My Story

I want to help people in their relationships with themselves, the world, food, body and sport in both the secular world, and those with faith. Here is some insight into my own journey- it will be different from others, but does not exclude anyone from who I desire to connect with and be a part of their journeys, faith or no faith, athlete or non athlete.

I decided to follow God and was baptized when I was 14 years old, and I have battled anorexia nervosa since I was 16 years old, ever since I broke my foot in a cross country meet. Low bone density is often accompanied by lack of menstruation and inadequate food intake - known as the female athlete triad, and that was what took me out of running the whole school year. I spent years in and out of treatment centers, as I trained for different races and juggled my relationship with God, with myself, with running, with food, and with church. As I fought this illness, my health care providers, my mom, and God have been my greatest guides and supports. Much of the time I was meant to spend recovering from my disorder and finding healing from God and God's grace, was spent being worried about if I was worthy to be among other Christians and wondering if I was still covered with God's grace. Those who supported me from my church did not know where I stood with God, although the Bible makes it clear that he was always with me. How could anyone know though, with no resources, and such little understanding?

These past two years I have been living in and continuing to fight for recovery, and I started writing a book. I have not questioned my relationship with God since. I realized in treatment centers that the people who I trusted the most and helped me the most, were the ones giving me the truth and the facts: the dietitians. People could say whatever they wanted about how food wasn't bad or good and how metabolism works, but I wouldn't believe it until they showed me the science. Paired with compassion, empathy, and love, I realized that this was unquestionably what I wanted to do for others. The health care providers who helped me once I left treatment all worked with athletes and eating disorders, and I was further convinced that this is my future. I want to help people in the powerful way I have been helped, and maintain longitudinal relationships with my clients so that when they need me, they know I'm here. I am a Christian, and for those who have faith in God, I want to be a guiding light. For those who don't, I want to continue to shed light and truth about bodies and food. The more I study out nutrition, food science, and public health - the more apalled I am about how backwards the system is, and how it is set up against us - against women especially, and straight up against facts. I am finishing school at UMass Lowell and going to become a registered dietitian, and aspire to open a multidisciplinary private practice. As I do so, I will never stop advocating for women's rights, and the truth about food and body.