Mountain water runs through my veins. Authenticity, honestly and bravery are core to my soul. I leave no iPhone notification unchecked. I fight a daily battle of trying to raise three wild, courageous, true-to-themselves kids in a society that is constantly trying to put us all in pretty, perfect boxes.

I’ve been a crime journalist, a firefighter, a deputy coroner, a victim advocate and an EMT. And yet, becoming a mother, showing up as a mother every day, parenting differently than I was parented… these are the bravest things I’ve ever done.