My Story.

I grew up in Huntington Beach, California with my sweet parents, Lena & Dan, and two little sisters, Emily & Dani. And yes — I know what you’re thinking — my poor dad. Don’t worry we made sure to get a girl dog too.

Speaking of dogs, I was a total golden retriever kid. All my mom had to do to keep me entertained was give me a ball & tell me to go outside. As the oldest sister, it was my duty to torture my little sisters. I tortured my middle sister, Emily, just enough to make her the funniest person I know. And Dani, my baby sister, was tortured by sitting at all of our tournaments so I would also like to take credit for all of her athletic capabilities and accomplishments. #firstchild

I graduated from Edison High School. I never really cared about school until my junior year of college when I got to my psychology upper divs. By that time, I was already obsessed with learning about eating behavior in my free time, so whenever a class allowed us to choose our research topic for a project, I chose something in that area. It’s amazing how the experience of learning changes when you’re truly curious about what you’re learning. After earning my B.A. in Psychology from UCLA, I went on to get my Master’s of Education in Transformative Coaching & Leadership from UCLA. I studied the leadership styles of some of the best leaders & coaches in the world including John Wooden, Yvon Chouinard, & Brene Brown. I left that program knowing that I wanted to be the kind of leader who inspires & builds people up. After healing from the eating disorder that I struggled with during my freshman year of college, I knew I wanted to help people with their relationships with food & body. I recognized that in order to do that properly, I would need to have a strong foundation in nutrition. So, I went back to school to get my Master’s of Science in Nutrition from California Polytechnic University San Luis Obispo. I am currently finishing up my thesis for that program.

In total, I spent 7 years in college and earned 3 degrees, each one shaping the work I do today.

B.A. Psychology

M.Ed. Transformative Coaching and Leadership

MS Nutrition (Finished all of my classes and currently finishing up my thesis!)

Athletic Achievements

Beach volleyball has always been my favorite sport. I love that I can bring endless creativity to the game. I’m known for my weird style & inability to stop smiling on the court. Growing up, I had the privilege of being coached by Bill Lovelace & Tony Rodriguez. They taught me that while skill matters, joy & passion are what truly fuel a player.

This sport has given me more than I could have ever imagined. My career in beach volleyball has allowed me to travel the world & represent my country, helped me study at top universities, & given me lifelong friends & a special community. Along the way, I’ve built a collection of achievements I’m deeply proud of—each one a reminder of how far the love of a game can take you.

Otters. Hiking. My dog squealing when she is excited to see me. Camping. Surfing. Pretty views. Fresh air. Trees. Extra cream cheese frosting on my cinnamon roll. Persimmons. Coaching beach volleyball. My mom’s hugs. The ocean. Stealing my sister’s clothes. Trail running. Fresh oysters. Sunshine. Irish Gold butter. Swimming. My dad’s super original & totally hilarious dad jokes. ;) People who use their turn signals. Yosemite. Coaching. Working at coffee shops. Sweet treats. 33 & 333. Dancing with my friends. My sister’s homemade caramel. Fresh flowers on my table. Kindness for no reason.