Where did you grow up and what was your childhood like? Did you have any particular experiences/stories that shaped your adult life?

I grew up in the suburbs in Long Island, New York. I spent most of my childhood surrounded by horses and riding more than I walked. Nothing teaches a kid more than having an extracurricular activity that demands a big commitment. While I’m raising my kids in the city and horseback riding isn’t feasible for us, both my daughters are committed figure skaters and on a synchronized skating team called CP Ice. I love that they have a physical activity to do and constant goals they are setting and achieving for themselves. All of that was the most impactful of my childhood so I’m so thrilled they have something like that too. Plus the camaraderie they get from their teammates is worth all those early morning trips to the rink.

What is something you wish you would’ve realized earlier in your life?

I think understanding my own self-worth and abilities earlier would have been great. I tend to doubt my own expertise every so often. It’s something that a lot of experts have and often referred to as “imposter syndrome”. I’m really confident in my skills and knowledge of cannabis and dietetics but every so often that doubt can still creep up, although since I turned 40, it’s happening less and less.

What are bad recommendations you hear in your profession or area of expertise?

Honestly, I’ve heard it all. Being in the diet world for nearly 15 years has been quite the experience when it comes to bad recommendations. The cannabis world is definitely more fun and the bad recommendations are more likely to be claims that haven’t been scientifically proven yet. As a dietitian and cannabis practitioner, science is the leading influence on everything I say, so when people make claims that can’t be backed by science, I get a little grayer.

Tell me about one of the darker periods you’ve experienced in life. How you came out of it and what you learned from it?

Dealing with my husband’s illness is one of the most challenging things I’ve gone through. While it wasn’t my body suffering, my partner and father of my children were suffering and it’s an ongoing struggle still to this day. Seeing him in pain or limited to what he can do on a day to day basis is really tough emotionally and physically because I’m often both mom and dad to my kids.
The beautiful part of it all is that our daughters have developed a beautiful amount of empathy and understanding for him which has carried over into how they view other people as well and I don’t know if I could have taught them that without the experience of watching their father being ill. I’m also grateful because his illness is the reason I pivoted my career from dieting to cannabis and it feels so wonderful to have a small but impactful solution for people when they’re not feeling their best.

What is one thing that you do that you feel has been the biggest contributor to your success so far?

I do my best when I’m not afraid to fail. But I can only be rid of that fear when I’m confident in my decisions. Having my family, my parents, and my brother and sister in law to discuss my ideas with is what gives me that confidence in my choices and allows me to aim high.

What is your morning routine?

I so wish I could tell you that I start with lemon water, meditation, and journaling but that’s a big lie. My 6 year old wakes me up most mornings around 5:45 am and we hang out while watching the sunrise. Iced coffee is also a big part of that routine. Other days involve me waking my 12 yr old up to get her ready for her early morning skating sessions before school.

What habit or behavior that you have pursued for a few years has most improved your life?

Putting my phone away around 8 pm is really important to me and has a great impact on my sleep quality and my peace of mind.

What are your strategies for being productive and using your time most efficiently?

I’m always running out of time between attempting some self-care, work, and my kids. So I find daily lists really helpful to keep me on task and keeping up with my responsibilities. I love sitting at my desk with a CBD coffee and getting everything crossed off my list. It’s beyond satisfying and keeps my focus where it needs to be.

What book(s) have influenced your life the most? Why?

Books, in general, have had a huge impact on my life. I’ve found reading to be the best escape and healthy way for me to zone out. I’m not great at meditating but the peace I find while reading is really important to me. There are a few books I keep rereading and those include, Living with Seal and 10% happier. Each time I read them, I take away another small tidbit that helps me focus on myself.

Do you have any quotes you live by or think of often?

A quote that I’ve been really affected by is: You must find the courage to leave the table if respect is no longer being served. I read it somewhere on social media last year right as I was going through some professional and personal issues and I found it to be incredibly helpful to remind me what I need from the people I surround myself with.