About Me

I’m a human, solo parent to a gentle and nerdy 10-year-old boy, a writer, a spiritual journeyer, an academic, an explorer of the world and humanity, an ambivert, a highly sensitive person, and an empath.

I base my approach on my decades of experience being immersed in and teaching about the world’s religions and wisdom traditions.

I am especially interested in a gentle and holistic approach to religion and spirituality that considers each person’s unique background, needs, and goals.

In my path to success, I often sought validation from others and became stuck in the grind.

I often found myself motivated by my inner fears and anxiety and a scarcity mindset rather than my inner wisdom and realizing that there was abundance in the world.

I found myself in toxic relationships, including a marriage that drained me of my spirit and identity.

I went through years of struggles since childhood.

It was only after going through a divorce when I made the intention to enter on a path of healing.

I came out on the other side thriving.

I awoke from my slumber and developed deeper self-realization when I started to set clear boundaries in my life.

I learned to trust my intuition and inner wisdom.

My relationship with religion had been damaged along the way, despite being a professor of religion.

I had a profound spiritual yearning that constantly gnawed at me, a desire to connect with my Creator.

I was not willing to desert my chosen religion. But I could not continue following it as I had before.

This time it had to be on my terms:

I worked to remove the fear-based motivations that were embedded inside my subconscious and intentionally turned towards love-based approaches to religion and spirituality.

Trainings and Qualifications


  • Focalizing Practitioner, Focalizing Institute (in-progress), somatic/embodiment trauma-informed training



  • 100+ shorter seminars, workshops, and trainings in modalities such as somatic practices, Sufi ritual and teachings, mindfulness, Fitrah Breathing, Mindful Self-Compassion, meditation, mindful movement, ancestral healing, Polyvagal Theory, and more.


Fancy pants degrees:


  • BA: Near Eastern and Religious Studies, University of British Columbia

  • MA: Arab and Islamic Civilizations, American University in Cairo

  • PhD: Religious and Islamic Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

My Journey


For many years, I “played the game” in the field of academia and life, collecting what I perceived to be social capital along the way.

I was motivated by my love of learning and teaching, as well as reading and writing.

I pursued my undergraduate and graduate studies, traveled the world seeking knowledge, applied for grants, jobs, leadership programs, and more.

I got a fair number of acceptances and lots of rejections along the way.

I failed miserably at times, but I also managed to sustain myself in a stable academic career, working my way up the ranks of academia to become a tenured professor of religious studies.

Who Am I ?

  • Born and raised in California, was a bookworm and seeker of knowledge and the Divine from a young age.

  • I left the U.S. to pursue undergraduate studies in Canada and then to Egypt for five years for intensive Arabic studies.

  • Entered into an intense spiritual journey within the context of Islam and spirituality.

  • Pursue my master’s degree in Arabic and Islamic studies. I also attended traditional circles of Islamic learning.

  • Returned to the U.S. for even more graduate studies in religious studies.

  • Went through numerous existential crises, identity shifts, and intellectual growth along the way.

  • Moved back to California to work as a professor of religious studies at California Lutheran University.

  • Volunteered my services in Muslim and interreligious communities, gave talks, organized events, connected people from diverse backgrounds.

  • Along the way, I began coaching other women through their limiting beliefs and challenges, relationship issues, as well as religious identity and approach to religion.

  • Realized I was in an abusive relationship, learned to set boundaries, ended my marriage, and adjusted to living as a single mama.

  • Sought out numerous healing modalities, revisited and processed past trauma and struggles.

  • Connected with myself, learned to love who I am, helped friends do the same along the way. I’m still a work-in-progress.

  • Moved to Istanbul, Turkey for my post-tenure sabbatical, recovered from burn-out and found time to explore interests and identity outside of my professional life.

  • Along the way, I realized that there was no comparison with my life in Istanbul vs. my life in Southern California and I then submitted my resignation.

  • I consciously choose to live a full, but not busy, life that is nourishing. I'm carefully finding ways I can be of service while maintaining integrity and compassion for myself.

I operate my coaching practice through the lens of DEIB—Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging—creating a space where every individual feels seen, respected, and valued for who they are.

My coaching approach honors your experiences, providing a compassionate and inclusive environment where you can explore your goals without judgment and receive tailored support that meets you where you are.

I support the rights of Palestinians and other oppressed people in their quest for justice, equality, and the right to live in peace and dignity on their own land. My practice is committed to standing with those who seek freedom and self-determination, rooted in a  belief in universal human rights and the importance of uplifting voices that have been historically marginalized.

I received training as a Safe Zone Ally, dedicated to creating inclusive, supportive spaces for LGBTQIA+ individuals and all marginalized communities. This commitment underpins my coaching practice, where I ensure that everyone feels respected, understood, and valued. I am able to coach people across a large spectrum of identities identities, I see you in your full humanity.

I know this stance might make Muslims and other reading this feel  uncomfortable and write me off and that's fine. I believe in universal human rights and that Muslims need to stand in solidarity with oppressed and minoritized people regardless of our personal beliefs and convictions.