In 2005, my step-mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. Watching her go through that journey was painful. Filled with anger, sadness, and a ton of questions - I started to read more, listen more, research more, and ask more questions to every doctor I met.
*My mom always said I asked waaaay too many questions, so this was even more!
In 2015, my personal health hit a breaking point. Debilitating migraines had become a regular occurrence, forcing me to call off work and spend days in agony.
It was then that a friend introduced me to alternative holistic approaches, opening my eyes to a world of possibilities I never knew existed. As I dove into this new paradigm, I discovered hidden culprits affecting not only my health but also that of my family.
My love for Bath & Body Works, with its enticing wallflowers and candles, unknowingly triggered allergies and wreaked havoc on our bodies. The shift from this discovery sparked a series of changes – from the products we used to clean our home to our skincare routine and even the scents and products we surrounded ourselves with daily.
In 2019, a pivotal moment occurred when I chose to remove my birth control, revealing a tumor in my left breast.
Years of exposure to hormone-disrupting chemicals and stress had taken a toll on my body.
Despite the scare, the tumor turned out to be benign, prompting me to intensify my focus on emotional and nutritional well-being.
In 2023, we proudly opened a local space "Happy Hangout" designed to serve, encourage, educate, and empower women. And I began my official coursework through the Integrative Health Institute to become a certified health practitioner.
While we were prepping for our grand opening, we could tell something was NOT right with my Dad.
After several visits to various doctors, specialists, and tests/labs - we received a diagnosis.