Longhorn Wellness Peer Educators Profiles
Neha Darimadugu
she/her
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Major: Psychology(b.s.) / Health and Society (b.a.)
What does wellness mean to you?
Wellness encompasses not only the fulfillment of your physical health, objective experiences, but also the enrichment of your mental health, subjective experiences, ensuring a balanced and meaningful life.
What do you do to take care of yourself?
In order to take care of myself, I read, swim, bike, and sleep (a lot)!
Flida Etchouekang
she/her
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Major: Plan ii Honors
What does wellness mean to you?
Prioritizing my mental health and always finding time to incorporate hobbies into my schedule in order to maintain a peace of mind.
What do you do to take care of yourself?
I love working out, going to pilates and baking different desserts,
Lola Green
they/she
Hometown: Spokane, WA
Major: History
What does wellness mean to you?
Being able to make smart and conscious decisions for your well being.
What do you do to take care of yourself?
Re-watching comfort films with a bowl of fruit.
Gargi Rakhade
she/her
Hometown: Houston, TX
Major: Psychology
What does wellness mean to you?
Taking care of yourself and listening to your body.
What do you do to take care of yourself?
Journaling, ballet, art.
Sophia Ayala
she/her
Hometown: Houston, TX
Major: Psychology
What does wellness mean to you?
For me, wellness means thriving in whatever environment I'm in and being able to cope with any challenges thrown my way.
What do you do to take care of yourself?
I love to journal, play with my pets, and surround myself in nature every chance I get!
Saanvi (Noni) Seth
she/her
Hometown: Austin, TX
Major: Biology
What does wellness mean to you?
Wellness to me is connection with both others and yourself. Finding things and people that make you feel content in your life whatever that may be.
What do you do to take care of yourself?
My favorite thing to do to take care of myself is go on sunset walks with my friends. Nothing is better than hanging out with the people I love and the sunset is a great added bonus!
Mason Sher
he/him
Hometown: Dix Hills, NY
Major: Biology
What does wellness mean to you?
Wellness, to me, is living a lifestyle that keeps all aspects of myself and my life healthy. It involves doing things that create an environment for you to succeed and live your best life.
What do you do to take care of yourself?
I try to take a moment each day to do something that makes me happy. Some things I do include exploring Austin, spending time with friends and family, and hanging out with my dog.
Julio Mujica
he/him
Hometown: San Antonio, TX
Major: Government and Health promotion
What does wellness mean to you?
I think wellness is the act of making choices that benefit one’s physical, mental, and spiritual needs by fulfilling all dimensions of well-being to achieve and maintain good health.
What do you do to take care of yourself?
To take care of myself, I take time to go outside and go for a hike. It helps me reconnect with nature, clear my mind, and recharge both mentally and physically.
Kaira Joseph
she/her
Hometown: El Paso, TX
Major: Biology
What does wellness mean to you?
To me, wellness means practicing self-care to improve your overall well-being, including mental and physical health. I understand wellness as making little habits every day to maintain a healthy mind, body, and soul.
What do you do to take care of yourself?
To take care of myself, I enjoy going for runs, reading, watching movies, and playing sports with friends. I love to surround myself with activities and people who make me happy.
Hannah Fialho
she/her
Hometown: Houston, TX
Major: Public Health
What does wellness mean to you?
To me, wellness means having balance in your life, both physically and mentally. We can't be perfect in our practices all the time, but it is important to try in order to improve our quality of life. I think wellness also means knowing our limits and when to take a moment to recenter.
What do you do to take care of yourself?
I take care of myself by getting outside, eating well, and trying to get enough sleep. When I am feeling stressed I try to take time to do something enjoyable like watching a show, reading, or listening to music. I also make sure to have a good support system of friends and family to keep me going.
Sahana Kaushik
she/her
Hometown: Coppell, TX
Major: Psychology
What does wellness mean to you?
To me, wellness means taking care of myself physically and mentally and prioritizing choices that support a more balanced and healthy lifestyle.
What do you do to take care of yourself?
I take care of myself by sticking to a regular sleep schedule, keeping my space tidy, and making time for activities that bring me joy and relaxation, like cooking, walking outdoors, and spending time with loved ones.
Kyra Rios
she/her
Hometown: El Paso, TX
Major: Neuroscience
What does wellness mean to you?
To me, wellness is taking care of your physical and mental health by knowing what choices are beneficial to your wellbeing. Eating healthy food, staying active, and getting enough sleep are all actions that can greatly improve your physical health and mood, which can energize you to focus on what you love. Knowing how to decrease stress and form close, fulfilling relationships are also ways to keep your mental health in a good state, which is just as important as paying attention to your body. Practicing wellness by basing choices off of what works for your body and mind throughout the day will help you build a happy and healthy lifestyle.
What do you do to take care of yourself?
I try to eat well, keep my living space clean, journal, spend time outside, be with my friends and family, and play music!
Francesca Obi
she/her
Hometown: Katy, TX
Major: Public Health
What does wellness mean to you?
Wellness means taking care of your body, mind, and emotions to live a balanced and fulfilling life.
What do you do to take care of yourself?
I love to play music and sing. When I am not doing that I am drinking tea and watching a K-drama.
Andrea Montenegro Polanco
she/her
Hometown: Corpus Christi, TX
Major: Biology
What does wellness mean to you?
Wellness, to me, is balance. It is the equilibrium between mental, physical, and spiritual well being. It is rooted in a strong awareness of oneself that ultimately leads to a feeling of fulfillment and wholeness in life.
What do you do to take care of yourself?
I take care of myself by prioritizing my sleep, eating whole foods, journaling, and exercising. I place equal priority on my personal wellness, academics, and professional endeavors.
Demilade Omotoso
she/her
Hometown: Cedar Hill, TX
Major: Psychology
What does wellness mean to you?
I believe that wellness is caring for yourself in the midst of life’s many obstacles and demands. While its meaning can be subjective, maintaining wellness requires you to rely on the people, places, and things in your life that make you feel secure and whole.
What do you do to take care of yourself?
I love to read or listen to music whenever I have the chance! I also enjoy walking and journaling as they give me the opportunity to make reflections.
Ryann McAnelly
she/her
Hometown: Spring Branch, TX
Major: Human Biology
What does wellness mean to you?
Wellness to me is find a balance of physical, mental, and emotional health. It involves creating a fulfilling routine that nutures my well-being a supports a healthy, sustainable lifestyle.
What do you do to take care of yourself?
Moving my body (yoga is my favorite), reading a good book, catching up with friends.
Kassandra Cantu
she/her
Hometown: Lake Jackson, TX
Major: Public Health
What does wellness mean to you?
Wellness, to me, means the act of taking care of yourself in whatever shape or form that most benefits you. It's about being happy and understanding your body enough to know what it needs and wants.
What do you do to take care of yourself?
I take care of myself by taking a "mental health" day a week (typically on Saturdays) where I focus on the things that I enjoy such as reading, writing, watching movies. This allows me to take a breather and also enjoy my hobbies!
Muzna Shiekh
she/her
Hometown: Keller, TX
Major: Psychology (BS)
What does wellness mean to you?
Wellness to me is about balance—taking care of my body, mind, and soul. It's staying active, eating well, and making time for the things that make me feel grounded. It’s about finding moments of calm, staying connected, and showing up for myself every day.
What do you do to take care of yourself?
I take care of myself in a few ways: phone calls with my family, sweet treat runs with friends, and my absolute favorite—me-time. Whether it's unwinding with a good show, doing my skincare routine, or getting lost in a book, these little moments help me recharge and feel my best.
Simryn Sharma
she/her
Hometown: Greenwich, CT
Major: Psychology
What does wellness mean to you?
To me, wellness means being in good health, both physically and mentally, and any kind of practicing healthy habits as much as possible.
What do you do to take care of yourself?
I love to do hot yoga, go on walks/runs, listen to music, and spend a lot of time with my family, friends, and my dog. I also love to sleep, so I do a lot of that!!
Natalie Liu
she/her
Hometown: Frisco, TX
Major: Public Health
What does wellness mean to you?
To me, wellness means taking care of yourself mentally, physically, and emotionally. It means understanding your needs and respecting the boundaries you set for yourself.
What do you do to take care of yourself?
I love to be active! Whether it be playing pickleball, going for a run, or doing yoga, I always feel better when I move my body. I also enjoy journaling, reading mystery novels, and going out for a sweet treat.