Hi, I'm Portia. I know what it's like to be outwardly successful yet feel trapped by impossible expectations—both from others and yourself. For years, I pushed myself relentlessly, using shame as a motivator, believing hustle was the only way. Through my experiences with chronic illness, autism, and ADHD, I learned what I now know in my heart: we weren't meant to burn ourselves out in pursuit of success. There's a gentler, more sustainable path forward.
My unique approach combines extensive corporate experience with rigorous public health expertise. As an Associate Professor of Public Health at Cal State Fullerton, I research evidence-based strategies for sustainable wellness, factors that contribute to secondary traumatic stress and burnout, and work to amplify marginalized voices. My cross-sector experience at Procter & Gamble, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Deloitte Consulting, and Susan G. Komen for the Cure allows me to speak the language of diverse industries while bringing fresh insights to persistent challenges.
Through Empowered to Exhale, I help to curate transformative spaces where individuals go beyond surface-level interactions to understand the inner resistance that makes it difficult to maintain healthy boundaries, ask for help, be compassionate with ourselves, and prioritize our wellbeing by implementing sustainable practices in our personal and professional lives.
Whether facilitating executive retreats or delivering keynotes to large audiences, I bring both vulnerability and evidence-based strategies to the stage. By sharing how I've navigated challenges like burnout, depression, and grief, I help normalize these conversations in corporate settings and provide practical tools for sustainable performance.
As a Certified Executive Coach, I specialize in working with leaders and teams who are ready to shift mindsets and move beyond burnout culture. Together, we develop customized strategies and systems to allow them to sustain their impact and protect what they value most.
