A bit about me…
Hello!
I was born in 1986, which means I'm however old that makes me whenever you're reading this. But, as I’ve come to learn, calendar age doesn’t quite tell the full story. Like many of you, I’ve been on a health journey—certainly over the past few years, but also, in many ways, my entire life. The exciting part? I feel younger now than I have in over a decade.
And no, it’s not because of a pill or some expensive, futuristic treatment (more about my views on that in a later post). It’s because I spent the time and energy to study my body, reflect on what truly supports health, and build a more holistic, sustainable approach to feeling good—now and for the long run.
Speaking of long runs, I was lucky to discover running early. In ninth grade, after missing the basketball team the year before, I joined the cross country team to get in shape and I never looked back. Running became a lifelong passion that forged many of my closest friendships and continues to bring me joy. But my relationship with running hasn’t always been smooth.
Like many runners, I fell into the trap of only running—ignoring strength, mobility, stability, and power. That approach eventually caught up with me. Early in the COVID pandemic (sorry to bring it up), I developed sciatica. I had stopped bartending, started selling alcohol, and gained 30–40 pounds (of not-muscle), which I attribute mostly to poor sleep, stress, and focusing too much on carbohydrates at the expense of protein . (Turns out, much to my continued dismay, that martinis don’t pair well with restorative sleep, especially close to bedtime.)
Fortunately, I had both time (being mostly trapped indoors) and a bit of anatomical knowledge (from the brief time when I thought I was going to apply to physical therapy school) to self-assess and rebuild. I discovered the root of my sciatica were my weak and inactive glutes, which strength training began to address. Lifting weights has never been my preferred form of training, but I started incorporating strength, mobility, and stability work into my routine most days and my sciatica gradually went away.
But something still didn’t feel right. I was exercising regularly and more intensely than I had in years, especially thanks to the Peloton we got during COVID (shout out to Power Zone rides!), but I wasn’t happy with my body composition. I was heavier than I wanted to be and assumed, like many, that it was just part of being in my 30s.
Wrong!
Despite my dedication, I was unknowingly compromising my metabolic health by over-prioritizing carbohydrates, under-consuming protein, and continuing to miss out on high-quality sleep (martinis, alas). Over time, I began to shift course. I made small, science-backed adjustments to dial in my nutrition, improve my sleep, manage stress, and train smarter (and harder).
Oh, and sleep, by the way, is not just nice, it’s critical. Deep sleep helps regulate blood sugar, manage stress hormones, support testosterone production, and consolidate long-term memory, among many other things. It’s where recovery actually happens. And while I had always prioritized sleep quantity (thank goodness), I didn’t realize that my sleep quality was suffering, largely as a result of too much alcohol too close to bedtime.
Now, I feel as good—or better—than I did a decade ago. Regular checkups and blood work also support that. I obviously still have areas I’m working on (who doesn’t?!), but I feel confident that I’m setting myself up for success for the long run, and I’d love to help you too!
If you’re ready to start making changes to your habits to feel and perform better, book a free consult or, if you’re ready to dive in, fill out my questionnaire and schedule your initial session with me!
