Go Where You're Celebrated!

Shelby McKie | Audio Slideshow-Multimedia Journalism | March 20, 2019

Neidara Vanzell Elridge, also known as D to her friends and family, was born and raised in Reading, Pennsylvania. Famously known for the Reading Railroad on the monopoly board! At 17, she signed her papers to join the military and was sent off for training in Illinois at 18. She spent two years in Japan and 18 months on the U.S.S. Boxer out of San Diego. While she was on the ship, D was up fixing one of the satellites, when she fell about 15 feet and injured her back. She struggled to live a normal life outside of the military because she had to learn how to take care of herself along with her pain. D experimented with drugs and adopted some bad friendships. After starting physical therapy she started to fall into a healthy pattern, trying dance and yoga. She fell in love with yoga and the relief it offered. D joined Herbalife, a weight management and nutrition company, with a group of girls that inspired her to start teaching yoga. When she came across Athleta and their mission, she knew she wanted to work for this company. D's dream is to be a Global Community Leader, so this position brought her one step closer. Her job as a Community Coordinator is to connect and collaborate with local companies by having in, and out-of-store events to benefit both businesses. This creates good relationships between Athleta and local businesses that share the same values. Neidara goes on to explain how her journey has taught her so much about the community and how to work with it. She is constantly inspired by the women around her and she hopes to have that same influence on others. She helps us understand discernment and the importance of finding like-minded people to surround ourselves with. D also encourages us to "go where you are celebrated." If you are not celebrated and feeling good about something, don't keep doing it. Make an effort to go places that work for you and you will succeed.