College Student, 23, Born Without Arms Masters Complex Cooking Using Only Her Feet (Exclusive)

Emily Rowley was born without arms and with microgastria, a rare condition involving a small stomach

When Emily Rowley first started cooking, she preferred buying frozen meals and pre-cut ingredients for convenience.

Born without arms and with microgastria, a rare condition involving a small stomach, alongside diagnoses of severe reflux and scoliosis, the now 23-year-old master's student at Southern New Hampshire University found it easier to mix everything together in a bowl or pan.

However, after relocating from Oceanside, California, to Florida with her parents in 2021, Rowley significantly expanded her culinary skills. She learned to chop onions, peel potatoes and even fold wontons — all using her feet.

"I remember the first complex meal I made was some type of pasta," Rowley tells PEOPLE exclusively. "I didn't make the pasta from scratch, but I did make the sauce homemade. It opened up a whole new world for me, cooking with fresh ingredients."

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Since then, Rowley, who has been a vegetarian since high school, has shared her cooking journey on social media. Her videos have gone viral, amassing over 200,000 followers on TikTok and 240,000 on Instagram.

"I know people watch my videos and think, 'Wow, she has no arms and she can do that,' versus potentially meeting me in person and assuming I can't do any of that," Rowley says.

"That's the greatest outcome of it all is having an educational platform where people gain insight on what my life is, having no arms," she adds.

Among her favorite recipes are crème brûlée and homemade pasta, though she's also ventured into baking blueberry muffins and cinnamon pull-apart bread.

She initially felt intimidated by crème brûlée, considering it one of the more challenging desserts. Yet, over time, she mastered the recipe.

"When it comes to cooking, it can intimidate a lot of people," she acknowledges. "I was intimidated at the beginning, and you'll make messes and mistakes, but if you keep at it, you'll be surprised by the outcome."

As a child, Rowley says she would prop one leg on the counter, using her foot for assistance while cooking. Moving to Florida prompted her to explore cooking using both feet, which has streamlined her meal preparation time.

"It came naturally to me. I don't have arms, so I've had to figure out different ways to do things," she explains. "Starting with picking up pencils with my feet, I gradually began using them for most tasks."

"While I've improved in cooking, challenges remain," Rowley admits. "People see the videos, but what they don't realize is that a 30-second clip can take me three to four hours behind the scenes."

She also enjoys sharing her culinary creations with her parents. "It's always nice to have people who will try it and let me know if it's good or not," she says.

Reflecting on her upbringing, Rowley feels fortunate that she wasn't treated differently at school or within her family.

"I've never felt unwelcome when schools made accommodations for me. I have an older sister who's always treated me like any other sibling. My parents never favored her or treated me differently because of my condition. They encouraged me to push forward and challenge myself."

"Sure, there are days where even small tasks can be challenging or frustrating ... but I've always been determined not to let my circumstances define me," Rowley adds. "I embrace challenges, adapt and find creative solutions. That mindset has been crucial throughout my life."

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Read the original article on People.