I grew up in Los Angeles, the daughter of Romanian immigrants who fled a communist regime in search of freedom. That story of resilience has always been woven into me. From an early age, I was fascinated by science, the human body, and the idea of healing. That curiosity carried me through a degree in Bioengineering at UCLA, a Master’s in Biological Sciences at UCI, and eventually a doctorate in Regenerative Science in Germany. For over a decade, I poured myself into stem cell research, working on projects that included anti-aging and women’s health therapies.

On the outside, I was thriving. Inside, I was burning out. The cultures I worked in prized productivity over people, output over wellbeing. Especially in my last endeavors as a female scientist, I often felt unheard and unseen. The deeper I went into the work, the more I felt pulled away from the very things that gave me life—nature, movement, community, and balance.

It was on long hikes in the Sierras, on trails in New Zealand, and across the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal that I felt most myself: strong, grounded, and free. I realized that the lab wasn’t the only place to explore health. Healing was also happening out on the trail, in how I nourished myself, in how I balanced rest and effort, and in the way I built sustainable practices for my body and mind.

Eventually, I made a choice that surprised even me: I walked away from a six-figure career in science to pursue a path that aligned more with my values. I spent time working on farms, learning the rhythms of growing food. I supported the elderly in assisted care. And I trained in holistic health coaching, earning diplomas in Nutrition and Health Coaching, Women’s Health and Wellness Coaching, and Holistic Wellness Coaching.

Now, I bring both sides of my journey—the scientist and the seeker—into my work as a holistic health and wellbeing coach. My mission is to guide people toward balance, resilience, and a deeper connection with themselves. Whether it’s building healthier habits, navigating stress, or creating a lifestyle that feels sustainable and true, I hold space for transformation that lasts.

This is the work that lights me up: helping people bloom gently into their truest selves.