My Life as a Double-Agent

 

Years ago, I was a double-agent. 

 

Not as a spy.  

 

But, rather, as a woman living two different lives.   

 

Yes, I was a “Mom” with three kids, while at the same time, a “career professional” on the corporate fast-track with a major utility company in Pennsylvania.

 

If you are, or have ever been, a “working Mom,” you know exactly what I’m talking about.

 

Allow me to share my journey... as you and I may have a few things in common!

 

Early Days

 

The year was 1978 and Jimmy Carter was president when I entered the corporate workforce at age 17. 

 

 

I started as just a low level clerk.  But, I quickly moved up to typist, stenographer and ultimately became part of the tech team that helped usher in the new technology of “word processing” to the corporate offices.  

 

Being a fast learner, I continued to focus on state-of-the-art office technologies and related applications.  As it turns out, I was really good at it! 

 

I totally understood digital technology and was promoted to computer operator.  And, then, progressed to: “Programmer.”  

 

I was a pioneer “techie!”  And, that, in itself, was quite a journey!

 

Double-Agents Need to Stay Busy

 

But, I wasn’t “all-work-and-no-play.”  

 

Nope.

 

I’m one of those “Type-A” personalities who must always keep busy.

 

If you are a “Type-A”, then, you already know this type of personality is very good at being a “double-agent” and a “multi-tasker.”

 

Beyond work, my life was filled with friends, family and activities including ski trips, horseback riding and competitive team sports. 

 

Nights and weekends I played softball, tennis, racquetball and volleyball. 

 

 

As you can see by the photo above I was a determined running back on our flag football team!

 

And, I was the “ace” on our company bowling team.  In fact, I met my future husband, Lee, during one of our bowling league events. 

 

 

(Whenever someone asks how we met, Lee responds with a quote from his favorite movie “Arthur”   – “...usually one must go to a bowling alley to meet a woman of your stature!” )

 

Despite my full life… there was a “voice” deep inside that seemed to be tugging at me.  I didn’t really understand it.  But, it was there.  

 

A few years after meeting, Lee and I married and started our family with TWIN GIRLS!

 

A Message From the Universe

 

I’ve always felt the birth of my twins - and, a son, two years later, was the Universe’s way of teaching me about “patience” … and, letting me know that I’d need to learn how to relax. 

 

Parenting, as it turns out, wasn’t going to be easy.   Certainly not as easy as managing projects… like my job!

 

 

Nonetheless, despite what the Universe was trying to convey, I maintained my double-agent status.  

 

To Be Perfect..!

 

For years, I worked full-time -- and was a semi-single-parent Mom for weeks at a time -- as my husband’s work required extensive travel away from home. 

 

But, it was the 80’s.  So, it wasn’t enough to be just a single Mom.  I needed to be the “PERFECT” Mom.  

 

I attended all school and social functions with the perfect gift, the perfect well-dressed, well-behaved children and, at all times, displayed the perfect “mommy” attitude. 

 

Type-A’s can do it all and make it look so graceful! 

 

And Then Life Got Really Crazy...

 

As the kids entered middle school their schedules exploded with numerous after-school activities, sports and social events. 

 

It became more and more difficult to keep it all together.  

 

If you’ve ever walked in my shoes, you know how “crazy-making” it is to be Super Mom, Super Employee, Super Wife and Super Friend/Sister/etc. 

 

It’s exhausting!  And, not even a little fun.   

 

For the first time in my life, I was totally out of control. 

 

I was flunking motherhood… daily!  (Have you ever felt this way?)

 

At work -- all I could think about were my kids and what needed to get done.  

 

When home -- all I could think about was work and what needed to be accomplished!   

 

During this whole time… that “voice” was becoming louder and more frequent. But, I still couldn’t hear it clearly nor understand it. 

 

The Big Decision

 

As my career responsibilities increased and my husband’s travel took him further away from home for longer periods --- it became apparent that something had to give. 

 

We sat down and made a joint decision that I would leave my job and become a full-time “Mom.”

 

Cutting our dual income in-half was scary… but, totally necessary.  

 

Even scarier, was the label of being a full-time “Mom.”

 

After all, throughout my career I had identified with my various job positions and titles -- and “MOM” wasn’t one of them.  

 

Don’t get me wrong.  I love my kids and loved being a Mom.

 

But, I was an incredible “double-agent!”

 

Plus, being a single, working parent had always been my “out.”  It was my cover whenever I fell short of the ideal “Super Mom.”  

 

Now, being a full-time Mom would mean a full-time commitment.  What if I failed?  Flunking full-time motherhood would NOT be an option. 

 

You know what I mean…. right?

 

The Full-Time Mom...

 

And, then, the Type-A attributes kicked in.  Fast forward a few years and I was crushin’ it! 

 

“Spectatoring” was my new thing -- and I was all in.

 

Attending and participating in my kids’ athletic competitions, school functions and church events brought out feelings and a spirit of connectedness I didn’t even know I had.   

 

Their travel tournaments, fundraisers, concerts and other social obligations filled my career vacuum.  I loved being there -- and, am now incredibly grateful and lucky to have spent so much precious time with my children. 

 

You never get this time back.  There are no do-overs.

 

Yet, still… there was that “voice” that kept calling to me.  I still didn’t understand it -- but, I knew I needed to start listening. 

 

During the same time my kids were in school, an opportunity arose where I could work part-time at a local YMCA.  It didn’t pay much (nothing like my corporate position), but I’ve always had a passion for sports and fitness so I took the job.

 

It immediately felt “right.”  Like I was meant to be there.

 

Just like my corporate career, I was a fast learner and quickly progressed from the fitness floor to a certified personal trainer.  

 

I earned multiple certifications in several health and fitness disciplines and ultimately became the Wellness Director for the YMCA.

 

The Double-Agent was Back! 

 

Once again, I was living two different lives.  Only this time instead of technology, my new focus was on PEOPLE, HEALTH, CONNECTIONS and RELATIONSHIPS.

 

I loved the intimacy of working one-on-one with individual clients and helping them achieve their various health and lifestyle goals. 

 

It was emotionally and professionally rewarding to introduce them to the concept of mind, body, spirit and the inner-connectedness of their wellbeing. 

 

I literally became a “force of good” in peoples’ lives.  It felt like a “gift.”

 

And, now, I understood the inner “voice” I’d been hearing.  The Universe had been guiding me toward this direction all along. 

 

Deja Vu... 

 

However, it didn’t take long before other health organizations took notice.  

 

They recognized the combination of my health/fitness certifications, people skills and technology background … could be a major asset to their growth plans.

 

As a result, I was heavily recruited. 

 

And, soon, I found myself on a new career track working with large health club organizations - from multi-unit operators to national franchises. 

 

Of course, my Type-A “drive-for-excellence” personality once again propelled me through a progression of executive management positions. I dazzled the board of directors with my experience, vision and prowess in “getting the job done.”  

 

But, none of it felt “right.”  In fact, it all felt terribly “wrong.”  

 

Freedom to Be Me

 

Have you ever just said, “Screw it!” -- and left it ALL behind? 

 

It’s both scary and exhilarating at the same time.

 

But, that’s exactly what I did.

 

I no longer needed to prove myself to anyone.

 

I’d already successfully navigated the corporate world -- twice!

 

And, I was lucky enough to spend time with my children during their most critical years. 

 

It was “ME” time.

 

I decided to “drop out.”  

 

It was time to assess.  

 

It was time to really think about the things that made me feel alive and happy.  

 

I needed to dig deep inside and determine what motivated me and provided a sense being “whole” and relevant. 

 

It Led Me to YOU...

 

My life’s journey has taken many forms and wound its way down several paths.   During my period of self-assessment, I came to a conclusion.

 

And, I’m not overstating when I say, “...ultimately, this journey has led me to YOU.”

 

Here’s what I mean:

 

As a corporate executive, working mom and health professional I was constantly astounded by the lack of health and wellbeing among my peers.

 

Sometimes, heartbreaking.  

 

Can You Relate to This?

 

In today’s fast paced world more and more people are burned-out, stressed out, depressed, eating unhealthy and simply spiraling downward.

 

Most people don’t know how to deal with any of this.

 

But, I do.

 

Let’s Talk…

 

Yes, I know how to help on several different levels -- from developing corporate wellness programs to one-on-one coaching for personal growth. 

 

Because I came up through the corporate environment, I am one of the few health professionals in the world who is experienced and truly understands what a “corporate wellness program” requires -- and how to scale it.  

 

So, if you’re responsible for any kind of health and wellness program for your company -- and need help… Let’s Talk…. CLICK or TAP HERE...

 

On the other hand….

 

Perhaps, you’re at a point in your life where you’re ready to reassess the things that are important to you -- and feel you’d benefit from one-on-one life coaching.  If that sounds like you, then:  Let’s Talk…. CLICK or TAP HERE...

 

Obviously, you have your own story.  And, I’d like to hear it. 

 

Let’s Talk…. CLICK or TAP HERE...