What are some favorite memories of your time at Marshall?
I have the best memories of all things “college life” – from being on campus, tailgating for football games and Greek life. I joined Delta Zeta Sorority, where I eventually became the vice president of recruitment and made lifelong friends. I loved going to basketball games, the gym and even working at local Huntington establishments.
I am so grateful I chose to attend Marshall. I initially started out at another, smaller school on athletic scholarships, but quickly realized it wasn’t the best fit or location for my needs and goals. I then made the decision to come to Marshall and I’m glad I did! The campus, the academic programs and extracurriculars were a great fit for me, and it provided the collegiate experience and educational foundation I needed to be successful.
Tell us about your nursing career since graduating from Marshall.
I’ve always known I wanted to help others in some capacity. Initially, I thought I wanted to be a physical therapist. At the time, my thought was that I loved the orthopedic aspect of working with individuals who weren’t necessarily sick, but rather trying to regain mobility for a better quality of life. As an athlete myself, I loved that. I did an internship in physical therapy, hated it, and quickly realized I needed to pivot. In hindsight, I’m so grateful for the internship. It saved me a lot of time and heartache and I realized how valuable that experience was. I would encourage any student to pursue an internship and be sure they’re heading down the right career path.
Upon finishing nursing school, I moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, and began my nursing career in an orthopedic care unit. When life took me to New Orleans, I broadened my skills working on a surgical intensive care unit. This unit and type of nursing challenged me emotionally, given the severity and often heartbreaking situations. Eventually, I moved on to an outpatient surgery center, where I saw everything from appendectomies, total knee replacements, spinal fusions and plastic surgery. Seeing the plastics side of surgery and nursing piqued my interest in aesthetics, which ultimately led to my decision to return to school to become a nurse practitioner.
Can you talk about what you’re doing these days?
I currently reside in Denver, Colorado. I am a licensed nurse practitioner in the state of Colorado, but I haven’t yet established a practice. My life currently keeps me busy with frequent travel, which has made being routinely available for patients a bit of a challenge. I do dabble in various facets of aesthetics when I’m not busy with travel and family commitments, and you can find me on the golf course or walking our two doodles, Fran and Murphy.
What causes are especially near to your heart and why?
For many years, I was heavily engaged with my husband’s foundation, Payton Play it Forward. Since moving to Denver, we have become involved in the local children’s hospital, where we recently opened a new accessible playground. I am also involved with a local Boys & Girls Club chapter, which I find very rewarding. In 2022, my father passed away from a massive heart attack, just one day after his 61st birthday. Since his passing, I have made it part of my mission to share the importance of cardiac care, screening and heart health. So many forms of cardiovascular disease are preventable and manageable. We are given one body, and it’s our job to protect and care for it.
Tell us about Sean Payton – what’s great about him, in your words, and what’s it like being the wife of an NFL coach?
My husband and I have been together since 2011 and married in 2021. He is the most captivating person I know. He’s an incredible storyteller and gives 1,000% to whatever he sets his sights on. He is an incredibly generous person and I’m very blessed to be his wife.
Being the wife of a successful NFL coach is a job in and of itself. There is a lot that happens behind the scenes in any organization, and I’m very hands-on with my role. The highs are high and the lows are low. It’s very fun and exciting when you’re winning, and it can be overwhelming and difficult when you’re not. The stage is big, and the stakes are high.
Many folks incorrectly assume my husband only works September through February, and nothing could be further from the truth. The work is year-round. From preparing for the College Scouting Combine, the NFL draft, Rookie Camp, etc., there’s always something on the calendar, and it’s really 24/7 during the season.
As the wife of the head coach, I have responsibilities related to the planning of events for the other wives, as well as being a resource to new coaches and players’ wives. We are fortunate that our organization operates like a family, and we have incredibly supportive and dedicated ownership, which makes navigating the twists and turns of this unique career and family life all the more enjoyable.
One aspect I have truly enjoyed is getting to visit so many great cities. I’ve been able to see a lot of our beautiful country and experience new places and sightsee, dine and explore. This past season, we traveled to London for a game and that provided an amazing opportunity to play tourist in a fantastic city with so much to do, see and experience.
What have you learned through your life experiences that is worth passing on?
I’ve learned that the old adage “make new friends, but keep the old” is really true. When you experience any form of success, or a heightened platform, you have to be more discerning about how, and with whom, you share your time, energy and resources. Time is our most precious commodity, and we don’t know how much we have. Since my dad’s passing, I’ve learned the importance of making the call, sending the text, and taking the trip. Tell people you love them, make the memories and prioritize experiences with those you love.
I’ve also learned and live by the ethos of “use it or lose it.” Staying physically active and taking care of your physical, mental and emotional health is crucial. It’s never too late to become active, learn a new hobby or hone a new skill.