My parents brought me into the world of climbing early on in life. Between tagging along on climbing trips, trying my first routes on Mt Lemmon, and summer camp at Rocks and Ropes, the sport was always a source of unmitigated joy for me growing up. I was lucky to have mentors that showed me it could be a way to experience incredible places, improve my physical abilities, practice focus and mindfulness, confront fear, and connect with amazing people.

Climbing went on the back burner for a while as I pursued track, martial arts, and weight training as a teenager and young adult. However, I never lost my spark for my first sport. I've returned to climbing seriously in recent years while applying what I learned from my other experiences. I've reconnected and strengthened my love for it and I'm grateful for the sense of community and the direction it has brought to my life. I've always felt a responsibility to pay forward some of the positivity my coaches and mentors have given me, and I'm honored to get to help guide young athletes in that same journey of self-improvement.