My RISE Story - Bio
"Who am I?” This is a question I often ask myself. Am I - M O N I C A - merely the sum of six letters, a name given to me at birth that phonetically forms a word I call myself? Is Monica truly who I am? We often define ourselves by social constructs or labels. I am a person, human, advocate, survivor, leader, woman, mother, sister, daughter, aunt, cousin, friend, biracial, Cape Verdean, compassionate, professional, INFJ, nutritionist, imperfect, yogi, athlete, Christian, yoga instructor, Scorpio, inspiring, caring, and a forever work in progress. But is this who I really am? What is my purpose? Do others benefit from the labels I choose for myself? Am I making a difference in my family, my community, and in this world?
Who are you? How do you approach life? What drives your purpose and ignites your passion? In what ways do you make a positive impact on others? Are you actively prioritizing personal development? Take a moment to reflect on these significant questions. You never know what revelations and untapped potential you may uncover. Delve deeper into self-discovery and personal growth with RISE Holistic Education Classes. Let's embrace a mindset of seriousness and determination as we embark on a journey of growth and elevation. Let's RISE together!
I am blessed with five intelligent and beautiful children whom I LOVE DEARLY. Our closest relationships are powerful teachers, offering valuable insights into ourselves, provided we are receptive to their messages.
The mission of RISE stems from my personal journey. Growing up a middle child in Dennis, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, I faced numerous challenges: low income, parental divorce, domestic violence, and substance abuse. With an ACE score of 6, I understand firsthand how Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) impact long-term mental, physical, and spiritual health. Research shows that social determinants of health—the conditions in which we are born, grow, live, work, and age, such as socioeconomic status, education, and access to health services—have a wide range of negative effects on health outcomes, functioning, and quality of life. People born into specific living conditions have unequal access to resources and are disproportionately at higher risk for disease, delinquency, and even death.
There are many ways to predict the future of our health. One key way is by understanding the ACE study. The CDC and a preventative medicine doctor explored the connection between childhood experiences and lifelong health, coining the term "ACEs" (Adverse Childhood Experiences). Dozens of studies have shown that adversities such as physical and emotional abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, depression, substance abuse, smoking, poor academic achievement, time out of work, and even early death. The impact of stress on the immune system and our overall health is profound and pervasive. We live in one of the best medical systems in the world, yet we often overlook the biological impact of stress on our families and children's development. This self-awareness showed me the importance of truly addressing the full spectrum of health—physically, mentally, and spiritually.
In the face of these adversities, protective factors like sports, loving mentors, and a supportive community helped me RISE above my circumstances. These factors fostered my self-efficacy and allowed me to see beyond my current situation, providing hope. Without these protective factors, my life could have looked very different. I began sports at a young age, starting with gymnastics and later transitioning to track and field in high school. Sports taught me valuable life lessons on self-awareness, leadership, teamwork, patience, strength, and discipline. Through sports, I discovered that I was both my biggest advocate and harshest critic, responsible for my perception, awareness, and choices. We build self-esteem by making positive choices and engaging in disciplines that lead to value in our lives.
Despite excelling early in high school, towards the end of my junior year, I found myself on a path of self-destruction and poor decision-making. At 18, I embarked on my first RISE journey toward self-discovery. I became the first person in my family to attend college, pursuing a BA in psychology. One of the most impactful classes I took was on the psychology of death and dying. This class, though focused on death, taught me more about living. I developed a passion for learning and expanding my perspective on life during my time in college. My experiences fueled my passion for helping others. After graduating, I dedicated over 20 years to serving underprivileged youth experiencing homelessness, providing essential support to those facing some of life's toughest challenges.
In addition to my direct work with youth, I helped develop the agency's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives and led the Employee Wellness Program. By spearheading these initiatives, I helped the organization recognize the critical importance of psychological safety at work, employee health, and improving the company's overall health rating, enhancing employee vitality scores, creating lasting positive changes in workplace culture, and promoting a healthier, more supportive environment for all.
My second RISE journey began at age 40. Like so many, I too experienced the harsh reality of burnout. Outwardly, I appeared successful, juggling a career, raising five children, caring for a sick parent, and volunteering. Internally, the burden of life's challenges—grief, divorce, and the impact of social determinants of health—weighed heavily on me. Despite my cheerful exterior, I was struggling, feeling anxious, fatigued, and burned out. My struggle is not unique. Many leaders, professionals, parents, and caregivers face similar challenges. High stress, burnout, fatigue, low self-efficacy, and weight management issues are common. These problems deteriorate personal health, reduce work performance, and increase healthcare costs.
Running became a significant part of my life as an adult, providing a free and powerful way to build endorphins. Yoga also became transformative for me, providing inner peace amidst chaos. Yoga's 6000-year-old practice has been proven to build physical and mental resilience, restore the mind, and heal the body. Over time, I learned to integrate yoga into my daily life and professional career. While I value nutritious food, I have also faced seasons of setbacks, limited exercise, and challenges in energy, organization, and weight fluctuations.
I created The RISE Method to strengthen resilience, increase self-awareness, and enhance enjoyment in life. The Phoenix symbolizes the rise of resilience in my life—hope, healing, rebirth, and eternal fire. When faced with adversity, I implement The RISE Method, which strengthens my physical, mental, and spiritual resilience, promotes integrity, increases self-awareness, and fosters enjoyment. If the Phoenix can rise from the ashes after devastation, so can we. RISE!
The RISE Method is a strength-based approach to wellness, integrating evidence-based practices, ethical frameworks, and techniques from; years of experience in behavioral health, friends/ mentors, American Heart Association, Positive Psychology, Yoga Alliance, HATHA Yoga, Trauma Informed Yoga, International Sports Science Association (ISSA) Coaching Methodology, MIIWRAP (Motivational Interviewing & Wraparound Services), Trauma Informed Care, Diversity Executive Leadership Academy, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Sensory Integration Framework, Bio-psychosocial Model of Recovery, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, SMART Recovery, Integral Recovery AQAL Map, VIA Institute on Character, Self-Discovery Tool Kit: Personality Tests, DISC Emotional IQ tests. Influenced by many inspiring professionals, authors, and spiritual teachers in the wellness arena including Brene' Brown, Ph.D. LMSW, Scott Peck MD., Dr. Gabor Mate', Bessel Van Dre Kolk MD. Jim Rohn, Billy Vaughn PhD., Elizabeth Kubler-Ross MD., Mary Ellen Copeland PhD., Michael Singer, Holly Whitaker, Eckart Tolle, Iyana Vanzant, Gabby Bernstein, Don Miguel Ruiz, Lisa Romano, Mitch Albulm, & Sarah Knight.
Beyond my scope of expertise - I respectfully refer to qualified trusted professionals Licensed Mental Health Professionals, Dietitians, Fitness Trainers, Physical Therapist, Physicians, Occupational Therapist, Specialists
For a complete bio - including my professional certifications and my unique approach to behavior modification, simply fill out info in the contact me section and I will be happy to get back to you.
