About Me

My Story

I am a proud amalgamation of intersecting lineages, identities, life experiences, passions, visions, goals.

I proudly identify as biracial, transfeminine, neurodivergent, Buddhist, futurist.

Now 33 years into existence, I strive to upkeep a daily existence based in thriving, ecological sustainability, healing, self-actualization, equity for all.

Born in Virginia to an Idaho-American father + Japanese mother, I trace my ancestry to southern Japan + the British Isles, Germany, Sweden, Italy. I spent my childhood & formative years living between DC, Europe, Tokyo, New York, Oregon, Idaho.

Attending international schools + traveling abroad throughout my childhood exposed me to a plethora of cultures, peoples, and places, which have strongly shaped my current worldview. All the while, I inhabited a queer/trans identity that did not fully blossom until young adulthood.

After receiving my BA in psychology from Georgetown University in 2012, I returned to Tokyo to work in the Japanese tourism industry before pursuing my graduate degree in Sustainable Tourism Management in three EU countries, graduating in 2017. Thereafter, I lived _ worked in the Pacific Northwest cities of Portland, OR + Boise, ID for 6 years before relocating to New Jersey in 2023 to begin working @ Rutgers University.

Professionally, I've pursued an array of diverse opportunities in the fields of applied social science research, advocacy, environmental justice, sustainable tourism - interrelated yet distinct areas of work that have continually inspired me to explore greater opportunities for overlap in other realms. Including, most recently, integrative wellness coaching.

What's next is anyone's guess...

Nature

The spellbinding beauty & healing qualities of the natural world, flora & fauna, land & sea

daily time outside
ecology & conservation
hiking
camping
nature therapy
solitude
rewilding

Health & Wellness

The holistic synergy of essential physical / psychological / spiritual balance, healing, well-being of body & mind

Health + Well-being

plant-based nutrition
cooking
exercise
sleep
meditation + yoga
therapy
journaling
self-care

Top Passions

Travel

The opportunity to visit myriad ecologies / cultures / wonders that make Planet Earth an incredible living miracle

trips locally, domestically, abroad
natural exploration
novel adventures
mental travel

Psychology

The captivating human psyche & behavior in all its complexity; applications of research toward the betterment of others

spirituality
consciousness expansion
academic research
trauma healing

Children + Animals

The beautiful innocence & wholesomeness that exists in the purity of childhood and animality

babies + youth
early education
pets
wildlife

Philosophy

The ponderance of the deeper questions of our world, ethics, how & why we exist, intersections w/ psychology & art

reading
discussions
reflection
writing

Buddhism

The belief system centered on ending suffering + engendering peace in the individual / interpersonal / collective consciousness via presence, compassion, gratitude, mindfulness, impermanence, non-duality, interconnection, emptiness

meditation
mindful presence
sangha
reflection

Japan

The rich history, culture, language, people, landscapes of the Japanese archipelago & my ancestral lineage

東京、熊本
日本語
後藤家
温泉♨
和食
伝統文化

Aesthetics + Arts

The daily appreciation of beauty & design in its countless manifestations of expression

natural landscapes + animals
visual arts
music
high fashion
biophilic design
minimalism
gardening

Connection + Community

The invaluable significance of family / close friends / love in providing the soul w bountiful joy, social support, greater meaning

bio + chosen family
loves
friends
communities

History

The 13.8 billion years of "past" that has occurred before this moment; reflecting on its applications to the present & future

natural
societal
anthropological
geological
futurism

Sustainability

The personal & global economic, socio-cultural, ecological considerations to achieve a prosperous, healthy, joyful, harmonious state for future generations

eco-friendliness
environmental justice
activism
conservation
ecotourism

Liberation

The radical freedom from constructs, ideals, stigmas, ego in a healing, authentic manner; advocating for & inspiring liberty, equity, justice for others

intersectional identities + diverse self-expression
advocacy
egolessness
liberalism
open-mindedness