In Pursuit of Health, Part Two
My personal health journey began about 8 years ago when losing baby weight was suddenly impossible. In fact, I was quickly gaining more weight, and losing tons of hair, even though I made no changes to my diet. It seemed that, out of nowhere, I developed inflammation and a slew of food sensitivities. I could no longer control my anemia without medical intervention, and I struggled with life-crippling emotional illness and bodily fatigue. Every day felt like I was dying. I was afraid of the unknown and how much this struggle was robbing me from my children.
Finally, after years of crumbling health and emotional well-being, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. The weeks leading up to my diagnosis nearly killed me, but it was amazing how I instantly felt better when the poison was removed from my body. I realized that I could no longer take my health for granted and that it was time for me to increase my understanding of health and nutrition.
Once I recovered my strength, it was time to take control of my life once more. I wanted to learn ways to heal my body naturally from the trauma I experienced during cancer treatments, and, more importantly, how to teach my children to protect themselves and live a healthy life without fear of the unknown. I needed to learn how to take care of my body, inside and out.
I am now a graduate of the Aveda Institute of Las Vegas, NV. As a licensed aesthetician I teach clients how to care for their body externally based on core principles of Ayurveda, skincare therapy, and nutrition. I build upon these principles as an Integrative Health Coach through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition (IIN).
Holistic Nutrition has always been a passion of mine, but I never realized how much more I could learn and share with others. Health extends beyond calories in and out of a body. It relates to spiritual and mental health just as much as it relates to gut and organ health. I graduated from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition where I learned about bio-individuality, innovative coaching methods, practical lifestyle management techniques, and over 100 dietary theories – Ayurveda, gluten-free, Paleo, raw, vegan, macrobiotics, and everything in between.
My journey to regaining my health was a long one, one which I will have to travel for the rest of my life. I had to go through radioactive iodine treatment, full body scans, severe reactions to medications, good doctors, less than preferable doctors who made many mistakes, and great doctors. I’ve learned to make waves when I know something is not right. I’ve had a major scare when my doctors believed it came back, and we have aggressively fought to minimize that risk, because it is still unknown. There are many unknowns, to be honest.
The biggest lesson I learned is that I have to be my own advocate. This requires study, faith, and constant hard work, and it is totally worth it.
