Member Spotlight: Madi – From Concerts to Counseling and Aerial Arts
Some people have a knack for making you feel seen within minutes of meeting them. For Madi, that comes naturally, both in her work as a Licensed Professional Counselor and in the way she throws herself wholeheartedly into her passions. A born-and-raised Texan with a lifelong love of music, she has recently been exploring DIY fashion, aerial hoop performance, and building deeper connections in her community through DFW Young & Social.
Madi
Licensed Professional CounselorMic & Thread MavenMember since April 2025Background & Journey
Madi grew up in the Dallas–Fort Worth area and has called Texas home her whole life. She was a band kid and played bassoon and clarinet, with some piano experience in high school.
While she no longer plays regularly, her love for music has never faded. She is still a self-described “concert girly” who jumps at the chance for karaoke.
Passions & Work
As a Licensed Professional Counselor her career path was shaped by personal experiences.
“I had a lot of mental health struggles growing up and was lucky to have access to counseling at the time. It meant a lot to have a space where I could share openly, without judgment. I wanted to carry this forward, and it just so happened that I love psychology and learning about people.”
Madi finds meaning in both the rewards and challenges of her work.
“The most rewarding part is having the privilege of holding my clients’ stories and being trusted with the deepest parts of their lives.”
The hardest part?
“Sometimes I also need to hear what I share with other people and end up calling myself out on things.”
Outside of work, her creativity has found a new outlet. She is diving into DIY fashion, learning to sew by hand and machine, repurposing thrifted finds, and exploring the history of punk culture. She is also gearing up for her first aerial hoop showcase.
“I have never considered myself athletic or coordinated, so this is very new and exciting!”
Community Connection
After finishing school and moving in with her partner, Madi felt the need to expand her circle.
“I ended up doing a Google search for activities in the area. That’s how I found DFWYAS.”
Her favorite part so far has been the genuine interest from others.
“The best thing has been having other people be genuinely interested in getting to know me and share experiences, and vice versa.”
She treasures the safe, welcoming environment, adding,
“I truly believe there is an epidemic of loneliness, and I am grateful for Marco and Alexi and the DFWYAS community for creating a safe space to build connections.”
Life Beyond Work
In her free time, Madi loves journaling, crafting, going out in nature, and indulging in self-care rituals like doing her nails or enjoying an “everything shower.” She is also working on a punk-inspired battle vest, collecting pins and patches to make it truly her own.
Travel has a special place in her heart, especially Arizona.
“I have so many wonderful memories there attending music festivals with long-distance friends. I would love to visit Sedona someday.”
And for a fun fact? She has a “scarily accurate dog bark impression.”
Looking Ahead
Madi lives by the advice Do it scared. If she could tell her younger self anything, it would be,
“You can trust yourself and your ability to make decisions in line with your values. Your authentic self is your best self. If other people don’t like it, they aren’t your people.”
In the year ahead, she is looking forward to growing her community even more and continuing to embrace new challenges, both on the ground and in the air.
Whether she is helping others navigate their own stories or stepping into new chapters of her own, Madi’s journey is proof that vulnerability, creativity, and courage can coexist beautifully, even when you do it scared.
