About
If forced, I can chunk my life into three domains: Athletics and the Outdoors, Family, and Academia.
Athletics and the Outdoors
In 2007 I started running. I couldn’t run a mile. Since then I have run 18 marathons and ultramarathons (distances over 26.2 miles); I’ve even won one. I started blogging to document my adventures, including a trip to Antarctica, where I learned that I could outrun a penguin.
Hanging out in Paradise Harbor, Antarctica
With one of my best friends after running the JFK 50 miler.
An organization that is near and dear to my heart is impossible2Possible (i2P), a non-profit that aims to educate, empower and inspire youth via adventure. As an advisor to i2P I had the extraordinary privilege of leading four young adults on a 100 mile trek through the Amazon jungle while video conferencing into the classrooms of 15,000 students around the world to educate about biodiversity (see Jungle 2010). My adventures have been featured in ESPN, CNN, Outside Magazine, Pittsburgh Magazine, and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
i2P in the Amazon
I travel extensively and always have a camera with me. I love being active and do anything outside including, but not limited to biking, hiking, climbing, skiing and fishing.
Summit of a 14er
Hike to Lava Lake, Montana.
Skiing off The Tram in Big Sky, Montana
Family
I have the greatest partner in the world. We got engaged on a mountain and eloped at sunrise at 13,000 feet. I am lucky to have found a brilliant, athletic and generous man to share my life with.
Our wedding picture. I got married in a headlamp and that’s about my speed.
I love our dogs and am so happy that I have them as companions. I am also very proud of our Bernese Mountain Dog who is working towards his AKC therapy dog title.
Tycho, our loving Lab-Retriever
Wally, our wonderfully dopey Bernese Mountain Dog
Academia
I have a joint doctorate in clinical and developmental psychology and when I’m not adventuring, I study substance use at the University of California, Berkeley. I am fortunate to maintain collaborations at the University of Pittsburgh, where I did my graduate work, and the University of Colorado where I had a training award from the National Institute on Mental Health and studied the effect of marijuana policy on adolescents (when I wasn’t playing in the mountains). I have presented my work around the world and published extensively in peer-review journals.
In sum, I live a happy, adventurous and slightly chaotic life and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
I really enjoyed looking through your blog. Thanks for sharing!