What are you most passionate about and why? How will this passion positively impact ROSS?

I will be forever grateful for my time at my current company where I realized the potential of a wellness program and a commitment to workplace happiness. I hope to share my passion for wellness to further strengthen the Ross community.

I would get up before sunrise, ride a bus for 75 minutes, put in a solid day of work, and ride another bus home. Often using the commute as an excuse, I would overeat at dinner and go straight to bed, only to wake up and do it all over again. A poor diet and little activity resulted in depleted energy levels and significant weight gain. I remember running on the treadmill at the gym, turning to a side mirror, and seeing a stranger. I did not recognize myself.

The Heath brothers write in Switch that “self-control is an exhaustible resource.” I wanted to do better, but had little energy to make the tough choices, like saying no to the candy stockpile. For many, work is probably high on the list of self-control challengers. I refuse to accept that premise any longer. What if we created workplaces where employees not only conserve their self-control, but recharge it?

My experiences have not only changed the way I work, but also how I live my life. With great support from my co-workers and an activity tracker, I became a vegetarian and trained for my first marathon.

Happier, healthier employees result in a more productive, innovative workforce. Balancing business school demands and recruiting calendars while maintaining personal health will be a challenge. I hope to connect with other Ross students interested in wellness and start a new club focused on achieving this balance with community support.