Who Am I?

Who am I?

That's a good question.  It's one I've been deliberating in my head for quite a while.

Who am I to start a blog about inspiring women?
Who am I to form a community highlighting awesome females?
Who am I to think I can write well enough to convey their amazing accomplishments?

Who am I not to?

I am a woman who feels strongly about uplifting others to realize their own greatness and potential.
I am a woman who has been blessed to meet and know many wonderful females.
I am moved to share their greatness.
I  am excited to connect with even more women doing and being incredible.

There is a popular quote that floats around social media stating 'You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.'  Many memes are cliche and often tossed aside as we scroll through our feeds, but this one came back to haunt me in a sense.  I may be new and inexperienced, but how will I become competent if I never try?

I adore my full-time profession.  However, I have wanted a way to cultivate my passion for talking, sharing, learning, and inspiring.  Thus, the FearLess Female concept was born. 

Also, as I connect with my first round of participants, I notice a theme emerging.  Believe it or not, they don't seem to realize how exceptional they are. Therein lies another reason for me to share these profiles.  I believe we as women do not give ourselves enough credit.  Nor do we voice our pride in each other enough.  We may think it, but do we communicate it?

Who am I on a personal note? - you may still be wondering.  

I am turning 35 next week.  I live in the suburbs of Washington, DC, with my husband of ten years (but together for 17), almost six year old daughter, and 14 year old Boston Terrier, Homer.  I hail from Pennsylvania and went to college there as well.  In 2001, I moved to DC to attend Gallaudet University and do my internship simultaneously.  My Bachelor's degree is in Interpreting for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing.  I have been employed as an interpreter since graduation - first, through an agency and turning freelance in 2004.  I also taught aerobics for about ten years part time.

About five days a week you will find me at the gym.  Crossfit is my fitness community of choice and has shown me even newer levels of fearlessness that I never imagined possible.  More on that to come in a future post.

Whenever possible, I travel.  If I'm not out & about, then I'm planning the next adventure.  I've traveled extensively throughout Europe, repeatedly to Central America & the Caribbean, somewhat throughout the US, and have touched Asia once so far.  I prefer to Couch Surf with locals or bunk in a hostel for many reasons which I will expound upon in the future.

My family is quite loving, and I have many fond stories from childhood.  Be that as it may, we face a family legacy of depression.  Sadly, this confronted us in an all too real way last year with the loss of my uncle.  This insight into my genetic tendencies has spurred me to be proactive in curbing a similar fate.  This explains my devotion to self-empowerment content.  I devour anything and everything that charges me to cope as best possible and not only survive but thrive.

No Opportunities Wasted (NOW) and The Power of Now are two books that truly caused a paradigm shift in my life.  I gained a new understanding of how the mind works and an awakening to seizing the moment.

 Since absorbing this new mindset, I haven't looked back.  I've rappelled waterfalls, white water rafted, and zip lined.  I've spent the night in an ice hotel, hiked the Cinque Terre (in flip flops), and touched icebergs on my way to a glacier.  I've pushed my body to the limits against outstanding athletes and even walked across a stage in five inch heels and a bikini.  I've traveled to places near and far, meeting new friends along the way who've made me laugh so hard my cheeks hurt.  

But most importantly, I've encapsulated all of this wonder and reminded myself of how beautiful it is just to be alive.  I take this realization and attempt to hand the baton to my daughter, a FearLess Female in the making.  I love my husband with clear eyes and an open heart.  I package up all this greatness and share it with you just because...

That's who I am.