WHEN I’M NOT AT WORK, YOU CAN FIND ME…
Strolling along the water or through a forest with my partner and two rescue doggies and probably eating delicious food.
WHEN I WANT TO DE-STRESS, I…
I pour myself a cup of tea, blare some early 2000s punk and go for a walk.
MY FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR IS…
Autumn. All the leaves changing color reminds me of the promise of change that the seasons give us. Plus apple cider donuts, obviously.
WHAT LED YOU TO PURSUE A CAREER HELPING OTHERS?
Growing up I experienced a lot of grief and loss and witnessed a lot of suffering in those I loved. I wanted to be the person they would have loved to have in those times- someone to see them in their struggle, validate its difficulty, and lend a hand to steady their path.
WHAT EDUCATION, SKILLS AND EXPERTISE DO YOU BRING TO YOUR ROLE?
I attended the University of Texas at Austin (hookem!!) for my undergraduate degree and earned my BS in Nutrition Science and Dietetics. I then completed my dietetic internship through the university. Following my internship I taught nutrition education and counseling, food science, and medical nutrition therapy and assessment at the university, further instilling a desire to mentor others. In 2019, I decided to attend graduate school in Rome, Italy, where I received my Masters in Food Studies with a focus on Food Policy and Sustainability. My graduate thesis focused on the human right to food, the role of food banks and government nutrition programs in improving hunger in the United States, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on hunger in Austin, Texas. I bring this extensive knowledge of non-profit and government programs to help support my patients regardless of where they may come from, or what resources they may have access to.
WHO/WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
My patients. Recovery is one of the hardest things to work towards. I get to see these strong and resilient humans trenching through their pain and hurt to a place where they realize they are so much more than their pain, and that inspires me to continue this work everyday.
WHAT IS ONE SMALL THING PEOPLE CAN DO TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVES AND INCREASE THEIR HAPPINESS?
Acknowledge your emotions- even the uncomfortable ones. There is such freedom in accepting your feelings without judgement, for then they cannot hold you hostage. Also-food has no moral value- don’t let anyone tell you different!
