#intern bio

Stuff I Like: Belly laughs, silence, baseball – especially the San Francisco Giants, the Bay Area, road trips, hiking, yoga, baby goats, traveling, How I Met Your Mother, succulents, dresses, oh and bagels. Definitely bagels.

Why I’m Here: I’m here because the issues TWLOHA addresses weigh heavy on my heart. I’m here because I have seen the real effects of them. I’m here because I believe in hope, and that hope is very real. I’m here because your life is worth it. I’m here because YOU matter.

I would most likely stuff the office fridge with: Cheese, yogurt, coconut water, and noodles.

If my music is on, I’m most likely listening to: Noah Gundersen, Imagine Dragons, Mat Kearney, lots of reggae, sometimes country sneaks in there too.

Outside of the office, I’m most likely: Doing yoga, enjoying a cup of tea or coffee, napping – I really like my naps, seeking out the next adventure.

Stuff I Like: I enjoy longboarding, soccer, music, and good company. If I have a choice between being indoors or outside, I will always choose outside. There is something calming about being in nature that helps me think deeply. 

Why I’m Here: I have dealt with many of the things that TWLOHA directly addresses and would love nothing more than to help others who have been in the places I have been and to help others find hope in life. I found TWLOHA by accident while reading an article about depression, and I emailed TWLOHA about an internship before I even knew they had an intern program. 

I would most likely stuff the office fridge with: Ranch Dressing. Ranch can make any food delicious. 

If my music is on, I’m most likely listening to: I have a very eclectic taste in music. I can go all the way from Bassnectar to Incubus to Frank Sinatra within minutes. Music is a major influence in my life, and I use music as a tool to get in certain mindsets in order to accomplish different tasks. I only tend to steer away from country. 

Outside of the office, I’m most likely: Petting animals. Being at a dog park is me in my natural habitat. 

Stuff I like: Reading words that connect with my thoughts, drinking unhealthy amounts of coffee, being near the ocean, playing and watching hockey/golf, traveling, being surrounded by nature, and taking pictures. 

Why I’m Here: I have seen some of the issues TWLOHA deals with play out in my own life, and I found a toehold in To Write Love on Her Arms. I am here because no one should have to struggle in silence. I am here to lower the statistics surrounding suicide and increase the number of people who will take their first steps towards treatment. I am here because I wholeheartedly believe that hope is real and that people need other people.

I would most likely stuff the office fridge with: Iced coffee, iced coffee, iced coffee.

If my music is on I’m most likely listening to: The Story So Far, Real Friends, Noah Gundersen, The Dangerous Summer, and depending on the day it could eventually lead to different country artists.

Outside the office, I am most likely: In the ocean, drinking coffee somewhere, reading, working out, or talking to my mama.

What takes you out of your comfort zone? My underlying urges to never become complacent. I want to live a very intentional life, which I hope can allow me to make a difference. I never want to settle.

Stuff Ilike: Words and music that make me feel alive, tattoos, stargazing, long drives with no planned destination, T-shirts, songs from years ago, psychology, out-of-context quotes, inspiring quotes, pretty letters, Oprah chai tea lattes at Starbucks, The Giving Keys, more tattoos, flower crowns (even though I rarely wear them. I like the idea of flower crowns), flower prints, and Satchel’s Pizza. 

Why I’m here: I’ve watched TWLOHA change both my life and the lives of so many people I know. It’s the reason I chose to study psychology and the reason I want to become a mental health counselor. I want to do whatever I can to give back to this organization and all of the other people who are trying to start honest conversations in their own communities.

I would most likely stuff the office fridge with: Pasta, pasta, pasta. And those little frozen meals that take like four minutes to make in the microwave.

If my music is on, I’m most likely listening to: Spotify’s “Your Favorite Coffeehouse” or “Deep Focus” playlists, or my long drive playlist (which consists of almost 24 hours of music, ranging from Tom Petty to You+Me to Anberlin).

Outside of the office, I’m most likely: Writing about my day, collecting quotes online, Googling cat pictures, or looking for a random destination for my next drive.

If you could be best friends with anyone, who would it be and why? Stacy London. Maybe she could teach me how to not wear a T-shirt every day! And she seems like a pretty awesome individual.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? I would love to be able to teleport. It would be awesome to travel a lot without spending hours in a car or a plane. I know and love people all over the country (and the world), and I’d like to be able to visit people more often!

Stuff I Like: My niece and nephew, big softblankets, Jesus, running, yoga, music (a lot of music), concerts, acoustic guitar, spending time outside, sunshine and rain (the smell when both happen at the same time), backpacking, laughing, invigorating conversations, sporadic dancing, "dad" jokes, Zours, Seattle coffee, Mount Si and the Cascade mountain range, randomly bursting out into song, and wishing I was one of the Avengers...Or, Guardians of the Galaxy... or Batman! "I’m batman! Shhhh!"  

Why I’m Here: I'm here because people matter, individuals matter, and conversations change lives. TWLOHA exists for just that--opening up the dialogue to fight the stigma deeply rooted within our society. TWLOHA’s purpose speaks to the darkest parts in me and invites light into that void. TWLOHA consistently encourages individuals to know that hope is a tangible reality, help is always a possibility, and that your story is important. Period. They have reminded me time and time again it is OK not to be OK. It is OK to ask for help. Not only does this amazing organization resonate with who I am, with what I believe, but it also resonates with an immovable passion I hold close. We were not meant to do this alone. We need each other. We need to matter. We need to be loved.  

I would most likely stuff the office fridge with: Dill pickles, Dick’s Drive-In, pasta, sour candy of various kinds, and chocolate galore. (Think Willy Wonka status.) On the other hand, I would also want fresh fruits and veggies from my Mama's garden. There's nothing better than the smell and taste of a homegrown tomato!  

If my music is on, I’m most likely listening to: Cage the Elephant, The Arkells, Switchfoot, The Foo Fighters, The Maine, All Time Low, Paramore, Sleeping With Sirens, A Day to Remember, Taking Back Sunday, Lydia, James Taylor, Billy Joel, The Beatles, Rich Mullins, Mumford and Sons, Zac Brown Band, Kacey Musgraves, Macklemore, You+Me, The Killers, and 30 Seconds to Mars.  

Outside of the office, I’m most likely: Catching up or hanging with family and friends, getting outside and breathing the fresh air, moving in general, veg'ing out to one of my favorite shows, escaping in a good book or magazine, getting creative in my lyric journal, and sleeping. Naps are God's gift to us all.   

If you had a free plane ticket, where would you go? If I had a free plane ticket, I would go to Greece AND Italy. It has been my dream since I was ten - and read “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” - to go to Greece. Italy has also been a dream for years!  

If you could guest star on any TV show, what would it be and why? As clichéd as it sounds, I would star on “Friends.” I have always wanted to live in New York City and have my best friends live across the hall! “Friends” is a warm fuzzy show for me. Who wouldn't want to be BFF's with Chandler, Ross, Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, and especially Joey? My point exactly.  

Stuff I Like: blunt sarcasm, deep-dish pizza, watching movies that make me feel emotions, singing karaoke with my fraternity brothers, and trying to save the world from super villains.

Why I’m Here: TWLOHA was there at a time that I really needed it, and it helped me as well as several friends through difficult times in our lives. I want to return the favor and help TWLOHA reach as many people in need as possible.

I would most likely stuff the office fridge with: Buffalo Wild Wings, Sour Patch candy, hummus and pita bread, leftover pizza, Chipotle, and Faygo Rockin Rye Pop.

If my music is on, I’m most likely listening to: All Time Low, Rise Against, Blink 182, Green Day, Paramore, and Senses Fail. 

Outside of the office, I’m most likely: Learning how to cook, watching a movie, having discussions about life with friends, laying on the beach in this Florida winter, watching Netflix, and trying to take over the world.

If you could guest star on any TV show, what would it be and why? I think “Criminal Minds” would be an awesome show to guest star on. It's one of my favorite shows, and I have seen way too many episodes since I graduated. I think it would be interesting to play a character that is both dangerous and smart. Maybe a darker version of Dr. Reed...

Stuff I Like: Airports and airplanes, rainy days, ocean waves, cheese, Jon Foreman, playing with my baby cousins, wolves, the ‘man bun,’ San Francisco, and dreaming about all the places I want to visit.

Why I’m Here: TWLOHA is talking about things that so desperately need to be acknowledged but are often left unsaid. TWLOHA has been a source of comfort and hope for me in dark times, and it is the greatest gift to be able to pass that on to others who need it. Aaron Moore said it best: “The hope is that people will think, ‘If those people online understand, then maybe there’s people down my street that understand.’” I want people to know that this is true.

I would most likely stuff the office fridge with: Cans of seltzer, hummus, and lots of restaurant leftovers because I go out to eat too much!

If my music is on, I’m most likely listening to: Switchfoot, Matt Corby, Foo Fighters, the Goo-Goo Dolls, or some kind of early 2000’s Pandora.

Outside of the office, I’m most likely: In the ocean, reading a book, sleeping, writing in my journal, or taking spontaneous trips to Buffalo Wild Wings with the other interns.

If you could be best friends with anyone, who would it be and why? Ezra Miller. I admire the way he thinks and speaks, and I love that he is so unapologetically quirky, goofy, and all-around adorable.

Stuff I Like: I love to laugh. Bright colors. Going out to eat makes me happy. Visiting new places. Going on new adventures. Tea. Cooking. Baking. I have an obsession with people who can sing! 

Why I’m Here: I believe in TWLOHA’s mission. I love TWLOHA’s aim to spread hope and find help for those who are suffering. I don’t want to be on this earth to just simply exist but to make a change. I want to make a difference in my community and provide hope to those that are around me.

I would most likely stuff the office fridge with: leftovers from my dinner the previous night.

If my music is on, I’m most likely listening to: Gospel, 90s Hip Hop, R&B, and Reggae.

Outside of the office, I’m most likely: Going for a walk around my neighborhood and relaxing near the beach or river. Talking on the phone, journaling, reading, and hopefully I will start exercising again!

If you could be best friends with anyone, who would it be and why? I would be best friends with chef Ramsay so I could eat at all of his restaurants for free!