I’m Ashley, the founder of EssenceShift—a space dedicated to reconnecting with the essence of who we are, unlearning old patterns, and embracing a journey toward mindful living and inner transformation.

For most of my life, I was on autopilot, following a path I thought I was meant to take—focused on security, success, and building a “safe” future. I was good at it, too. But deep down, I always felt a weight that made it hard to keep going. When my partner Andrea passed away in 2017, that path was shattered. His loss awakened something in me, and for the first time, I began questioning everything: What was the purpose of my life? Who was I outside of the roles I’d been playing? What truly mattered?

This led me to an intense period of introspection, discovery, and exploration. I began reading, journaling, and diving into different ways of understanding happiness, fulfillment, and the broader human experience. Yoga and mindfulness became my anchors, guiding me through practices that revealed new depths of self-awareness and healing. My journey has taken me from corporate stress to a deeper connection with nature and my body, fueling a love for adventure, wellness, and personal growth.

Since then, I’ve embraced the life that lights me up: traveling, diving deep into the yogic lifestyle earning my 500 hour yoga teacher training certification, obtaining my RYA Yachtmaster Offshore certification, crewing with adventure sailing companies, and trading big city life for quiet mountain life to name a few. Along the way, I’ve let go of old beliefs, traded stability for adventure, and redefined what it means to truly live.

Today, EssenceShift is a reflection of my journey and an invitation for others to step into their own. I believe in living fully—strong, capable, connected to nature, and grounded in purpose. I’m here to share the tools, experiences, and insights that continue to shape my life, and to support you in exploring, shifting, and embracing the essence of who you are.

Let’s shift together, toward a life that’s fully alive.