My Poopism™ Story
This cute baby (me) was chronically constipated throughout childhood, relying on enemas and coffee in my bottle as remedies to help me poop.
You can say, I was destined to start a health and wellness company, because my poop curiosity started when I ate literal sh*t out of the toilet when I was a toodler. Now that I have your attention, I’ve been on a digestive wellness journey for over 34+ years (no, not because I ate poop as a toddler), but because I’ve lived with constipation, gastritis, anemia, ADHD, allergies (food, medicine, environmental), and a diagnosed MTHFR gene mutation in 2024.
You see my ‘New Years Resolution’ in 2024 was simple: prioritize my health and start putting myself first. Little did I know, that resolution would start a health revolution that changed my entire life. My wellness company manifested during a pivotal moment in my health that ultimately led me to resign from a career that I loved. For years, I had been silently battling with gut health issues that impacted my mental, physical and emotional wellness. I spent many years labeling my symptoms as:
“Oh, I’m always cold and out of breath, I have anemia,” but never took iron.
“I need a little pick-me-upper to help this migraine and low energy,” and buys coffee or espresso multiple times throughout the day. “
My space is always messy and I lose stuff, because my ADHD is flared up,” then moves on to next task…
This pattern of ‘missing’ the signs started in childhood with misdiagnosed ADHD, chronic constipation and stomach pain, picky eating, and social anxiety. In 2021, my painful gut symptoms began to show up more frequently and brought with it memories from my childhood struggles and hospitalization.
And, then 2024 brought me…
Hospitalization for testing and observation for ongoing health issues: chronic migraines, weakness, loss of appetite, loss of hearing, loss of energy. Hope and faith for better days were the silver lining I kept my eyes on.
A complete physical breakdown and manifestation and of my illness with chronic daily migraines, panic attacks, fatigue, shortness of breath, and loss of appetite. Over the years, I had been using a blend of naturopathic and conventional methods to remedy my symptoms. While, I was unhappy with the care I received with my primary doctors, I was also not focused enough with the health plans alternative medicine offered me. That all changed January 2024, when I couldn’t walk up a flight of stairs without gasping for air or watching my melanated skin wash into a pale gray. I was at my lowest point, just barely making it day by day, when a physical therapist from a local functional medicine clinic crossed my path and recommended I make an appointment. I was so desperate to feel well again, I scheduled a consultation with a functional medicine doctor. However, I was so burnt out and sick, I didn’t have the energy to process the information or even start the care plan she created. So I waited until I felt better.
Better never arrived…
As the weeks progressed, I became sicker and began to experience hearing loss. At this point, I had loss every ounce of energy in my body, the desire to eat, motivation to get up in the morning, and my hearing. This loss ultimately led me to a local ER doctor (thank you Dr. Oosterban) that gave me the care and compassion I desperately needed. A medical leave from work saved my life and led to building a great care team (thank you Dr. Manihilova, Dr. Mike, Jeff, Dr. Harris, Teresa, and loved ones) who help me begin the process of deep healing, restoration, and living a renewed life.
First day of wellness program to help me heal my chronic illness and navigate a medical leave of absence from work.
And, that’s when better arrived…
As I slowed down and took time to rest, reflect, and reset. I was able to work with my functional health doctor to undergo the testing and treatment plan that ultimately uncovered the answers to why I was feeling sick and not getting better. My wellness journey taught me that getting ‘better’ is more than a yearly physical, ‘as needed’ mindful techniques, taking vitamins, and eating well. My journey towards whole self healing began with radical acceptance that I needed help and an openness to receive supportive care.
Investing fully into a health plan ultimately saved my life and inspired me start a wellness company to help people get organized, set a clear vision, and have one-on-one support as they navigate their healing journey…
With over 15+ years of experience navigating the healthcare system and holistic alternative medicine (with and without insurance), navigating college life, balancing relationships, building a professional career, and ADULTing. I am passionate about helping others navigate the complexities and taboo topic of maintaining a healthy gut life, while managing the impacts of how our lifestyle, stress, diet, and genetics play a role in our physical, mental, and emotional lives. Together with empowering one-on-one coaching you will experience healing, feel supported, learn new information and resources, uncover what’s holding you back, and develop an effective care plan to ease the strain on the relationship you have with your gut to optimize your overall health. Let’s help you flow through life with ease and poopsperity!
And, 8 months after leaving my career, being hospitalized, completing a wellness program, and continuing my healing journey as an IIN Health Coach.
I am pictured here traveling through Europe for 20 days - on a bold adventure of discovering and learning cutting edge research on the gut-brain axis in Amsterdam, Netherlands and London, England.
