my story
I had a pretty rough ride throughout my 20s. I had a really stressful relationship with my body and with food - in short, it felt like they genuinely both hated me and I blamed them for it. Whatever I ate resulted in an extremely uncomfortable 6-month-preggo bloated belly, sharp stabbing pains, nausea and multiple trips to the loo... and that was before it got 'bad'.
For years I saw doctor after doctor, yet after waiting months for appointments all of my tests would come back ‘normal’ and I'd be sent away with painkillers. It felt hopeless. I was totally miserable. It felt like my illness was taking over my life. Not only was I overhauling my diet each week, but I was spending thousands of pounds on appointments, tests and supplements, for my symptoms just to get worse and more widespread.
My symptoms went on to include; insane fatigue (my whole body felt like lead), muscle aches, brain fog, mood swings, headaches, skin breakouts, rashes, painful restless legs, weight gain and hair thinning. By the time I started to trial alternative therapies (homeopathy, gut directed hypnotherapy, naturopaths, TCM, acupuncture, Reiki - I tried it all!), my symptoms had become so chronic I was struggling to walk down the street and brush my own hair. My list of 'safe' foods was non existent. I was physically and mentally exhausted.
I had hit rock bottom. I wasn’t sleeping, I was depressed, overwhelmed and my anxiety was sky high – I couldn’t even make simple decisions anymore. I shut myself off from my friends. I felt totally lost. It was like nobody was listening to me and nobody understood. Doctors were supposed to fix you, they were supposed to help you – if they couldn’t who could?! I was sick of telling my friends and family I didn’t feel well and that no, the doctors haven’t found anything. I started to feel like I was going mad. Maybe it was in my head? My glow had most definitely left the building and I was almost too tired to even care.
By some miracle, after a move to Aus, I was finally given a diagnosis. Turns out I did in fact have quite a lot wrong. They uncovered a parasite, H Pylori, SIBO, leaky gut, chronic inflammation, hormonal balances, adrenal fatigue and chronic fatigue. I since went on to discover I also had a hiatus hernia. Quite the hot mess!
At this point, following my own wealth of research, I decided I’d become as knowledgeable as most of the ‘experts’ I was talking to, so I took my health into my own hands and enrolled at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN). Health and wellbeing was something that I had become incredibly passionate about and I'd made up my mind that I didn’t want anyone else to suffer needlessly, like I did. If I could study and fix myself, I was sure I could help fix others too.
Fast forward to today, I’m a different person. By adopting mindful behaviours and habits, along with nourishing my body with the right foods and types of movement, embracing a compassionate and curious mindset and ditching judgement and restriction, I’ve managed to totally transform my wellbeing and outlook on life. I didn’t stick a plaster over the problem, I didn’t accept an average life, I did the work every single day and I got to the crux, the root cause of my issues.
I’m now full of energy, I have a new lease on life and anything feels possible. I enjoy food again, I no longer have food fear, I prioritise my own happiness and ‘me time’. I’ve broken up with people pleasing - ‘Perfect’ is no longer in my vocabulary. I move my body because it feels good, not to burn calories.. and my inner 'mean girl' is getting way quieter!
I’m by no means perfect, life happens and like everyone I slip up here and there. I’m human and I’m always learning, but it’s how you respond that truly matters - that’s where the shift is the most life changing and where genuine transformation takes place.
Are you feeling stuck, like no one is listening to you and no one gets it? Overwhelmed, uninspired and exhausted by life and your mysterious health issues? Maybe you can’t quite put your finger on it.. but you’re pretty convinced life isn’t supposed to be this hard.
Get in touch and book in for an initial chat with me! I can’t wait to help you wake up full of energy for life again, to take back control of you health and happiness and get your GLOW back - if I can do it, so can you!
With Love, Katie x
