About me
I grew up in a suburb of Los Angeles, a short drive from the Hollywood sign. My dad loved jury duty, and he would sometimes tell me stories from the county courthouse. One evening, when I asked about his day, he said, "Today I took a homeless person to lunch."
Me: Why didn't you just give him money?
Dad: Because everyone has a story.
By taking him to lunch, my dad got to hear that story.
I never viewed a homeless person (or anyone else, for that matter) the same way again. My curiosity was thus awakened.
HI! I'M DEE-DEE, AND I LOVE SPENDING TIME WITH PEOPLE AND HEARING THEIR STORIES.
Every summer we'd go camping in Yosemite.
One of my favorite parts of the day was when friends and family gathered around the campfire as the evening settled down.
Inevitably, people started sharing stories about their lives. It felt like a sacred space, as the stories shared included everything from the comical to the profound.
This is the spirit I bring to my work.
Like so many people I meet, my life has not been in a straight line.
I've been a cheerleader, a personal secretary for a wealthy lady, an Educational Therapist Intern where I provided therapy for children with learning disabilities, a licensed minister, I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration ( psychology would have been a better fit), and I've been a horse trainer.
Being a member of the Equine Training Team for Hope Reins was one of the happiest experiences of my life. I have always loved horses; my family could never afford them, so I saved the money I earned to spend on riding horses in the mountains up the road from where I lived in Southern California.
When I discovered Hope Reins, I told them I would scoop poop just to be near the horses. When the Equine Training Team manager discovered I knew natural horsemanship, she said, “I have a horse for you." It was Jesse. Although I spent time training other horses, this is the horse that taught me so much and felt like one of my best friends.
More about Jesse in a minute. Keep reading.
FUN FACTS
During a filming of The Tonight Show, I won a prize for being a noticeably enthusiastic audience member.
This is how I feel when hearing people’s life stories.
I literally dance like no one is watching.
My playlist includes:
Better When I’m Dancing by Meghan Trainor
Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles
Try Everything by Shakira
I write flash-fiction and short essays. I'm also getting ready to write my memoir.
Becoming a life coach | Baptism by fire
During my life-coach training, the woman who ran the program, and who is also known as Oprah’s life coach, asked me to coach her.
It was a total shock to the system. Not only was I brand new, but this was totally unheard of. It taught me to be authentic and present even when extremely nervous.
Since then, I've worked as a health coach, an Internal Family Systems-informed coach, a stress and anxiety coach, and I'm an independently contracted life coach at The Well Mental and Spiritual Care.
Now I work as a life story coach and run life story circles. Everyone has a story. Everyone's story matters.
MY NOUNS
Cheerleader, Coach, and Connector - have you read the book, The Go-Giver? Also, Encourager, Survivor, Overcomer, Friend and Mom.
MY MOTTOS
Live it to give it, inspired by Martha Beck
Love your neighbor as yourself, inspired by Jesus
Be a window for God's light, inspired by experience
Also, “When it comes to my children, I will slay the dragons.”
MY BEST COMPLIMENT
"You are absolutely luminous!'
Things I love:
- NIA exercise classes
- Reading memoirs and biographies
- Walking in nature with friends
- Making custom jewelry
- Connecting with people who are deep, fun, curious, spiritual, creative, and who seek and desire truth.
PEOPLE SAY
"You've helped me embrace 'the largeness in me, even when I fear it.” ❤️
"Dee Dee's coaching has provided me with the language and validation I needed to move forward and create lasting change."
"She has a remarkable ability to make me feel truly heard and understood."
