My Story
When I first graduated college, I was excited to land a demanding role with a huge amount of responsibility and autonomy right away. I was the public policy director of an agricultural business association and lobbying on issues I was passionate about such as environmental issues, food policy and challenges faced by small businesses.
It was also during this time that I experienced the worst lymphedema symptoms of my life, as I hid my incurable condition while working demanding hours and neglecting my health. When the inseam of my slacks split one day at a conference from knee swelling, I knew I needed to make a change. I had been living with primary lymphedema symptoms for years, but the lack of resources available from the medical community made it hard to know where to start. I made a commitment to become a student of my health rather than letting myself be a victim of this disease. I enrolled in yoga teacher training, visited doctors and therapists for proper compression and massage, monitored my diet and held myself accountable for my self-care routine. During this chapter of my life, I was a registered lobbyist, working and advocating on issues related to agricultural and environmental policy, yet here I was secretly suffering from a condition that was in so much need of an advocate.
In 2018, I became an advocate for this condition, started working one on one with private yoga clients and connecting with people around the world by sharing lifestyle tips and tools that have helped me, and others, live a fulfilling and adventurous life with lymphedema. Through my vulnerability and transparency I’m building a community and shared sense of belonging among people with rare and chronic illnesses who thought they were alone in their fight.
It’s my goal to help my clients be more confident and empowered to take charge of their own lives, and break down the limiting beliefs holding them back. I am a graduate of Cornell University, 200-hour certified yoga teacher with the Yoga Alliance, member of the Lymphatic Education & Research Network and currently live in New York City.