For years, Judy thrived in the demanding world of Hollywood — first as a successful attorney, then as a talented screenwriter whose work would go on to appear in international productions, including on HBO. Her career was filled with remarkable milestones, including producing major television episodes and organizing events for high-profile figures such as George Soros. She moved through that world with brilliance, creativity, and an undeniable spark.
 

But despite her success, Judy began to feel a growing dissonance inside — a yearning for something more meaningful, more connected, and more real. Judy spent time living within an Indigenous reserve — an experience that would mark her forever. Immersed in the rhythms of the land and the ancestral wisdom of the people, Judy found something she had been missing: her inner voice. Surrounded by a culture that honors balance, spirit, and truth, she began to see the world through new eyes. It was a turning point that shifted her understanding of purpose, storytelling, and life itself.

The pace of her life, though impressive from the outside, left little room for stillness or introspection. So, she and her husband made a bold decision: to leave behind the world of deadlines, red carpets, and scripts, and begin a journey across the globe.

That journey eventually led them to Costa Rica.

They arrived with open hearts and found what they hadn’t even realized they were looking for — a place of raw beauty, vibrant spirit, and deep soul. They chose to settle first in Atenas, where they hoped to build a peaceful new life. But their dreams were shaken when their home was invaded and Judy’s husband was shot — a traumatic event that changed everything. He survived, miraculously, and the experience led them to search for even deeper healing.

Eventually, they made their way to Uvita, where the peaceful coastline, the rich jungle, and a warm, welcoming community embraced them. And it was here, amid nature’s quiet miracles, that Judy began to write again — not for an audience, not for acclaim, but for herself. Her novel, Pura Vida Hard Way, was born from that space of reflection and rebirth — a moving story that blends personal experience with universal themes of loss, resilience, and healing.

The book became not only a return to her craft, but a new chapter of creative liberation. Today, Judy is writing the second volume of the novel, with renewed purpose and a deeper connection to what truly matters. She hopes to inspire others to write — not to impress, but to express. To tell their stories with honesty, courage, and heart, no matter who is watching.

Because sometimes, it’s in the most unexpected places — far from the spotlight — that we finally find our true voice.