My (Honest) Health Story (A Neurological Mess) and Why I Became a Health Coach

How many of you have a story of searching for a mystery illness(es) and spent years going from doctor to doctor trying to find answers? I'm sure many of you! I want to share my honest health story with you for support, or inspiration, or just a real life human story. We all have a story...

I've overcome a lot and I've also not. Some things are incurable. Some things are well managed. Some things are recovered.

Let me just start by sharing with you all of my diagnosis. Why? Because I want to be honest with you. I'm not trying to sell my services based on a lie that I have cured myself. Because I definitely haven't!

I will share these in chronological order based on the year diagnosed:

2008 (age 19, almost 20 years old) Bipolar Disorder type 2

2012 (age 24) Functional Neurological Disorder and C-PTSD

2013 (age 25) Endometriosis

2016 (age 28) Post Concussion Syndrome

2024 (age 36) Dysautonomia (Orthostatic Intolerance and Orthostatic Hypotension) with worsening Post Concussion Syndrome, chronic fatigue, Occipital Neuralgia, vestibular dysfunction (chronic dizziness), chronic headaches

In 2020 I started using a cane. In 2024 I started using a rollator. And, finally in December 2024 I got my own custom manual wheelchair with a smart drive motor attachment.

I have been hospitalized a few times and had 7 major surgeries - 5 of them abdominal.

Yes I do take pharmaceuticals. I take the smallest amount possible while using my skills and knowledge of natural healing modalities.

I have been through a lot. I'm sure you have, as well! Life is full of unpredictable events and there's no way to know what will happen in our future.

With all the challenges I have been through I wanted to find any way I could to keep from getting worse and to help others. I became a Pilates teacher and focused on those with injuries mostly. I became a dancer and choreographer for my local dance company, MOMENTA, and worked with dancers with disabilities and even danced myself with disabilities. I don't really participate anymore due to my health getting worse in 2022 to present day.

My life changed drastically in June 2022 when I had my 7th concussion (I think it was 7?)

My life would never be the same as I knew it. For 2.5 years I went from doctor to doctor from treatment to treatment. Something was wrong with me. I knew it wasn't my typical concussion. Something changed in my body and brain. I developed more conditions and finally found diagnoses from a neurologist!

I started the health coach training program in March 2024 after my husband inspired me to continue my education in health. It was hard while trying to manage my symptoms but I did it. I have a passion for healthy living. I feel like being intentional about what we put into our bodies and how we spend our time is very important in how it will affect our day to day living and health. I don't like feeling bad. I have no days where I'm symptom free. I really don't like it. But, if I do what my body needs and listen to my intuition and educate myself I can have a decrease in symptoms on some days.

I'm better than I was in June 2022. Even 6 months ago. Inflammation is a major factor here. And, sleep. Oh sleep.... I've never had good sleep. But, changing my mindset and working on my multidimensional health has made it better, with some medication for my mental illnesses.

What is my day like? Well I lie in bed for an hour or two sometimes before I get up. I hydrate immediately with lemon juice and pink himalayan salt in cold water. I eat a well balanced breakfast. I sit with my dog in the sun, if there is any sun. I chat with my husband. I listen to calm music. Some days I do a couple minutes of breathing. Then I wait until I feel more awake and try to do small amounts of movement or some reading and education. I rest for a while and then make lunch. I rest for a while and maybe do some more education or music. I do some meditation and if I feel up to it I do a tiny bit more movement. Then I relax before dinner. After dinner I relax with my husband and dog. Sometimes I go out to the store in my wheelchair. I like going out. I may teach a Pilates lesson or do a health coaching session depending on the days. This is a typical good day. Oh, I also have a few small healthy snacks. And, chocolate. Oh I also go to my wholistic chiropractor weekly.

On bad days, well... I rest mostly. I eat and hydrate as best I can. I work on my mindset. This is MAJOR.

Here's my full honest story. I believe that taking care of myself in all aspects of health is crucial for maintaining a level of functioning so I don't get worse and fall into a hole of depression and severe symptoms. This includes mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual.

What I do will be different than you. Even if we have the same diagnosis.

I'm here to help others with their lives. We want to be in control. There are some things we cannot control.

But, we can control our actions and our intentions. We can change our mindset. We CAN live better even with uncertainty.

Thanks for reading my story. I'd love to hear about yours. Please share if you feel like it!