{"id":1218,"date":"2025-03-28T12:02:02","date_gmt":"2025-03-28T16:02:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/recsports\/?p=1218"},"modified":"2025-09-17T15:09:16","modified_gmt":"2025-09-17T19:09:16","slug":"wellness-spotlights-laura-simpson-bellows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.miamioh.edu\/recsports\/2025\/03\/wellness-spotlights-laura-simpson-bellows\/","title":{"rendered":"Laura (Simpson) Bellows"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Name | Years at Miami | City, State<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Laura Bellows | 1995-1997 | Ithaca, NY<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Job Title | Current Employer<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Associate Professor, Nutritional Sciences | Cornell University<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Education<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

1997, BS in Exercise Science and Health Promotion (double major), minor in Nutrition<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Learn about Laura<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\n
Describe your previous role with Miami Recreation.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>
\n

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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What does health, wellness and recreation mean to you and why is it important in your life?<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>
\n

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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What do you do to recreate, live well and have fun?<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>
\n

I love being outdoors and so hiking, skiing, boating and golfing are my favorite activities.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Discuss any individuals who helped shaped your values, interests, or overall personal or professional growth (i.e. mentors).<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>
\n

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!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How did your role in Miami Recreation help you get to where you are today?<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>
\n

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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Advice that you would give a first-year college student at Miami today?<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>
\n

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.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Favorite Miami Recreation Memory?<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>
\n

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!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Awards\/Recognitions\/Accomplishments<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In 2010, I was awarded the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) by President Barack Obama. Visiting the White House and meeting President Obama was a career high!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Laura<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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