As we move through life’s challenges, it can be easy to forget the power within us. Whether through societal pressures, relationship dynamics, or everyday busyness, we sometimes lose touch with the very essence of who we are. Why? Because we can get knocked out of balance by our external world. But inside of us lies a great power – one that exists as a delicate dance between our feminine and masculine energies. 

Both women and men are yearning for deeper connections—to themselves, to others, and to a purpose greater than the daily grind. In a heartfelt discussion with Carey Gatto, a recent guest on L3 Philosophy™ with Emmi, we explored how reconnecting with our inherent feminine and masculine energies can guide us back to equilibrium helping us live fuller, more authentic lives. These energies, often misunderstood, hold the key to unlocking not only personal growth but also healthier relationships and a more aligned existence. They can also serve as an inner compass when we’re trying to heal, rebuild, or start over in any area of our lives.

Both women and men can greatly benefit from understanding the characteristics of both feminine and masculine energies and where we may be out of balance in our everyday lives. And if men want to be good partners for women and vice versa, then it benefits both to understand not only how they can feel supported by each energy as individuals, but how to identify when their partner may be out of balance and what they might need to realign. Today’s blog post is all about how we can reignite that spark of self-empowerment, tap into our feminine and masculine energies where they are most supportive, and embrace who we truly are. 

Resilience. It’s a term you might not spend much time thinking about until the moment you need to embody it yourself. It is defined as the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from challenges or immense hardship. 

Whether these obstacles include the dissolution of a relationship or a different type of loss or change, when we reflect on these kinds of major life events, the undertones of human suffering are the same. The grief, the despair, the loneliness, the heartache, the pain, the isolation, the confusion, the lack of identity and direction - all of them are universally shared pain points regardless of the circumstance. 

Life is filled with unexpected twists, and navigating through these challenges often requires not only resilience but a commitment to rebuilding and redefining ourselves in the face of adversity. In my latest L3 Philosophy™ with Emmi interview, I had an eye-opening conversation with my guest Christina Hurley, whose story is one of immense courage and transformation. In it, she shares her journey from living a seemingly perfect life to facing not one, but three life-altering challenges in succession: First, unexpectedly becoming a below-the-knee amputee, second, returning home after surgery to find that her husband had removed his belongings from their home one day after their one-year wedding anniversary, and third, drowning in tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills. 

Christina’s journey of physical and emotional healing, as well as the incredible work she’s doing to support others through the nonprofit organization she founded called Less Leg More Heart, offers valuable insights on overcoming adversity and what it took for her to come out the other side thriving. 

In this blog post, we will unpack the parts of Christina's story that are not just about overcoming physical obstacles; it's about the mental, emotional, and spiritual fortitude needed to rebuild one's life after a setback. Strap on your seat belt, because you are not going to want to miss this. Whether you're facing challenges of your own or just need a dose of hope, Christina’s story will remind you that even in the darkest moments, there’s always light to be found.

It can happen suddenly - that moment of awe you feel after having a mind-opening realization about yourself or from something you experienced. Your eyes open wider. You feel a sense of peace and validation. 

We all crave moments of self-discovery, where we can step back from the demands of daily life and truly reflect on who we are and where we're going. Times of challenge, such as a breakup or divorce and other life transitions, can be especially powerful opportunities to go inward. And while traditional methods of introspection, like therapy or meditation, can be incredibly helpful, there's one powerful tool that's often overlooked—travel.

In an interview for L3 Philosophy™ with Emmi, I had the opportunity to sit down with Grace Simmons, a confidence coach who blends her love of travel with her mission to help people build self-esteem and emotional resilience. Grace’s approach to personal development, especially through the lens of travel, is nothing short of transformative. As she shared her journey and insights with me, our discussion reinforced what I know to be true about how travel is more than just an escape—it’s an experience that can deeply shift our mindset, boost our confidence, and help us tap into a better version of ourselves.

In this blog post, you will discover how travel can be a powerful tool for personal growth and supercharge your confidence.

It was the 1930s. My grandmother Claire Fortin was the youngest of twelve and needed to get a job to help support the family after she graduated from eighth grade. “When my mother set my mind to something, it was done,” my own mother shared with me.

Claire decided she was going to work at the textile mill near her home in Lowell, Massachusetts. So, she dressed in her finest shift dress and heels, walked half a mile, and presented herself to the supervisor there. “I need a job,” she told him. The supervisor responded that they were not hiring. “Well, I’ll be back tomorrow then,” she said. “You don’t have to come back - we’re not hiring,” the supervisor replied. And before she left, she said, “That’s okay, I’ll come back tomorrow.”

Every single day for 30 days my grandmother returned to the textile mill in her dress and heels and had the same exact conversation with that supervisor. Until the one day when he gave her the job. 

You might think that’s just a story about someone who was determined - which my grandmother was - but it’s more than that; it’s an example of manifestation at its finest. It exemplifies the key components needed to manifest someone, something, or some experience into your life. Some of these key factors that my grandmother exhibited was that she had decided the job was hers,  she acted as if she already had it by dressing the part, she took consistent inspired action, she persevered over time, and she believed that the job was hers even when the world told her otherwise. But there’s a bit more to manifestation than that.

I was first introduced to the concept of manifestation many years ago through a book called…

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get lost in the hustle, forget our own needs, and disconnect from the people around us. This is particularly relevant when going through a breakup or struggling with relationship challenges, as our lives are shaken up in ways we often aren’t prepared for. But what if joining communities where people feel truly seen, heard, and connected—where they can thrive together– is an important piece of the solution toward being well? 

That’s one central question explored in an inspiring conversation I had on L3 Philosophy™ with Jen Earls, a community dance leader, performance artist, and advocate for regenerative impact. Our conversation offers insights about healing, rebuilding, and strengthening relationships—both with ourselves and others—that shed light on a deeper, more fulfilling way of living.  Through her organization Dance for Humanity, Jen helps people reconnect with their bodies, emotions, and communities through dance, creating spaces where individuals can thrive by honoring their own needs while deeply listening to those of others.

This blog post will reflect on some of the key takeaways from our conversation and how you can apply them to your unique life situation. We touch on themes of self-empowerment, honoring boundaries, and the importance of community especially during times of personal challenge or life transitions. Jen’s experiential stories and the wisdom she shares invite us to slow down, listen more deeply, and create a culture where everyone has the space to be their authentic selves.

Slowing Down to Listen

Take a moment to reflect on how you normally react to a stressful situation. What do you do? For some people, distraction or doing things to help them escape the present

Creating a vision board is one of the most powerful tools for manifesting the life you desire. Not only is it a fun activity, it’s an intentional and creative process that helps you clearly visualize your goals, aspirations, and the person you need to become to make them a reality. In today’s blog post, I’m going to walk you through how to create a vision board that actually works, step by step, and show you how to turn your dreams into tangible outcomes.

A vision board is more than just a collage of pictures and words. It’s a visual representation of your future self, your dreams, and the life you want to build. It's a reminder of who you need to be in order to attract and manifest what you want. If you’re ready to transform your dreams into reality, let’s dive into the process.

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve been feeling stuck, frustrated, or unsure about how to move forward in a particular area of your life. Maybe you’ve been trying to heal from something, rebuild after a significant loss, or step into a new chapter but keep hitting the same roadblocks. If so, I want you to know that you’re not alone—and you’re in the right place! This blog is all about how to “L3”: Love Yourself, Love Your Relationships, and Love Your Life, or as I like to call it, my L3 Philosophy™. 

In this blog post, I’ll walk you through how to pinpoint your real problem—the one at the root of your struggles—so you can finally take effective steps to overcome it. Spoiler alert: your biggest challenge may not be what you think it is.

Why Identifying the Real Problem is Critical

Imagine you have flu-like symptoms: fever, fatigue, and aches. You might assume it’s the flu and start treating it with rest and hydration. But what if the real cause is an infected tooth? The treatments for the flu and an infection are entirely different. Treating the wrong issue would mean your symptoms persist—or worse, get more severe.

The same principle applies to challenges in your life. We often focus on surface-level symptoms rather than digging deeper to uncover the true source of the problem.

For example: You might think your problem is that your husband or wife asked for a divorce, but the root issue could be that you

If you’re feeling stuck after a breakup, divorce, life challenge or transition, you're not alone. In this blog post, I’ll share the #1 thing you should prioritize to heal, rebuild, and create a life you love again.

Why You Feel Stuck

When we face a big challenge, like a breakup or life transition, it’s easy to obsess over the problem. We replay events, analyze every detail, and fixate on things we can’t control. I’ve been there myself. After multiple painful breakups, I found myself consumed with thoughts about my ex and the circumstances of our relationship. I spent hours rehashing memories, wondering where things went wrong, and blaming myself or my ex. This cycle left me feeling lost, anxious, and depressed.

When you view the problem as external—“This person left me, so I feel this way”—you’re naturally tempted to search for external solutions. But that approach doesn’t work because the root of the problem lies within you.

It’s like treating the flu when the real issue is an inflamed cavity with flu-like symptoms—you’re addressing the symptoms, not the cause. Here’s an example. I worked with a man whose wife