Turn off the lights, tuck yourself into bed, and wait for the weightlessness of sleep. The only problem, is that it doesn’t come. Lying there, not afraid, but still wondering why sleep hasn’t happened. Suddenly, it happens… my nightmare; my arrhythmia. Most people portray and see me as strong, relentless, athletic and unyielding to any…
Congenital Heart Disease: Learning Trust After Abandonment
I’m very open about having Congenital Heart Disease, the obstacles I face, and how I dig deep to find every ounce of courage available, but I have never really discussed how I got here. Some things were always a bit too personal for me to share to a wider audience, but I’m learning the more…
Courage, Dear Heart – Be The Storm
“Courage, dear heart.” – C.S Lewis As heart patients, we are used to weathering the storms of our disease; a disease that cannot be cured. We are born with these heart defects, some which can be repaired, and others that are masked with medication, and other treatment options. The longer I live with Congenital Heart…
The Evolution Of Losing Myself
Sometimes, I think it takes losing yourself to find yourself again. It’s almost a necessary lesson in human evolution; we grow, we change, we experience loss, and ultimately redemption. We don’t always understand the process or reasoning while it’s happening, but looking back, there is always an important takeaway that molds us into who we…
My Journey To American Ninja Warrior
This year, more than 75,000 people applied for 600 spots across 6 cities for the chance to compete on American Ninja Warrior. That’s less than a 1% chance of being selected, and the West Coast qualifier (my region) is the most competitive to get into. This all started 5 years ago with a promise I…
My Epic – Rock and Ice Magazine
So much has happened this year, and it’s been an absolutely incredible journey. For the last few months, something pretty secretive has been in the works that involves a major climbing magazine, distributed worldwide. Rock and Ice Magazine was created by climbers, for rock climbers, ice climbers, and mountaineers. I am so blessed to be featured…
Heart Warrior: Facing The Fears Of Our Disease To Truly Live
Looking back on the past 7 years since my Congenital Heart Disease diagnosis, I realized that I was always running from it. Every day, I was forced to face my disease straight on, but I continued sweeping it under the rug. I refused to talk about it, and even downplayed the seriousness of my disease….
Standing up to PTSD
“Stop. Be afraid. Something is wrong. Give up now.” . This what my PTSD says to me. I’m scared. I’m afraid while driving to Bend; something just doesn’t feel right. I look down at my heart monitor – one event. Im afraid while picking up my bouldering book from a mountain supply store in Bend….
Inclusion, Not Seclusion
When you stare and silently judge, it makes my process of healing and self-acceptance more difficult. Nodes on my body, wires, and a heart monitor – it’s not what you see every day. I try to hide, be discreet, and not cause unnecessary distraction. I don’t want the attention; I want to hide. But…
Battling Heart Disease – More Than A Survivor
Heart disease doesn’t care if I’m on vacation – sometimes, it will decide to drop me like a sandbag when I least expect it. Dave and I were readying ourselves for a difficult hike in Red Rocks, when out of nowhere, my heart decided it had different intentions. I was putting my hair in a…
Hearts For Adventure 