About Me (Short Story)
When I was a young teen, I was diagnosed with OCD, Major Depressive Disorder, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. By age 15, I was told I would need to be on medications for the rest of my life. A few years later I the diagnosis of PTSD and Bipolar Disorder were added to the list. For 18 years, I cycled through psychiatric drugs, and later, after a bicycle accident left me with fractured vertebrae and a traumatic brain injury, I was prescribed opiate pain medications. What began as treatment slowly turned into dependence, and I felt trapped.
Getting off both psychiatric medications and opiates was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. It was messy, isolating, and at times I wasn’t sure I’d make it through. But I did. And today, I’ve been medication-free for over 13 years.
My healing didn’t come from one single thing—it came from weaving together many practices: nourishing food, deep sleep, yoga and meditation, moving my body in ways that feel good, natural medicine, and, maybe most importantly, connection with others. Along the way, I put my autoimmune disease (celiac) into remission and built a life that feels grounded, authentic, and full of possibility.
I know what it’s like to feel hopeless, stuck, and broken. And I also know the relief and freedom that comes when healing begins to unfold. That’s why I’m so passionate about helping others find their own path forward—without wasting years in suffering the way I did.
About Me (Credentials)
I’m a Certified International Health Coach (IIN & Primal Health Institute), Yoga Informed Addiction Recovery Coach, and a Registered Nurse with nearly 30 years of experience in healthcare (serving in various roles), and I hold a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Naropa University.
But more than the titles or credentials, what I bring is lived experience. I’ve been through the darkness of mental illness, addiction, and withdrawal, and I’ve come out the other side. My passion is helping others heal their minds, bodies, and spirits—through food, lifestyle, and integrative approaches that actually work in real life.
*DISCLAIMER: I do not and will not ever recommend that you stop taking any prescription medications. I am not a doctor and I will not diagnose or treat. The information in my story and on this website should NOT be interpreted as medical advice, professional diagnosis, or treatment to you or to any other individual. This information is not intended as substitution for medical care or treatment. Always consult your primary care physician before trying out any new therapies or changing your diet.