Who's Behind the Cards?

Alison Rawlins enjoys a scenic ride along Ithaca's Waterfront Trail with her dogs, Estrella Papillon and Blue Velvet, capturing moments of adventure and companionship.

Hey there. We are officially in the thick of summer, and if you’ve been following along with my recent posts, you’ve been seeing a lot of talk about boundaries, energy architecture, and creative sprints.

But who is actually writing all this?

Hi, I’m Alison. I live right here in Ithaca, NY, with my two "doge," Estrella and Blue (pictured here in my favorite mock-up collage). No, I don’t literally have my beasties pulling me in a chariot, but I did build a pair of front-wheel-power pedal adult tricycles for myself and a human pal to ride in the monthly full moon lighted bike rides along the Waterfront Trail. In the top center, you can see me rocking my Sturgeon Moon gear.

Right now, alongside running Teaching Ithaca Wellness, I’m deep in a massive summer graduate marathon—taking four intensive courses between June 5th and July 10th to secure my full-time certification in Special Education.

So why am I so passionate about teaching assertive, empathetic communication and mindfulness?

Because honestly? It is just so much easier to get along when everyone’s cards are on the table.

True wellness isn't about pretending things are perfect; it’s about having the tools to say what you mean, respect boundaries, and build a life that actually accommodates all of who you are—whether that's studying special education law (shoutout to Judy Heumann's Rolling Warrior), coaching, or riding a glowing tricycle through Ithaca on the night of the full moon.

I'm putting my cards down. What brings you to this space? Let's chat!