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 Practitioner Institute to become a Certified Integrative Health Practitioner. Graduated in 2024 with Level 1 and in 2025 with Level 2.
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.