Hiya!

I’m Monica. 

I’m based out of Orlando, Florida, and have always been drawn to things that hurt a little – over the past decade and change, that direction has shifted into one that is, arguably, a little less dramatic.  My last remaining vice is now type II fun. The long and quiet burn of endurance and the slow accumulation of miles/hours/both.

I’ve been sober since 12/29/13 and everything in my life has evolved out of that choice. Recovery punctuates all the things I do, shapes the decisions I make, and drives into my bones a deep gratitude and palpable excitement for this bonus life – that part of me matters a lot here. So does being Sloane’s mom. She’s five and joyful in a way that honestly crumbles me (in the best way) sometimes. 

I studied journalism in college and miss the practice of writing.  Words and images were my first love and language, long before training plans, full sends and splits. I’m excited to use that side of my brain again.  I’m starting this to reflect on some of the cool things that have been grounding me and keeping me in community lately – running, cycling, hiking, CrossFit and mountaineering. 

I wasn’t always the kind of person who thought 18 miles before work was normal. My favorite thing to tell people when they ask about my athletic background is that my middle school basketball coach once told me that I was a waste of height. Aaaaand to be fair, she was right. Back then I was more interested in brooding and chain smoking Parliament lights behind dumpsters to care about sports.

But things shift. We evolve. I have been many versions of myself and have a lot of love for all of them, always staying curious, open, and excited about the ones ahead.

Grateful for a space to reflect, archive, and connect in the strange and beautiful way that long-form writing used to allow. We’ll call it LiveJournal (my 2000s homies will remember) with a better camera.

Feel free to hang out here if you want to read about movement. Sobriety. The places they overlap, and the places they collide. The ongoing tension of staying balanced and committed as an athlete but also showing up for my family and at work. I’ll share some photography too because it usually says more than I can.

Happy you’re here, that I’m here. Welcome.

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