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 a college town in Michigan. I had a lot of loving family members around and was raised by a village. I’m an only child so I was always the only kid around in my family of grown-ups. I always felt different and weird at school and around other kids. I didn’t get invited to birthday parties and often felt left out and that’s informed out I am as an adult but working on it in therapy now…

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

To stop trying to sit with people who don’t want to sit with me. I’m still learning this. And stop trying to be cool or elusive, I’m warm and earnest and that will never change.

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

To market and sell in a way that feels too aggressive to me.

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?

I go in and out of depression and lows here and there. They blow but now I’ve had a big enough sample size to know that I will always come up again even when I’m feeling low.

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

I am a connector and make friends very easily. I care about people and have a network of wonderful people all over that I’ve gotten to meet, spend time with, genuinely get to know, and build relationships with.

What is your morning routine? 

I get up at different times but I like waking up early. Usually around 7 or so. I drink water and warm water with lemon. I stretch and do some exercises. I listen to a news podcast and other podcasts while I get dressed. I make an herbal tea infusion that I’ll drink throughout the day. I will meditate and journal but sometimes I do those things later in the day after a walk. Then I leave the apartment for a very long walk where I drink coffee and talk on the phone. I send and receive a lot of voice texts sometimes more than 30-40 minutes to listen to it all and that’s the time I respond and listen to those.

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

Journaling. I don’t know how I’m feeling or how I can pivot what I’m doing to feel better unless I’m writing.

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

I love working on zoom with my Creative Underdogs class and doing pomodoros with them.

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

The book Text Me When you Get Home by Kayleen Schaefer taught me the importance of friendship and helped me see how I prioritize that as much as I do.

Also, The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz and Anti-Diet by Christy Harrison.

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

“Don’t talk about it be about it.”
“Leave places and people and everything better than you found it.”
I try to live by both of those although I have no idea who said them.