Story Behind the Sunshine

From Watching Life to Taking My Place in It.

There was a time when I was much more comfortable watching other people enjoy life than joining them.

I watched women dance, attend events, make new friends, try new things, and create experiences of their own. I could imagine those things for them—but I couldn’t picture myself doing them.

My life had become responsibilities, routines, and getting through one day after another. And when I finally had more time for myself, I didn’t know what I enjoyed anymore, who I would do things with, or where I was supposed to begin.

I wasn’t looking to completely transform my life.

I simply wanted something to look forward to.

So I started small.

I danced in my living room. I tried a class. I attended an event. I allowed myself to be curious before I felt confident.

One small yes led to another—and slowly, I stopped watching life from the sidelines and began taking my place in it.

You might look at this photograph and assume, “She has always been this way.”

I wish that were true.

But the joyful woman you see today began as someone who was learning—one small yes at a time—that she was allowed to participate in her own life.

And honestly, I hope you meet the woman I used to be within this story—because she may look a lot like you.

Before I Began Saying Yes to Myself

My life revolved around responsibilities.

I spent most of my time taking care of what needed to be done, worrying about the people I loved, and trying to keep everything together. My needs and desires were usually placed at the bottom of the list.

I had lost touch with what I enjoyed.

I watched other people participate.

I saw people dancing, traveling, attending events, making friends, and trying new things. I could celebrate those experiences for them, but I didn’t believe that kind of life belonged to me.

More time didn’t automatically feel like freedom.

When I finally had more time for myself, I didn’t know what to do with it. Without someone else needing me, I was left wondering, “What do I want now—and where do I even begin?”

I believed I had to figure it out alone.

I was used to handling things by myself. Asking for support felt uncomfortable, so I kept trying to find my way without allowing anyone to truly see what I was carrying.

I wanted something to look forward to..

I wasn’t dreaming about completely transforming my life. I simply wanted more than work, home, responsibilities, and repeat. I wanted connection, enjoyment, and something in my life that felt like it belonged to me.

One Small Yes Led to Another

My life didn’t change overnight.

I began by changing things on the outside. I tried experiences that challenged the way I saw myself—roller skating, pole dancing, aerial silks, skydiving, and even a boudoir photo shoot.

Those experiences helped me become more curious, adventurous, and open to possibility. But the deepest transformation wasn’t found in the boldest thing I did.

It was built through all the smaller yeses that followed.

I began dancing in my living room—with my stuffed animals as my cheering audience.

Eventually, I started hosting online dance parties. I danced outside in the plaza. I even took myself on a solo dance-party date, simply because I wanted to dance and enjoy my own company.

Each yes helped me become a little more comfortable being seen, expressing myself, and participating in life without waiting for someone else to join me

Then, while I was dancing at an event, the person creating social media content asked if she could record me.

That moment may have seemed small to someone else, but it meant so much to me.

I had gone from being the woman who watched other people dance to becoming the woman someone wanted to capture dancing.

I could never have imagined that my small yeses would lead me there.

My transformation wasn’t created by one daring experience. It was built through every small moment when I chose to participate instead of watching from the sidelines.

And that is what I want other women to understand:

You do not have to see where your first yes will lead.

You only have to give yourself permission to begin.

Sometimes, We Need Someone Else to Remind Us of Our Strength

This photograph was taken at a retreat where our group completed a zip-line course.

At one point, I wanted to quit.

Standing there, I thought, “I can’t do this.”

Then, from a distance, I heard one of the women in my group call out:

“Tracy, you’ve got this!”

Her words didn’t create my strength—they reminded me of the strength that was already within me.

Hearing her encouragement helped me keep going and complete the course.

That experience taught me something I would carry far beyond the zip line:

Sometimes, we are capable of more than we believe. But when fear becomes louder than our confidence, we may need someone to remind us of the strength they can already see within us.

I still had to take the next step.

I still had to complete the course.

But I didn’t have to find the courage entirely on my own.

That was one of the moments that helped me understand:

My journey was mine to walk—but I didn’t have to walk it alone.

At first, support helped me take brave steps and try new things. Later, I discovered that having a safe, supportive space also gave me the courage to look within, face what I had been carrying, and begin creating deeper change.

“Dancing Brought Me Back to Life”

Life is still life. Challenges still come.

There are days I still feel nervous.
I still overthink sometimes.
I still cry.

But now, I also laugh louder, dance longer, say yes to new experiences, and allow myself to enjoy the life happening around me.

This photograph was taken at another event where I felt safe enough to dance, let go, and fully enjoy the moment.

Dancing became more than something I did.

It became one of the ways I came back to life.

Feeling safe and supported gave me the freedom to stop watching, step forward, and allow myself to be seen.

Today:

I laugh more.

I dance wherever joy finds me.

I say yes to new experiences.

I celebrate the little wins.

I collect small moments of joy.y.

I laugh more.

I dance more

I travel more

I volunteer.

I try new things.

I pet every dog that lets me.

I make time for play, fun, and the things that make me feel alive.

I smile at strangers.

I trust myself.

I facilitate medication

I take healthy risks

I trust myself.

I smile at strangers.

I no longer wait for life to become perfect before allowing myself to enjoy it.

Every morning, I ask myself:

“I wonder what beautiful surprise today has for me.”

That is why Sunshine Glow Coaching exists—to create a safe, supportive space where other women can feel seen, reconnect with what brings them alive, and begin participating in their lives one small yes at a time.

That is why Sunshine Glow Coaching exist

I know what it feels like to want more from life but have no idea where to begin.

To watch other people make friends, attend events, try new things, and enjoy themselves—while quietly wondering whether that kind of life could ever belong to you.

My journey began with external experiences and small yeses. But my deeper transformation began when I found spaces where I felt safe, supported, seen, and heard.

I learned that my journey was mine to walk—but I didn’t have to walk it alone.

I know what it feels like to:

Want something to look forward to
Have more time but not know what to do with it
Miss friendship, connection, play, and fun
Watch other people participate while staying on the sidelines
Want change but feel unsure about where to begin
Believe you have to figure everything out alone

And I know something else:

You do not have to see your whole next chapter to begin.

Sometimes, one conversation, one moment of awareness, or one small yes can help you see something you couldn’t see before.

That is why I created Sunshine Glow Coaching—to offer a safe, supportive space where you can feel seen, heard, and encouraged as you begin building a life that feels like your own.

Your journey is yours to walk.

But you don’t have to walk it alone.