I don’t have a magic line of supplements to sell you, or the secret to living forever. What I do have is a deep understanding of what it feels like to feel overwhelmed, burnt out, stuck in unhealthy patterns, and unsure where to begin.

For me, this began after I lost my Dad suddenly my freshman year of college. It crushed me, but I buried that pain as to not inconvenience anyone. For years, I poured energy into others while avoiding my own needs. I thought I just needed to keep trudging along… consuming whatever allowed me to numb the pain I felt I couldn’t deal with. I was stuck in survival mode for over a decade. Self care was the last thing on my mind- my priority was to function in society and push down overwhelming grief I felt I didn’t have time to address.

Eventually, I hit a breaking point. I was out of shape, emotionally drained, and my relationships, mental health, and physical health were all suffering. I needed a change. When I went back to the doctors, I was told I had gained weight (which, I knew… ) and diagnosed with anxiety and ADHD, for which I should take prescription medication indefinitely. There wasn’t much discussion about day-to-day changes I could make… It was just stating the issue at hand, and writing a prescription. I knew that wasn’t the right path for me, and I left feeling confused, and broken. There had to be something else I could do to get back to my old self, back to a version of me that used to thrive.

It wasn’t one dramatic moment that changed my life. It was the decision to simply start feeling better. I spent over a decade not feeling like myself, but I remembered who that person was (and I really liked her!) so I had to find a way to get back to that. That idea was my north star.

As I slowly rebuilt a healthier lifestyle, I began to feel lost in the noise of conflicting advice, and frustrated with all-or-nothing wellness culture. I wondered how people did all of this and I was overwhelmed trying to keep up. It felt easier to just give up sometimes, but I remembered my reason for starting: I just wanted to feel better. Anything to feel a little bit better than I did last week, last month, or last year.

I realized it was up to me to figure out what I really wanted, and find success at my own pace. It certainly didn’t happen overnight but I can confidently say through lifestyle/habit changes, and working with the right care team (which included a Functional Medicine practitioner) I found my way back to feeling like myself. The change felt organic, sustainable and aligned with who I was. I am so grateful for the people who helped guide me to this place. It wasn’t a quick fix, it was a series of gradual behavior changes that set me up for long-term success. I learned a lot about myself during this time, and allowed myself to explore the possibilities of who I could be outside of simply trying to get through the day. I learned I no longer needed to just hunker down and survive. I could look up, and utilize my ability to thrive.

During this transformative time, I learned that I am a “Developer”- which is defined by CliftonStrengths as a person who naturally recognizes and cultivates the potential in others. This made sense, since throughout my career I would naturally gravitate toward teaching, coaching, and guiding. I really enjoyed any opportunity to help someone feel more confident in their skillset, or overcome a challenge. Everyone had the capability, and I loved that moment where things “clicked” for them.

Those life experiences ultimately led me to become a Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach. I received my certification through the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy, a nationally recognized program rooted in functional medicine, positive psychology, and behavior change science. Functional medicine takes a whole-person, root-cause approach to health. My job as a coach is to support you, educate, ask the right questions and bring your true potential to light as we carve out the path to your ultimate health and wellness.

My job is to partner with you in creating realistic, sustainable changes that support the life and the body you feel most empowered in. Whether you’re feeling stuck, burnt out, received a challenging diagnosis, or simply ready for a change… I’m here to help build awareness, confidence, and momentum one step at a time.