29! Golden Birthday.

Reflections & appreciation of my 29 years of athletics, health & growth

I still feel like this same kid!

Growing up, I looked forward to this birthday so much—a big, glamorous, golden birthday. While other friends had theirs earlier in life, I felt like waiting until 29 made it even more monumental. I imagined it as this huge milestone, a moment where everything would feel so adult, where I’d be standing firmly in the life I had envisioned for myself years prior.

I had so many expectations for what this milestone would look like—certain accomplishments, specific moments, a clear picture of success. And while some of those things aren’t my reality, I am so proud of where I am. I could have never imagined the adventures, the opportunities, and the incredible people that fill my life today.

When I was little, I told my mom that on my golden birthday, I wanted to wake up to presents and balloons right beside my bed. Now, living across the country from her, I woke up to a box on my doorstep filled with gifts wrapped in gold. A simple gesture, but one so thoughtful it made me stop and soak it in—a reminder of just how lucky I am. My family, my boyfriend, my friends—the people in my life make every year, every milestone, feel even more meaningful.

Movement, Health & The Lessons Along the Way

From the time I was little, being an athlete shaped who I am. It led me to UNC field hockey, where I learned discipline, resilience, and what it means to push my limits. It carried me through the Chicago Marathon and Ironman 70.3, where I discovered a new level of mental and physical endurance. And now, it fuels my work as a health coach, helping others build strength, confidence, and trust in their bodies.

But my journey hasn’t just been about movement—it’s been about learning how to listen to my body, too. Like so many women, I’ve faced the frustrating realities of hormonal imbalances, post-birth control struggles, bloating, acne, fatigue—the little things that can feel so defeating. For years, my perfectionist tendencies made me believe that if I just worked harder, followed the right plan, or had enough discipline, my body would cooperate. But healing isn’t about control. It’s about understanding, adapting, and learning to work with my body rather than against it.

Earlier in my 20s, I remember wishing I could care less—less about my body, less about feeling physically accomplished daily, less about all the things that felt so consuming. I wanted to feel in tune, grounded, balanced. But now, standing here at 29, I realize that health and growing older isn’t about collecting accomplishments—it’s about becoming the person we were always meant to be.

For me, that meant embracing health and wellness not as a rigid checklist but as something intuitive and deeply personal. That inner competitive child in me—the one who pushed through every training session, every challenge—channeled that same energy into my own health journey. Through navigating my own hormonal imbalances, post-birth control struggles, and perfectionist tendencies, I’ve learned that true health isn’t about control. It’s about understanding, adapting, and learning to work with my body, not against it.

That’s why I feel so lucky to have grown into my role as a health coach—one I’ve dreamed of for years. It’s not just what I do; it’s a part of who I am. I’m passionate about growing this side of my life, connecting with others, and helping people become their healthiest selves. Because I get it. And I’m still on my own journey—constantly learning and adapting as I go.

Gratitude Over Expectations

If I measured myself against the version of the 29-year-old me that the younger me imagined, I might feel like I’ve fallen short. But I don’t. Because the milestones that matter—the ones I feel aren’t just checkboxes on some predetermined life timeline. They’re the deep knowing that I am where I’m meant to be.

I enter this year feeling more aligned than ever, both personally and professionally. With hellohalle, I get to build something that is truly me—blending my love for movement, health, and empowerment into something bigger than myself. I get to support athletes, women, and anyone who wants to feel balanced and healthy within their body. And I get to do it in a way that is deeply personal and rooted in everything I’ve learned along the way.

Looking Ahead

I don’t know exactly what 29 holds, but I am SO excited to find out. I’m walking into this year with gratitude, energy, and a deep appreciation for every twist and turn that has brought me here. And if the past 29 years have taught me anything, it’s that sometimes, the unplanned paths lead to the most rewarding places.

Here’s to another year of movement, growth, and becoming.

xx, Halle

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