When I decided to build a career around nutrition and helping people achieve their goals, with Half Belly Health, I know that supporting health is about so much more than what’s on a plate. It’s about understanding the factors that shape our relationship with food and health across a lifetime—and one of the biggest influences is food insecurity.
Food insecurity, especially in childhood, leaves a lasting impact. Studies show that kids who experience food insecurity are more likely to face developmental delays, chronic illnesses, and lower academic achievement. Over time, these struggles can contribute to obesity, as limited access to nutritious foods often leads to reliance on inexpensive, calorie-dense, nutrient-poor options. It’s a devastating cycle: food insecurity creates stress, disrupts healthy eating patterns, and undermines health in ways that can take years to unravel.
That’s why this work means so much to me. I don’t just want to help people reach their personal health goals—I want to be part of a solution to systemic issues like food insecurity. Supporting organizations like Extra Table is one way to make a difference. This Mississippi nonprofit food bank fundraises to purchase healthy, shelf-stable food and delivers it to 63 food pantries and soup kitchens across the state every month—at no cost to the food pantries! It’s a mission that aligns with my belief that everyone deserves access to nourishing food, no matter their circumstances.
Supporting others goes hand in hand with challenging myself in new ways, and that’s why this race is about more than hitting my halfway mark to 100 miles. It’s about raising $1,000 to help feed my neighbors through organizations like Extra Table and make a real difference in the community.
Together, we can tackle food insecurity and build healthier futures. Every mile and every dollar brings us closer. Let’s do this!
