I'm glad you're here

Originally from South Africa, I moved to Texas in my late teens. The first in my family to get a degree, I graduated from Sam Houston State in 2002 with a BBA in Marketing. In 2003 I began a 20-year oil and gas career, specializing in Marketing & Accounting functions.

As much as I loved working in the energy sector, in 2008 my first child was born and a little invention called the iPhone began appearing in people's hands. It was the combination of motherhood, technological advances and some personal realizations that eventually led to me transitioning into coaching, workshops and the nonprofit world.

As technological connectivity increased, I noticed personal connections were decreasing. Colleagues would no longer take the time to walk down the hall or pick up the phone, a feeling of loneliness permeated our relationships. As my kids got older and started asking for devices, around 2016, I started polling other parents, and researching technology and mental health trends and over time could no longer keep this information to myself!

At the same time I was realizing the impact of smart technology on our lives, I was also going through my own personal journey of discovery. As much as my parents loved me and did their best, there was some key information and coping skills that were lacking. Combining this with the disengagement iPhones were causing and my passion to help others, I felt called to share these skills with others to improve their quality of life, especially living in a digital age.

December 2021 I completed my coach certification, and started Cambelyn Coaching, helping clients with life transitions and relationships. I quickly realized that while I love coaching, I wanted to share more about the impact of technology on our lives and began speaking, blogging and hosting workshops to educate and empower parents & teens. 

In 2023, I joined forces with another coach to host teen life skills workshops. And with the goal of reaching a wider audience and removing financial barriers, I co-founded Look Up Nonprofit with the mission to help families Look Up from devices and connect with the world around them.

While I don't consider myself an expert, I have learned a lot over the years, and I'm always happy to share. Most important, I love empowering others to be the best they can be. If you have any questions or would like to connect, please feel free to contact me.