About Me

For as long as I can remember, I have been someone who loves to stay busy. I have always been driven by accomplishing goals, growth, service, and the desire to make a meaningful impact. That passion led me to a career in public service and economic development, where I have the privilege of helping shape growing communities and supporting the people and businesses that call them home.

At the same time, some of my most important roles exist outside of my career. I am a wife, a mother to three amazing boys, a friend, a daughter, and someone who values family, connection, and community.

Like many women, I spent years believing I had to choose between different parts of myself. I felt like I could only exists inside of the boxes that I thought defined me. I lived forcing myself to switch between ambition and presence. I thought that if I was caring for someone else I couldn't stop to take care of myself. I just bounced between sprinting to accomplish educational and professional success or forcing myself to find rest and personal well-being.

Over time, I realized that living well isn't about achieving goals constantly or trying to find the perfect balance between life and work. It's about learning to be fully present for the life you're living. 

My wellness journey began out of an attempt to slow down and reconnect with myself after having my third baby boy. What I found through yoga, mindfulness, and meditation was so much more than exercise. I discovered practices that helped me become more grounded, more intentional, and more appreciative of the small moments that make up a meaningful life.

The more I practiced, the more I noticed how impactful it was to every aspect of my life. I stopped trying to escape certain areas of my busy days, and started earning how to be present through all of it.

That realization eventually inspired me to pursue my 200-hour yoga teacher training and create Live Well with Annel.

This space was born from the belief that women are meant to be multidimensional. We can build careers, raise families, chase dreams, care for others, and still make room for ourselves. We don't have to shrink ourselves into a single title or identity.

Through yoga, mindfulness, wellness experiences, writing, and honest conversations, my hope is to encourage women to embrace every part of who they are and create lives that feel both fulfilling and authentic.

I can't say that I've figured it out and that I'm suddenly the most zen and centered person.  I am still learning, growing, and navigating each chaotic season as it comes. I still misplace my keys, phone, and debit card on a daily basis. But if there's one lesson all of this has taught me to keep coming back to, it's this:

Life isn't waiting for us somewhere in the future. It's happening right now.

In the morning coffee before the house wakes up.

In the laughter of our littles.

In a deep breath between back-to-back meetings.

In movement, connection, rest, and gratitude.

Those small moments are where life gives us purpose.

And learning to be present for them is what it means to truly live well.