It is with a great deal of emotion that I write this article, my last as Director of Innovation & Wellness for Presbyterian Villages of Michigan. After almost 13 years of service, my last day with PVM will be September 10, 2021. After a great deal of consideration and conversations with family and friends, I have decided to make a career change and accepted a Head Coaching position for a youth swim team in Wenatchee, Washington, the Apple Capital of the World!
As some of you may know, competitive swimming has long been a passion of mine. I started competing at age 7, began coaching at age 18 and for the past 24 years, from December through March, have served as the Head Coach of the Birmingham High School Boys Swimming & Diving Team. While standing on the pool deck during those frigid months, I often dreamt of making coaching a full-time career, but the stars never seemed to align until now.
I am extremely grateful to PVM for allowing me to pursue my two other passions—innovation and wellness—and am extremely grateful to you for allowing me to serve you. I hope that I have passed along tips and information you were able to use to enhance your health and wellbeing.
There are many things I am going to miss about working for PVM. I am going to miss working with an amazing group of dedicated colleagues and I will miss interacting with you. Most of all, I am going to miss the Village Victory Cup, to quote a past volunteer, “the best day ever!” I will, however, be watching and cheering you on from afar.
One thing I learned while at PVM is that it is never too late to pursue your passion. It may be as scary as can be, but it is never too late. Whether you have dreamt of becoming a painter, a musician, an author, an artist, an athlete, a poet or even a full-time swim coach, do not let the calendar stop you. Meaning and purpose is what gives meaning and purpose to life. So find your passion; find your purpose and pursue it whole-heartedly. And when the “what if’s” start popping up, I encourage you to take the advice of a very dear friend of mine, “stop worrying about what could go wrong and think of what could go right.”
Thank you again for allowing me to serve you. Best wishes for a happy, healthy, purposeful, meaningful life!
