About Chārutā

My Earlier Story

I grew up in a small town in the Finger Lakes of Upstate New York to working-class parents. I graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. After graduating from college, I joined the Peace Corps and was stationed in the Republic of Kiribati, a small island country in the South Pacific. I lived without electricity, running water, creature comforts, and light or air pollution for nearly two years. This experience profoundly changed me.

Upon returning, I was filled with many more questions than answers. For example, how could simple islanders with almost no material goods be so happy while so many other abundant, well-educated Westerners feel deprivation and depression? What creates these polarized imbalances and inequalities? Above all, what created these imbalances within me? Although as an American I had many opportunities ahead of me, I felt confused as to what to do with my life. Surely there was more to living than earning money and "to being a somebody.” I wanted to be of service.

That desire propelled me on a different journey, one of discovery and finding my purpose. I went to the Ashland Institute of Massage and became a licensed massage therapist. I began psychotherapy. I danced and engaged in movement therapies. I took yoga classes and sat in 10-day silent meditation retreats. I traveled extensively and studied with many wise people from all over the world.

I gained from each experience. I gained confidence and skill with my massage clients. I felt peaceful after meditation retreats and yoga classes. I felt exhilarated after dancing and felt increased independence after extensive travel. However, after a period of time, after the “high” of each activity wore off, my struggles returned, like weeds growing back in a garden.

Finally, in 2007, I stumbled upon a certain business coach and that is when everything began to really change, rapidly and permanently for the better... (continue reading below).

My Journey into Coaching

I first hired my coach Marianne Weidlein because I was burning out as an employed massage therapist and not making enough money. Like so many wellness professionals, I loved helping people and the art of bodywork but lacked the confidence and business know-how needed to be successfully self-employed.

After only a few months of working with Marianne Weidlein, the creator of Vertical Reflective Questioning, I was able to quit my spa job because I was making the same amount of money as a self-employed massage therapist as I did as an employee, but with so much more free time and room to grow. My pathway was profoundly clear, obstacles were removed, I felt rejuvenated and incredibly peaceful and as a bonus, my personal life improved dramatically. It felt miraculous!

Everything I had tried up until that point was helpful but to a profoundly lesser degree than with Vertical Reflective Questioning. Thus, when Marianne decided to offer a yearlong coach training in 2010, I jumped at the chance. When that intensive year was over, I signed on for another two-year mentorship program with her before becoming certified. After her passing in 2015, I received additional coaching training from the Center for Coaching Certification and completed the curriculum for living with Landmark Worldwide®.

I knew I needed to “walk my talk” before I could coach. This took time. The Vertical Reflective Questioning process is profound, direct, incredibly humbling at times, and not for the faint of heart. It changed my life from the inside out, and now I am honored to use it with hundreds of clients to give them the results they want and so much more.

If you are ready to understand what gets in the way of your profound success, willing to be radically honest and accountable for what you say you want, and prepared to put in an important, focused effort, then let's talk!