How old are your kids and how long have you lived in Westport? My kids are 8, 6.5, and 3.5. After living in New Canaan for 7 years, we moved to Westport in August of 2023.
How did you end up where you are now in terms of your job, or whatever passion project it is you might be doing? I lost my mom when I was 26 years old and in grad school. So, when I had my first baby in 2017, I found myself navigating postpartum without much support. That’s when I first understood what people mean when they talk about maternal and perinatal mental health struggles. Then, when COVID hit, it made everything even harder for moms. They were delivering babies alone, parenting newborns in isolation, and trying to manage everything postpartum brings without the village that’s so often talked about. That’s when Joywell was born to give moms facing similar challenges a space for mental health support and connection in a safe way. Over time, as I grew as a mom, therapist, and business owner, Joywell evolved too. Now, we focus on helping moms rediscover their identity, prevent/heal burnout, and thrive in motherhood through retreats and one-on-one work, while my newest baby, New Mom School Westport (with Greenwich on the horizon!), is all about providing local moms with the perinatal and postpartum support, resources, community, and education they genuinely need. I never want moms to feel alone in any phase of motherhood.
What is the best show you have recently (binge) watched? And what is the last book you read? The best show I have recently binged is Dying for Sex. I found Michelle Willams’ characters search for freedom and thriving despite her terminal diagnosis to be so inspiring and poignant. The last book I read is Next To Heaven by James Frey
What is your favorite podcast? I have 2! The Real Stuff with Lucie Fink, and Not Skinny But Not Fat.
What is one food you could not live without? Avocados.
What is one product you could not live without? My retinol.
What is your greatest fear? Leaving my kids too early without a mom.
What is your greatest indulgence? Needlepointing while watching reality TV in the middle of the day. Rare, but when it happens, it’s the best.
Which talent would you most like to have? Singing in front of people.
If you did not live where you do, where would you like to live? Park City, Utah.
What is your go-to karaoke song? We Found Love by Rihanna
What is your greatest extravagance? Still trekking to NYC to get my hair cut and colored. My relationship with my hairdressers is deep!
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you? That I’m very anxious and a chronic overthinker!
If you weren’t doing what you are today, what might your career path might have been? I would have loved to have been an OBGYN or an ER doctor, but the blood phobia put the kibosh on that.
Who is your favorite hero of fiction? Who are your heroes in real life? Fictional: Frankie McGrath from Kristin Hannah’s book The Women. Real Life: MOMS are my heroes in real life. Our ability to grow, nurture, heal, and shape the futures of our children while continually growing and evolving ourselves is unmatched. One mom who always inspires me is Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Her ability to balance motherhood and a career while doing everything she could to protect women, moms, and children is always a source of inspiration.
QUICK THIS OR THAT:
At a movie: Candy or Popcorn? Popcorn
Cook or order in? Order in, unless we’re hosting! I love cooking for a crowd!
Game night/movie night? Game Night
Ketchup or Mustard? Mustard
TikTok or Insta? Insta. What is TikTok lol
Stream a movie/Go to the theatre? Theatre
Text or call? BOTH
Sauna? Or cold plunge? Sauna
Sauce on top or on the side? Side
Beach or Mountain? Mountain all day every day
Comedy or Drama? Comedy