Growing up, I was always full of energy and movement. At just two years old, I began gymnastics and Gojū-Ryu karate, and I continued gymnastics for 11 years. Along the way, I dabbled in multiple martial arts like Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, and wrestling, always craving that challenge and physical growth. By the end of my junior year in high school, I decided to take my fitness seriously. I was inspired by fitness athletes I followed on Instagram—back then, it was still a new platform—and I wanted not only to get fit myself but also to help others do the same.
However, that visibility came with its challenges. In 2013, many girls at my high school bullied me online, especially on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Comments like, “She’s such an attention whore,” and “She’s embarrassing herself,” were common. I tried not to let it affect me, especially because so many positive messages came in from people saying my posts inspired them to live healthier lives. Yet, the words still stung. Even while helping others, I often questioned myself and my worth.
After high school, I followed the path many people take: I put my passions aside and took a stable job working for someone else. I went into sales, which brought its own set of obstacles. The toxic environment—from both the company and clients—took a serious toll on my mental health, and my body bore the brunt. Between 2014 and 2018, I gained more than 85 pounds. I struggled with binge eating as a way to cope with stress and emotional exhaustion, while watching my boyfriend seemingly eat anything he wanted without gaining a pound. I’d often tell him, “This time, I’m going to the gym, I’m going to eat healthy, no more fast food!” And while he supported me, I would cave and fall back into old habits. I slowly realized that no amount of encouragement from someone else could replace my own accountability. I had to take ownership of my health and my body.
In search of a job with a steady schedule, I obtained my medical assistant certification and began working at a dialysis clinic. For those unfamiliar, dialysis is required when both kidneys fail and can no longer filter fluids and toxins. Many of the patients had kidney failure caused by hypertension or diabetes—conditions largely preventable with diet and exercise. Others were dealing with genetic predispositions. Listening to patients share their regrets about the choices that led them there was eye-opening. I learned more about health in that job than I could have imagined. Most importantly, I realized how much our medical system focuses on treating symptoms rather than addressing the root causes of illness.
Yet, despite seeing these warnings firsthand, I continued neglecting my own health. I told myself I was too busy, too young, or that illness simply wouldn’t happen to me. I struggled daily with acid reflux, heartburn, headaches, gas, bloating, skin irritations, and persistent acne along my cheeks and jawline. Over-the-counter medications, countless skincare routines, and ibuprofen brought little relief. I convinced myself these were just normal symptoms, manageable without making meaningful changes.
Everything changed one night in June 2018. I was lying in bed scrolling through my phone when my left hand went numb. Adjusting it didn’t help; the numbness traveled up my arm and eventually reached the left side of my face. Terrified, I whispered to my boyfriend, “I think I just had a stroke.” After a year working in healthcare, I recognized the signs and knew this was serious.
We went to urgent care, and initially, I felt fine. But over the next few hours, a sharp pain developed on the right side of my head, and numbness returned—this time on my right side. When it reached my face, I couldn’t speak correctly. The doctor asked, “Can you tell me your name?” I tried, but only jumbled words came out. Panic set in. How could I not say my own name? Eventually, the symptoms subsided, but I endured one of the most intense migraines of my life, with a blinding zig-zag aura behind my eye. I was diagnosed with a hemiplegic migraine and given a “cocktail” of medications I had never taken before—Robaxin, Promethazine, and Benadryl.
In the following days, I researched everything I could about hemiplegic migraines. They are usually genetic, starting early in life, and it was highly unusual for someone with no migraine history to experience them suddenly. Doctors confirmed my experience was atypical but offered little guidance. At a follow-up appointment, my primary care provider dismissed my concerns, stating, “You’re young, it’s not something we are worried about,” though I insisted on an MRI and a neurology referral. The MRI took over a month, during which I lived with constant anxiety and right-sided headaches, unsure how to prevent a recurrence. The MRI revealed nothing abnormal aside from scar tissue, leaving me searching for solutions.
My grandmother suggested seeing her naturopath, Dr. Caryn Potenza. I didn’t know what a naturopath was at the time, but my grandmother explained she would run a blood test to identify foods my body couldn’t tolerate. I soon learned the profound connection between gut health, digestion, hormones, and overall wellness. Foods my body couldn’t digest were causing stress on my adrenal glands, affecting mental health, skin, body composition, and reproductive health.
By July 2018, I began taking my health seriously. I started avoiding fast food, increasing my protein intake, and exercising 30 minutes a day. By August, I weighed 222 pounds. I noticed some improvements—less frequent acid reflux and reduced migraine intensity—but digestion and hormonal issues persisted, along with worsening acne. An esthetician noticed my jawline acne and asked, “Have you been diagnosed with PCOS?” This sparked anxiety, and I immediately scheduled testing with my OB/GYN. Elevated testosterone confirmed PCOS. Despite a 20-pound weight loss by October, doctors offered birth control as a solution, dismissing my desire to address the root cause.
I refused to give up. The wait for Dr. Potenza’s appointment felt excruciating, but when the day arrived, the experience was transformative. For the first time, I felt my concerns were valid. Dr. Potenza reviewed my medical history, performed exams, and ran blood tests. Within days, I received a personalized report identifying foods my body could not properly digest—potato, soy, ginger, and certain sugar/fruit combinations. This knowledge completely changed how I approached nutrition.
I committed to a whole foods diet, avoiding processed ingredients, additives, and anything my body couldn’t tolerate. I learned that clean eating and mindful product use could impact my hormones, mental health, skin, and overall well-being. Over time, my migraines disappeared, acne cleared, digestion improved, and hormonal symptoms diminished. There were no quick fixes—only consistent lifestyle changes, patience, and dedication.
Empowered by my journey, I wanted to help others. I became a NASM Certified Personal Trainer, earned a nutrition certification, and in early 2020 launched Lift & Heal Personal Training and Nutrition, helping women with PCOS and hormonal imbalances reclaim their health.
It’s been over a year and a half since my emergency room experience. I’ve lost 75 pounds, remained migraine-free, and rebuilt my life around wellness rather than diagnoses. Most importantly, I’ve reclaimed control of my health and confidence, proving that even in the face of setbacks, knowledge, persistence, and self-belief can transform a life.
