On December 19, 2024, I made a life-changing decision to undergo vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG). Today, five weeks later, I am down 34 pounds from my surgery weight—an impressive 12% of my total body weight. While these numbers are worth celebrating, they don’t tell the full story of the journey: the physical adjustments, mental challenges,…

Today, I turn 31. As I sit down to reflect on the past year, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of gratitude, pride, and excitement for the future. Turning 31 feels monumental—not because it’s a big milestone like 30, but because of the person I’ve become over the past year. This birthday is…

This week marked a significant milestone in my journey toward better health and a more sustainable lifestyle. On Tuesday, I had my follow-up appointment with my surgeon, who officially cleared me to begin Phase Three of the Cleveland Clinic’s Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) diet plan. Phase Three, as outlined in the clinic’s protocols, focuses on…

The New Year marks the turning of a page, the opening of a door to new possibilities. It is a time to reflect on the past, set intentions for the future, and celebrate the opportunity to grow. This year, I am not chasing perfection, but instead seeking balance and alignment with my goals, dreams, and…

As 2024 comes to a close, I find myself sitting eleven days post-op from gastric sleeve surgery, reflecting on what has been one of the most transformative years of my life. It’s been a year of pain, progress, and profound self-discovery, marked by milestones I once believed were unattainable. My recovery from surgery has been…

Today marks one of the most significant milestones in my life—surgery day for my bariatric sleeve procedure. This moment, filled with excitement, nerves, and hope, has been years in the making. It’s a culmination of hard work, tough decisions, sacrifices, and an unwavering commitment to my health and future. The Road to Today For those…

Today, I am celebrating a milestone that I once thought was impossible: completing my bachelor’s degree in Leadership at Life Pacific University. This achievement isn’t just about earning a degree—it’s about surviving, healing, and persevering through challenges that would have broken the person I used to be. Finishing this chapter of my academic journey has…