Meet the Bloggers

Adrien Paczosa

Registered and Licensed Dietitian practicing in Austin, Texas and the surrounding counties.

Summary Statement: The right attitude is everything.

Adrien’s approach to healthy nutrition is one that encourages whole-body wellness. She believes that living well requires a structured approach and a commitment to three specific areas: nutrition, fitness, and rest. Helping clients find the correct balance among these three areas is what Adrien does best. She believes that with positive guidance and a realistic plan everyone can reach their unique level of wellness.

Adrien worked her way though college as a certified fitness trainer. She understands how important a reasonable exercise plan is to a person’s overall wellness. Food, fitness, and rest are all equally important to living well. Helping her clients determine the optimal amount of each is the primary focus of Adrien’s therapy.

After graduating in 2003 from the University of Illinois – Chicago with a bachelor of science degree in Human Nutrition, Adrien began her carrier as a staff dietitian at a 200-bed hospital in downtown Chicago. She was soon promoted to the hospital’s Director of Food Service and Nutrition and was responsible for all food preparation as well as patient nutritional care.

In 2006, Adrien returned to Texas to be close to family, friends, and warmer weather! She opened her private practice, I Live Well Nutritional Therapy in 2007 and specializes in general nutritional therapy, sports nutrition, and eating disorders. Adrien believes that whole-body wellness is a goal that everyone can achieve especially with the right plan and the right attitude. She has successfully helped many clients reach a healthier level of wellness and she encourages anyone to make an effort to live well.

Adrien’s blogs will focus on whole-body wellness, including aspects of nutrition, fitness, and sleep. She hopes to inspire readers to balance their life so they might get the most out of living.

Angel Toscano

ACTIVE Life’s Manager of After School Programs

Summary Statement: Life’s too short to not have fun.

Angel was born and raised in El Paso, Texas by two wonderful parents, Josie and Angel Toscano. Much of his motivation to lead a healthy life comes from his family, which also includes a younger brother, Alan, and his 5-year old nephew, Brian.
Angel has always taken pride in leading a healthy life. In high school, he was involved in a number of extra curricular activities, including the varsity Basketball team, National Honor Society, Math Honor Society, French Honor Society, FBLA, and Student Council. His passion for a healthy life continued into his undergrad studies when he started to intern at ACTIVE Life. His internship grew into an After School Instructor position, a Supervisor’s position, and most recently into the ACTIVE Life Manager of After School Programs.

Angel received his Masters in Sports Management and Bachelors in Health and Fitness Management from Texas State University.

Angel’s blogs will focus on bringing helpful healthy tips to parents and children. His expertise will guide the content, as he offers tried-and-true insight on how to inspire kids to live a healthy life.

Baker Harrell

Founder of IT’S TIME TEXAS and CEO of ACTIVE Life

Summary Statement: We all share the ability to positively influence others and, in so doing, build a healthier, happier world.

Baker Harrell is the founder of IT’S TIME TEXAS and the CEO of the non-profit organization ACTIVE Life. Prior to founding ACTIVE Life, Baker completed a Master’s in health education with a specialization in childhood obesity. Baker’s philosophy of empowering people to initiate social change is demonstrated throughout AL’s efforts and supported by his interdisciplinary work as a PhD candidate specializing in the intersection of social movement studies, health marketing, and new media. He is a frequent speaker on the topics of population health, social change, and social movement theory.

Baker will be providing his thoughts on the fight to make healthy the norm in Texas and beyond and will provide updates on the work of ACTIVE Life, IT’S TIME TEXAS, and our valued Allies and Partners.

Daniel De Los Santos

Social Media Coordinator for ACTIVE Life and IT’S TIME TEXAS, Senior at St. Edward’s University, Son, Brother, College Cheerleader, Foodie and Avid Runner

Summary Statement: Everyone is entitled to a healthy lifestyle.

Danny is a recent communication and journalism graduate of St. Edward’s University. He was born and raised in Weslaco, Texas, a small town in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley. Danny discovered his love for a healthy, active lifestyle running on Town Lake. With every run, he reaffirms his commitment to spreading health.

Danny didn’t always live this way. In the past two years he has lost 40 pounds and has been able to maintain a balanced lifestyle. He comes from a family plagued with diabetes, bad cholesterol and high blood pressure. He saw his father suffer from diabetes and once he realized that he had gained far more than the freshman 15, he knew something had to give. By reaching out to his cheerleading coach, Danny was able to find a balanced lifestyle. Now, Danny is proud to be a part of IT’S TIME TEXAS, spreading a message of hope and health to everyone.

Jarin Wadiwalla

Marketing & Communications Intern

Summary Statement: It’s never too late to be fit!

Jarin is a recent graduate of The University of Texas at Austin. She received a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations and a Business Foundations Certificate. Jarin’s roots lie in Denver, Colorado, but college brought her back to the Lone Star State. Since then, Jarin has competed nationally in dance and is constantly looking for new ways to improve her overall wellness. She loves living in Austin where the community embraces a healthy lifestyle.

She believes that everyone should have the opportunity to live an adventurous life, free from restraints of an unhealthy lifestyle. Jarin is excited to be a part of a social movement that is working to transform communities everywhere. She is eager to impact the community and use her education in a positive way.

Theresa Grillo

Marketing & Communications Intern

Summary Statement: IT’S TIME to think positively about healthy living!

Theresa is a senior studying Public Relations and Business Foundations at the University of Texas at Austin. Theresa has lived all over Texas but has found Austin to be the place she loves most of all. Theresa is extremely involved in her church in south Austin as well as the cause to provide education opportunities and hope to underprivileged communities. She believes a cornerstone of the restoration of low-income communities starts with healthy lifestyle changes and can’t wait to implement what she learns at Active Life into these communities all over the nation!

Theresa has always struggled with living a healthy lifestyle; watching many friends also struggle with weight and body image. However, she has never let herself allow negative thoughts to affect her self-confidence. Theresa believes in the power of transformation and healing, both physically and mentally. She wants to encourage and inspire people to change their way of thinking into one that reflects positively on themselves and the people around them. She is currently invested in a lifestyle and routine that battles Dr. Pepper and unhealthy late night study snacks to improve her overall wellness. She has danced since age 8 and currently, her favorite way to workout is by doing Zumba. Follow Theresa as she strives to reach her resolutions and positively impact the world around her!