Learn how I transformed my stressed-out, diseased body into a healthy, happy one...
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My Journey:
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Doctors told me there were no cures for my health issues and that I would have to live on medications the rest of my life. But, they were WRONG!!!
My ailments consisted of asthma, allergies, eczema, irritable bowel syndrome, acid reflux, developing ulcers, chronic PMS and irregular periods, arthritis, tendinitis, chronic fatigue, insomnia, sugar cravings, coffee addiction…I was a mess…and all this by my mid 20’s. With cancer, auto-immune, and heart disease in my family, I feared any one of these was just around the corner for me, too.
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It all began in early childhood. As product of divorce, sexual abuse and a transient life, I was left wide open for disease. Emotional dis-ease coupled with the Standard American Diet (SAD) and environmental toxins left me plagued with symptom after symptom. Western medicine could not fix me. I had a cabinet full of medications, none of which addressed the core issues.
In 1995, I became pregnant with my first child (although I was also helping raise my then 8-year-old step-son). Being pregnant, I made significant changes to my diet and environment, so that I would have a healthy baby. While doing so, I personally felt better than I had my entire life. Unfortunately, I reverted back to my old ways a year later when I stopped breastfeeding.
Three years after my second child was born (2002), my life changed forever. My then three-year-old son had an acute case of ADHD. He was unfocused, hyperactive and extremely aggressive when aggravated. At just three years old, he was expelled from his Montessori preschool for attacking his teacher. I'm sure you can imagine how upset and concerned I was! After many tears, and knowing his behavior was my responsibility, I made some very significant changes.
I delved deeply into research and found a lot of evidence to support the link between diet and behavior -- specifically with regard to ADD/ADHD. I decided I was going to follow this "plan" to detox my son, and do so with 100% diligence. Within just three weeks of changing his diet, he was like a new person. Although he did have some behavioral patterns that needed to be corrected, he was virtually a "normal" child again. For about six months following, we went to a child psychologist to help us create new communication patterns, and later discovered he also had some food sensitivities and lead toxicity that were interfering with his cognitive ability.
Through this journey with my son, my own health began to improve. My acid reflux, eczema, insomnia, cravings and coffee addiction were all eliminated via good food and quality supplements. However, I knew I would need more than good food to undo all the damage done to my body. Therefore, I began seeing various natural health practitioners and was able to completely eliminate nearly all my symptoms. I spent the next several years working with Acupuncturists, Energy Healers, Massage Therapists, Naturopaths, and other Holistic Health practitioners to fine-tune my body, rebuild my digestive system and bring my immune system back to full capacity. This involved removing toxic heavy metals and yeast overgrowth, cleansing my body and stimulating my immune system and organ functions. It was not an easy task; but one well worth the time and money spent on the journey.
Because I have had to pay for most of my treatments out-of-pocket, it has been important for me and my family to view this as an investment in my health versus an expense. There is no price that can be put on the value of life, nor the quality of it. Today, I am a much different person than when I started my healing journey. I have not only regained my health and vitality; but I am happier, more joyful and have a positive outlook on life. I am a better mother, wife, friend and daughter and am more focused and productive. I have a deep sense of gratitude for who I am and where I've been, and understand my struggles allowed me to learn and grow as a human being.
Today, I use my own journey, combined with my Holistic Health and Nutrition education, to assist others in becoming happier, healthier, more productive individuals. I know that together, we can achieve anything! I am living proof!!!
Me in 1st grade with my silver tooth. It was a spacer used to maintain the gap where I knocked out my baby tooth when I was a year old.
In 1995, when I was nine months pregnant with my daughter.
Family picture in 2001, taken shortly after 9-11, when I started my healing journey.
Biography
As an international speaker, best-selling author and Board-Certified Health Coach, I've had the pleasure of working with thousands of people to create healthier habits. Whether it’s your career, personal life or general well-being you want to improve, I help people identify gaps that are keeping them from living their best life and apply practical techniques to maximize mental, physical and emotional well-being.
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Having had great success in the corporate world, including serving as Director of Nutrition for a world-renown supplement company, as well as in owning my own business, I have a deep understanding of the challenges faced when trying to balance a career and personal life. And, because I endured sexual abuse as a child, a transient life, and multiple physical challenges, I also understand how adversity can affect daily performance and well-being. For much of my life I felt like life was controlling me instead of me controlling my life. I simply needed to 1) shift my thinking and 2) change my habits.
Since 2001, I've uncovered many tools and techniques to help shift human consciousness and adopt healthy habits, so that we can get out of our own way and start living a more abundant life -- one that feels successful in all areas (relationships, career, spirituality, self-esteem and physical health). I have a passion for inspiring others to take charge of their lives, empowering them with the education they need to make informed decisions and activating their internal motivation to take action toward creating a magnificent life.
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ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
I have a Bachelor of Science in Business Management (honors) and am certified as a Health Coach by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP). Some of my teachers included Dr. Walter Willet (Chairman of Nutrition at Harvard School of Public Health), Dr. David Katz (Director of the Yale Prevention Research Center), Dr. Mark Hyman (Director of the Cleveland Center for Functional Medicine), Dr. Bruce Lipton (Biologist and expert in epigenetics), Dr. Neil Barnard (Founder of the Physicians committee for Responsible Medicine), David Wolf (raw food expert), Marion Nestle (former Paulette Goddard professor of nutrition, food studies and public health at New York University), Dr. Deepak Chopra (Ayurvedic and alternative medicine expert and former Chief of Medicine at New England Memorial Hospital) and Dr. Mehmet Oz (Emmy award wining show host and American cardiologist). I continue to learn from a wide variety of experts around the world and broaden my knowledge of various aspects of health.
I am the founder of YOUnique Nutrition™ and Healthy Habits Academy™, the creator of several self-help programs, and the author of the best-selling book “Nutrition for Success – How to Maximize Performance in All Areas of Life” and “I’d Rather Scrub Toilets than Cook – Tips to Getting In and Out of the Kitchen Quickly.” I have been seen and heard on television and radio stations across the globe and quoted in numerous publications, including being a regular columnist in Mesa Living. I served on the Board of Directors for EarthWell, National Association of Women Business Owners, Park City Women in Business and Toastmasters International and have volunteered for and provided financial support for many different organizations over the years.
I currently reside in Park City, Utah with my husband and dog, Rocky. Our children are grown and we have a wonderful granddaughter who lives close by...my pride and joy! My favorite thing to do is dance, and I used to do choreography and perform for the Intel Benefit Show when I worked there many years ago. I love nature, people and exploring the world. So far, I've been to twenty-one different countries, plus the Hawaiian islands. The world is an incredible place, as are the people in it! Connecting is important to me. Not only do I enjoy connecting with others, but I also enjoy connecting others with one another. I believe we can all do something to make the world a better place and strive to do this everyday.
