My Story
I grew up in Chicago, IL in the 90s, back when technology was emerging but not rampant. The 90s were lauded as the best times to be alive because it was the sweet spot of strong economic growth, rising optimism after the Cold War, and an analog-digital balance. Technology felt exciting and new without demanding constant attention. There was even a time of shared cultural moments uniting North America.
I never got to experience that.
My experience, instead, was forced exclusion by an emotionally abusive and neglectful parent with undiagnosed mental health issues. I was never allowed to leave the house except for school, Saturday school, STEM summer programs, and band practice. The only thing I was allowed to do was play video games (back when almost every game was good). Because I wasn't allowed to leave the house, I wasn't allowed to work either. When that's all you do for 24 years, doesn't really make you all that happy.
Despite my rough start, I completed undergraduate degrees in Biology and Psychology, as well as a Master of Arts in Industrial Organizational Psychology. On paper, I did what you were supposed to do back then. Get a decent paying job and live on your own. I didn't understand anything about having a social life, or even caring for yourself at home, because I never saw examples of that from anyone in my family. After job hopping from a Psychometrics career, to Organizational Effectiveness Consulting, and Talent Management over four years, I eventually burned out. I packed everything I had and moved to Austin, TX, to be with the dancing community. The first time I ever really wanted to be part of something.
When I got here in 2021, that community completely changed. It went from a tight-knit community of about 300 inclusive, active people (you had to be active or seen out dancing to stay in the group), to now over five thousand members, with only maybe 30 that are around. My world was shattered. I finally found what I was looking for, all for it to be pulled from underneath my feet. I kept forcing being part of the community, showing up multiple times a week, desperately wishing for it to go back to the way it was for three years, to no avail.
I eventually gave up.
I took a break from dancing for at least half a year to focus on my health, fitness, and fashion sense. I spent everything I had, searching for whatever it was to bring that spark back into my life. And on my 32nd birthday at midnight, 2025, while on a cruise, I got the first hint. A man stopped mid bite of whatever he was eating, to tell me and the people I was sitting with:
All I was doing was sharing a dating story I had. I didn't know what that meant at the time, but through the rest of the year, I searched for what being gifted meant on YouTube, to eventually find the channels of Dianne A. Allen, an intuitive mentor for visionary leaders, and Rachel DuBois, a visionary herself who actively helps other visionaries bring change to the world.
Although I am still formally undiagnosed, speaking to both Dianne over several calls, working with Rachel online, as well as hearing stories from both their communities, I'm starting to believe I really am gifted and have ADHD and hypervigilance. I think I do see the world differently like they say.
Since finding both of them late summer 2025, I, coincidentally, was stumbling upon 3rd Space related videos and content as well. I remember thinking to myself:
Then I realized. I could be the one that talks and posts about it.
Since starting my business, navigating through a lot of trial and error, I was able to go from having a zero to almost negative social life, to being an active participant in over 10 3rd Spaces, both in person and virtually. Now I need to plan deliberate time away from my friends and hobbies to recharge and meet my needs.
My goal, now, is to take what I observe across my current 3rd Spaces, leverage Ray Oldenburg's research, as well as AI, to help individuals find their 3rd Space based on their goals and needs, help create and/or build communities, and work with businesses to leverage innovative solutions.