Welcome! I'm Valerie

A Few Points About Me....
- I'm Caribbean-American and was a high-achiever through and through: straight A student, summa cum laude Dean's List graduate from an Ivy League (University of Pennsylvania), and I played multiple sports and multiple instruments. The more I could impress others, the more valuable I thought I was as a human.
- While I worked in corporate for many years, I learned to develop professional boundaries, especially with bosses and supervisors. It was hard, but I made it my mission to find ways to not feel like I was dying inside in an environment that is often soul-sucking.
- I'm an artist and educator. My first love was acting and on-camera hosting. But people came to know me for dance. After my time in corporate, I created a career as a dance teaching artist and arts educator working with K-12 schools, university, and dance/fitness studios. My go-to styles were Afro House Fusion and Salsa Hip Hop, though my dance background and trainings also included West African, Afro-Cuban, Afro-Brazilian, Samba, and Jazz. I had to give myself permission to actually pursue all this. I write about this journey in depth in my book.
- I support DEI initiatives that facilitate deep internal work (and not that performative ish) to dismantle systemic and institutional injustices. After 2020, I had roles as a DEI Lead Teacher + Race and Equity Strategic Planning Brain Trust Member in education. My team and I facilitated deep-work organization-wide professional development sessions and co-created a 4-year roadmap to center racial equity and justice in leadership and work initiatives. My style of coaching is influenced by my DEI background.
- Spirituality, not religion, plays a fundamental role in my life. My private clients who lean towards language like "Source, Universe, Spirit" and African-based spirituality, appreciate incorporating the unseen into our work together.
- I have personal experience with suicidal ideation, OCD, addiction, and mental health struggles.
- I became a life coach because, not only do I enjoy supporting and guiding others to live powerful and satisfying lives, it is a sacred calling.
Testimonials
I had problems with organization and creating boundaries. I was fearful and I had buried my desires and hopes. Valerie is a gifted coach. She is compassionate and patient. She allows her clients to open up and speak from the heart and all the while she gently keeps you focused on the your goals and desires. I learned to create boundaries for myself, and unearthed desires that had been dormant in my life and healed past hurts. Now I am on the other side of my desires and I feel lighter with greater focus.
- T.W., Senior Personnel Analyst
I came to Valerie after hitting a rough patch in my life. I was overwhelmed, and realized I needed help to change my perspective, and get some mental & emotional tools that would help me going forward. Within the first week of getting coached by Valerie, I had already felt an immense lightening of my mental strain. With her support, I learned to give my Fears a voice- not too loud a voice that it would determine my actions, but voice enough to acknowledge that it is in the room… Valerie supported me in going deep with myself…and challenged me to discover the voice within me that I want to share and my partner wants to hear..is BEGGING to hear. With her coaching, I was able to touch a deeper spot within my relationship as well. I can't say enough about Feel Good Kick Ass. If you're in need of coaching, look no further.
- Derek Opperman | Life Up Health Coaching
The qualities in Valerie that make her an appealing coach to work with: She isn't afraid to say confrontational things. She takes time to pause and check in with herself about the next right question. She uses her intuition. She helps her client get to the deeper truth. She has a good mix of support/love and penetration. She helps you keep your focus on yourself.
- Karen B, CPA
I took Valerie’s life-coaching-through-dance workshop in November 2017 and I immediately felt something magical about her class. She made me feel comfortable to explore and express myself. Prior to coming to the workshop I’ve had some struggle with my body image and knew that having top surgery would help me but I thought it was financially impossible. So when Valerie asked in class what do we wish to happen in our lives, it took me a moment. But when I said it loud “Top surgery” I felt free and finished the class with a sense of accomplishment. Then a few weeks later, the miracle took place. I found out Cedars Sinai has just started a new program for transgender surgeries and my health insurance would cover for top surgery. When I researched in October this information was not available so I was really surprised. All the insurance paperwork went smoothly and I was able to have top surgery in March 2018. What I thought would be impossible became POSSIBLE in such a short period of time. I definitely believe Valerie’s workshop helped me break my limited thinking. Because of it I became open to receive all the resources necessary for my healing. I am so grateful, thank you Valerie!!!
- N., TransLounge Program Participant, Los Angeles LGBT Center
I’ve been attending Valerie’s monthly healing circles for Black women for a few months now. I thank her from the pit of my soul for these gatherings. She breaks things down about the patriarchy, white supremacy culture, and how to navigate it all in the workplace, in relationships with others, and my relationship with myself, in eye-opening ways. Her understanding of the material, her explanations, and her guidance are perfect for me. I’m also on her email list. It's as if she’s reading my mind when I read her messages. She articulates my life and thoughts in ways that others thought I was crazy for thinking. I finally feel validation I never thought I needed, but feels so so good to receive. Every time I read her emails and attend her events, I power up. I am so excited to be part of her movement. She’s very good at what she does!
- Gina Williams, TX, Retired Hairstylist
Past Organization Clients