Emily Starbuck Gerson lives in the beautiful city of Austin, Texas, and no, her name has nothing to do with coffee or Battlestar Gallactica. She is originally from Houston, but upon graduating from the University of Texas in 2007, she couldn't bear to leave the city whose slogan is "Keep Austin Weird."

Emily developed a debilitating digestive order, irritable bowel syndrome, her freshman year of college and it drastically changed the direction of her life. She knew nobody else dealing with it and felt very alone in her struggles, especially after undergoing many alternative therapies (she drew the line at coffee enemas). After surviving college, she has encountered a new onslaught of obstacles in the working world. She began her personal blog, Finding Equilibrium, as a way to document her quest for balance, health, and happiness. Juggling a budding journalism career and maintaining friendships and a relationship are hard enough, but combined with a chronic illness, things can get tough. She's a work in progress, but Emily is excited to share her journey, both the ups and downs. It's important to her that other young people enduring similar chronic illnesses know they do not need to feel alone or embarrassed.

Besides being a dog lover and rescuer, Emily is an avid traveler who wishes she had more money and more vacation days to further pursue globetrotting. She is a cellist who has played in Carnegie Hall but also records with rock bands. She is a book worm who loves her Kindle and does not fear the demise of paperbacks. As a holder of a Radio-TV-Film degree, she is an obsessive movie-watcher and is chock-full of useless film (and LOST) trivia.

Emily Gerson's blog is Finding Equilibrium.