I was born in 1986, which means I'm however old that makes me whenever you're reading this. But as I’ve come to learn, calendar age doesn’t tell the full story. Like many of you, I’ve been on a health journey—certainly over the past few years but also, in many ways, my entire life. The exciting part? I feel younger now than I have in over a decade.

And no, it’s not because of a pill or some expensive, futuristic treatment (more on my views about that later). It’s because I spent the time and energy to study my body, reflect on what truly supports health, and build a more holistic, sustainable approach to feeling good—now and for the long run.

Speaking of long runs, I was lucky to discover running early. In ninth grade, after missing the basketball team the year before, I joined the cross country team to get in shape—and I never looked back. Running became a lifelong passion that forged many of my closest friendships and continues to bring me joy. But my relationship with running hasn’t always been smooth.

Like many runners, I fell into the trap of only running—ignoring strength, mobility, stability, and power. That approach eventually caught up with me. Early in the COVID pandemic, I developed sciatica. I had stopped bartending, started selling alcohol, and gained 30–40 pounds (and not of muscle)—mostly from poor sleep, stress, and focusing too much on carbohydrates at the expense of protein . (Turns out, much to my continued dismay, that martinis don’t pair well with restorative sleep, especially close to bedtime.)

Fortunately, I had both time and a bit of anatomical knowledge (from my brief time studying physical therapy) to self-assess and rebuild. I discovered the root of my sciatica was weak and inactive glutes—something strength training began to address. While I’d never loved lifting weights, I started incorporating strength, mobility, and stability work into most days—and the results were undeniable.

But something still didn’t feel right. I was exercising regularly and intensely—especially once I became a devoted Peloton rider during my injury recovery—but I wasn’t happy with my body composition. I was heavier than I wanted to be and assumed, like many, that it was just part of being in my 30s.

I was wrong.

Despite my dedication, I was unknowingly compromising my metabolic health: over-prioritizing carbohydrates, under-consuming protein, and continuing to miss out on high-quality sleep. Over time, I began to shift course. I made small, science-backed adjustments—dialing in my nutrition, focusing on sleep, managing stress, and training smarter (and harder).

Sleep, by the way, is not just important—it’s foundational. Deep sleep helps regulate blood sugar, manage stress hormones, support testosterone production, and consolidate long-term memory. It’s where recovery actually happens. And while I had always prioritized sleep quantity (thank goodness), I didn’t realize that my sleep quality was suffering, largely as a result of too much alcohol too close to bedtime.

Now, I feel as good—or better—than I did a decade ago. Regular checkups and blood work also back that up. I still have areas I’m working on (who doesn’t?!), but I feel confident that I’m setting myself up for success for the long run, and I’d love to help you too!