Grit, Grace, and the Search for Inner Light

I grew up in Philadelphia and moved to New York City at the age of 17, in 1976, to study theatre at New York University. And that’s when life truly began.

What an extraordinary time to spread my wings. I fell in love with the city—the city, of course. The music, the museums, the theatre, the nightlife… Studio 54 (yes, I was there with Andy Warhol and the gang). Weekends belonged to Central Park. I loved running the Reservoir or picnicking on the lawn by The Met. Lincoln Center took my breath away.

My first apartment was on East 9th Street, long before the area gentrified. I was watched over by the Hell’s Angels, though I still managed to give my dad a few heart palpitations. I remember the day he dropped me off at my dorm near Washington Square Park. As we pulled up, a bare-breasted woman in red overalls roller-skated by, the air thick with the scent of marijuana. It was both exhilarating and terrifying—neither of us quite sure what would come next, but both of us excited for the adventure ahead.

For the next decade, I was a thespian, traveling to regional theaters across the country. I also landed a day role on Ryan’s Hope and All My Children—both of which lasted just a day. I was chosen as an Acting Apprentice at a renowned company, surrounded by incredible talents like Margo Martindale, Holly Hunter, John Turturro, and John Goodman, and had the privilege of witnessing their rise to stardom.

After earning my Actor’s Equity card—which, in many ways, was the moment I had dreamed of since I was five—I was unexpectedly led down a new path. A chance encounter landed me a job answering phones on the Political Desk at NBC Network News, located in 30 Rockefeller Plaza. And so began my 15-year career in journalism, working with icons like Maria Shriver, Jane Pauley, Bryant Gumbel, Tim Russert, and Katie Couric.

I traveled the world—Africa, France, Ireland—and also found myself in Waco, Texas, and countless other places across the U.S. I had a front-row seat to history: The Berlin Wall coming down, the Tiananmen Square protests, the deaths of Princess Diana and John F. Kennedy Jr. I witnessed both the worst and the best of humanity. The worst was watching the planes crash into the World Trade Center on 9/11. The best was seeing how New Yorkers—my fellow New Yorkers—rose to the occasion, locking arms and hearts to rebuild, to heal, and to show the world what resilience truly looks like.

But after the death of my younger brother, and following a move to Los Angeles, another serendipitous moment led me to something completely unexpected: yoga.

I had been a student at Jivamukti in New York City, where I was profoundly impacted by the teachings of its founders, Sharon Gannon and David Life. They planted a seed in me that would eventually lead to a seismic shift in my life. I left behind a career in network news to become a full-time yoga teacher. I completed five Teacher Trainings, earned my Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology, and studied with notable sages in the yoga community. 

My curiosity and willingness to take the road less traveled continue to guide my path.

What I didn’t know at the time was how much more grit would be required for this path of awakening. I now refer to this phase as my "Surviving Enlightenment," and it’s been 20 years in the making—an experience I hope to share in a book someday. I founded Inner Light Shine (which you may recognize from my license plate!)—a leap of faith that brought me to where I am today: teaching yoga and sharing what I’ve learned along the way.

I’m deeply grateful for the grace of guiding others in their practice, and for the incredible students at The Studio, who have become such a cherished part of my journey.

I also have a cat named Olive.