My Journey
My fatigue issues started over 25 years ago after an unidentified illness where I continued to suffer from periodic fatigue. While I was frustrated, the fatigue was manageable, and there was nothing indicative in my health assessments that anything should be modified or addressed.
Fast forward 15 years to a demanding job and busy family life, I had more trouble sleeping, more frequent colds and illnesses, and more minor health concerns. Over several years, my complaints of fatigue were normalized during health assessments and addressed as something temporary. I continued to push through, hoping it was a passing phase, never comprehending how quickly my health would spiral out of control.
Over time, my health issues developed into insomnia and sleep disorders, with more persistent fatigue and pressure behind my eyes. Despite following the doctor’s orders, I was not getting restorative sleep. My once-active lifestyle changed. I became more sedentary and gained weight.
With responsibilities and a nonstop lifestyle, I felt compelled to prioritize what mattered most, my family and my work. I continued to power through with the best intentions, pouring my energy into giving my all to both, hoping my sleep issues would soon shift and improve. Still, I had a nagging feeling that my doctor’s plan of care did not address the underlying cause of my fatigue.
When I finally hit rock bottom in 2017, my health quickly spiralled into autoimmune symptoms. And now, at my worst, I felt the medical system did not understand me and that the treatment approach was missing the bigger picture. At this point, I was sure of only two things. One, I was not willing to live with “managing symptoms.” Two, I desperately wanted to be healthy, vibrant and active again for myself and my children.
Feeling lost and uncertain about the future, I slowly found stories of others who had recovered from autoimmune diseases and began to explore alternative treatments. Finding a doctor with the experience I wanted in my area was challenging. Over several months, I became consumed with researching the latest health information related to my symptoms and studying herbal medicine and its efficacy. I carefully began experimenting with a few herbs, which led to small successes and some relief from fatigue that instilled in me a drive and sense of empowerment to keep going.
I soon found the naturopathic doctor I was searching for that provided knowledge of the biological fundamentals and holistic treatment approach. However, the knowledge and confidence I gained through taking control of my health and learning about herbal medicine proved invaluable to understanding and adjusting to the challenges of my ongoing treatment.
Flash forwards three years after coming out the other side of my health issues and a divorce. I felt drawn to helping others experiencing similar challenges find more ease and balance in their lives and careers. After learning about the Functional Medicine approach to treatment, their coaching program was the natural next step for me. In their program, I learned about the functional medicine approach to determining the root cause of chronic health issues, the latest evidenced-backed coaching principles, and mind-body medicine. I dug into their nutrition protocols and challenged myself to show up to live the life I wanted in all areas of my life.
In hindsight, all my experiences have brought me to a more authentic way of living that is true to my needs. I now have sustainable energy levels and navigate life using my strengths and values as my guide. I only move forward if it’s a “hell yes.” My move into Health and Wellness Coaching follows a successful 20+ year career as a CPA and a senior leader at a global bank. After profoundly life-altering experiences, I felt the need to help others explore their options for better health and find their way. I made the terrifying decision to leave my former role and took a leap of faith into health and wellness coaching.
Start here. Connect to the ideas and resources that help you improve your health and Love the Life You Live!
