From Fear to Freedom-My Path to Mind-Body Renewal and Vitality

Before and After Collage

Life has a way of keeping us on our toes. For years, I was a busy mom, running a business, taking care of my family, and juggling more responsibilities than I could count. With two active kids at home, managing a chiropractic office, launching my own health coaching business, and teaching classes—it was a constant whirlwind. I was exhausted.

Like so many others, I was trying to keep all the balls in the air, but underneath it all, fear and stress were constant companions.

It wasn’t until the world came to a standstill during COVID that I truly confronted the toll this fear-based living was taking on me. When my husband ended up in the hospital with COVID, our family faced a new level of uncertainty. For the first time in our lives, I wasn’t sure he was coming home. We were quarantined, and I couldn’t go to my office for a month. I had to rely on doctors and my amazing front desk team to keep things running while I managed everything remotely. The stress was immense, but amidst the chaos, I began to feel something unexpected—a shift.

It’s hard to explain, but it felt like I was returning to myself. I was stepping into my own power, reconnecting with who I truly was beyond the fear and overwhelm.

With more time at home, I found myself drawn to documentaries about food and health. The more I learned about our food system and the healthcare industry, the more frustrated I became. It was eye-opening—and angering—to realize how toxic much of our food is and how deeply it impacts our health. But that anger also ignited a determination in me.

When I watched the Forks Over Knives documentary, it changed everything. The science behind the connection between food and health was undeniable. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to understand the profound impact of their diet.

After COVID, I returned to teaching classes and sharing my spiritual journey at the office. I dove deeper into mindfulness, meditation, and learning as much as I could. While I was gaining knowledge and practicing these tools, I hadn’t yet put all the pieces together.

It was the summer of 2023, after losing my brother, that I made a life-changing commitment to myself. If I don’t have my health, what do I have? That’s when I fully embraced a Whole Food Plant-Based lifestyle.

What I didn’t realize at the time was that this was the missing link—the piece that brought together everything I had learned about health coaching, mindfulness, food as medicine, and longevity. It truly was the beginning of my mind-body renewal.

One thing I’ve always maintained is a strong morning routine. However, during COVID, with the gyms closed, I had fallen out of my workout habit. But once I adopted my Whole Food Plant-Based lifestyle, within just a week, I felt incredible—more energized, focused, and balanced than I had in years. I soon reintegrated my exercise routine, and the results were transformative.

Today, I’m 52 pounds lighter, and at 62 years old, I feel better than ever—body, mind, and spirit. But this journey was never about weight loss; it was about reclaiming my health, learning to love myself again, and taking back my life. Weight loss was simply the side effect.

The path from fear to freedom is one of self-discovery and commitment. If my story resonates with you, know that it’s never too late to make a change. Every small step toward nourishing your body and soul brings you closer to a life of balance, vitality, and peace.

Are you ready to take your first step? Let’s walk this path together.