After being diagnosed with IBS 5 years ago, I have spent so much time and effort (and money) trying different supplements and diets that were supposed to “heal” me. Yet, day after day my symptoms would continue. My daily stomach pains were so bad they would wake me up each morning in a state of anxiety and stress. After meals, I immediately would run to the bathroom with discomfort & inability to digest food. In my daily life, at work, or social outings, I feared having a flare up and created anxieties about eating around others.

I accepted this as an unlucky hand I was dealt for some time. I felt hopeless about finding a way to heal, and was told by doctors that my IBS was incurable. During this time, I was still taking the birth control pill and decided to get off of it in August 2022. I didn’t think my symptoms could get any worse, until going off the pill revealed what was actually going on in my body. In the months after going off the pill, my digestive issues worsened, hormonal acne completely took over my jawline, my menstrual cycles were painful and longer than 50 days, and I gained 20 pounds over the course of 4 months.

My doctors continued to tell me that I was just too stressed, that I should try dieting or losing weight, and they especially tried to get me back on the pill. I never did and still don’t believe that taking a birth control pill caused my IBS and hormonal imbalances — but it was definitely hiding my symptoms for a very long time. I learned that it was a “band aid” for the real imbalances & inflammation happening in my body. This is when I chose to start my healing journey holistically. I began working with a holistic health coach who specialized in women’s health - which absolutely changed my life .

I learned about the importance of gut health for all other aspects of our health: hormone balancing, mental health, digestive health, immune response, and overall long-term wellbeing. I learned that I was only feeding into my poor gut health by not managing stress, eating processed foods, living in a “hustle” culture, and not prioritizing putting myself first.

I started caring more about what I was putting into my body, where my food came from, and the quality of those foods. I started prioritizing myself before my job and the demands of life, setting clear boundaries, saying no, and protecting my peace at all costs. I started taking care of my body better, getting more sleep, getting out in nature, and practicing stress management.

The difference in how I felt was unmatched. By healing my gut, I truly felt like I healed my body. Not just from my IBS, but from the effects of stress and anxiety that I felt consumed by. I became a holistic health coach to inspire others to heal from the inside out as well, to push themselves to believe that natural healing is possible with the right mindset. And the best thing about holistic healing is that it’s already within you. You have the power to heal with the choices you make, how you live your life, and ultimately how you love yourself.

If you find yourself stuck in a similar situation, feeling like you’re in a cycle of stress, dealing with uncomfortable symptoms in your daily life, or feeling like you have no idea where to start — welcome to my happy place. In this space, I share wellness tips, gut healing recipes, and valuable educational insight about all things gut health.

Join me in this journey to share my passion for teaching and wellness with others! 🤎