When I first thought of creating this blog I had no idea the length of time it would take me to publish my first post. You see, it's in my DNA to be a perfectionist. I am a scientist. I am detail oriented, highly critical and thoughtful, left-brained, and not altogether creative or whimsical. Nor have I ever considered myself to be a great writer, unless you're talking about a highly structured, data-driven manuscript... I can do that. But I left the forefront of competitive, academic research years ago to face the larger life question of how to be a mother to my children - a role that requires more patience and finesse than perhaps any other job. And then later a teaching position came my way at a prestigious liberal arts college where I was tasked with making biology fun and inspiring for students otherwise destined for careers in finance and French. At times I felt like a circus elephant, entertaining and performing to keep students engaged. But the faculty position forced me to think of science in a new way, creatively, and to become great at simplifying and 'selling' complex biological systems to non-scientists.
Flash forward two years since I last formally taught and first had the idea for Love Your Biology: a blog where I write about science for non-scientists and make it relevant to readers' lives. A blog where I draw on my interests in food, health, and wellness and offer a biological perspective on these topics to others. I have written and rewritten posts, experimented with host platforms, fret over appearance (website and my own), and sought advice from young, tech-savvy influencers to diet-fatigued friends. Along the way my list of ideas has grown, inspired by conversations I've either had or overheard: moms trying new diet routines, aging athletes grappling with changing metabolism, young fitness professionals experimenting with new technologies. The questions are different but the theme is recurring: educated, active people are interested in making sense of the quickly changing nutrition and fitness trends around them. And voila, welcome to Love Your Biology, the merge of my love of human physiology, teaching, exercise, and food, and my desire to share these passions with people who are similarly health-minded.
I am proud of this first blog post. In January 2018 I attended a wellness workshop, hosted by my dear friend Rosie Molinary, where I had the opportunity to think intentionally about my year ahead and to choose a single word to help guide my efforts. Wellspring is my word and I wear it lovingly around my neck.
When I think 'wellspring' I am reminded to be a source of abundance; abundance of patience, love, gratitude, creativity, and new direction. This blog is a new direction for me and one that I hope continues to grow in 2019. Let me empower you to make thoughtful choices about your diet, your fitness routine, and your general well-being through understanding and loving your own biology.
Heather Ward has a Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Pathology and a B.S. in Biochemistry.