About Me
Hi, I’m Paula and I’m Here to Help You Cultivate Resilience & Well-Being
Based in Palisade, CO and Denver Colorado. Ready to travel to you.
I’m a resilience educator, wellness advocate, and mindfulness practitioner dedicated to helping individuals and organizations not just survive—but truly thrive.
With over 20 years of experience in exercise physiology, mindfulness-based practices, Buddhist chaplaincy, and wellness coaching, I’ve created a safe, supportive space where people can build resilience, reduce stress, rediscover purpose, and get back to the work and life they love.
My professional journey has focused heavily on grief, trauma, and burnout prevention—supporting active-duty military personnel, families of fallen firefighters, and parents who have lost a child. Through these experiences, I’ve learned that resilience isn’t something you either have or don’t—it’s a skill that can be taught, learned, and strengthened over time. No matter what challenges you’re facing, you don’t have to navigate them alone.
I started my career in exercise science, and have worked in everything from cardiac rehab to being a university professor. But everything changed when my oldest son died in 2010. That loss reshaped my life and my work. I turned to mindfulness, self-compassion, and the power of community—not just to survive, but to heal. And now, that’s what I help others do. Whether I’m leading a bereaved mothers’ retreat or guiding a resilience training for an organization, my passion is helping people feel seen, supported, and empowered to find their own path forward.
“Not every challenge needs therapy. Sometimes, all you need is a safe space to feel seen, heard, and resourced—without being analyzed or “fixed.” That’s where I come in: the sweet spot between deep support and personal empowerment.
— Paula Stephens
My Role as Your Facilitator & Presenter
No one knows the terrain of your life and your work better than you do. My role isn’t to tell you and your team where to go, but to walk beside you — offering steady guidance, reflection, and practical tools—so you can move forward with confidence. I’ll help you navigate obstacles and gain clarity, but the journey (and its victories) are fully yours. You already have the inner strength; I help you tap into it.
And not every challenge needs therapy. Sometimes, all you need is a safe space to feel seen, heard, and resourced—without being analyzed or “fixed.” That’s where I come in: the sweet spot between deep support and personal empowerment.
My Roots & Grounding
I split my time between the Western and Eastern Slopes of the Colorado Rockies, resting and creating on the Palisade side and working on the Denver side, where it’s reasy to hop a plane to your workshop or event. I am a Palisade, Colorado native. I was raised on a third-generation peach farm and am (slowly) returning to my roots by restoring the old family farmhouse. My father was a professor at Colorado Mesa Univeristy and I earned my undergrad there (it was called Mesa State College back then). I am also an artist and show my work in Palisade’s Blue Pig Gallery.
Why Cairns?
A cairn (/kern/) is a stack of stones marking the path forward—a simple yet powerful guide for those navigating rugged trails. Found across cultures and landscapes, cairns symbolize both strength and fragility, creativity and stability—a perfect reflection of resilience.
To me, cairns represent the journey of growth, healing, and self-discovery: each stone offers just enough direction to keep you moving, yet the climb remains in your hands. Resilience isn’t about avoiding the hard parts—it’s about building upon them, honoring both life’s challenges and your own potential. No matter how steep or unpredictable the path, cairns remind us that guidance exists, and we have the wisdom to keep going.
Ready to Cultivate Resiliency in Your Personal Life and Workplace?
Contact Paula to book a keynote speech or workshop.