Turning Over a New Leaf: A Fresh Start in Sustainability

For those of you who know me, you know I love a good routine—but I’m also all over the place. Since graduating high school in 2020, I played two seasons of Division I volleyball at Northern Arizona University before deciding to attend nursing school back in Colorado Springs… for all of two weeks before realizing it wasn’t for me.

After quitting nursing school, I felt completely lost. I was home, having just walked away from the sport I’d played since fifth grade, thinking, Well, great. Now what? Thankfully, I have the most supportive parents, and they encouraged me to move to Jacó, Costa Rica, to volunteer at a local surf camp, Surf Synergy, owned by our family friends. I was hesitant—after all, I’m a homebody—but with a little push (and a few long-distance coaching sessions from my mom through my initial panic attacks), I stepped way out of my comfort zone. And I couldn’t have had a better experience.

I ended up staying for about eight months, where I, along with other volunteers, built four sustainable farm-to-table gardens from scratch. And when I say scratch, I mean it. What started as four large patches of rocks is now flourishing with fresh vegetables, all growing in homemade soil. I’ll never forget the moment it hit me: Oh my gosh, wait—this is what I want to do with my life. That experience set me on my next path—enrolling in an online program to study sustainability and growing a passion for protecting the beauty of Mother Nature.

Now, nearly two years later, I’m preparing to graduate in October with a Bachelor of Science in Sustainability from Purdue Global University!

This website was born from the crazy journey that led me here. Every time I try to listen to sustainability podcasts, I find myself drowning in scientific jargon and large-scale projects that feel impossible to apply to everyday life. That’s why I started the Living Sustainably Podcast—so I can interview people with similar passions and ask real, practical questions about becoming more eco-friendly.

Through photography, blogging, and podcasting, I hope to inspire you to take simple, everyday steps toward a healthier planet—because small changes can lead to a greater Earth.