Skiing? I love it. Swimming? Can’t get me out of the water. Scuba diving? A fanatic. Yoga, bike riding, photography…these are other hobbies that make me smile.

For work, I’m a graphic designer. I started my company Checkman Design Inc. in 1992, after leaving my position as Vice President, Manager of Design Services, at Burson-Marsteller, a global Public Relations agency headquartered in New York City.

But as you already can see, I’m not just a designer. I’m also an avid sportswoman. All the activities I do—work and play—together make me who I am. They create a balance.

One day, I had an idea for a design that represented the scuba diver in me. I was looking at the simple symmetry of a yin yang symbol and I saw a scuba design. In Chinese philosophy, yin and yang (heaven and earth) represent two opposing yet complementary forces, or energies, that are said to be found in nature. One cannot exist without the other. They create balance.

In each curved half of the symbol, I saw the shape of a fish… really! I added a diagonal white stripe representing the universal symbol for a dive flag, and my first Life is Balance® design was born!

After showing my design to a few of my diving friends, and getting some pretty awesome feedback, I decided to extend the concept to all of the different sports and activities that make people feel good.

Life is Balance® is a new line of branded apparel designed to celebrate the balance we add to our lives through sports and activities that make us smile.

Because that's what life is all about, isn't it?

Now I have added a line of jewelry inspired by my quest for balance! Yoga/spiritual influenced necklaces can now be found in the Jewelry section of my shop.