On Christmas Eve of 2011, I was rushed to the ER with the worst stomach pain and nausea I had ever felt in my life. While it was significantly worse than I had experienced previously, I had been experiencing these same symptoms for years. But THAT morning... everything change for me.
After several tests and scans, doctors discovered a complete obstruction in my small intestine caused by a mass of inflammation. I underwent a major right hemicolectomy to remove the blockage and following a biopsy, I was officially diagnosed with Crohn’s disease
When I left the hospital, I was given a laundry list of foods, lifestyle changes and medicines that I now had to adjust to. I was prescribed a medicine called Infliximab (Remicade), that I receive every 8 weeks for as long as it continues to work.
While my family and I were scared, I didn’t let Crohn’s define my limits—I let it define my purpose. Today, I use my platform as a musician, speaker, and advocate to raise awareness, inspire resilience, and show others what’s possible when you continue to persevere.
In 2024, I officially partnered with The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation and have participated in several social media campaigns and advocacy events. Most notably, I was invited as a Keynote Speaker at the 2025 IBD Innovate Conference in NYC.
As a professional musician, my job requires me to live much of my life in the spotlight. But now through my music and my platform, I want to turn that spotlight onto the millions of people living and struggling with IBD. Through advocacy, awareness, and action, I’m committed to doing my part in pushing us closer to not just symptom management... but actual cures.
After several tests and scans, doctors discovered a complete obstruction in my small intestine caused by a mass of inflammation. I underwent a major right hemicolectomy to remove the blockage and following a biopsy, I was officially diagnosed with Crohn’s disease
When I left the hospital, I was given a laundry list of foods, lifestyle changes and medicines that I now had to adjust to. I was prescribed a medicine called Infliximab (Remicade), that I receive every 8 weeks for as long as it continues to work.
While my family and I were scared, I didn’t let Crohn’s define my limits—I let it define my purpose. Today, I use my platform as a musician, speaker, and advocate to raise awareness, inspire resilience, and show others what’s possible when you continue to persevere.
In 2024, I officially partnered with The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation and have participated in several social media campaigns and advocacy events. Most notably, I was invited as a Keynote Speaker at the 2025 IBD Innovate Conference in NYC.
As a professional musician, my job requires me to live much of my life in the spotlight. But now through my music and my platform, I want to turn that spotlight onto the millions of people living and struggling with IBD. Through advocacy, awareness, and action, I’m committed to doing my part in pushing us closer to not just symptom management... but actual cures.