Like most stories of transformation, I had to rise from the ashes.

In fact, I’m still rising.

I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason.

Even the horrible, scary, awful stuff you sometimes wish never happened.

Because eventually you’ll be shown the purpose of those dark days.

Always remember, if you are brave enough, patient enough and willing to do the tough work.

You’ll learn how the shadows are helping you to rise into your greatness.

Vulnerability became my strength.  

After a decade working in a successful private practice as a psychotherapist, I was forced to close my counseling doors.

My life crisis slammed in full force.

I was already dealing with a handful of health challenges; migraines, IBS, rosacea and other quirky health issues, but they were manageable.

-Until tragedy struck.

My brother, my only sibling, died just three weeks after my grandmother had passed away.

My body-mind-spirit began to crumble.

My health took a major nosedive as the grief expressed itself through my body magnifying every vulnerability.

My health issues worsened and the Lyme disease that had been dormant for over 20 years returned with a vengeance progressing to an almost Parkinson’s like presentation.

Then strange symptoms that land you on TLC’s Mystery Diagnosis appeared.

Food sensitivities, a “leaky gut” and a rare form of malnutrition took my naturally slender body to a sickly 93 pounds even though I was beginning to eat all the “right” foods.

This is the stuff that makes traditional doctors give you that “crazy woman” look.

I certainly wasn’t crazy, but my body WAS in crisis.

After not getting anywhere helpful with traditional medicine, I put years of studying alternative and integrative health care to some carefully tested work.

I became a woman on a mission.  I became my science experiment.

I made significant changes to my daily routine, and I kept a detailed diary of everything I did; when I went to bed, woke up, what I ate and what I allowed in my environment.

I replaced all plastic food containers with glass, tossed out all regular makeup and hair products filled with chemicals and purchased only natural and organic products instead.

I began nasal rinsing and incorporated Ayurveda (a 3,000-year-old Indian life science) creating my daily self-care routine “Dinacharya.”

I purchased organic foods and ate “clean” avoiding gluten, dairy, sugar, alcohol, and processed foods altogether.

I walked, practiced yoga, mindfulness meditations, guided relaxation, and affirmations daily.

My healing journey didn’t end overnight.

My health continued to change for the better. Little by little over time.

Within a few years, I had gained and maintained most of the weight I had lost when malnourished.

As fast as the Lyme symptoms appeared, they went into remission.

I work with my mind-body-spirit every day.

I have no illusions of perfect health.

I listen to my body, and I try my best to honor what it asks of me.

Sometimes I bend my rules, and my body tells me who’s boss.

-This is the story of why I do this work.

Work born from the shadows.

Now into the light.

I’m compelled to leave an inspirational, loving and healing mark in this world.

I want to help others on their journey to mind-body-spirit wellness.

-This is my purpose, my story.

And for now, I’m sticking to it.