YARDAYNA BEN-SIMON

My name is Yardayna, but people call me Yard. The nickname stuck way back in 8th grade, and it has been a part of my identity ever since....

I recently overheard body shaming comments from a fitness leader. I was stunned: the person who is supposed to be the motivator, the...

I was convinced to ditch my strength-training routine to attend an outdoor “Hannah Montana v. Miley Cyrus” SoulCycle class. Unpopular...

I’m a vivid dreamer. I wake up each morning having experienced an alternate, but realistic reality in my dreams. I’m also generally an...

I am sitting in front of the TV screen in my living room. I’m probably watching a show far too mature for my age, but as the youngest...

I open the door on 28th and 3rd, and the aroma of brewing coffee touches my nose. I peak over to see someone reading today’s paper to my...

Question: Please tell us about a time when you had to overcome adversity in order to achieve a goal. Describe what you were trying to...

…Kinda a harsh truth to read, am I right? We all grow up with the fantastical idea of what our young 20s are going to be. And I’m here to...

I’m sitting in my dorm room, wondering what I did to deserve this sadness and anger embedded inside me. I am 18. I reflect on the fact...