Because I’ve been there.

In my 20s, I didn’t prioritize my health while I was working long hours in investment banking in New York and London. Despite hitting the gym hard, I struggled with personal trainers who didn’t understand me. Wrist pain revealed rheumatoid arthritis (autoimmune disease #1), making it a 45-minute ordeal to get out of bed due to stiffness from medication.

In my 30s, during a burnout phase, I met my husband, moved to Seattle, and switched to tech. Determined to improve my health, I started running. My goal was survival, but running and healthy eating got me off meds in six months. I built up to marathons but was later diagnosed with colitis (autoimmune disease #2).

In my 40s, I embraced CrossFit and strength training while progressing in my tech career. My husband’s emergency brain surgery required my full-time attention, and I faced being diagnosed with Raynaud’s (autoimmune disease #3). Then menopause added more complexity to my health journey.

In my 50s, I’m stronger than ever. I achieved my first pull-up at 51, even through menopause. I left tech to help women with autoimmune diseases live their best lives. I’ve made all the mistakes and learned from them.