Hello Everyone!

My story is one of adversity, growth, and flourishing. Like a plant in a desert, I grew up with adversity. I have vivid memories of “walking on eggshells” in an abusive home while trying to be “perfect”. I looked to social media and felt bombarded with images of thigh gaps, visible hip bones, and tall thin models – all ideals I could never live up to. I regulated my food and physical activity while hiding my bulimia and self-harm. At school I was bullied, leaving me without a “safe” place. In 5th grade I became sick. I was not able to get out of bed. I was known as “the girl who died” because my classmates thought I died when I did not return to school for over two years. Eventually, a doctor took a holistic approach and encouraged counseling, where, for the first time, I shared my story of abuse. It was at this time when I truly understood the mind-body connection of health and well-being.

 

At the end of 8th grade I returned to school and joined the cheerleading team. I began to learn what my body could do, and my mindset shifted as I stopped fixating on my appearance and developed a passion for health. Cheerleading helped me learn to be a leader and initiated the process of finding my voice. However, I still struggled with anxiety, especially in new situations. This is when my mother "encouraged" me to compete in a local of the Miss America Opportunity, with the goal of learning to communicate and manage my anxiety.

 

Although the Miss America local scholarship competition was outside of my comfort zone, I quickly learned it would help me grow more than any public speaking class ever did. I physically shook and stumbled over my words during my first several competitions (and boy oh boy did I make some mistakes); however, I had never felt more supported and uplifted in my life. The other contestants and titleholders cheered me on, offered encouraging advice, and even shared their wardrobe with me. Over time, I developed communication skills, found successful strategies to manage my anxiety, made lifelong friendships, became more confident, and earned scholarship money--all while making a positive impact on my community with my community service initiative.

 

I was lucky to have social support and resources to help me flourish. My “desert-like” experiences caused me to bloom like a lotus, ignited my passion for counseling, and inspired my life’s purpose – to provide resources, education, and social support through #ChooseHealth and Operation Flourish.