CURRENT MISSION

the way you live affects the way you think - Danny Billie

ABOUT ME

This is what I enjoy and do in a nutshell: bicycling, cooking, animals, life, documentaries, new friends, old friends, fruit, traveling, reading, growing food, yoga, current affairs, social justice.

More?

Grew up on the westside of Michigan, learned that living in a place that doesn't allow you to experience people of different backgrounds and see yourself in others is an incredibly hard experience as a young person. Was sent to the mountains of Utah, had several profound life altering moments, graduated from college, worked with youth, fell in love, then found myself back in the mitten state for graduate school. Had a mini crisis on what I was doing with my life/higher education, left for the summer to live off the grid, realized it wasn't for me, went to Costa Rica, lived in the jungle, came back revitalized for the next biggest thing. Graduated, moved to the capital of Michigan for a fellowship in state policy, found yoga and community. Wore my pantsuit sharing my story of racial justice organizing within legislative advocacy, and then left my fellowship 4 months early for a new job.

Was recruited in February 2012 to work for a national nonprofit based in Austin promoting public will for the common good. I now work from home in my booty shorts and then travel all over the country training advocates, activists, and public leaders on how to effectively communicate for public solutions to social challenges. Loved it so much that I bought a house and fell for my yoga teacher. Hosting and surfing in between.

PHILOSOPHY

the way you live affects the way you think - Danny Billie

if i can't dance, i don't want to be part of your revolution - Emma Goldman

when the mind constantly runs after the wandering senses, it drives away wisdom, like the wind blowing a ship off course - Bhagavad Gita

Love is the will to extend oneself for the purpose of nurturing one's own or another's spiritual growth - M. Scott Peck

All men are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly - MLK

A talent for speaking differently, rather than for arguing well, is the chief instrument of cultural change. - Richard Rorty

If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am for myself alone, what am I? If not now, when? - Rabbi Hillel

There is a world of difference between truth and facts. Facts can obscure the truth. - Maya Angelou

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I've hosted couchsurfers over the last 3 years in 3 cities in 5 different homes. Every experience I've had hosting has been incredibly positive. I think this is an amazing network and feel blessed to have met all the travelers that have come through my door and feel lucky to now call them my friends. I travel frequently for work and haven't needed a couch yet. However, I just surfed for my first time with someone who surfed with me last year. LOVED IT.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I do it all.

Interests

I'll try anything and everything once to see/feel if I'm interested in it. I have found the following to be of great interest:

bicycling. animals. food. sun. social justice. piano. reading. snail mail. puff paint. records. dancing. DIY. yoga. current affairs. connecting with people.

• animals
• documentaries
• diy
• dancing
• education
• dining
• cooking
• yoga
• instructor
• reading
• traveling
• painting
• piano
• cycling
• surfing
• teaching
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Currently reading: Between the World and Me & All the Land to Holds Us. In short, I'm a sucker for books on structural racism, spirituality, Texas and India.

Currently watching: 30 Rock

Listening to: About Race & On Being podcasts

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Why not admit that everything we do and see has some amazing element to it?

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm a certified yoga instructor and teach community-based yoga and child yoga. I love sharing this healing practice along with classical indian dance, cooking, bike maintenance, and more! I have as much to learn from you as you have from me.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Costa Rica, India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States

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