Currently a nomad!! My husband and I have been traveling full-time for the last year. BUT, I think we are going to buy a condo in Chicago after Labor Day.
Are you childfree by-choice or by-circumstance?
By-choice
If childfree by-choice, what was your biggest influence?
Children being terrible was my biggest influence. LOL. Seriously, though, I can’t really remember ever wanting children. Never had any desire to be pregnant or have a baby – in fact, I always found the idea very aversive.
Do you have any pets?
Currently petless for the first time in my adult life. Our little old lady dog passed away last year just after we began traveling and it made sense to wait util we were more settled to get another pet. I LOVE DOGS and we had an awesome vintage cat who I adopted from the shelter where I worked.
I was a professional dog trainer for many years and then worked in animal welfare. Anxious to get back to having pets or volunteering or working with animals!
What was your first job?
Old Time Photo Booth in a Western themed tourist town, Sisters, OR. Basically helping people play dress up and taking their picture. I was 12 or 13 and paid in cash.
What is your occupation now?
Weight, habit, and mindset coach. Basically, I want to help other foodies who sometimes eat their feelings, but still want their pants to fit.
What is a typical day like for you?
I wake up whenever and then spend an hour or so working on my phone while still under the covers. Then I have tea and do a little more work before going for a walk.
Sometimes I just walk, but I also really enjoy packing up my laptop and walking to a coffee shop, hotel lobby, or other interesting place to work from for the day. Then I walk home.
My husband and I have dinner together and then watch TV, work on personal projects, or go exploring. It’s pretty awesome!
Do you enjoy any hobbies?
Nothing at the moment that feels like a traditional “hobby.” I love walking, taking photos of street art with my iPhone, petting dogs, and eating vegan food, especially dessert. Also people watching and talking to interesting people.
Do you have a special talent or skill?
I love being on camera and I make delicious vegan food! I’m also really good at teaching dogs to walk on a loose leash and roll over. I think I am a pretty good writer.
If you could master a new skill instantly, what would you like to learn to do?
The ability to speak, write, and understand new languages! Spanish and Japanese would be at the top of the list.
I co-founded a 501c3 nonprofit women’s flat-track roller derby league in Hillsboro, OR.
Do you have any “stupid human” tricks?
The “stupid human trick” that I can never resist showing off is my ability to recognize what breed dogs are, especially rare breed dogs. I love casually complimenting a stranger on their beautiful Saluki or their gorgeous Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and watching their jaws drop.
Dog owners are so used to people asking what kind of dog it is or thinking that it’s a mix that it blows their mind when I can clock what their breed is. It is super show-offy and I can’t help myself, but it doesn’t hurt anyone and the people actually usually get really excited after they recover from their surprise.
Are there any accomplishments you want to brag about? (Don’t be modest, we want to know!)
I lost 100+ pounds, and more importantly, have kept it off since 2017!
I struggled with my weight for pretty much my whole life, gaining and dieting, and gaining again. I feel like I’ve cracked a secret code to maintaining a weight range where I feel great and still eating everything I want. (I love food)
What do you enjoy most about the childfree lifestyle?
Mostly the part about not having kids! More freedom, less gross and messy things, more money, not having to pretend to think stupid things are fun.
Give us your Top Three recommendations for travel destinations that you have visited?
I just learned about a spectacular vegan pancake restaurant in Amsterdam and now I’m obsessed with going there.
What do you want people who are not childfree to know about this lifestyle?
That it isn’t selfish, or if it is, I don’t care. Ha ha! It is definitely not sad. But, at the same time, it doesn’t mean that everything is perfect or that there aren’t any challenges. For people who don’t yet have kids – I HIGHLY recommend it.
For people who have kids already….too late, but maybe you should make sure your kids know that being childfree is an option.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In 5 years, I see myself doing basically the same stuff I am now, but with multiple homes, a pet, and more income.
“The time we enjoy wasting is not wasted time.” ~ Paraphrased from a quote often attributed to several different people
If your life had a theme song, what would it be?
I am not very musical and can never remember the names of songs I like. Definitely something from the 90’s. lol
FREE SPACE – Put anything else that you want to share here!
Great to meet everyone! I really want to get more involved with the childfree community, especially since we moved across the country – new friends and online friends are more important than ever to me. I think we will be settling down in the Chicago area at least for a few years. Please reach out if you think I can help you with anything or you’d like to collaborate on a project!
