The first step to realizing your dream
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My Personal & Professional Journey into Health & Wellness, Coaching and Lifestyle Medicine
Before living a nourished life...
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To be completely honest—with myself and with you—I’ve had a complicated relationship with food since childhood. As an extremely active kid with a mom who did her best to feed us healthy meals, I managed to stay fit and maintain an average weight through my early years. By my teens, my sweet tooth, growing addiction to junk food, and binge-eating habits began to take a toll. I’ll never forget the day my sixth-grade teacher made a comment in front of a group of girls about my thighs. Until that moment, I had never thought about my hips or thighs—but from then on, I did. I became obsessed with being thin, trying every which way to get there, but my food addictions never allowed me to stay thin. Deep down, I worried about what my choices were doing to my overall health. |
Senior in High School
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I married young and became a mom by 21. Around that same time, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I experienced the full range of symptoms: widespread pain, fatigue, poor sleep, cognitive fog, IBS, anxiety, depression, and heightened sensitivity to noise and light. After each pregnancy, I tried hard to return to a healthy weight, but "normal" kept creeping upward—especially after the birth of our fifth son.
I often wore a mask—a happy smile, most of the time. I dressed in ways that flattered what I could and concealed what I wanted to hide. But the photo of me rafting in Alaska (below) captures how I really felt most of the time: tired, disconnected, and stuck in a body that didn’t reflect who I truly was or wanted to be.
Looking back, I can see that I was doing the best I could with the knowledge and tools I had—but deep down, I knew something had to change. I was exhausted, both physically and emotionally, and I longed for more than just getting by. I wanted to feel truly well—to have energy, clarity, and joy again. That longing sparked a turning point in my life.
I often wore a mask—a happy smile, most of the time. I dressed in ways that flattered what I could and concealed what I wanted to hide. But the photo of me rafting in Alaska (below) captures how I really felt most of the time: tired, disconnected, and stuck in a body that didn’t reflect who I truly was or wanted to be.
Looking back, I can see that I was doing the best I could with the knowledge and tools I had—but deep down, I knew something had to change. I was exhausted, both physically and emotionally, and I longed for more than just getting by. I wanted to feel truly well—to have energy, clarity, and joy again. That longing sparked a turning point in my life.
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Finally! Answers and a Lasting Transformation
Everything changed in 2008, when I experienced lasting healing from decades of chronic physical and mental health challenges--thanks to the power of nutritional excellence. Introduced to Dr. Joel Fuhrman’s Eat to Live, I was inspired and dove into the science behind lasting wellness. I became committed to sharing this life-changing lifestyle with others. (Today, I highly recommend Dr. Fuhrman's newest book Eat For Life, for the latest research in nutritional science to deliver the knowledge you need to reverse disease and repair your body to live a long, disease-free and vibrant life.)
“Your body is never really at rest. It's constantly rebuilding itself.
And what you eat today determines the body you’ll have tomorrow.” ~ Dr. Neal Barnard
And what you eat today determines the body you’ll have tomorrow.” ~ Dr. Neal Barnard
While still in the midst of raising our five energetic sons, I immersed myself in learning everything I could about healing through nutritional excellence. I studied the work of leading experts in nutritional medicine—Dr. Joel Fuhrman, Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn Jr., Dr. T. Colin Campbell, Dr. Neal Barnard, Dr. Michael Greger, Dr. David Katz, Dr. John Kelly, and the pioneering researcher and physician Dr. Dean Ornish. During this time, I had the opportunity to teach small groups at our local YMCA, help organize and present at our community’s Food Revolution Day event, and coach individuals and families—witnessing firsthand how food can truly be medicine, transforming lives from the inside out.
To deepen my knowledge and better serve others, I first became a Certified Nutrition Educator through Dr. Fuhrman’s Nutrition Education Institute in 2020, followed by certification as a 2B Mindset weight-loss mentor.
In Fall of 2022 I earned Master Certification as a Health & Wellness Coach through the Dr. Sears Wellness Institute and in April 2023 I became a nationally Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach.
Now that our sons are grown, I have more time to dedicate to supporting clients on their wellness journeys. Although I’m based in Eastern Oregon, I also work with clients worldwide through online coaching. Guiding individuals and small groups in embracing a holistic, sustainable approach to wellness—one that weaves together whole-food nutrition, physical activity, positive relationships, and restorative self-care to cultivate lifelong health.
One of the key principles of Lifestyle Medicine is the power of connection. Our physical, mental, and emotional well-being is deeply influenced by the quality of our relationships. We can reinforce and sustain healthy behaviors—together!
To deepen my knowledge and better serve others, I first became a Certified Nutrition Educator through Dr. Fuhrman’s Nutrition Education Institute in 2020, followed by certification as a 2B Mindset weight-loss mentor.
In Fall of 2022 I earned Master Certification as a Health & Wellness Coach through the Dr. Sears Wellness Institute and in April 2023 I became a nationally Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach.
Now that our sons are grown, I have more time to dedicate to supporting clients on their wellness journeys. Although I’m based in Eastern Oregon, I also work with clients worldwide through online coaching. Guiding individuals and small groups in embracing a holistic, sustainable approach to wellness—one that weaves together whole-food nutrition, physical activity, positive relationships, and restorative self-care to cultivate lifelong health.
One of the key principles of Lifestyle Medicine is the power of connection. Our physical, mental, and emotional well-being is deeply influenced by the quality of our relationships. We can reinforce and sustain healthy behaviors—together!
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The joy of being able to do everything I’ve ever dreamed of—for myself and with my family—because I am healthy, strong, and resilient, is truly immeasurable.
