Hi friends. Remember me?

I know – it’s been a while.

Quick catch-up: Seven years ago, I stepped away from TV news and dove headfirst into a new adventure at The University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB). Since then, I’ve had the privilege of learning from amazing people and sharing the inspiring stories of our students, faculty, and staff. It’s been a chapter filled with personal and professional growth—a chance to do work that feels positive, meaningful, and impactful.

My husband and I are about to enter the “empty nester” stage of life, a milestone filled with a little sadness and lots of excitement. My mom is doing great, and I’m fortunate to stay connected with many of my former news colleagues. Life is good. 

And today, I have something new and exciting to share!

A Calling I Couldn’t Ignore

For the past year, I’ve felt this undeniable tug—a prompting, really—to connect again. I’ve missed the energy of public speaking, the excitement of facilitating conversations, and the power of exploring ideas that improve our quality of life.

And then, something started happening. One concept began to dominate my thoughts. It crept into my mind during quiet moments and demanded my attention when my brain went into overdrive at 3 a.m. (You know those nights.) That concept: “the middle.”

I asked myself the obvious question: The middle of what? Believe me, I wrestled with this just as much as you probably are right now. But the more I leaned in, the more I realized just how much “the middle” resonates with so many aspects of life. It connects us, defines us, and often challenges us.

What’s So Important About “The Middle”?

Think about it.

We’re constantly navigating “the middle” in our lives. It’s the bridge between beginnings and endings, anticipation and transformation, potential and fulfillment. It’s where the messy magic of life unfolds.

For some, “the middle” is a season of waiting—when the excitement of the new has faded, but the promise of the finish line still feels out of reach. For others, it’s a physical space: the middle child, the middle seat on a plane (let’s be real, nobody likes that one), or even the middle of nowhere.

It’s also a state of being. The middle is where we feel stretched, unsure, or pulled in different directions. But it’s also where the real growth (dare I say magic?) happens—where we become resilient, resourceful, and a little braver than we ever thought we could be.

Embracing “The Middle”

Here’s what I’ve come to realize: I’ve spent a lot of time in my professional and personal life working through the “messy middle.” And in many ways, I’m in a “middle” season right now. So, why not lean in to what I believe are my God-given talents and explore what it means to live fully in “the middle”? (And help others do the same).

What exactly will that look like? I’m still figuring it out. But I do know it will involve engaging conversations, shared wisdom, and a lot of laughter along the way.

Your Turn: What Comes to Mind When You Think of “The Middle”?

Now, let’s make this fun. No Googling. No overthinking. Just drop the first thing that pops into your head when I say: “the middle.”

Is it a word or concept? A memory? A feeling? A funny story? I want to know. Your insights will inspire me, and who knows, they might inspire others, too.

So leave a comment below or on one of my social media channels. Let’s start a conversation.

Here’s to embracing “the middle” together. Let’s see where this journey takes us!