About Me

Hi I'm Gabi aka IslandGirl!

I'm from the small Dutch island of Curacao currently living in the DC Metro Area. I'm a Health & Behavior Coach at Behavior Basics LLC. I have my bachelors in Biology and Journalism & Mass Communications from the University of North Carolina (Go Heels!) and masters a degree in Human Health &Behavior from Columbia's Teachers College. I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a Licensed Behavior Analyst (in Virginia). For the past decade my work has focused on helping individuals, families & organizations acquire new communication, academic, professional, social and self-help skills, change current behaviors, reduce undesired behaviors and master healthy habits using the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis, so that they can live healthier, happier and more balanced lives.

My own journey towards a healthier and happier life led me to start this blog in June of 2012. After being active for most of my life, I found myself in a slump that I realize was about more than just my body weight. I wasn't just disappointed by the way I looked, I was unhappy with my lack of fitness and my decreased general health. I was concerned that if I continued down that path I would shorten my life. Having discovered my love for half marathons in 2005, when I joined Team in Training and completed my first half marathon, I decided a return to running would be the first step on my journey. I also focused in on my nutrition. I had been a notorious yo-yo dieter, but this time it was going to be different! It was not going on a diet, I was creating a permanent lifestyle change.

2009 Climate Ride
Change has been slow. But I'm a firm believer that small changes are the key to big long term change.  I am still only halfway through my weight loss journey, but I am a healthier, stronger and definitely more balanced person (mentally and physically)! I am super happy to share that despite suffering many injuries in the past, my lifestyle-change approach to fitness has also kept me completely injury-free these past couple of years!

2014 promises to be a very exciting year!

2009 Sprint Triathlon
 Pablo (my husband) and I are training for Raleigh 70.3 and Ironman Louisville. I have also rejoined Team in Training as a Mentor for the 2014 Marine Corps Marathon and I have made the commitment to be open to new adventures and experiences! 

I hope my journey towards a healthier, happier and more balanced life inspires you as you embark on your own journey!

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