVE women and worked our butts off! In just 2 days we launched 3 new businesses together!

It wasn't perfect, and at times it wasn't pretty- but we did it!

We worked through fear, rewrote old beliefs, and turned pain into purpose. (One woman even secured a partnership before she left the room!💥)

And as if we needed another sign from the universe, we stepped out onto the beach just as a SpaceX rocket lifted off.

We stood there, with the sun on our backs, watching that rocket dissapear into space!

And every single woman felt it too- they had all just launched something huge!

And I am so F*ing proud of them all!

So if you’re thinking about quitting, I want you to know - It’s not you. You're not broken, lazy or unmotivated.

You might just be trying to follow systems that weren’t designed for a brain and body that have survived trauma.

Or maybe you’re building something that no longer aligns with your heart.

Or maybe— just maybe- you’re running on empty, and it’s time to refill your buckets.

The solution isn’t to quit - it's to build your business and launch your dream in a way that is SMART- and aligned with how your brian and body work after trauma.

Start by finding out what kind of Survivor to CEO you are now.

Take the [Survivor to CEO Archetype Quiz] and learn how to build a business that aligns with your brain, body, and mission.

Let's launch something BRAVE together!

And remember- you've got this- and I've got you!