Member Spotlight: Emily Tosoni

What is your name?

Emily Tosoni

What do you do for work and what is your slash (aka what do you do in your free time)?

I have a network marketing business with Arbonne International. I offer products and information that empower people to make healthier decisions about their skincare, cosmetics and nutrition supplements. I make my own schedule, travel, and use all the knowledge I gained in grad school without a cubicle to clock into every day. I LOVE WHAT I DO.

In my free time I teach water aerobics at Capital City Health Club, I am the Co-Director of New Leaders Council Montana, I run a support group for women and their partners who have lost children, I run one half marathon a year, I travel when I want to (my husband tags along when he can), read books in the sunshine, run/hike/play with my red heeler Greta, hike and backpack as much as I can in the summer, and try to survive the winter months with as much hot tea as possible!

How did you land in Helena?

When I finished graduate school in Missoula I couldn't find a job that paid enough to live off of. After looking for about 6 months in and around Missoula, I branched out and started looking for jobs around the state. I found a great entry-level position with the Arthritis Program at the Department of Public Health & Human Services, so I packed up my life and moved to Helena in January 2013. Joe (my now husband) followed a few months later.

What is the best piece of advice that you ever received – career-related or otherwise?

What people think of you is none of your business. I always keep this at the forefront of my daily interactions and remind myself that if I do everything with honesty, integrity and compassion, that's all that matters.

When do you feel the most yourself?

The introvert in me feels most at peace when I am backpacking, waking up with the sun in the middle of the mountains or by a lake somewhere off the grid.

The extrovert in me is most fulfilled by engaged people in their own empowerment - whether that is through the work I do with customers and business partners, or in my volunteer work with non-profits and other organizations. I love seeing the light blubs go off in people's eyes and watching them step into a space where they believe in themselves to do the things they never thought they could do.

Where is the last place you explored and where do you want to explore next?

In February 2016 Joe and I went on our honeymoon to Belize. We spent 4 days in the jungle and 4 days on an island. It was an amazing journey and exploration, filled with Mayan ruins, cave swimming, tropical food, colorful birds, snorkeling, water so clear I almost wasn't afraid to get in it, and new friends from all over the globe.

Our next exploration will be Olympic National Park this summer for a few days while on the road for some Arbonne demos. I am stoked to mark another national park off my list, get some miles under our feet, sleep under the stars, and to do it all with Joe by my side.

Tell us something about yourself that we didn’t ask:

My favorite brain-stimulating activity for quiet moments at home is to crochet. I have had multiple concussions since 2010, so not only do I volunteer time to work on improving legislation around concussion policies specific to sport, I work on improving my own brain after so many head injuries. I love to make hats and scarves and have recently been pumping out baby blankets as quickly as I can for friends and family!