When I was 10 years old, I was put on my first official diet. Succumbing to the pressure of diet culture led to a spiral of low self-esteem, a poor relationship with food, and disordered eating.
Later in my teen years, as I played tennis, swam competitively, and fell in love with weightlifting at the gym, I developed a healthier relationship with fitness. That carried me through college where I worked the fitness desk at MizzouRec while studying magazine journalism at the University of Missouri School of Journalism.
Fueled by my own experiences with depression and anxiety, I'm also committed to erasing the stigma surrounding mental illness and share stories that shed light on mental health. In 2019, I launched the now-annual POPSUGAR Mental Health Matters features hub for Mental Health Awareness Month to help those who live with a mental illness feel less isolated.
As a New York City-based professional writer, editor, and content strategist with more than 12 years of experience, I'm passionate about creating engaging, informative content that educates readers as much as it entertains them. I don't always make it to the gym, and I can't turn down a New York bagel (everything toasted with scallion cream cheese, please), but fitness and wellness are still a huge part of my life.
Over the last few years, I've transitioned from working primarily in digital media to creating content for brands, start-ups, and tech companies. I love the challenge of a new environment and have learned so much about branding, business, and the tech world.
In my free time, I write and perform stand-up comedy, so I relish any opportunity to inject copy with humor and a fun tone of voice. I've performed at Gotham Comedy Club, Eastville, Stand Up NY, The PIT, and UCB to name a few, and I'm just getting started!