Growing up in a house without television, Madeleine had a lot of free time on her hands. The early years were spent tormenting her younger sister with games like Pretend-I’m-A-Very- Rich-Lady- And-You’re- My-Servant, some of which overlapped the fourteen years of I-Don’t-Care- If-Your-Feet- Are-Bleeding- Keep-Dancing ballet lessons. At eleven she danced for members of the royal family. At sixteen she had the audacity to write, direct, produce, choreograph, and perform in a full-length musical with a cast of twenty-five to widespread acclaim. (Well, her mother liked it anyway.) At eighteen she started dancing professionally and promptly injured herself, ending a lifelong dream.
With her dreams of a glamourous dancing career dashed, she packed up and moved to California with nothing more than a cranky cat and a very heavy suitcase. While teaching ballet, learning to surf and skateboard, Madeleine started a strategic planning business with friend James. Not keen on pantyhose (James complained that they made his legs itch) or pantsuits, the company soon evolved from corporate to individual life planning with PowerPlans, and from that to holding seminars to teach people how easy it is to make different choices and live a better life.
Tired of hearing “I wish I could…” Madeleine has worked with people from all walks of life (level 14 group-home teenage girls through to high-level corporate executives) and has dedicated her time to discovering what holds people back and why so few of us live a life with spirit.
Proof that anyone can create the life they want and with limited resources, Madeleine has done many things people “wish they could do”. She paints, acts, dances, writes, rides motorcycles, tries to skateboard, and plays with her cats, all while helping others turn their “I wish I coulds…” into “Hey, I just did… and it was awesome!”
Madeleine has a peculiar affinity for British radio plays and Nancy Drew books, she loves the smell of almonds and could happily live on nothing but french fries. Currently, Madeleine is filming the exciting Cool Is ME documentary that breaks down “girl” stereotypes and shows women of all ages that there’s way more to being a girl than shopping and looking pretty. She is also speaking at schools, conferences, and organizations worldwide. If you would like more information on hiring Madeleine to speak for your group, CLICK HERE.
