During my freshman year in college, I was a varsity athlete on the University of Vermont Crew Team while studying Dietetics full-time. Given that athletics and nutrition have always been true passions for me, I felt like I was on top of the world! During my early adolescent years, I remember feeling insecure about my body – my shoulders are too broad, my thighs are too big, if only I could loose a little around my middle. Being part of a competitive team with other strong women like me allowed body image to be forgotten – everyone was accepted and relied on for their athletic ability. Unfortunately, I suffered an injury while rowing which forced me to quit the crew team and let go of my identity as a college athlete.
This is when things started to spiral. I lost my sense of belonging – to a team and to a sport. I turned my energies instead toward running solo for exercise. It wasn’t long before I became obsessed with how often, how fast, and how far I was running. Then, I began controlling everything I ate – my passions had turned into obsessions. Running and monitoring my food intake defined who I was and I became accustomed to food and exercise controlling everything about me. My family noticed and told me they were worried, but it took me a long time to see in myself that what I was doing to my body wasn’t healthy and that I needed help.
Thankfully, as a result of my work in finding life balance through changing my surroundings, yoga, meditation, and mindfulness, I have re-discovered my love for food, my body, and balanced exercise and am able to live life to the fullest. As much as I didn’t have much hope that I could change during that dark time, I want every soul struggling like I did to know that there is hope. It is possible to heal and to make peace with food again!
My life’s mission is to provide the kind of hope and support that will help people in their journeys towards balance and optimal well-being.
During my freshman year in college, I was a varsity athlete on the University of Vermont Crew Team while studying Dietetics full-time. Given that athletics and nutrition have always been true passions for me, I felt like I was on top of the world! During my early adolescent years, I remember feeling insecure about my body – my shoulders are too broad, my thighs are too big, if only I could loose a little around my middle. Being part of a competitive team with other strong women like me allowed body image to be forgotten – everyone was accepted and relied on for their athletic ability. Unfortunately, I suffered an injury while rowing which forced me to quit the crew team and let go of my identity as a college athlete.
This is when things started to spiral. I lost my sense of belonging – to a team and to a sport. I turned my energies instead toward running solo for exercise. It wasn’t long before I became obsessed with how often, how fast, and how far I was running. Then, I began controlling everything I ate – my passions had turned into obsessions. Running and monitoring my food intake defined who I was and I became accustomed to food and exercise controlling everything about me. My family noticed and told me they were worried, but it took me a long time to see in myself that what I was doing to my body wasn’t healthy and that I needed help.
Thankfully, as a result of my work in finding life balance through changing my surroundings, yoga, meditation, and mindfulness, I have re-discovered my love for food, my body, and balanced exercise and am able to live life to the fullest. As much as I didn’t have much hope that I could change during that dark time, I want every soul struggling like I did to know that there is hope. It is possible to heal and to make peace with food again!
My life’s mission is to provide the kind of hope and support that will help people in their journeys towards balance and optimal well-being.