Meet your guide.

THIS IS MY STORY.

If we do not slow down, our body will for us—even a doctor cannot escape this reality. My body sent me a clear message that it needed a break when I developed a thyroid disorder. Initially, I felt disempowered and frustrated because I thought I was doing everything “right” to be healthy: eating a whole-food diet, exercising, and taking supplements. At the time my only remedy was to double down these efforts to make my diet more strict, increase the supplements, and push myself to exercise more. But instead of making me feel better, those endeavors left me feeling worse. I waved a white flag and admitted defeat that I—a medical doctor with a nutrition degree and training in integrative medicine—could not help myself. 

In a fateful turn of events, one of my patient's moms shared her sister’s story that led me on my own path to healing: ultimately it was a patient who helped the doctor! Essentially her sister found ways to manage her stress response and allow her body the rest it needed to heal itself. That conversation was a revelation for me. I realized that I had been solely fixated on the physical, rather than taking a more holistic, mind-body approach. Learning about nervous system dysregulation explained my symptoms and why my condition worsened when I added more pressure with an intense lifestyle. 

As a pediatrician, I have always encouraged moms to "fill their cups because you can't pour from an empty cup." Yet, I must confess that I failed to follow my advice until I reached a point of burnout and physical distress. In hindsight, I am grateful my body sent me that message. I decided to listen and take action to start prioritizing myself. And when I did start filling my cup I witnessed remarkable transformations within myself and my family. I realized that by taking care of my own needs, I became part of the SOLUTION rather than the PROBLEM.