My Story
Hi, I’m Jess, founder of Abacus Life Coaching + Education consultant, and former public educator, reimagining how we define "recovery"
For 20 years, I rocked the world of education—leading schools, supporting amazing (and often burned-out) educators, and pouring my heart into helping kids thrive.
As a high-achiever, I didn’t just work in education—I climbed fast and hard, fueled by ambition (and, let’s be real, caffeine and the occasional Cabernet). By 25, I was one of t
For 20 years, I rocked the world of education—leading schools, supporting amazing (and often burned-out) educators, and pouring my heart into helping kids thrive.
As a high-achiever, I didn’t just work in education—I climbed fast and hard, fueled by ambition (and, let’s be real, caffeine and the occasional Cabernet). By 25, I was one of the youngest assistant principals in my county. By 30, I was a principal, leading at full speed with a packed calendar, and a polished résumé.
After years of promotions, and the kind of job security most people dream about, I hit a wall: burnout. Exhaustion. Disconnection. I started questioning everything—my passion, my purpose, my sanity, and yes, my relationship with alcohol. In many ways I thought--I'm too young to feel like this. But that was just it--I was young. When you climb fast, you burn fast. So, I decided it was time to turn in, to slow down.
It wasn’t dramatic. There was no rock bottom. Just a quiet whisper.
Here’s the thing they don’t tell you about high-achievers:
You get really good at pretending you’re fine, even you start to believe you're fine.
You check the boxes, keep climbing, "reward" your hard work with a nightly pour—and still feel empty.
That was me.
So, I listened to the whisper. I got curious. I questioned alcohol and everything else that was keeping me in the cycle of burnout. And when I stepped away from both—booze and the hustle culture—everything changed.
I discovered that you are not your job title, your salary, or the mom who buys into mommy wine culture.
You are you—capable of evolving, rewriting your story, and living with intention and clarity, no matter how far along the “path to success” you are.
Never wanting to step away from my passion for education, I decided I could do both- continue supporting and leading educators, while also shining a light on what it means to pour into your own cup.
I became a certified life coach, and in the process, I realized I wasn’t alone. I’ve worked with incredible women—senior business leaders, educational leaders, moms, entrepreneurs—who all hit a point where they wondered:
“Why does this feel so hard?”
And often, quietly, “Is alcohol holding me back?”
That’s where Abacus Life Coaching comes in.
We’re not just talking about career pivots. We’re talking about life reinvention, cutting back on alcohol, or cutting it out completely and unlocking the version of you that’s been buried under burnout. Together, we’ll shake off the overwhelm, get strategic, and move your “life beads” with purpose until everything finally clicks.
What’s with the Abacus?
Because life—like those little beads—is all about balance, strategy, and intentional movement.
At first, my abacus was a desk prop, something cute to show off during Zoom calls. Then, it became a daily ritual—one bead for each habit, goal, and win. It was a visual high-five for staying aligned, and over time, it became a symbol of progress, not perfection.
When it came time to name my practice, it clicked: Abacus Life Coaching.
Because together, we’ll move your life beads—your habits, your mindset, your relationship with alcohol—until you feel in control, fulfilled, and fully you.
When I’m not coaching or doing consulting work, you’ll find me wrangling my kids, road-tripping to national parks, catching live music, and being bossed around by our dog, Bruce. I soak up both the chaos and the quiet with my family—whether it’s a lake day, hiking Florida trails, or pretending I love burpees.
If you’ve made it this far, I’m betting on you.
You’re not broken. You’re just ready for more—and I’m here to help you ditch the stuff that’s keeping you stuck, and strategically move the beads of your own abacus.
👇 Let’s talk—your next chapter is calling.