A woman with pink and black hair smiling, wearing a white Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gi with purple embroidery and a blue belt, holding a white belt, standing in a martial arts dojo with others in gi in the background.

What’s your fitness journey?

I'm a designer, educator, and lifelong learner who found her way back to the mat after a decade away from training. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu pulled me in again, and today I'm stronger and healthier than I've ever been. My goal is simple: keep moving so I can be around longer for my kids.

My fitness journey spans BJJ, hiking, kickboxing, and a long history of saying yes to hard things. Marathons, Tough Mudder, Everest Base Camp, Machu Picchu, and a silver medal in my first BJJ competition. By day, I lead creative and UX/product design work with 15+ years of experience building brands, digital products, and meaningful user experiences. And when I'm not designing, I'm giving back by volunteering with the local Girl Scouts, supporting the Kids & Art Foundation (bringing healing through the arts to children with cancer), and helping coach the youngest jiu-jitsu students at North Bay Jiu-Jitsu.

This space is where I document the story. Fitness, resilience, community, and everything in between.

Contact Me
Two martial artists in white gis practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu on a blue mat, one on top and one underneath, both wearing mouthguards and around their necks.

Brazilian Jiujitsu

A woman smiling while standing outdoors on a trail with a lush, green hillside and river in the background, wearing colorful leggings, a pink sports bra, and a black backpack.

Hiking

Two women training at a boxing gym with punching bags hanging from the ceiling.

Kickboxing

A woman in athletic clothing holding a basketball on a basketball court at sunset with trees and a hill in the background.

MULTI-SPORTS

My Fitness Journey Highlights

  • Two female Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitors stand facing each other on a blue mat at a tournament, with a referee between them giving a thumbs-up. The competitor on the left is wearing a blue gi, and the one on the right is wearing a white gi. Spectators watch from behind a white fence, with some seated on the floor and others standing, while a digital scoreboard displays match details in the background.

    BJJTour Competition

    2024

    2 out of 3 matches (silver medalist)

    I consistently trained for eight months, then competed as a white belt in the GI division (Masters 3, under 118 lbs, competed in Masters 2).

  • A female marathon runner in a neon yellow tank top and black running tights, smiling and giving a thumbs-up, participating in a marathon event with a large crowd of spectators and other runners in the background.

    Nike Women's Marathon

    2012

    5:15:17 (OA 2,671, AG 503)

    First-time marathoner and probably my last one! Never did a routine run and set my goal for the big one. I trained for 6 months with a running club and on my own.

  • A smiling woman with black face paint and an orange headband stands outdoors at a race event, holding a cup, with other participants and gear visible in the background.

    Tough Mudder Lake Tahoe

    2013

    10-12 mile obstacle course: mud, ice, fire, electric shock

    I did it with my husband (boyfriend back then). Once is enough!

  • A person in trekking gear and a red knit cap pointing at a large boulder marked with handwritten messages and dates, surrounded by smaller rocks and colorful prayer flags, in a mountainous area.

    Mt. Everest Basecamp

    2012

    14 days, 17,598 feet/5,364 meters

    Trekking to the south base camp in Nepal from Lukla.

  • A woman with a backpack smiling at Machu Picchu in the mountains of Peru.

    Machu Picchu

    2009

    5 days, 13,828 feet/4,215 meters

    Trekking on a classic Inca trail from Cusco, Peru.