My Story
The story of my journey begins well before I was even born. My grandmother a 4 time, 4 different types, cancer survivor was under the firm belief that the only way to truly heal was through holistic methods: diet, yoga, and proper detox. She is alive and well today in her late 80s, maybe because of all those coffee enemas! The wisdom she learned through her health struggles was passed on to my mother who raised us as healthy as she knew how. Our diets consisted of minimally processed whole foods, diverse plants and animals, nearly zero sugar, and as a result, an intuitive connection to how food should make you feel. After leaving home at 18, I finally gained the freedom to explore all the processed, colored, and enhanced foods I was undoubtedly curious to try; because of the contrast, I was finally able to appreciate the foundation that my mom so diligently set for me and my brothers. The hyper-palatable foods that I was never allowed to have while growing up always seemed to make me feel unwell, however, I pressed on more concerned with fitting in with the ‘norm’ than being healthy. In my 20s, despite a pretty poor diet, I would still crave the foundation that was put in place long before I was able to make dietary choices for myself. I began longing for well-balanced nutrient-dense meals, extended cleanses/fasts, and a daily yoga practice; while I tried to battle anxiety that would eventually turn into full-blown panic attacks. The most powerful healing is generational healing whether it’s physical, emotional, or mental. Based on the teachings of my grandmother and mother I was able to slowly find my way back to optimal health.
In my late 20s I moved to Puerto Rico determined to find myself, my happiness, and my purpose, and received my 200-hour yoga teaching certification in Ashtanga/Vinyasa through Ashtanga Puerto Rico (formally It’s Yoga Puerto Rico). The breath work techniques I learned in my yoga training nearly eliminated my panic attacks. After a move to Dallas, Texas 2 years later, to be with my now-husband, I found myself needing a job to supplement my income with teaching yoga regularly and was lucky to find a job working with a Holistic Doctor at a Nutritional Wellness Center. This milestone changed my life forever and reminded me of my innate wisdom, timeless nutritional truths, and solidified the fact that healing doesn’t come from a deficit and a pill bottle, but instead a lifestyle that matches that of our ancestors. After gaining a wealth of knowledge, I reluctantly left the Nutritional Wellness Center two years later to be a stay-at-home mom. We now have two beautiful children, our family is complete, however, through back-to-back pregnancies, births, and parenting I was left sleep-deprived, nutritionally depleted, and void of anything else besides being a mom. While I was determined to raise our little family with an emphasis on health, wellness, and awareness I seemed to lose myself along the way; everyone else’s needs took priority over my own. In an effort to find myself again I got certified as a Reiki Practitioner and explored the healing power of energy. With both kids attending preschool, I was free to continue my own education. I went back to where my journey began with food and completed my Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner certification with the Nutritional Therapy Association at the beginning of 2020. Nutritional Therapy has been hugely impactful for me in finding consistent energy, addressing deficiencies, and being in the best physical shape of my life. This year I completed Emily Morrow’s highly recommended MBCE (Master Blood Chem with Em) course where I expanded on my knowledge of holistic health and am now able to utilize the knowledge I gained in this course to recognize dysfunction through functional ranges on blood work. I have used my yoga, reiki, nutritional education, and blood chemistry to not only reach my own desired health goals but to empower others to make dietary and lifestyle changes to reach their own optimal health.
We are currently living in Costa Rica where we are building a space that promotes healing and growth. I truly believe the foundational truths that have been repeatedly bestowed on me while on this journey have the power to change the world, and I am passionate about helping people find what makes them feel their best. As human beings, we have a deep need for belonging, and through connection and community, I know each individual has the power to find their authentic self and to live the life they have always dreamt of. Always hungry for knowledge and healing, I have created that community that started with my own little tribe. I am currently taking one-on-one clients, while I build online group courses and find balance living abroad. Just as my grandmother’s health struggles had a profound impact on my own life, I hope to have a positive influence on the lives of others by sharing the knowledge that I have gained through my experiences and a growing understanding of balanced health.