A Holistic Approach
Regenerating Mind and Body
When I first moved to Pittsburgh, I dreamed about starting a company to connect people with health and wellness resources. Eager to apply my science degree, I worked in a variety of roles to grow my understanding of research and business. I volunteered with non-profits and connected with students and fellow professionals from many backgrounds. The diversity and history of our city is something that continues to intrigue and inspire me.
I grew up around medical science, sports and spending time outdoors with my family. My parents worked as medical missionaries in Haiti, where I saw firsthand the effects of colonialism, corrupt government, malnutrition and frequent natural disasters. As a kid, I kind of took things in stride, only later to realize what they meant. When my family moved back to the US, I enjoyed connecting with new friends, playing school sports and being part of my church youth group. My childhood experiences between different cultures strongly shaped my view of wellness as having social, environmental, and spiritual roots.
I became more curious about what I was missing personally when I began suffering symptoms of major depression as an adult. One physician recommended a nutrition-based approach. I dove into learning all I could about how food affects biology and mood. Working in biomedical laboratories around that time also introduced me to more science around how the body and brain can heal themselves, given a supportive cellular environment.
I began wondering how exercise impacts healing and discovered yoga alongside other therapy modalities which started improving my wellbeing. Seeing how much movement, balancing real foods, and rest have helped me recover from mental health challenges and other sports injuries motivates me to share this knowledge with others who can use it!
From discovering strength training in high school and healing from tendinitis, to training through a stress fracture in college and performing in my best sprinting season, I've experienced firsthand the benefits of well-designed exercise programs.
With any limitation, my question becomes, what can we still do?
Understanding Biology
I have degrees in biotechnology and molecular biology. I love thinking about how the body works and how we can impact our physiology with our daily habits. My certification in nutrition adds insight to my programs and guides any recommendations I make to clients.
Interested in Training with Me?
With a background in both natural and scientific approaches to wellness, I keep an open mind and help my clients explore what they need to experience deeply rooted health. I believe every individual deserves to have compassion, creativity, and respect at the core of any fitness program. I look forward to learning how I might be able to serve you!