Mariah Z. Leach (she/her/hers) is a writer, patient advocate, and mother of three based in Colorado. Diagnosed with severe rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 25, she has transformed her personal health challenges into a mission to support others who are navigating similar paths.
She launched her advocacy work in 2008 with her award-winning personal blog, From This Point. Forward, chronicling her experience as a young graduate student adjusting to a life-changing diagnosis. After learning firsthand how challenging and lonely it can be to face pregnancy and motherhood with chronic illness, Mariah launched Mamas Facing Forward, a private Facebook support group, which later expanded into MamasFacingForward.com, a website dedicated to providing resources and support for parents and parents-to-be with chronic illness.
Mariah graduated with honors from Princeton University in 2005, and completed a dual degree program at the University of Colorado in 2010, earning a JD and an MS in environmental science. She has co-authored two books: Hydrocarbon Hucksters: Lessons from Louisiana on Oil, Politics, and Environmental Justice (2014) and International Environmental Law in a Nutshell, 5th Edition (2017).
Mariah has also been published in a variety of health-oriented websites and magazines, including: Arthritis Today, Health Union, Healthline, the INVisible Project, Rheumatology Network, Rheumatology Nurse Practice, and Women magazine. Most recently, she contributed an essay to The Book Of Alchemy: A Creative Practice for an Inspired Life by Suleika Jaouad.
Her work blends practical advice, emotional honesty, and a deep commitment to helping others live fully—no matter the challenges. She is currently working on a memoir about pregnancy with chronic illness.
Get in touch:
hello (at) mariahzleach.com