I was born allergic to all milk — even my mother’s — a rare, life-threatening condition that shaped my childhood with trauma, isolation, and an overactive “fight or flight” response. Outwardly, I excelled in academics, music, and baseball. Inwardly, I felt lost and unworthy.

My twenties took me across the U.S. and abroad through careers in music and craft beer, chasing purpose while surviving multiple near-death allergic reactions, cancer, and a mountain accident that left me broken in body and spirit. I numbed myself with alcohol, self-doubt, and anger.

In desperation, I opened a restaurant, hoping for freedom — but found only deeper burnout. At rock bottom and after losing my restaurant to COVID-19, I returned to New Orleans and committed to healing with three mantras: You can’t go back. Healing is living. Work Hard. Choose Happy.

Since then, I’ve excavated the roots of my pain, learned to love all parts of myself, and embraced a life of curiosity, presence, and gratitude.

This platform is where I share my trauma-informed journey — honest stories of struggle, transformation, and hope. Hearing others prevail saved me; now, I hope to be that light for someone else.