Welcome New Balance Blogger Tatjana Thuener-Rego

I come from a very international upbringing. My father is Brazilian and my mother is German American. My mother is the type who never wanted a boring life so she picked up and moved to different countries from time to time. So, after growing up the little town of Schenectady in upstate, NY she moved to Peru and eventually Brazil, where she met my father. My older sister, Jacqueline, was born in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. My father’s company moved him to Canada where a bundle of joy that is “I” was born. We moved from my birthplace, Pointe-Claire, Quebec, to Toronto. Then on to Redondo Beach, CA and finally Miami, FL.

I started training seriously in gymnastics once we found an amazing gym in Miami, Universal Gymnastics. My 4’11 Cuban coach was terrifying, and exactly what I needed to be the gymnast and even the person I am today. Any time I was upset she always told me I was blessed and couldn’t ask for more in life, which was true and something I still live by today.

I began homeschooling so I could train six hours a day half way through my sixth grade school year until I graduated from High school. I was recruited heavily by the University of Georgia, Athens and University of Florida among many others but decided on the University of Michigan.

I had much success at Michigan. I was Big Ten freshman of the year as well as a two-time All American and MVP for three out of the four years there. I graduated with a degree in Political Science and a focus in International Business.

And then something happened shortly after I graduated: I visited Portland for the first time. That’s all it took, I knew this was where I wanted to live. Here on Balance I hope to explore the issues you’ve come here to read and discuss. My career, as well as my first foray into cohabitation with a guy and my life in Portland, has just begun. I hope you’ll join me as I try to keep these a float while staying healthy in mind and body. Plus, if you’ve been waiting to ask Balance some burning questions, send them my way as I am appointing myself Official Balance Answer Girl.

Happy Living,

Tachi