Hi There,
I’m Leslyn Kantner!
I’m a mental health practitioner, personal growth coach, and author with a passion to help others.
I didn’t always have those titles. My story is a combination of loss and discovery. I grew up chubby and bucked tooth in a small, Northeastern Pennsylvania town, believing that my life was idyllic. That was until my Dad filed for bankruptcy and my Mom joined the Army. I was dumped at the doorstep of an Aunt I had never met when I was only 12 years old. For the next nine years, I bounced around from parent to parent between two continents trying to re-establish a sense of love and safety.
At 21 years old, I found that love in the arms of a Blonde God. We had been set up on a blind date and I can truly say it was love at first sight. We settled into our Happily Ever After, building dreams and making a baby. Less than three years later, the dream abruptly ended when 22,000 volts of electricity zapped the life from the only man I believed could love me. The combined effects of love and loss on my immature self-esteem set the stage for a disastrous second marriage but resulted in three more beautiful children.
Walk with Me on This Journey
I’m a creative driven by curiosity. I spent years focusing on a variety of different interests to keep life entertaining from one art to another. My true passion laid in helping people, so I changed my career mid-life and established myself as a private practice mental health practitioner and personal growth coach - a life management expert - all while raising my children.
When I’m asked, “Who Really Are You?”, it’s not an easy question that I can answer in a few paragraphs. I could tell you that I like margaritas in the summer, and a glass of red wine on a cold, winter night. I could tell you that my favorite title is “Mom” and “Mimi”, and I love my children with all my heart.
However, while that’s all a daily joy, that’s not who I truly am. I’ve written an entire book, that is pending publication for 2021, to help me understand how my life experiences have molded me into the person I am today. I’ve always believed that there is a lesson or some element of value in each experience if only we take time to look for it. My lessons include life challenges highlighted by being widowed – twice; a challenging divorce; periods of unemployment; raising children as a single mother; and facing financial hardships.
I’m Learning Every Single Day
Through reading, writing, and listening, I’ve spent what feels like a lifetime learning who I am. It’s lead me to real moments of free authenticity and I’m still growing. I hope to share the tools I’ve used to help you grow and learn about who you are. Let’s pop open a bottle of wine, and get to work.
My story is about loss and discovery.
It’s coming together in a book to be released soon…
In the meantime, if you are curious about the details,
I invite you to journey with me.
