Transformation Story Spotlights
Mel S.’s Transformation Spotlight: Heidi’s Journey to Restoring Trust in Food
I am proud to tell you about my client, Heidi, a woman who had been struggling with IBS for years. IBS, irritable bowel syndrome, is a digestive system condition that can cause abdominal pain, lethargy, both constipation and diarrhea, and bloating. It’s the type of condition that can impact your daily life, especially when it comes to eating.
Heidi is a powerhouse kind of woman. She is a mother, wife, entrepreneur, artist, creative coach, and author. She has overcome hardships in her life, turning them into passion and success. During our first session, I was blown away by her story and I thought, “how is she managing to do all of this while also struggling with her health?” Her job requires her to travel frequently, attend multiple meetings a day, and work into the evening. Needless to say, she has a full plate. However, her actual plate wasn’t full at all because there was a fear attached to food. Food had been making her sick and, understandably, she was confused about what to eat.
When I first received Heidi’s application to work with me, I sensed her feelings of hopelessness and frustration around her health. I’ve worked with many women who have lived in pain. They’ve expressed that it’s seemingly easier to live in a place of discomfort because they’re overwhelmed by the amount of information out there about health solutions. It’s understandable when you simply look at your social media feed and immediately see simultaneous contradicting posts about nutrition. As a result, people tend to isolate themselves in how they’ve been living, even if that means still struggling. Heidi could relate to this.
My practice is based on bio-individuality, the idea that everyone is biologically different and therefore requires different foods and lifestyle adjustments in order to thrive. This was the crux of my work with Heidi: determining why her specific body was having these intense reactions to food and how I could optimally support her. Why was her body rejecting most of what she ate?
Upon the beginning of our work together, Heidi expressed that she doesn’t cook at home. Instead, she ate mostly premade food from meal delivery services, restaurants, and quick grab and go options. Due to the nature of her work, Heidi was also eating on the go, not taking the time to sit down to eat. (Something I see a lot from my powerhouse clients!). When she did eat at home, she was using disposable plates and utensils, joking that it was a “college lifestyle” in her kitchen.
I strongly believe in meeting people where they are in their life. It does not work to change everything at once, nor does it help the process of change. Change is delicate and must be treated with care! Over 6 weeks, we changed one small thing at a time, swapping different premade foods solely focusing on ingredients. We found small eliminations to make. We changed the way in which Heidi was eating. She started limiting distractions during meals, taking her time, chewing well. We added mindset bits into her routine – creating positive affirmations before she ate her food. Eventually, she experimented with cooking, starting off with simple slow cooker recipes. There were some her family didn’t care for, but there were also some they requested she make again! As these changes were being made, Heidi’s digestive reactions were getting fewer and far between. She went from 5-6 IBS incidents a day, to once or twice a week. When they did occur, we established the root of the reaction and made changes accordingly. Slowly, but surely, her body began its healing process and gave her reassurance that the changes she was making were actually helping.
Sometimes, you don’t know what healing feels like until you’re experiencing it. We may think certain things we’ve tried in the past worked, but then they didn’t. Healing your body requires you to redefine your baseline. Perhaps your baseline is yet to come and until you feel that shift, everything changes. Habits you swore would never be part of your daily routine suddenly happen because they are meant to. Positive thoughts about yourself you didn’t have before are created because you feel better. Trust in your body is established because you know how to understand its cues.
Heidi didn’t give up throughout this journey of change. She learned from the times that didn’t go according to plan. She trusted me, but more importantly, she trusted herself. That alone is a huge component to her journey.
During our last meeting together, Heidi and I both were teary eyed as we relished in her newfound confidence and peace with her body. She told me she started using a regular plate and fork because she felt “worthy” of it. This, alone, was one of the best things I’ve ever heard from someone I’ve helped. She learned how to make the time to cook because it was so worth it. She started exercising again because she had the energy to! Heidi goes to a restaurant now with confidence, not concern. She feels more in control of her life. Healing has helped her show up better in all aspects of her life because health is a priority. Her story is a great reminder that the journey is the transformation.
No longer confined by her arthritis, she now finds joy in activities she once deemed impossible.
(photo courtesy of Lynn)
Mel C.’s Transformation Spotlight: From Arthritis to Adventure: Lynn's Journey to Strength and Mobility
I am thrilled to introduce you to Lynn, a woman in her early 60s who turned her painful arthritis into joyful adventure!
In her early 30s, Lynn was an avid fan of at-home workout videos. However, as the demands of raising four children took over, her own self-care took a backseat. Many of us can relate to this struggle. With a whirlwind of schedules and commitments, Lynn found herself prioritizing her children's activities over her own well-being. To make matters worse, she battled with terrible arthritis, which made most forms of exercise a painful experience. Even simple tasks like mowing the lawn or washing dishes caused additional pain, making the thought of intentional exercise seem daunting.
As her children grew and left the nest, Lynn found herself with more time on her hands and a desire to reclaim her health and vitality. Despite this desire, she continued to put off exercise for years, citing financial strain and fitness overwhelm as barriers. With options ranging from yoga to HIIT, she struggled to find a class that would suit her body and not further inflame her joint pain. Lynn opted for post-dinner walks with her husband or catching up with a friend while walking. Walking seemed manageable, while hiking remained a challenge. She often felt like she was missing out on family hikes and activities with her husband, active children and grandchildren.
Two years ago, Lynn made a commitment to herself to move her body regularly. She started working with a personal trainer who set the ground work for transformation. A year into her fitness routine, I become her fitness trainer, focusing on pain-free movement and improving flexibility, mobility, and functional movement. When we first started working together, Lynn struggled to put pressure on her wrists and joints, finding it difficult to move her body up and down from the floor.
Together, Lynn and I embarked on a journey of slow, steady progress, focusing on moving her body in a pain-free manner while gradually building strength and resilience. Through consistent, weekly sessions, Lynn discovered a newfound sense of freedom and capability in her body that she hadn't experienced in years.
Fast forward to today, and Lynn's transformation is nothing short of remarkable! No longer confined by her arthritis, she now finds joy in activities she once deemed impossible. Picture Lynn, hiking through scenic trails hand-in-hand with her husband, and believe it or not—she's rock climbing! It's a feat she never imagined she'd accomplish, but thanks to her dedication, Lynn has defied her limitations and embraced new adventures with open arms.
For Lynn, this journey wasn't just about physical transformation; it was about reclaiming her life and strengthening her bond with her husband and family through shared experiences. Through consistent, intentional steps towards better health, Lynn has not only regained control of her body but also deepened her connection with loved ones.
Lynn's story is a testament to the power of consistency, patience, and resilience. It's a reminder that true healing and transformation take time, but the rewards are immeasurable. And for me, it's stories like Lynn's that reaffirm my passion for helping others reclaim their health and live life to the fullest.
