As the obesity epidemic hit America a couple decades ago, more research was being done in laboratories and studies across the nation. More and more money is being put into these studies in an attempt to determine the main causes that lead to obesity in our society.

Many people began taking an individual role and started seeking dietitians and nutritionists to help them adjust their diet regimen, which also coincided with a rise in the number of gym or fitness center memberships nationwide. The public appeared to be actively seeking ways to reduce their weight and move towards a healthy lifestyle. 

When I first came to the University of Minnesota my freshmen year, I was heavily overweight and did not exercise regularly. Soon after, I began to take initiative of my own life and practiced healthy eating and fitness to improve my own wellness. Soon, I became more fit and participated in more activities around campus, due to higher self-esteem and physical energy.

I found that my personal story of changing my overall health became an inspirational tale of friends and family close to me and a tool to guide their own fitness regimen. After knowing that my own actions inspired other people, I began to help those around me who were looking to improve their own exercise and diet. These steps inadvertently led me to switching my major to Nutrition with a focus in Dietetics.