Through many experiences, I have developed a fascination with the concept that an individual's health and well-being are deeply rooted in a complex interconnection of mind, body, and environment. My goal is to improve people's mental and physical well-being using a holistic approach that involves this interconnection. I want to provide wellness services to the public by gaining skills and knowledge and ultimately creating a business that promotes health. I am very interested in the field of health behavior because it will provide me with essential skills to achieve my long-term goals. I want to gain a better understanding of health education and human behavior at individual and group levels so that I can better understand clients' needs and produce solutions for them. In my college courses in Biopsychology and Health Psychology, I discovered a passion for these topics. They inspired me to thoroughly investigate the effects of physical health on mental health and vice versa, through research and experimentation for my master's thesis. I completed my thesis on the short-term effects of meditation and progressive muscle relaxation on cognitive functioning and mood. I learned about the effects of relaxation techniques on mental and physical health. I have found that there are many treatment alternatives that can be used as healthier substitutes for pharmaceuticals or as co-treatments with pharmaceuticals to enhance their effectiveness. My 2014 internship with the Hampton-Newport News Community Services Board further developed my interest in the public health field. I worked as an assistant case manager for mental health and substance abuse. My job involved completing the necessary paperwork such as…half of paper…a successful business, but I may also be able to discover innovative solutions to improve health. My interest in the interconnection of mind, body, and environment is an area that will continue to grow. My passion is to cultivate the well-being of others and continually accumulate knowledge so as to provide the highest quality of care. I have faith in the wisdom and success that the Health Behavior program at UNC Chapel Hill would lead me to. My grandfather, Thomas Lane Stokes, attended UNC Chapel Hill and became a renowned vascular surgeon. My aunt, Ann Stokes, also attended UNC Chapel Hill and is currently a successful landscape architect. My conversation with Dr. Golin about the Health Behavior program further solidified my interest in participating. I sincerely hope to have the privilege of being tested and learning in this institution.