Miami University Recreation Blog

I was part of the inaugural staff at the Rec Center and worked in the Fitness Center as a lead staff member and personal trainer.

I have built my career around health and wellness for people of all ages – from developing healthy eating and physical activity in young children to preventing and managing chronic disease in older adults. Today, I mentor future health professionals – dietitic, pre-med, and public health students.

I love being outdoors and so hiking, skiing, boating and golfing are my favorite activities.

While I had fantastic professors, it was Tim, the director of the Outdoor Pursuit Center, that has had a lasting impact on me and my recreational interests. I had a random conversation with him at the Rec Center and he encouraged me to go on a 2-week, summer backpacking trip to Zion National Park. At the time, I had never camped or backpacked. That trip was the start of my love of the outdoors. I love that led me to Colorado in my early 20’s where I lived for 20 years before moving east to enjoy the outdoors of the Finger Lakes in upstate NY. That little bit of encouragement from Tim has led to many phenomenal outdoor adventures!

Miami Rec was a stepping stone to each of my subsequent career positions. It positioned me for a summer internship in corporate wellness, built my confidence in personal training, which I later coupled with nutrition counseling, and solidified my interests in focusing on health promotion (versus treatment). Today, I share with my students how all of my early experiences helped put me on my professional path and grow into the public health professional that I am today.

Put yourself out there! Talk to your professors, engage with other professionals on-campus, like those at Miami Rec, to help you find and build your passions. You are on a journey to find your niche in the world. Everyone has been on their own unique journey and hearing others’ experience is not only informative but inspiring.

I made lots of great friendships with co-workers at Miami Rec. We had incredible times at the Rec Center and outside, including going to the Love and Honor Ball together, watching the Oscars, and running into each other on Green Beer Day!