Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandra Lemm.
Alexandra, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
When I was seven years old, I distinctly remember my mom clenching my brother and me in the living room while fighting the urge to cry. “I’m sick,” she said. “I’m sick, but everything will be okay, we will be okay.” Her words were shaky through a faint, weak smile, and she pulled us in for an embrace one more time. Little did I know, that moment shaped my life into what it is today.
Grasping the concept of cancer was difficult as a child. She was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer, and from then on, she was in a constant state of fighting for her life. She had to learn to cope with two young children, a husband, and a family business that my parents started together (my dad made a living as a successful pianist and composer, and my mother was the business manager). Because of this, both my mother and father would put a significant value on staying active, handling stress, and creating a healthy relationship with food-which, fortunately, seemed to stick with me as I branched into adulthood. As I grew up, I saw my mother go through six different types of treatments, I saw her shave her head six different times while her hair thinned, and I would be one of the only kids in the oncology clinic while chemotherapy would slowly seep into her veins-but with a smile radiating through the room for me. As a family, we saw cancer break her down and build her up for eleven years. We watched her spirit shatter and rebuild over and over again in the privacy of her home, while others would say “wow I didn’t even know you were sick!” due to her strength and positivity.
Freshman year of college, my mom’s condition began to worsen. She became weak and fragile while cancer attacked her lungs and other organs throughout her body. She passed Christmas break in 2011, and with that came a new normal. I made a solemn promise to her and myself that I would live a healthy lifestyle, and would do whatever it took to prevent being the victim of the disease.
Through my grief, I took distraction very seriously. The following year I attended Texas Tech University where I was seven hours away from the life I grew up in, pushing me to struggle and grow in every way possible. I was determined to prove to myself I could do anything like my mom, I wanted to let my accomplishments define me and make her proud. I became a Chi Omega that fall, where I was able to serve in several leadership positions. I also had the honor of dancing with Vitality Dance Company and serving as their Vice President for two years. I joined Big Brothers, Big Sisters, tutored middle school students, and was teaching dance classes weekly. I thrived in the academic environment of college where all of the tests were not just multiple-choice, but essay format as well. The essay format of testing provided a “grey” area of explanation and gave me an opportunity to showcase my love for writing. I graduated with honors while maintaining three different jobs to pay for rent, schooling, and organizations I was involved in.
While in college, I majored in middle-level education. I was a part of the Tech Teach program which prepared me adequately for my teaching years ahead. I have wanted to be a teacher since I was five, and I felt called to fulfill my passion. I currently teach 7th grade English and am a cheer sponsor in Garland ISD, and every day is an adventure. My kiddos and co-workers are truly amazing, and I feel as though I am incredibly blessed to work where I do.
Throughout college and as I ventured into teaching, my busy schedule allowed me to experiment with lifestyle change while enabling me to grow in cooking and meal prepping. I made a conscious choice to take preventative measures through diet and exercise. Along with teaching, I am a fitness instructor at LA Fitness and love to share recipes, exercises, and meal prep hacks. About a year ago, I had the crazy idea to share all of these tips along with teaching insight and call it a blog called The Healthy Teacher, and it has been one of my truest joys. I love that I have the opportunity to share two of my biggest passions in one place.
Through my writing, it has always been a goal of mine to be a beacon to someone that needs guidance. I not only give tips and tricks about exercise and diet through my blog, but I also include teaching material and my outlook on how to balance the two. Teaching is one of the noblest and most difficult professions. We often put ourselves last, work until we bleed and sacrifice until we have nothing left. Putting health first is something I feel so strongly about and is so necessary when advocating for students, co-workers and most importantly, yourself!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The other night I was in the kitchen making one of the recipes I wrote about. I typed in my website and clicked on the “recipe” section I created and started to read. It was then that I realized how cool it was that a year ago, I had NO idea how to create a blog let alone a website, but here I was navigating through my very own archive of written posts and recipes. I originally started with another blogging platform, which was super easy to use. However, I learned that if I wanted to monetize my blog, I had to switch to WordPress and THAT was where I was desperately seeking help. I was googling left and right, staying up hours on end trying to figure out how to switch everything over and make my website my own. Eventually, it all worked out, and I am so very grateful for everything I learned through that process, but I wish I knew someone that I could text or called when I was learning.
With that being said, mentorship and support are essential when starting out as a blogger. If I didn’t have the support of my friends and family, I would have not been so motivated to continue when I felt uninspired to write. My husband, dad, and brother are my biggest fans, and family friends are always the first to let me know how much they love reading my posts. The people you love are on your side, cheering you on and wanting to see you doing well, and that makes all the difference!
Lastly, you must be your biggest proponent. If you don’t believe in what you are writing or selling, no one else will. Putting yourself out there is really, really scary sometimes, and it can feel uncomfortable. But at the end of the day, if you believe in yourself and your story, you have nothing to lose.
We’d love to hear more about your blog, The Healthy Teacher.
The Healthy Teacher is a blog that focuses on health, wellness and how to balance the two as a professional. My mother was an amazing cook (she cooked for Lady Bird Johnson when she was pregnant with me), and she passed on her love for cooking to her children. I share my favorite recipes, along with my meal prepping schedule, my grocery list, my workout routines, etc. Relating to teaching, I share lessons that have worked super well in my classroom, insight into teaching at a title one school, and things that I absolutely love about teaching and aspects that are difficult at times. I am a huge advocate for teachers, and I want their voice to always be heard. I hope I can continue to do so through my blogging journey.
Which women have inspired you in your life?
Oh man, so many. I was blessed to have a powerful force of women protecting me, caring for me and shaping me into the woman I am today. Obviously, my mom influenced me big time. She was a Cornell graduate, a business owner, a former model and adored by all! My mom was building a support system for me and my brother my whole life. She had so many friends that remained friends and took me in when she passed away. They would make sure I was fed, taken care of, and even helped me plan my wedding. I have NO idea where I would be without their strength and guidance. I also have my share of strong, influential women that walk alongside me in life. The best friends are the ones that really challenge and push you to be better, and encourage you to step outside of your comfort zone, and I am forever grateful for those friends, old and new, that have continuously loved and supported me. They inspire me every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thehealthyteach.com
- Email: allie.stiler@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehealthyteachblog/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehealthyteacher0/
Image Credit:
Madison Barlow
Suggest a story: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
