In my successful advertising career, I struggled with depression, alcoholism and anxiety. At the time I didn't understand why I lacked self-confidence, emotional control and purpose. Looking back, it wasn't my fault. I wasn't taught the importance of defining happiness and success on my terms. I was chasing other people's dreams and I labeled myself a failure for not finding happiness in reaching them.  

After lots of research down the self-help path, I learned that happiness looks different for everyone. We are programmed to believe that all versions of happiness are tied to achieving the same successful outcomes. But the reality is that we each have to define success and happiness on our terms. Once I defined what happiness looks and feels like to me, I was able to start creating a life that worked for me.

My version of happiness includes helping others find theirs. I believe it is my life's work to share the Eight Pillars of Happiness. Just because we aren't taught how to be happy doesn't mean we shouldn't be taught these skills. Science has proven that happiness leads to better health, increased wealth and more connectedness with our world. I created Project More Happy to enable those gifts for everyone.

Teaching The Eight Pillars of Happiness is one way to enable happiness. Another is through coaching. As a Lumia-certified coach working toward the International Coaching Federations' ACC accredidation, I get to help people uncover and define happiness for themselves so they can show up with confidence and intention at home, at work and in their relationships. And that just makes me happy.