Empowering Yourself in 2026

Typically, early in the calendar year, I think ahead to what’s coming my way – the people, the plans, and the surprises.

Well, I certainly had an unexpected surprise recently, and now it’s a surprise for you:

I. Got. Braces.

Now, don’t be jealous.

They were a total plot twist for me! (OH GOOD!)

Lemme rewind.

For decades, I’ve had what dental professionals (and the internet) call a “Maryland Bridge.” 

This mighty bridge has secured one of my front teeth (a false one) after a horrible meet-and-greet with a jungle gym and my cute little face.

I knew we would have to break up at some point, this bridge and me.

My haunting fear was that eventually, the bridge would unexpectedly break up with me (after I ate something tricky, like an extra big, super crispy tortilla chip.)

I would suddenly find myself in an oh so awkward situation, missing a front tooth, right before some exciting potentially life-changing opportunity.

(Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe strongly that most sane people would want to approach an exciting, potentially life-changing opportunity wearing a fabulous outfit.

And sporting TWO front teeth.)

This imagined awkward scenario was not interesting to me. At. All.

I mean, NO ONE likes being broken up with!

NO. I needed to play offense and be the initiator of the break up.

But, seriously now. Who wants to do that? Breakups suck!

And then, in October, my dentist told me the time had come.

I had an implant in my future, and also…

I would need braces.

Turns out, my whole mouth needed to be aligned before the implant gets implanted.

So in November, my Maryland Bridge came falling down (meaning, my dentist and her assistant sawed it out of my mouth while I watched No Demo Reno on HGTV.)

And then, within hours, I got braces. 

Did I get Invisalign? Nope. Those weren’t going to work for me.

They attached “clear” braces on top, metal braces on the bottom.

Don’t worry, my orthodontist has assured me that these braces will be off before Prom.💃

So, with the firm nudging of my dentist, I went on the offensive. And now I’m no longer haunted by “what ifs”.

Why am I telling you this?

You, too, can take the offense.

Here’s my nudge for you: 

You can take the offense when it comes to preparing and presenting. Instead of avoiding, you can make sure you are ready when your big opportunity comes.

Ready to get started? I got you – right this way.