Looking back now, I can see that my body was trying to warn me long before my AVM exploded and changed my life forever, but at the time, none of it made sense, none of it felt connected, and none of it felt important enough to question, because everything could be explained away with stress or coincidence or simply being human. There were no dramatic warning signs, no collapse, no flashing lights or sirens, no moment where anyone said, something is wrong with your brain . I e

I’ve learned that dreams don’t become real just because we want them to. They become real when we name them, commit to them, and keep showing up, even when it’s uncomfortable, slow, or imperfect. As I look toward 2026, I’ve set five goals that feel big, meaningful, and deeply connected to who I am today. Speaking at six different venues. Traveling somewhere every month. Growing my social media presence. Creating a Stroke Warrior coloring book drawn with my right hand. And tu

On December 1st, I turned 27, which feels absolutely surreal. If you had asked 17-year-old me what 27 would look like, I would’ve said something like, “Traveling…lawyer-ing…definitely not falling asleep at 8:30 PM.” But here we are. Twenty-seven years old, and some mornings my body wakes up like it’s lived nine lifetimes. It’s funny, on paper, I’m in my twenties. But in my bones? My nerves? My thalamus? Eighty-five. Easily. Living in a body that’s been through a war few peopl

I did it! I went to Italy! This was my first international trip since my stroke, and to say it was special would be an understatement. It was exhausting, exhilarating, emotional, and absolutely amazing . From the moment my plane touched down in Milan, I felt this surge of excitement. Traveling again while navigating airports and managing luggage was a lot. Things that used to feel so simple before my stroke now felt like huge victories. But I was doing it. I was actually ther

When it comes to brain health, terms like AVM , aneurysm , and stroke  often get mentioned together, and for good reason. They’re all...

Grief isn’t only about losing someone we love. Sometimes, it’s about losing ourselves , the version we used to know so well. The day my...

I recently took a trip to Rhode Island to visit one of the most important people in my life—my best friend, Galen. This trip wasn’t just...

After my stroke, I had to relearn everything—how to move, how to trust my body, how to feel safe inside of it. Walking wasn’t a given....

Four years ago, on May 30, 2021, my life changed in an instant. I went into cardiac arrest and suffered a stroke due to a ruptured AVM....

May 30, 2021 — the day my AVM ruptured, the day I had a stroke, and the day I became a survivor. It’s hard to put into words what it...

When you’re living in a body that no longer feels like your own, you become a seeker. You chase hope like it’s your full-time job. Every...

Recovering from an AVM is not just about surviving—it’s about finding ways to truly live  again. Some days feel like a victory, and...

I recently had the incredible opportunity to be a guest on the podcast Before You Bloom , hosted by Hayley Kinneavy, a remarkable woman...

On January 26th at 1 PM Arizona time, I had the incredible opportunity to host my very first support group for AVM, stroke survivors,...

On December 12, I had my second round of gamma knife treatment. The doctors recommended gamma knife again, since I didn’t really want to...

Each morning, I dedicate a few quiet moments to grounding myself in gratitude. It’s a ritual I’ve cultivated over time, and it has become...

October is AVM Awareness Month, a time when I reflect on my journey and the challenges I’ve faced since being diagnosed with an...

My story with arteriovenous malformation (AVM) began in 2017, during what was supposed to be an exciting and carefree time—my senior year...

1. The Power of a "Check List": One of the most significant shifts in how I manage my daily life is the use of a checklist on my phone....

In 2021 my life took an unexpected turn. I underwent a craniotomy on June 14th after my arteriovenous malformation (AVM) exploded, a...