Shifting Purpose

After my daughter was born, I found myself reevaluating my life’s purpose. I decided to further my education in the field of wellness, a decision rooted in my journey of healing and self-care.

For many years, I’ve been a massage therapist as well as a yoga and meditation practitioner. I ran a private massage practice and worked at a local studio, teaching and taking yoga and meditation classes. These practices were more than just work...they were my lifeline. Without them, I would not have been able to recover as well as I did.

Self-care became essential for my mind, body, and heart. I saw its transformative power in my own life, and it inspired a question: If I could maintain my strength, mobility, and inner peace through these practices, how could I use my experience to inspire others who have faced life-changing events that shift their bodies?

With an undergraduate degree in Biology and years of experience in outreach education, I’ve always been fascinated by the human body. I realized I needed to deepen my understanding of movement, physiology, rehabilitation, and pain to educate and empower others effectively.

This realization led me to pursue a master’s degree in Kinesiology at the University of Central Florida (UCF), where I explored the mechanics of the human body and the science behind healing. Today, I am a doctoral student in the Kinesiology program at UCF’s Rehabilitation and Kinesiology Institute and now hold a CISSN sports nutirition certification and my focus of study is pain research.

I work in the RAMP Lab (Rehabilitation and Modulation of Pain) at UCF, where we use quantitative sensory testing and mind-body interventions to manage chronic pain. My goal is to advance research in innovative strategies for rehabilitation and pain management, bringing hope and healing to others.

This journey has shifted my purpose, not just as a wellness professional but as someone who deeply understands the challenges of rebuilding a life after a physical and emotional setback. I hope to inspire others to find strength and purpose through self-care, movement, and resilience.