Confession time: I'm a workaholic.
I’ve always been the type to throw myself 100% into whatever I'm working on. This drive earned me my first leadership position at 19, and now, here I am as my own boss—not of one, but two businesses.
But for years, my health took a backseat.
There was always an excuse to push it off.
"I'll workout tomorrow."
"Just this treat tonight; I'll eat a salad tomorrow for lunch."
"I don't need therapy, I can handle this myself."
Sound familiar?
For a long time, this approach “worked.” My bosses praised me for my dedication, and I kept climbing the ladder. But everything changed in 2014.
I was diagnosed with Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder that brought symptoms I could no longer ignore. I was fainting, vomiting, losing energy—and sometimes, I’d just end up lying on the floor, crying in pain, all on an almost daily basis.
And then, while I was still grappling with this diagnosis, I went through a divorce. For the first time in my life, I found myself living alone. I didn’t have anyone to help when I had one of those “moments.” No family, no partner, just me. The reality hit hard one night when I woke up alone on the bathroom floor after fainting. It was a wake-up call I couldn’t ignore: I couldn’t keep living like this.
That was when my journey really began. At the time of my divorce I was seeing a physical therapist who also owned a yoga studio. He introduced me to the idea of using yoga and movement as therapy, guiding me to heal my chronic pain by connecting with my own body. So, I took what he taught me to the gym in my building. At first, it was just the yoga mat. Then one day, I hopped on an exercise bike. Eventually, I picked up a dumbbell for the first time in years—and it felt good.
My relationship with food changed too. Living alone, I’d gotten used to quick fixes—takeout, frozen meals, even cookie dough straight from the tub. But as I started cooking for myself again, I remembered everything I’d learned about nutrition since I was 15. Meal planning became a new habit, and grocery shopping meant filling my cart with fresh, real food rather than things in boxes and bags.
The results were life-changing. My symptoms didn’t disappear overnight, but they began to ease. Fainting went from a weekly occurrence to monthly, and now it’s rare. My stomach issues all but vanished. I became stronger and healthier than I’d ever been before.
It’s been 10 years since that turning point. In that time, I’ve gotten remarried, become a mom, and learned to balance my time between family, work, and my health.
This journey taught me that change isn’t about perfection. It’s about small, meaningful shifts—taking one step at a time to build a life that feels sustainable and joyful.
Looking back, it’s clear that my journey wasn’t just about healing my body; it was about reshaping my life. I’ve learned that true wellness isn’t about quick fixes or pushing through pain—it's about understanding your body, honoring its needs, and building habits that support both your health and happiness.
If you're feeling overwhelmed or stuck in your own journey, remember that change is possible. It doesn’t have to be perfect, and you don’t have to do it alone. I’m here to guide and support you in creating the sustainable, healthy life you deserve—one small step at a time.
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