PaceMyHeart

This is my journey

A story about transformations

I am the foundational heart behind Pacemyheart.  After a 20 year-long health journey which included removal of a brain tumour, a heart tumour, and finally bariatric surgery to help address an extensive battle with IBS, the transformation has taken me on a wild ride of nearly a dozen surgeries, culminating with a 190lb weight loss.  While still in the season of transforming my body, this journey has created insights that only an expedition of this magnitude can provide.

A wife & a mother

Through this, I was a wife, a mother to two (one of which has learning disabilities and autism), was a volunteer at my children’s schools, the Calgary Foodbank and a board member for several schools, created a teen autism social group, worked at 9-1-1 as a Communications Officer, took Interior Decorating at MRU and was a Decorator for many years, had a small side renovation and construction business with my husband, did contract dicta-typing, and was the household CEO when my husband took an out of town contract position for several years.  The past five years have been dedicated to sorting through my health issues and reconstructing my physical life, which is now better than it was 20 years ago.

Sharing my story

I’ve had several opportunities to share my insights with medical students at the University of Calgary, as I am always open to speaking about my experiences through my health journey. I believe by sharing we can help develop greater empathy, and make improvements for the next mountain climber coming up behind, but also for the general trivialities of life. Courage over fear has been my guiding mantra. I hope to share with my community how that has kept me moving forward through all of life’s challenges.

How the name came to be

I still experience SVT (supraventriculartachycardia) occasionally, the name Pacemyheart was born from the physical irregularities of my heart and also the mental and emotional speedbumps one needs to navigate. Whether you have a physical manifestation or not, we all need to find a pace in our lives that supports our best well-being.

Where I am now

Today, I embrace all the things that bring levity, introspection, and enjoyment to everyday living. Through this blog I will share my personal journey, and how that has taught me to embrace every experience, emotion, and challenge with forthrightness and generosity of spirit. With this, I will include inspiration for your home, fashion, food, lifestyle, wellness and events. It is in the small things we surround ourselves with that help provide us with a full-bodied life.

As a third generation born Calgarian, I have a deep love for my city, my community, and the businesses and events that are constantly emerging. I love to support and share local small businesses and the builders behind them, people doing great things for the community, and events that bring us together.

When we fill up our personal reservoir we are better able to love and support those around us, which is the ultimate goal. I’ve learned repeatedly when your next day is in question, your first thought is how do I ensure I have imparted my love adequately? The ultimate legacy is creating a colourful life and being part of a community that is rich and deep and better for those you care about. I aim to be part of an environment of acceptance, positivity and appreciation and welcome all interested to join me.

Thank you for coming on the journey, I encourage you to visit and take time to pace your heart today.