I’ve spent nearly 20 years exploring life’s deepest questions, intentionally creating space for honest, vulnerable, and life-enhancing experiences. This journey has brought me to a place of passion, purpose, authenticity, and courage — a place where I feel I truly belong.
I began my professional journey building a foundation in service, working with a nonprofit, and started my entrepreneurial career as a photographer. These experiences taught me the power of connection, intention, and following the heart — lessons that now guide every aspect of my work. Over time, I evolved into a multi-passionate entrepreneur: Intentional Living Coach, Author, and Host of the Living an Intentional Life Podcast, holding space for individuals and teams to reconnect with their hearts, values, and purpose.
My path has been shaped by bold choices and global exploration: teaching English on Mafia Island, Tanzania, traveling and living around the world, and pursuing personal growth with an open, inquisitive heart. Each experience deepened my understanding of courage, creativity, and alignment — and taught me that living fully requires intention, reflection, and trust in our own inner guidance.
I’m a fire-wife to a South African immigrant I met in Tanzania, a mom to a radiant six-year-old, and caretaker to a lively pack of pets. We call the mountains of Lake Arrowhead, California home, where we soak in the seasons, explore endlessly, and live intentionally.
Through my coaching, workshops, retreats, and podcast, I help people and teams clarify what matters most, reconnect with their hearts, and create aligned, purposeful action. I guide women and leaders to step fully into their courage, expand their purpose, and live lives that feel deeply authentic.
I believe that when you shine your light, you give others permission to do the same. When we connect, support, and rise together, we create a world where everyone belongs — including you.
I began my professional journey building a foundation in service, working with a nonprofit, and started my entrepreneurial career as a photographer. These experiences taught me the power of connection, intention, and following the heart — lessons that now guide every aspect of my work. Over time, I evolved into a multi-passionate entrepreneur: Intentional Living Coach, Author, and Host of the Living an Intentional Life Podcast, holding space for individuals and teams to reconnect with their hearts, values, and purpose.
My path has been shaped by bold choices and global exploration: teaching English on Mafia Island, Tanzania, traveling and living around the world, and pursuing personal growth with an open, inquisitive heart. Each experience deepened my understanding of courage, creativity, and alignment — and taught me that living fully requires intention, reflection, and trust in our own inner guidance.
I’m a fire-wife to a South African immigrant I met in Tanzania, a mom to a radiant six-year-old, and caretaker to a lively pack of pets. We call the mountains of Lake Arrowhead, California home, where we soak in the seasons, explore endlessly, and live intentionally.
Through my coaching, workshops, retreats, and podcast, I help people and teams clarify what matters most, reconnect with their hearts, and create aligned, purposeful action. I guide women and leaders to step fully into their courage, expand their purpose, and live lives that feel deeply authentic.
I believe that when you shine your light, you give others permission to do the same. When we connect, support, and rise together, we create a world where everyone belongs — including you.
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT :
2011 : After graduating college at CSULB with degrees in Business Marketing & Africana Studies, I worked for a local non-profit PBS.
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2013 : Fulfilled a life long dream of living and teaching in Africa. This is me on the remote island of Mafia Island, Tanzania.
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2013 : The first time in my life, I felt like I belonged! Teaching English to 132 Form I students at Kitomondo Secondary School on Mafia Island, Tanzania - Africa.
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2014 : My first time in South Africa (feeding elephants here) with my then boyfriend, now husband who I met while living on Mafia Island, Tanzania.
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2014 : Living and teaching English in San Jose, Costa Rica for six months while diving deeper into teaching yoga (as I had received my YTT certification earlier this year).
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2015 : Back on Mafia Island, Tanzania - these were the students I had taught just two years before and had the honor of volunteering back in the classroom.
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2015 : Living back on Mafia Island, Tanzania were together, we ran a whale shark conservation and internship camp while I did marketing for a tree house lodge.
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2015 : Our engagement photos in Cape Town, South Africa. We were in the K-1 Fiancé Visa process waiting for him to be able to come to the United States.
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2015 : After receiving my Yoga Teacher Certification in 2013 from Yoga Six, I had the honor of teaching around the world and at local studies in Southern California.
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2015 : In April, I launched my entrepreneurial journey as a photographer, under Ashley Strong Photography - which would eventually expand into Ashley Strong Smith!
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2017 : January 21st we got married in Oceanside, California after 3.5 years of immigrating him here from South Africa via the K-1 Fiance visa.
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2018 : We were pregnant with our daughter, Orion. This is from our announcement photo taken at our favorite beach in Laguna Beach, California.
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2019 : July 11th, our daughter was born after a healthy and expensive pregnancy and 24 hours of all natural labor.
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2021 : We bought our first home in Running Springs in the San Bernardino Mountains at 6,200 feet elevation.
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2021 : My husband graduated fire academy + passed probation and became a Fire Fighter!
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2021 : I followed a life long calling and expanded my business adding both Intentional Living Coaching + Living an Intentional Life Podcast!
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2022 : This is US in the mountains at one of our favorite hiking spots called the Exploration Trail in Running Springs, California.
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2023 : My husband became a Fire Fighter PARAMEDIC!
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2023 : We moved through the biggest blizzard of a century where it was declared a "State of Emergency" in the San Bernandino Mountains!
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2024 : We fulfilled a dream of getting a trailer to raise our girl traveling the world, just as we did as kids!
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2024 : We had a life changing opportunity to buy our dream house in Lake Arrowhead, California where we sold our house in Running Springs. This is our crew (minus the cats).
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