My Story
 

MY FIRST TEN YEARS 

Growing up, I first wanted to be a nun, that was, until I found out they couldn't have kids. So, I quickly thought I wanted to be an artist instead, but then I decided to keep my artistic side as something just for fun. Eventually, I realized I had this deep desire to either become a teacher or a Dental Hygienist. Secretly though, I wanted to become a Jazz Dancer, dancing wildly up on stage, under those bright lights! 

MY SECOND TEN YEARS

Instead at 16, with my two left feet, I started working summers in a machine factory and I started volunteering. First, I volunteered in the hospital, as a candy-striper, where I actually spent more time finding my way around the hospital than I did being helpful. Next, I volunteered for my orthodontist, where I fell in love with Dentistry and the rest was history.

At first, I played it safe and went to college and became a Certified Dental Assistant. I loved it, but I quickly found that I wanted more. I wanted to be independent, and I wanted to have my own patients that I could spend more time with . . .

MY TUMULTUOUS TWENTIES

So, I returned back to college and became a Registered Licensed Dental Hygienist. I worked for amazing dentists. I loved working closely with my patients. I could honestly say that I loved what I was doing and was doing what I loved. I treasured teaching and supporting my patients. I was literally shining! My two left feet were high up, off the ground! 

I felt fabulous. I was surrounded with great family and friends, and I had lots of fun. I bought myself a charming little fixer upper and life was simply grand.

But truthfully, I confess that there were a lot of bumps in my road and mistakes that I made along the way. My grandmother told me that when one door closes, another door opens. Thank God she was right! (Fast forward….)

MY TERRIFIC THIRTIES

My life rocked! I was happily married. I moved to an island. I had a loving and supportive husband, and we were raising five beautiful children. I had a house that I had made a home and a career that I loved. I had ironed out all the wrinkles in road and rode easy in my saddle. I looked great and felt great, and my once forgotten, artistic side was on fire! My thirties seemingly flew by. Somehow, before I knew it, I turned 40!

TURNING FORTY!!

Forty was the absolute best year of my life! I felt empowered and accomplished. I felt yummy. It was truly amazing! I was old enough to be wise and young enough to enjoy exactly who I was and where I was in life. The world was mine! It was fabulous to turn forty! (Fast forward again...)

SOMEWHERE IN MY LATE FORTIES

I am not exactly sure when things slowly started to change. I remember laying in bed, feeling hopeless, riddled with brain fog, covered with aches and pains, and my life seemed to blur. It was implied that "it was all in my head", and I had been given diagnoses of depression, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, along with a bleak future and prescriptions if I wanted. I remember feeling so exhausted that I envisioned laying down on every single floor that I spied. Eventually, even filthy, public bathroom floors began to look really inviting, and all I wanted to do was to lay down and be left alone. 

I remember wishing that I had someone to hold my arms up to the steering wheel when I had to shuttle my children around. I remember wishing that I had someone to come by my bedside to be there for me and tuck me in and make me feel good the way my mother used to. I just wished that I had someone who would listen to me and love me up. I wished I had someone who would understand me and how I was feeling and not judge me. I wished that there was someone who would help me to get well again. I knew I had nothing to feel depressed about because I was so blessed in life, but I simply felt like sh*t. 

Over time, I went from multitasking and feeling like a supermom at the top of my game, to waiting for the day to end, so I could quickly crawl back into bed. I remember ignoring what my body was saying to me, just to get through my days. Days turned to nights, and nights turned into restless sleep. I did not know what to do. I did not know where to turn or who to trust anymore. I actually felt very alone. I felt so alone and so inadequate. Feelings of guilt and blame and shame settled in. I didn't know what was wrong with me or how to fix it. I started going to doctor after doctor. I would feel a little better, but then I would slide back to where I started. And so it was.

The hard part was that I was SO happy with all that I had. It was just that I always felt so awful. My joy and my spirit slowly escaped. Life didn't stop for me, so I had to keep going. I had to keep pushing, pushing, pushing, past all my thoughts and all my feelings. I had to keep pushing past my exhaustion. My body was no longer whispering to me, but instead, it was shouting out with signs and symptoms. I kept closing my eyes and covering my ears. 

LOOKING BACK

Looking back, over the last ten or so years, I had battled Lyme disease three times, was the victim in three car accidents and had an almost fatal case of food poisoning. I had developed thyroid disease and was literally freezing all the time, and my hair was falling out. I had suffered from overtaxed adrenals, which eventually led to adrenal collapse. I had blood sugar imbalances that I did not even know existed. I suffered from a range of hormonal issues, including mood swings, severe hot flashes and heavy periods and pain. I developed Autoimmune Diseases (Hashimoto's and Vitiligo). I suffered from numerous digestive disorders (nausea, burping, gas, bloating and embarrassing gurgling noises. I also had suffered from constipation, diverticulitis and acid reflux). I had memory loss, brain fog and forgetfulness, and of course, that feeling of endless fatigue. I was exhausted, overwhelmed and 50+ pounds overweight. My blood tests and lab results were totally out of whack. I suffered from Heavy Metal Toxicity and Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, urinary incontinence, squamous cell carcinoma, osteopenia, foot fungus, IBS, and hemorrhoids that really hurt.

Having these health issues was not the hardest part for me. The hardest part of all was that I had to say goodbye to my little sister, Patricia, after her long and brave battle with cancer. This left me paralyzed for a long time. I tried to hold it together, but I was sure that if I let go, and felt my feelings, I would come completely unraveled and that they would have to come to take me away (in little white coats) or sedate me with heavy medication. So instead, I stifled my feelings, and I suffered in silence with heavy pain, deep regret and so much sadness. 

By now, I felt overly fat, very sick and totally frumpy. The flame inside of me had gone out. As much as I tried to smile on the outside, on the inside, all I could do was wonder what was the matter with me. After all, no one had any answers for me. I felt a deep sense of isolation and desperation. I was alone. And it was dark in there. 

THE NOT SO NIFTY FIFTIES

I turned 50. It wasn't miraculous at all, like turning 40 had been. As a matter of fact, it was a complete letdown and total disappointment. I was still trying to hold it in and hold it together, and even more so when my dad died. I finally had to let go of my job as a Dental Hygienist, and leave Dentistry after thirty plus years. The passion that I once had for Dentistry had left me alongside of my health. I was too exhausted to give it my all.

Suddenly, I became an empty nester. Now becoming an empty nester was a time that I always secretly, imagined would bring me tears of joy! Instead, my life flashed in front of me, and it brought me tears of sadness. I remember thinking, (actually I remember sobbing hysterically), "This is it? I'm done?" After all of that hard work and time spent raising our children, our home was empty... and so was my soul. 

And then, it happened. I woke up one morning, while in someone else's home, and I caught my reflection, out of the corner of my eye, in this huge wraparound mirror. I quickly turned back around, to face myself in the mirror. I did not even recognize that woman that I saw standing there; that same person who was once so passionate, that I had somehow turned my back on years ago. But there she was, standing there, looking back at me. I literally gasped at whose reflection I saw.

I actually spent the next hour, locked in the bathroom. First I sobbed in a hot shower, and then I slowly slathered lotion onto my body, as an act of self love and a feeble attempt to reconnect to myself again. I stood naked, looking in that mirror for a long time until I took it all in. It was a feeble start. After that, I did not know what to do. I was simply exhausted from this very uncomfortable, realization. And so as quickly as this revelation came, I let it slip away. 

BUT THEN…

Yet, somehow later, there appeared another voice inside my head. This time, it was not my own voice, but it was that of my little sister, Patricia. I could still hear her last words to me. It was a question that she had asked me, repeatedly, that kept echoing in my mind. She would say, "Are you taking care of yourself?" Of course I was not taking care of myself! I did not even know who "myself" was anymore. I did not know what to do or where to begin to take care of myself. I did not know who to turn to or who to trust. So, I had simply struggled to get by on my own.

Then, there was another voice, but this time it was from my daughter, who was home on Christmas break. She suggested that I consider going back to school to study something new, that I might love learning about. I thought "Hmmm, what an interesting idea!" Well that, my friends, was years ago, and my life has changed forever. 

I became am a Certified Holistic Health Coach through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition.

I became certified with the American Association of Drugless Practioners.

I became a Certified Functional Nutrition Counselor through studying Full Body Systems with Functional Nutrition Alliance.

I earned and Advanced Certification in Functional Nutrition through the School of Josh Gitalis.

I then became certified through the School of Applied Functional Medicine for Coaches. Recently I rectified through AFMC.

To wrap it all up I refer to myself as a Certified Functional Medicine Nutritionist & Lifestyle Practitioner. I absolutely love helping others apply the principles of Functional Medicine individually, in groups, and through private practice.

SEXY SIXTIES!

I have learned first hand that illness can certainly be turned into wellness when I honor ways in which to balance my body. I know that "Self Care is the Secret" to my success. Now, I clearly understand that I can create my health or my lack of health by the choices that I choose for myself.

I continue to sit in the seat of curiosity and connect to my body. I have learned to listen to the wisdom my body is whispering to me before it starts to scream and shout.

I look for "Lifestyle Choices" that serve me and support me and keep me feeling warm and safe and satisfied. I appreciate that these are the foods that feed me, but they are different from the foods on my plate. And, I have learned how to choose the correct "Nutritional Choices" or foods to put on my fork, based on my body's unique needs. I know that one man's food is another man's poison. I understand that its not just the foods that we eat, but it's what our bodies can do with what we eat. 

I am passionate about understanding my body and how it functions! I have applied all that I have learned on myself. Now, I understand how to look and feel oh-so-fabulous.

People comment to me to all the time and ask me what my secret is. I will tell you- my secret is understanding my body and how it functions and what it needs. My secret is always going back to the simple, seemingly un-sexy and yet profound ways in which to heal my health.

Now, my lab reports have moved back into range. My energy is up, and my passion is burning brightly. My life is on fire! And, I can be finally be found dancing under that spotlight!

But, as you know, I wasn't always like this. Like you, I have been down in the trenches. Truthfully, sometimes, I still ride out of my bike lane and wobble into the breakdown lane, but now, I rarely fall into the poison ivy. Why? Because I have learned how to do the dance. I consciously choose what I need to add in, and I purposefully look for what I need to crowd out. Most importantly,I am always learning what I need to prioritize above all else. I even have my own coaches to continuously support me along the way. 

I have my life back again and all great things are happening for me. I love learning and gaining a deeper understanding of my body. I love connecting the dots of what I do and how I feel. I am passionate about sharing what I know by teaching other women (and men) the tools they need to carve out time to care for themselves and to heal their health!

AND SHE PLANS TO LIVE HAPPILY EVER AFTER!

I love what I do, and I am doing what I love. I feel good in my body, and I look great in my clothes! (And, I look great out of my clothes too!) I am free to be me. I am becoming the woman that I am meant to be because now I can step into my spotlight and stand in my power.

I want you to get well and stay well and look and feel oh so fabulous, so you can stand in your spotlight and live life on purpose with passion! I am so excited and so honored to share with you what I have loved learning.

You don't have to take all of the classes that I have taken, or study hard for years and years to learn all of the tools and tips and tricks that I have learned, because I have put them all together for you! I have created The "Seven Stepping Stones" Signature System! No matter who you are or what concerns you are currently facing, The "Seven Stepping Stones" will inspire you, instruct you and empower you because knowledge is power. I will teach you how to heal your health and balance yourself.

Are you ready to take responsibility for yourself and your health so you too, can walk your way to wellness?

I AM HERE FOR YOU

You don't have to feel alone any more.  Let me be the person for you, that I wish I had there for me.

I work with women and men who wake up one morning, look in the mirror, and suddenly no longer recognize who they see standing there. That’s because they are overwhelmed, overweight and exhausted. They may feel desperation and isolation, and they suffer in silence with their symptoms. I know, because I was once that woman. That is why I teach others how to get well, stay well, look good, feel good and live life on purpose with passion. I am an expert in teaching about Functional Medicine!. 

Are your ready to Nourish Your Needs?

Why not set up a Complimentary MEET & GREET Session with me today?