About me

I’ve never done anything the conventional way in life.

College is a distant, and faint memory. Many students had the time of their lives, while I juggled four jobs, a full course load, a commute that lasted anywhere from 45-90 minutes, and dated a single mother of a newborn baby.

Upon graduating with my bachelor’s degree in 2011, I spent three-plus years working as a part-time reporter with The Journal News/lohud in White Plains, N.Y. before the opportunity for a full-time position presented itself.

It was a grind to get the position, and it’s a constant grind to stay sharp and ahead of the competition. I try to remain cognizant of the fact that there is always someone out there willing to work harder than you are.

When I’m off the clock as a reporter, I host a weekly podcast, “Heart of the Matter,” which discusses about the perils, elation, and all-around confusion that comes with love, dating, and relationships. I was a regular contributor to Thought Catalog for three years, writing about the same topics.

My first book, “A Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” was published in April 2016. I self-published my second book, “Inside Out,” in November 2016.

In my spare time, you can often catch me on a volleyball court, softball field, a pair of bowling lanes, or rocking the mic during a night of karaoke. One of my oddest (and proudest) athletic accomplishments is that I’ve bowled sanctioned 300 games as a one-handed and two-handed bowler.

Here are some quick-hit biographical fun facts:

Favorite writing spot: Starbucks on Main Street in New City, N.Y. It’s where I started putting together, “A Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” and finished my final chapter of, “Inside Out.”

Favorite musicians, in alphabetical order: Zac Brown Band, Michael Buble, Eminem, Andy Grammer, Michael Jackson, Billy Joel, Maroon 5, Jason Mraz, The Temptations, Meghan Trainor.

Pet peeves, in no order: Canceled plans at the last minute, people cracking their neck like they do knuckles, “Drops of Jupiter” by Train, dishonesty, and inconsideration.

When I’m not writing I am…: Probably singing loudly and obnoxiously in my car, or cleaning my apartment while dancing like a fool.

Five things on my bucket list, in no order: 1. Go to a sock-hop, dressed in all 50’s garb. 2. Go to a masquerade ball. 3. Blast a song on the radio while sitting in traffic, start singing, and get neighboring cars to sing along. 4. Travel to Italy. 5. Move to California.

Favorite life quote: “Pay close attention to people who don’t clap when you win.”