About Me

From the time I was born, I struggled with an underlying condition that caused irregular bowels, pain, and bloating. At just 3 months old, I underwent a procedure to biopsy my intestinal tract to rule out Hirschsprung’s Disease. Thankfully, this was not the case, however, my routine of taking various laxatives and other medications began very early on. By the time I was 7, I began to dance competitively, lived a life of school, dance, homework, and weekend rehearsals or competitions. Often doing homework and studying for a test in the car or in a quiet corner of an auditorium. Too many times, I missed social events with friends and often missed out on just being a kid. This routine was physically and mentally exhausting. Not to mention, I continued to experience the vicious cycle of gut pain and felt bloated all the time. By the time I was 12, I was diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). I began to see a nutritionist who suggested a gluten free diet. Although this helped, it was not a cure-all. I continued with cycles of laxatives and prescription medications to keep me on track, or so I was told. When I was 16 (a sophomore in high school) I moved from “Cow Town” to the “Big Apple” to train with the prestigious Joffrey Ballet. I began home-schooling and continued to live with the familiar stressors of schoolwork, painful wear and tear on my body, and the pressures of this deeply competitive industry. The world I lived in encouraged dancers to forgo their health for a thin physique and praised their dedication at the expense of little time for rest and recovery. I continued my journey of gut health issues, unhealthy thoughts and feelings about my body, self-doubt, and low self-esteem. I eventually graduated from Joffrey Ballet and earned my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Although this 4-year journey was enriching in many ways, I always felt that my IBS symptoms controlled and defined me. My personal transformation began in March of 2020. I had moved home to quarantine as the world dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a time of self-reflection, appreciation for family and embracing a new lifestyle. I began to nourish my body with rest, physical activity and made time to create healthy recipes. I decided to move to LA once the pandemic would allow. Why LA? Well, I realized, after spending 4 summers here, that I somehow felt a connection. Sometimes, you can’t really explain it, but it was a gut feeling. I knew I needed to follow my heart and give it a go! Before moving to LA, I set an appointment with my gastroenterologist. I remember propping myself up on my bed and connecting with her, virtually. The appointment consisted of the usual questions and I replied with the same old symptom list. I remember telling her that I felt like I was being controlled by my symptoms and medications and worried about the long term side effects. In turn, she explained that there was nothing more she could do for me. She explained that with my long history of IBS, I would need to continue the medication routine. I held it together for the last few minutes of our visit. The end result....me sobbing for an hour. But, what followed was a realization that this was not really the end. It was my new beginning. It was my “AHA!” moment! It was at this very point in time that I knew I would not be controlled anymore. I didn’t know exactly “how” or “when”, but I knew my life was about to change in the best way possible. I registered for the Institute of Integrative Nutrition Health Coach certification program. I began to experiment with food, fitness, and other lifestyle changes. I was captivated by the choices I had to begin the process of healing myself. I knew this would be my calling. I wanted to be the inspiration for others to experience their own personal journey to a better and healthier life. My personal health journey has become a life passion. I want to support others, no matter what their age or lifestyle, to think about life differently and to guide the process that will lead to healthy lifestyle change. It’s all about self-care. It’s about listening to your body and respecting your bio-individuality. My approach takes into consideration that not everything is right for everyone. Understanding that you are unique and should be treated as such. It’s about the nourishment on your plate and off the plate, too. I want to encourage you to explore your options for living your best life.