My Story

Chapter 06

The Alphabet 1.5 — You're never invited where you don't belong

In 2024, a week after being hit by an ice cream truck on my bike, I applied to the Google Apprenticeship program for UX Design. I was 1 of 8 UX Design apprentices selected for the 18 month 2025 program, which is in collaboration with the New York Department of Labor to allow people to learn entry level skills to start new careers.

I was placed on the Cloud team, with some of the best in the business with design, ideation, and execution. I started the program uneasy and uncertain of my belonging, due to lack of "tech" knowledge.

Now at the completion of 18 months, I realized how many other intangible skills I possess that make up those that work in "tech", which then reminded me how much adaptability is a true super power of mine.

Chapter 05

The Ice Cream Truck — Perspective of what really matters

In August of 2024, I was victim of a Hit & Run while biking in Brooklyn. An ice cream truck ran a red light, hit & dragged me for two intersections, then keep going. No broken bones. No brain damage. No I didn't have a helmet on either. It's a miracle that I'm alive, and my major injuries were some really gnarly road rash from the dragging.

Here are my perspective shifts simply put:

• Material items mean nothing when it comes to your health & well being.
• Those prayers from your family and friends add up.
• If it's your time to go, you'll go. If it ain't, it ain't.

Fun facts: When I applied for the Google apprenticeship I wasn't able to walk on my own just yet. I was hit on this bike pictured. I bartered my leg tattoos in exchange for private yoga sessions.

Chapter 04

The Achilles Tear — Going against the grain

On August 1st 2023, I tore my Achilles playing basketball with my best friend from middle school, two days before my father's funeral on August 3rd. In hindsight, I didn't stretch, I borrowed shoes from my cousin that were too small, and we were playing on concrete; a literal recipe for disaster.

I decided against surgery, and chose to heal on my own with a non-operative route that went against the opinions of everyone I knew. The people closest to me thought I was out of my mind for such a choice.

The non-operative recovery decision gave me the confidence I needed to trust my gut instincts, unlocking the path for me to research others who chose to take the non-operative healing route like myself.

Fun facts: These photos are from the day I tore my Achilles, with the shoes that caused the injury. One contributing factor in not wanting surgery was knowing the doctor's insertion point would have ruined my leg tattoo. The irony of my leg tattoo still being ruined a year later was not lost on me.

Chapter 03

Off The Strength — 7 years of podcasting

I began podcasting in January of 2019, starting the journey with 3 other co-host, which quickly went to 2, and then just one. Lots of life happened between 2019-2026, over 350+ episodes were aired, we crossed 100K streams, and had numerous in person activations with live shows.

If had to distill some lessons learned over the years, they would be about perseverance, authenticity, consistency, and the power of story telling.

Fun facts: I interviewed Anthony Ramos right before his lead role in Transformers, afterwards we lost a co-host who became Anthony's traveling personal trainer. I was also a guest on Donnell Rawlings 75th podcast episode because all his friends canceled on the recording day.

Chapter 02

Bike Yoga's Big Stage Debut — From ideation to execution

As a tenured cyclist and yogi, creating a merger of the two disciplines was only a matter of time. I had this idea back in 2020 — use what you have as the premise, use your own bike as a prop, the same as way you would use a yoga block, or strap, paired with targeted movements specifically for cyclists. Through hard work and some luck of the draw, I was able to partner with Hudson River Park to offer Bike Yoga for a Healthy on the Hudson summer programing series at Pier 76 in 2024.

I don't think I'm the first to combine bikes and yoga, but I'm definitely the only person to have Bike Yoga as a free offering to the cycling community at Pier 76 with the photos to match!

Fun fact: The first Bike yoga event happened because Lululemon asked me to create an outdoor activation to celebrate Earth Day downtown Brooklyn in 2022 to launch a new flagship location.

Chapter 01

Micro-Influencer — Thinking outside the box

Once I completed my yoga teacher training, I knew that I didn't have a desire to teach weekly classes in multiple studios. Instead, I wanted to leave my impact on large scale events, curated series, and moments that would be considered unorthodox to some, but life changing for those in attendance.

My gift to heal has informed my movement practice, and nothing brings me more joy than to share movement with others. From teaching bike yoga in the closed off streets of downtown Brooklyn, to teaching a vinyasa flow class in the center of Rivian's car dealership, I've mastered the art of converting unorthodox places into wellness spaces.

Fun fact: Since Rivian vehicles are electric, we utilized the outlets located in the rear to power equipment for a live DJ as I taught class, a hot plate to pop popcorn for guests, and a post class recovery station with Hyperice Normatec devices.