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 severely 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 myself in a lifestyle wrapped in pain and dysfunction. 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 find grace when I can’t, and embraced a life of curiosity, presence, and gratitude.

This platform is where I share my trauma-informed journey. You will find honest stories of struggle, transformation, and hope. Hearing others prevail saved me. Their light showed me one in myself. I hope to be that light for someone else and maybe, just maybe reach them earlier than I was willing or able to be reached.