Like many of you, I've struggled with various aspects of mental health and I have witnessed the struggle of others with mental health and/or addictions. I have even struggled with my weight since the age of 8 and struggled with my own disordered eating and self worth. So, from someone that as gone through the path of mental health, weight shame and addiction.. it's pretty clear and safe to say...  

​

I truly get where you are coming from...

​

Sobriety, depression, anxiety, fatigue, body aches, pains, weight... and unhealthy cycles of guilt with food and my body is something I am familiar with. In all my years, I have learned to be a little unconventional and not to believe in a one-size-fits-everyone mindset regarding health and healing journeys. These life experiences have shaped my outlook and views on life, bringing me to a path of healing and happiness, not just for myself, my family, and my friends but also for YOU!

 

My Story 

Life hasn't and isn't always easy. You never know who or when someone will receive a mental health diagnosis or a confidence sabotaging talk from a doctor or parent or family member concerning weight, which both can be genetics or situational. I have seen both sides of the coin from an early age from mental health to addictions to disordered eating.  

​I have always known I had depression, anxiety, and all the signs and symptoms that accompany it before being diagnosed, but it wasn't discussed in my house. I also experienced teasing and bullying for my weight at a young age of 8.  Both my parents and my sibling, along with numerous family members, also had signs and symptoms of mental health from OCD, depression, anxiety, and/or some form of addiction (i.e., drugs, alcohol, or food restriction) plus weight and body dysphoria. 

 

I drank to relieve the anxiety, especially in social situations, to help remove my self-hate for my body and "loosen" the hold that anxiety had, so I could go out and be social. I would also restrict my foods in the attempt to fit in and mold my body more towards the appeasing "thin" idealism that society has. I was misdiagnosed for years pertaining to my health and mental health conditions but eventually I found out that I have PCOS and Hashimoto's, which are interconnected with mental health and weight. These diagnoses taught me why my emotions, feelings, and body were reacting the way they were to food and movement. It's freeing when you learn about the underlying reasons, and the whys of depression, anxiety, food restriction, food binging and beyond that occur in one's life. 

 

If it weren't for my journey, I wouldn't be here today working in the health and wellness field of nutrition and coaching. I knew there had to be another way than struggling in silence, and there is. It's been a long road to this discovery, and at times I wasn't sure I would make it, but here I am 20 plus years later from when I took the first step towards healing and my own recovery. I have learned that it takes a community of support and understanding to overcome life's hurdles and that there is no shame in asking for support. 

​

Today, I use the knowledge that I have learned in school. My own experiences in helping adults with mental health diagnoses that include sobriety, depression, and anxiety, disordered eating, eating disorders, along with relieving symptoms such as fatigue, skin issues, and body aches and pains while helping them to regain a healthier relationship with food and body as a clinical nutritionist and coach in Hagerstown, Maryland and in various other areas across the world. 

 

The bottom line is… you are not supposed to feel exhausted, hungry, or alone in your journey. There is so much you can do to help support your body and come out thriving!

​

No matter where you are... I'm here for you! The best way to get started is by booking a free 20-minute discovery call or chat to discuss your current concerns and future goals. Click below to book that call or chat now!