About Mandy
Mandy moved through life quickly.
She finished college in three years, built a career on the fast-paced island of Manhattan, ran marathons, earned medals, won awards that carried her around the world, collecting momentum like currency.
Until one day, mid-run along the Hudson River, her arm stopped working. Then, eventually, her legs. A diagnosis she never saw coming changed everything.
What followed were eight emergency surgeries, a rebuild of her spine, and unknowingly, the woman on the other side of it. Mandy spent months confined to a bed in a hard brace. As a marathoner immobility was daunting. She turned to writing as a catalyst for her recovery. From the confines of her bed, she shared what she wrote and stole the hearts and minds of a global fanbase that now reaches over half a million people weekly.
"I don’t know how many people will undergo eight spinal surgeries. Or how fewer will do it without an accident or injury to blame. I only know it’s rare. But what’s rarer still is this—the chance to rebuild yourself in a single lifetime. To stop in the middle of your life and ask: Who am I now? and then answer it, piece by piece, with bare hands and intention. To lose the life you thought you wanted, and build the one you were meant to live."
Harnessing poetic insights from her transformative journey, Mandy crafts viral writings and captivates sold-out audiences worldwide. She has shared the stage with luminaries such as Ron Howard, Elizabeth Gilbert, Michael Lewis, Rob Lowe, Daniel Pink, Brene Brown, Deepak Chopra, and Tony Hawk.
In response to the mental health toll of the 2020 pandemic, Mandy created a project penning inspiring reflections and personalized letters to strangers. Within a week, the project garnered hundreds of submissions from five countries, uplifting frontline workers daily. Its impact quickly transcended borders, reaching 48 countries and being translated into multiple languages.
Mandy was recognized as "The Voice of Optimism needed for this generation" by Forbes, "An Entrepreneur To Watch", and "Most Inspiring People To Follow."
She is the author of numerous articles and a regular contributor to media outlets on personal development, gracing the pages of famed publications and the illustrious TED stage.
As a transformative storyteller, Mandy collaborated with global brands such as Asics and KIND, serving as an International Spokesperson and a face of their campaign, "Be KIND To Yourself." She also serves as a Story Advisor, and Board Member for startups passionate about telling a human story.
Mandy previously held appointments at the world's largest communication giants—Omnicom and Publicis, managing global teams and creating Cannes-award-winning stories and campaigns across 12 countries for iconic, luxury, brands including Cartier, Hilton Worldwide, and US Open Tennis. Here, Mandy was selected and graduated from Harvard Business School's Graduate Leadership Program.
Mandy resides in New York City, writing and reclaiming her stride as a runner, fueled by the unwavering belief that there's always another marathon on the horizon.