Whilst working in a job I loved, the OCD became overwhelming. My dream organisation had every policy. Every wellbeing framework. Every tick in every box. They were renowned for being the most people-centred space. Yet, when I told them what was going on and asked for help, HR discussed it with everyone, made fun of me, and told me if I couldn't do my job I should probably just leave.
I hadn't missed a day. I'd hit every target. I turned up even if I was having panic attacks.
After that they got the worst of me because they never allowed me to bring the best of me. I did the bare minimum to not get sacked. All trust was destroyed.
That experience is why I am obsessed with this work. I didn't get into regenerative leadership design because I was taught the theory and liked it. It's because my own experience made me desperate to make positive change. I have kids. I don't want them to ever experience firsthand what it costs when organisations treat people as a resource rather than a human being.
This passion led me to org development, positive psychology, and neurobiology — learning everything I could about human behaviour, system change, and how to build thriving spaces. I went on to work with NATO, the European Parliament, and Deloitte. Utterly fixated on taking what I had learned and turning it into frameworks, training, and coaching that supports both organisational and human flourishing.
I am also a military spouse, which means I have spent years following my husband around the world, starting over, rebuilding the community from scratch. I know what it costs to keep showing up when you are exhausted and under-resourced.
I don't have six pack abs. I don't run ten miles a day. But I am genuinely happy. I have built a life I love, not just one I access on weekends. That is what high performance looks like to me. And that is what I want for every leader and organisation I work with.