The Start of My Wellness Journey

I started my study of psychology in high school and continued into undergrad. What started as a focus on the unwell mind soon turned to a fascination of the vibrantly joyful mind- the science of happiness, or positive psychology.

Learning from the incredible Dr. John Hurley, I began to wonder if there was a limit on happiness: what did it mean to feel “happy”, and can we increase the parameters of how often and how strongly we could feel this emotion? I dove into the research, including conducting an introductory study with Dr. Hurley.

In 2017 I was out of college, but very much still into happiness research. I booked a four week trip to Scandinavia, the region that tops the World Happiness Report year after year (yes, it’s a real thing!). After 3 weeks in Tromso, a week in Copenhagen, and one very busy day in Helsinki, I was hooked on Scandinavian culture, rich with the happiness practices I’d been reading about for so long.

That chance to experience Scandinavia changed my life. With the emphasis on a life outdoors, eating in community, and slowing down to live each moment with the intention to enjoy, it was incredibly evident to me why these countries have such high levels of happiness; their level of connectedness- with others, nature, and life itself- is unparalleled. I strove to incorporate these lessons into my daily life back in Chicago.

Fast forward to 2024. I have now returned to the same farm from that inaugural Norway trip seven times, spending cumulatively about seven months there. Nordvoll Farm (featured above and at the bottom of this page) has become my second home, and farmer/professor/storyteller Dr. Roger Lockertsen and his crew of returning volunteers have become family. My time there inspired me to build out a cargo van and explore the western United States through vanlife, then to attend a yoga teacher training deep in the Peruvian Jungle.

These experiences of deep connection to the land, other humans, and to myself led me to pursue this life as a holistic wellness & happiness coach. In my practice I emphasize a foundation of empowering nutritional knowledge, embracing the strength of our own mind, and finding connection with the earth and community. These three limbs create a holistic approach to living a healthy and happy life, in mind, body and spirit.