Today, I tried the exercises outlined in THE NPC AUDIT Namely, when I woke up today I fought the urge to reach for my phone and scroll emails or social media. Instead I turned off my alarm, and check in with my own mind for a couple minutes of quiet time. Said my intentions for today in my mind. It helped me have a calmer morning!

Whenever I need to speak publicly, even if in front of people I know and are comfortable around, my anxiety and heart rate are up. This is something that has happened since I was a kid and although I aware of it, I tend to say the word um when I'm nervous. Earlier this week, I removed the word “um” during a presentation I did at work, and it made a noticeable difference. I felt more confident and I did not walk away second guessing how I sounded, which is something I do often when talking in front of an audience. It was a small change but definitely had a positive impact on how I felt during and after the meeting.

My main character moment came in January 2022, when my cardiologist said five of the most terrifying words I’ve ever heard: "you need a heart transplant." I broke down in his office, alone and unprepared for how my life had just changed. When I got home, I cried in my wife's arms as the fear of what was to come, including the fear of missing our boys grow up, sunk in. For the next year and a half, I told only those closest to me and moved through life as if little had changed, which was something I had done most of my life living with a congenital heart defect. On July 19, 2023, I received THE call stating they found a donor heart match! Now, almost three years post‑transplant, I can appreciate the strength it took to survive that chapter and cherish the beauty in the one I'm living.

1. Where in my life does my confidence drop when pressure or visibility increases? My confidence drops when I meet new people. I understand that impressions go a long way, and I can be quite awkward sometimes. My fear of rejection is also VERY real. To be transparent, I get nervous that people might not want to get to know me or that they might judge me too quickly. 2. What physical signs tell me my nervous system is activated in those moments? My heart beats fast, and I tend to overthink (get stuck in my own head and not process what others are saying).

Hi everyone! I’m Robin, I grew up in Cambridge, MA and now based in Decatur, GA. I have a soft spot for B&W photography, good music, and never pass on trying a new brunch spot. Excited to be here!