Chronic disease is reaching staggering heights in our country, but did you know that you have the control to reverse or prevent chronic disease by adopting healthier lifestyle habits?

and this is my story

I found myself in my twenties and early thirties, suffering from chronic sinus infections, bronchitis, fatigue, chronic headaches, seasonal allergies, and a myriad of other health issues. At the time, I just thought I was someone with a weakened immune system and prone to getting sick often. I was eating the Standard American Diet which included the following:

• highly processed foods

• high sugar intake

• high in saturated fats and trans fats

• low vegetable and fruit consumption

• emphasis on red meat and processed meats

• low whole grain intake/low fiber intake

• oversized portions

My poor diet, lack of sleep, lack of exercise, took a toll on my daily life. Traditional medical treatments and care provided limited relief. Leaving me frustrated, scared and confused. Here is a list of what I found myself going through from the age of 22 through 36 years of age.

• taking up to 7 prescription medications to control allergies and asthma (antihistamines to control allergies, steroids to control breathing, bronchodilators to support wheezing and shortness of breathe, nebulizer treatments, nasal sprays to prevent the symptoms of seasonal allergies and to help reduce sinus inflammation)

• chronic sinus infections (8 or more rounds of antibiotics each year. Countless rounds of steroids to reduce inflammation.)

• hospitalized for Orbital Cellulitis

• 4 outpatient Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgeries (removal of nasal polyps)

• had gained 70 pounds

• endless visits to doctors offices and emergency rooms

It wasn’t until after the birth of my second child, I knew something wasn’t right with my body and I set out on a journey to find out why. Anxiety became my constant companion, a response to the uncertainties surrounding my conditions and their unpredictable nature. Being a mother of an infant and a toddler at the time, seemed like I was never going to be able to care for them in the way a healthy, vibrant young mom would have. My chronic conditions cast a very large shadow on my life as a new mother.

When I would lay my daughters down for their afternoon naps I began researching how to heal myself naturally and taking the holistic approach to wellness. I began educating myself on alternative therapies to help heal my health challenges.

In February 2014, I began a journey that changed my life forever.

February 14th, 2014 will be a day I will NEVER forget. That is the day I had my first visit with a naturopathic doctor. She went over my entire health history from birth. She listened to my story and decided it would be best to stop eating dairy, gluten and sugar and see if this improves my symptoms. I was to visit her again in a month and see how I felt.

I remember driving home in tears. How does one stop eating dairy, gluten and sugar? Hmmm? That was a monumental task for me at the time. I went home and started researching meals that did not include dairy, gluten and sugar. And here is what I found out…

I discovered the power of eating REAL food. I filled my refrigerator with fresh fruits and vegetables, grass-fed beef and pasture-raised chicken. My pantry was filled with raw nuts and seeds, gluten free grains and flours, nut butters and legumes. Now what? I taught myself how to eat using whole foods.

For the next two years I focused on healing myself from the inside out. Letting food be my medicine.

I lost 70 pounds, simply by changing what I put in my mouth. I was able to reduce or stop taking much of my allergy and asthma medication. Instead of eight sinus infections a year, I had one or two. I was learning how to feed my body the right nutrients, so it could start healing and repairing itself. I felt like I was on the road to recovery.

In 2017, I hit a road block. I was diagnosed with Chronic Lyme disease and mold illness.

In 2018, I developed SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth).

In 2019, I was diagnosed with MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome) and CIRS (Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome).

In 2019, I found myself safely being able to eat six foods without reacting to them. My body went into a protective stress response because of the lack of nutrients it was being fed. I put 30 pounds back on. Constant fear and anxiety was at an all time high. My practitioners would just put their arms up in bewilderment. They could not figure out what was going on with me. They were out of answers.

I had tried every diet (paleo, keto, lectin free, low oxalate, etc.) there was not a single one that made any improvements to my health. I was basically eating whatever I could to survive and not cause my body to overreact.

I was devastated and crushed. I had worked so hard and given up so much, why was I constantly sick?

As the years passed, financial distress added to my anxiety, medical bills and the cost of managing multiple health conditions strained my family’s financial resources. I was at a point where my husband and I could NO LONGER continue living in this way. We could no longer pay our bills. Something had to change and soon.

Just as I did in 2014, I set out on another journey to find the answers to my perplexing health puzzle.

Little did I know that I was about to discover the MISSING LINK to my life’s health struggles.

I had read an article online about a woman with similar health struggles as myself. She was describing a program she had just started called DNRS (Dynamic Neural Retraining System). It’s a program grounded in the principles of neuroplasticity. I started researching what this program was all about and what the heck was neuroplasticity. Intrigued by the possibility of this program working, I purchased it and let’s just say “the rest is history.”

July 2020 was the start to another amazing, transformative journey of mine.

Through the DNRS program, I discovered the intricate connection between my brain and my body. Through a series of neuroplasticity exercises, mindfulness techniques, and cognitive retraining, I gradually began reshaping neural pathways associated with chronic pain, fatigue, food sensitivities, and my endless list of other symptoms. The program equipped me with the tools to interrupt maladaptive neural patterns and establish healthier, more constructive connections.

I followed the DNRS program as it was created for 2 1/2 years. I woke up every morning at 4:30 a.m. to complete my mindfulness practice and neuroplasticity exercises before my children woke up. I slowly began noticing the further I got into my practice that aliments or chronic symptoms were disappearing from my body and mind. The once-debilitating symptoms began to subside. Those symptoms were replaced with increased energy, improved cognitive function, and a renewed sense of well-being. I was NO longer managing symptoms, I was rewiring my limbic system in my brain for lasting, positive change.

My body is still a work in progress and will always be. Where I started out in 2014 to where I am today has been one AMAZING ride. I am grateful that I had the perseverance and determination to get to the bottom of my health struggles. I continue to grow both physically and spiritually each and everyday. I am more equipped to handle what life throws at me.

My journey was not without its challenges, but my commitment to my family gave me the strength to never quit. My commitment to the DNRS program and the support of the DNRS community played a pivotal role in my success. My continued trust in the Lord and my blind faith in Him, never steered me wrong.

I’ve enjoyed learning how nutrition, physical activity, spirituality, relationships, career and stress/anxiety all need to be in harmony with one another. The importance of family and friends and making connections with others is imperative to one’s health.

My success story is not just about overcoming physical ailments; it’s about reclaiming my life as a wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend. I hope my journey from despair to empowerment inspires others facing similar health battles. Today, I pray that I stand as a beacon of hope for others navigating chronic illnesses but as a reminder that with resilience, determination, a good support system, and a holistic approach, it’s possible to emerge from the darkest of times into a brighter, healthier version of yourself.

Your health is your journey to take. Your path to well-being is a personal expedition you lead, with a little guidance along the way.

To quote my favorite song by Frank Sinatra,

“Yes, there were times I’m sure you knew / When I bit off more than I could chew / But through it all, when there was doubt / I ate it up and spit it out / I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my way.”

Sinatra, Frank. “My Way.” Frank Sinatra 1969

Graduated Institute for Integrative Nutrition 2019

What I've learned along the way