Leah@FastTrackerMN.org, Author at FastTrackerMN

At FastTrackerMN, we’re all about helping people find the mental health and substance use disorder resources they need. But behind the work we do, we’re a group of real people with unique stories, passions, and interests. In this blog, we’re giving you a chance to get to know us better! Check out our answers to some fun questions and learn what makes us tick—both at work and outside of it.

Linda: It’s such a great reflection of Minnesotans’ commitment to each other. Together we can always do more! Wellstone was right – “We all do better when we all do better.”

Samantha: I have been with FT for almost 6 years. I am a SUD Provider and know how hard it can be to get someone into a specific level of care quickly. I am passionate about FT because it is easy for people to find the care they need and deserve. I am a LADC because I want everyone to get into the right care!

Jessica: I firmly believe that mental health/SUD care should be easily available to anyone who needs it. The current process of getting care is way too complicated to navigate; working at FastTrackerMN, I know that I’m doing my part to make it easier for everyone.

Marissa: I’ve had a lifelong journey with mental health, so working at FastTrackerMN feels deeply meaningful to me. Knowing that our resources help others, whether in big or small ways, truly fuels my passion. On a personal note, I used FastTrackerMN to find my therapist, and I’m continually grateful for how quickly I was able to get help and for her guidance in my healing journey.

Chandler: Mental health and SUD care should be accessible to everyone. FastTrackerMN is helping Minnesotans find the care they need; fast. As someone with lived experience, this is very important to me. I’m really proud to be a part of this team.

Leah: Having struggled with my own mental health, I’m passionate about advocating for mental health and making sure others have the support they deserve. Through my work at FastTrackerMN, I get to help make mental health resources more accessible so others can find the support they need.

Linda: Coconut milk chai – extra hot, year round

Samantha: Sugar Free Caramel Iced coffee

Jessica: Hot Chocolate

Marissa: Anything with lots of espresso

Chandler: Chamomile tea with lemon

Leah: White Dragon Boba Tea

Linda: Anything outside except in the winter.

Samantha: I am a mom of 2 very active boys, so I love to watch them on the field or ice, go to their scout and school activities, and play with them and our pup at home. When I am not with them, I love my group of gals, going to bingo, lunch/dinner, shopping, or the movies!

Jessica: Camping, gardening, baking, and cooking.

Marissa: I am a youth swim coach! It is super rewarding and keeps me youthful. I also foster dogs through Ruff Start Rescue with my husband. We love pitbulls!

Chandler: I love seeing good live music. I enjoy arts and crafts as well, anything to keep my hands busy.

Leah: I like crafting, baking, playing board games, and going to concerts!

Linda: Fun with Dick and Jane

Samantha: Harry Potter

Jessica: Top Chef

Marissa: I really like all of Emily Henry’s books and religiously follow Great British Bake Off.

Chandler: My favorite movie is The Princess Bride. I have so many favorite tv shows, and there are too many books to name!

Leah: My favorite show is Broad City and I love the movie WALL-E!

Linda:👍

Samantha: 😂 or❤️

Jessica: ❤️

Marissa: 💖 or 🫡

Chandler:💖

Leah: 💖or 🥰

Linda: Mexico is my current favorite, and I want to go to Croatia ASAP.

Samantha: I loved Cayman Island; I am taking my kids on a Disney cruise in the Bahamas this spring and I am sure we will loooove those islands. We are visiting 5!

Jessica: Dream trip would be to Banff National Park!

Marissa: Anywhere Taylor Swift is.

Chandler: I love visiting my family in San Francisco, and my dream destinations are Liverpool and Belfast.

Leah: My favorite vacation was to Puerto Rico because of all the beautiful colors and sights. I would love to travel to Peru or Albania!

Linda: Workout or Hangout – depends on the day, and the mood.

Samantha: Being With my two boys! They still want to snuggle and hang with me so I am soaking that up as long as I can!

Jessica: A long walk with my dog and music.

Marissa: Spending time with all of my pets and my husband snuggled up to a funny TV show or movie.

Chandler: I love to unwind by ordering takeout and watching a movie at home with my basset hound.

Leah: My favorite way to unwind is snuggling with my cats and listening to my favorite music or watching a comfort show!

Thanks for taking a moment to get to know our team! At FastTrackerMN, we’re all about supporting people and making mental health and substance use disorder resources more accessible. Stay tuned for more updates from us—we can’t wait to keep sharing our journey and all the ways we’re working to make a difference!

Welcome to FastTrackerMN’s Holiday Edition! Meet our team and discover tips for navigating holiday stress, practicing self-care, and setting realistic goals. We’re here to support your well-being this season with creative ideas & helpful resources.

Season’s greetings from FastTrackerMN! We would love to take a moment to introduce ourselves. We are women. We are mothers. We are LGBTQIA+ and allied. We are people living with mental illness. We are neurodivergent. We are in recovery.

We have come together to make finding care in Minnesota free, easy, and accessible. We are passionate about our mission to link the public to mental health and substance use disorder providers and resources.

To get to know a little more about us individually, visit us on social media!

Try going for a walk! Whether a brisk walk or long stroll, getting outside and walking can be very grounding. Exercise has been proven to reduce stress, not to mention it’s a good way to get some time away from relatives. Sometimes we just need a break! For some of us, walking isn’t an option and that is ok; we all have different abilities. Guided meditation is another helpful tool that is easily accessible. Don’t worry about starting a 30-minute practice in a time of great stress. That isn’t realistic. Instead, you can try a 2-minute guided meditation for free on YouTube. Remember to slow down and give yourself some time to breathe.

The stress of the holidays may increase our desire to use substances. Not to mention the fact that we may be exposed to them during family or friend gatherings. We like to set ourselves up for success by finding meetings to attend even when we are out of town.

It is totally normal to feel overwhelmed this time of year. Remember that you are not alone. If you or someone you know is looking for professional mental health and substance use disorder resources, please visit fasttrackermn.org.

During the holidays, social media can be a time and energy drain. It can also be a place where we compare ourselves to other people. “Comparison is the thief of joy” is more accurate now than ever. If you find yourself mindlessly scrolling and comparing yourself to other people or families, it may be time for a break.

This one is a no-brainer. Not enough quality sleep can greatly affect our mental health. It is recommended that a healthy adult gets 7 hours of sleep a night. We know that this may vary depending on the person. Be mindful of caffeine intake. Try limiting screen time and avoid using devices within 30 minutes of bedtime. Try doing a calming activity before bed like journaling or reading.

Eating can be one of the biggest stressors during the holidays. Many people struggle with eating disorders or disordered eating. It can be helpful to discuss navigating food/meals with a therapist or trusted professional. Please remember to be gentle with yourself.

We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to buy gifts for the holidays. Sometimes this just isn’t in our budget. Instead, think homemade! Try making a homemade card with your favorite cookie recipe or a crafted gift such as a knitted scarf. Gifts should come from the heart and not stretch the wallet!

We don’t know about you, but we have decided that New Year’s resolutions are a thing of the past. The pressure of creating a new, unattainable goal at the start of the year is not helping our mental health! Instead, we wanted to offer some alternative ideas to New Year’s resolutions and discuss realistic goal-setting throughout the year.

Creating a mood or vision board can be a fun way to set your intentions for the year in an artistic way with less pressure. You can invite some friends over for a craft night or do it by yourself! Gather some magazines or print out some inspiration from Pinterest. Some topics you could focus on include wellness and self-care, personal growth, career development, relationships, creativity, travel, mindfulness, spirituality, community, and so much more. You can mix and match these topics based on your interests and aspirations for the new year! Consider using images, colors, and textures that resonate with you to create an inspiring mood board. This should be a fun activity with low stress and no right answer. Create something you enjoy and hang it where you can see it throughout the year!

Rather than establishing a whole new goal for the new year, consider coming up with a word or phrase to set your intentions. This approach alleviates the pressure to meet a specific goal and provides a healthy reminder. Here are some ideas for words and phrases.

Instead of setting one goal, try establishing smaller, more attainable goals throughout the year. When you set goals, it’s important to remember to make them Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely (SMART).

Focus on a specific aspect you want to improve, avoiding overly broad or general goals. Make sure it is something you can measure over time, and determine how you plan to track that goal, whether in your head, using an app, or a spreadsheet. What works best for you?

Setting an achievable goal means creating a goal you can reach. It’s better to start small than to set a huge goal that is hard to meet. Ensure that your goal is relevant, meaning it should be something important and helpful in your life. Lastly, give your goal a timeline. A year is a long time, consider checking in with yourself in a few days, a week, or a month.

Take the pressure off setting your goals. At the end of the day, if you don’t achieve your goal, that’s okay. Life happens, and sometimes we aren’t able to accomplish what we wanted or planned. Be flexible with yourself; if you didn’t meet your goal, try setting a smaller one or waiting until you feel ready to try again.

Your progress is important, but it’s not always linear. Change takes time, so be kind to yourself and set realistic expectations that make you feel good. We wish you all a happy holiday season!