Hello, I'M DEUNNA!

My Story

Life was good growing up in Kokomo, Indiana as a decorated high school athlete playing a game cherished by many in the Midwest.  I was able to fulfill my dream of playing collegiate basketball by earning a full ride scholarship to the University of Richmond and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Rhetoric and Communication. Very shortly after graduation, I found myself coaching and pursuing a Master’s degree as a Graduate Assistant coach at Jacksonville University in sunny Florida.  I spent two years as Graduate Assistant and was elevated to Assistant Coach after back to back 20-win seasons.  At the conclusion of my fourth season at JU, I received a call to become an assistant coach at High Point University in North Carolina. I accepted, so up the East Coast I went. 

In just one year at HPU, we won over 20 games, made the post-season WNIT tournament, andddd then ::drum roll please:: my boss was offered the head coaching job at her Alma Mater, Wake Forest. As any 26 year old would do, I had hoped she would take me with her to the next spot. Instead, I was asked to interview for the Head Coach role at High Point and…they hired me! I’ll say it again because I’m not sure that I still believe it…they hired me at 26-years-old to be a Head Coach of a whole college basketball program. In the 7 years of holding the title, I was fortunate to coach multiple All-Academic and All-Conference student-athletes. I worked alongside incredibly talented staffs and together, we produced multiple winning seasons. I finished my tenure ranked 3rd winningest coach at HPU, all-time.

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As the next step in my career, I accepted the position of Head Coach at Miami (OH) University in the highly respected Mid-American Conference.  This, I knew, would be a challenge in more ways than one, except I undershot the number. Insert Players Transferring, CoVid, George Floyd, the Midwest being…the Midwest, re-connecting with family in adulthood, unresolved trauma I didn’t know I had, etc, etc, etc. Being the high achiever always on the go had finally caught up.  Running from one thing to the next left me disconnected, emotionally immature and lost. Lack of clarity around who I was, what I truly wanted out of life, and who I could be safe with led to many mistakes; one that ultimately led to public embarrassment and resignation from coaching college basketball.

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I immediately lost my identity, career, professional network, first home, and circle of friends. Within that same year, I also lost my car to engine failure, a tooth (doesn’t seem like a big deal, BUT), and my biological father who had been sick unknowingly. While trying to pinpoint just where things went wrong, I realized what was once considered “good” needed re-evaluation. I sought help and started therapy. I was forced to look in the mirror, deep dive into the inner work and begin to heal. For the first time, I had to “sit in it”.  Somewhere along the way, I signed up for Executive Coach training to become a certified life/leadership coach (I thought I knew how to coach but…na.) I was doing the work of therapy and coach training simultaneously which opened me up to EVERYTHING. I was introduced to various tools essential for maintaining healthy relationships with others such as active listening, powerful questioning, and boundary setting. I became obsessed with learning more about coping, healing, and self-care. I felt (and still feel) desperate to discover all that will enable me to be more connected because well… THAT is the “good” life.

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Every day I fall more in love with THIS me; one that is softer, more empathetic, purposeful, and loving. I no longer place value in the impermanence of job titles, money, and social status. THIS me understands that The Universe will always conspire to give me all that I need if and when I am meant to have it. THIS me is and always will be “work in progress” but I know I am much more healthier than before. As I continue to piece life back together, I am reminded of the quote “The scars of our past can become the most powerful tools to heal others.” Life and Leadership coaching allows me the opportunity to walk alongside others in their journey. It would truly be an honor to support you in becoming your most authentic self.