Have you ever had a moment when life gave you the 1, 2 KO Mike Tyson style? Yes, one of those moments in time where your whole life changes a 180 degrees and it feels so surreal, like it's not even happening.

This was me after I moved to Austin, TX in December of 2022. I knew moving would bring challenges, yet I was not prepared for how much was going to happen. Everything changed and I found myself in a new place, with new people and a new life. My parter of 7 years and I split and I found myself alone trying to figure out what I was going to do and how I was going to make ends meet. It was here that I decided to start a career in music.

In the Beginning

Let's rewind a bit to when I was a child. Ever since I could walk and talk, I was singing and dancing. My mom told me I would sit and watch Liberace perform on TV in his dazzling costumes -- I was mesmerized by his performance. I would sing songs from the movie Rigoletto at age 5 and sounded just like the movie. Music, rhythm and performing was in my DNA.

Music has been the one thing that has always called me. It never left me, it was always there, even when my life took a multitude of different paths. And when the right opportunity opened up -- like  a good friend, music and I picked up right where we left off.

Making Change

After moving, the next few months of my life were pivotal. Although challenging at the time, the unforeseen challenges I faced opened me up to possibilities where I found a version of myself which I thought was long gone. Through the pain and setbacks I found freedom, joy and reignited my creativity and love for music once again.

I gravitated to EDM and found healing through the energetic rhythm. I couldn't get enough, and became a regular at local shows. It was there that I met a community of DJs and producers who welcomed me with open arms. I finally felt like I found my people. 

At a time when I felt lonely, lost and unsure of what next steps to take in lif, the EDM community was where I found a home. It brought me so much joy and reignited my creativity and my purpose once again.

New Beginnings Lead to New Opportunities

My biggest takeaway from this experience is that when life throws us a curve ball we have the power to choose what to do with it. We can choose to rise above and take the opportunity to explore something new and pivot into a new existence. Sometimes that can be scary or sound hard, yet life is hard no matter what. I told myself to choose my hard.

Despite many fears of the unknown - especially in a cut-throat industry - I knew I was called to this path. As Amplify EDM started to grow, I found people along the way who were just what I needed. One by one the people I needed showed up in my life. I find when walking in your purpose you are given the tools and resources you need a long the way. My mantra was "seek and you shall find, ask and you shall receive." And it freakin worked!

Why I Had to Get Honest with Myself

It was time to get back to my inner child always singing and dancing. I loved entertainment then and now. Much like my father, I am the life of the party. For years I stifled who I was and tried to fit a mold that both society an my inner voice put me in. I told myself it was better for me to play it safe and take a chance next time. Or worst of all - I told myself that I don't deserve to do the things that truly brought me joy.

After moving to Austin and finding myself alone for the first time in 7 years, it gave me the spark I needed to start thinking differently - one where I frankly stopped giving a damn and became fully honest with myself. I had to take a good, hard look at the life  was living and ask myself if it's what I want. The truth is I thrive in the grit, and fast-paced environment of the music industry. I enjoy finding solutions to help those around me succeed. So I took the plunge and started over with a career in music.

How It's Going

Every day is an opportunity to learn and grow, and I'm always willing to change and morph as the industry does. It's a living, breathing industry that is always in a state of flow. Amplify EDM is now a cornerstone in the industry providing resources to help djs and producers grow as well as by providing events with top-notch talent.

Today I'm grateful for the challenges and successes I've seen. I truly believe that when we are under pressure, we are strengthened and come out as a rare diamond with many facits which add to our brilliance. I encourage you to look at your challenges as opportunities, and no matter how big they seem, every single one of them has a solution. And much like it was for me, sometimes that solution means getting back to your truest you.