What inspired your research and work?

I first experienced mental health challenges as a teenager, and I know how isolating that can be. This drives my passion for working with at-risk youth – to reduce loneliness, foster connection, and ensure they have positive experiences throughout the week. I want young people to feel less alone and more supported in navigating difficult times.

What’s the part of your work you enjoy the most? And the most challenging?

I love the relational side – banter, honest conversations, and witnessing small shifts in confidence and hope. Being able to say I love my job and truly mean it is a gift.

The hardest part is seeing how movement, which is therapeutic, can feel out of reach when someone’s world is overwhelming. Helping young people through that barrier is hard but deeply worthwhile.

What project are you most excited about?

This term at Thriving in Motion, we’ve collaborated with the Lyn Beazley Academy, an education centre for autistic students. We know exercise is a powerful tool for mental health, yet 54–94% of autistic individuals develop a co-occurring psychiatric condition in their lifetime (research paper) and autistic adults are less likely to meet physical activity guidelines than their neurotypical peers (another research paper).

Working with neurokin to reduce barriers to exercise has been both exciting and deeply meaningful, and I hope this collaboration will continue.

Favourite quote

“It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do a little.” – Rev. Sydney Smith

When not working or studying, what might we find you doing?

Watching science fiction, jogging with my dog Jo, writing fan fiction, skateboarding, and philosophising about oddball hypothetical things with friends.