My Connection to Mental Health
My journey with mental health is deeply personal. It began with a personal loss - I lost my dad to suicide in 2019 after a long battle with mental illness. Since then, I've seen firsthand the impact mental illnesses have on individuals and their loved ones.
Growing up, my father and I bonded over sports and fitness. We'd run the Turkey Trot 5K together every year, and those memories have stayed with me. He was a marathoner by no means, but he would sport his uncle's Lions Jersey every year (see picture), and his energy was always infectious. He's the reason I got into sports; he was my first coach for baseball, soccer, you name it. After his passing, I found solace in running, which has become a crucial part of working through my mental health. By sharing my story, I hope to contribute to a world where mental health is understood and accepted, rather than being brushed off or ignored, offering a lifeline to those going through similar experiences.
Stride & Serve exists to bring people together through shared meals while serving the mental health community through purposeful fundraising.
I believe that some of the most meaningful moments happen around the table. My first “customers” were my college roommates, and the meals we shared together pulled us away from screens, stress, and everyday distractions. Those dinners became a space for connection, laughter, and presence—and showed me just how powerful eating with friends and family can be.
That experience became the foundation for Stride & Serve. Today, I host dinners that create space for real conversation, genuine connection, and collective impact—using thoughtfully prepared meals to support mental health organizations and bring people closer together.