This week I shared online that I had recently completed my certification to become a wellness coach and the response was so heartwarming. I am incredibly grateful to have such wonderful support around me as I begin on this new career path. The comments from my friends and family reinforced for me why I wanted to become a bipolar coach.

When my first two bipolar episodes emerged in December of 2005, I wasn’t able to comprehend how my life would change. I went from being the type of person who rarely took Tylenol to being prescribed multiple medications to manage my newly diagnosed bipolar disorder. My family was incredibly supportive and tried to learn as much as they could about bipolar, but it was overwhelming to say the least. Over the years, I came to understand my triggers (lack of quality sleep, stress, and lack of medicine in my system), and through trial and error I began to learn how to not only survive living with bipolar, but thrive.

During my years of running This Is My Brave, from creating it in 2014 as a Kickstarter to turning it into a nonprofit where I served as Executive Director until the end of 2021, I was functioning mainly on a stable level. My psychiatrist at the time used to say, “a little hypomania is okay” with the intent to be careful not to let it escalate into mania. It was when the pandemic hit in 2020 that I experienced the opposite of my typical escalation in mood: bouts of depression. After a number of mild depressive episodes later, I began looking forward to the end of my time with the organization as I was going to be moving on to focus on new opportunities. I wrapped up my time with This Is My Brave at the end of 2021, but nothing would prepare me for what would lie ahead.

2022 and the beginning of 2023 were full of drastic ups (mania) and severe lows (depression). The depressive episodes found me camped out on the couch for hours on end and even included terrifying suicidal thoughts, while the mania had me floating on air and buzzing with carefree joy. I felt like I lived on a roller coaster. I was experiencing what’s called “rapid cycling” bipolar, and I think part of the issue was also the start of perimenopause. It was beyond frustrating as I felt so out of control. I was desperate to find balance. Finally, during the second half of 2023 I accepted a part-time job and my mood began to stabilize. I started to feel like myself again.

While I believe the fluctuation of hormones caused by perimenopause negatively impacted my moods, once I focused on what I could control from a bipolar diagnosis standpoint, things began to improve. I used behavioral activation to boost my mood when I was down, cognitive behavioral therapy techniques to improve my thoughts, and reduced my alcohol consumption to next to nothing. I have felt better than I have in years and want to share what I’ve learned with others who are struggling to find balance with their bipolar diagnosis. I want to be the bipolar coach I wish I had beside me when I was struggling to find that stability.

I am thrilled to announce the launch of my Bipolar Balance program, coming in mid-August. This 90-day private coaching program is specifically designed to help women living with bipolar disorder achieve long-term stability and balance. Drawing from my personal experience and the strategies that have worked for me, I aim to be the accountability partner and bipolar coach that I wish I had when I was first diagnosed and along the way.

What to Expect

During the Bipolar Balance program, I will work closely with my clients to identify their wellness goals and create effective strategies to achieve them. Together we will build a robust self-care plan to support long-term stability. Our weekly 45-minute sessions over the course of 12 weeks will focus on:

• Building Long-Term Stability: Through an increase in behavioral activation activities.

• Developing Positive, Motivated Thinking: Transforming mindset and outlook.

• Rediscovering Joy: Finding pleasure in things you previously loved.

Why Hire a Bipolar Coach?

I am deeply committed to helping women navigate their bipolar journey with confidence and resilience. Priced at $1497, I truly believe the Bipolar Balance program will be a transformative experience for anyone who joins.

How to Learn More

If you’re interested, please reach out! I’d love to talk with you about working together. Or, if you know someone who might benefit from this program, please share this post or my contact information with them. Your referrals and support mean the world to me.