MY STORY - We all like to lead with our strengths. But, how we arrive at those strengths is where the real story begins. My strengthening journey began in 2013. While trekking through Argentina, which was supposed to be a trip of a lifetime, I suddenly began to experience debilitating fatigue, brain fog, and GI distress. I pushed through my discomfort for the duration of the trip but immediately met with my doctor upon returning home to New York City. Inconclusive results led to weeks, and then months of testing and specialists visits only to result in more questions than answers. No matter where I went doctors couldn't understand how I went from being a healthy 34-year-old to someone who needed help walking up a flight of stairs in a matter of months. 

In 2014, a breakthrough came from a functional medicine doctor who explained that I was suffering from a late-stage infection of Lyme Disease. Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transferred from a tick bite that, when gone undiagnosed, can wreak havoc on your GI, Immune, and Nervous systems. More than a simple turning point, that discovery was an introduction to what would become a 10-year journey of healing and self-discovery. 

Finding Purpose

With very little guidance and support but a tremendous amount of determination, I began to work toward restoring my health. With my limited energy and physical capacity, I threw myself into studying, researching, and investigating every possible protocol and treatment option that I hoped could help me recover and get my life back. As the months turned to years, I had times of tremendous success followed by times of frustrating setbacks. It felt like I was on a perpetual rollercoaster that would never end. Finally, after a very low point, I slowed down and took time to develop a long-term, holistic strategy I could build on and track in a clear way. I started to see and feel gradual and sustained changes. The phrase, "it's a marathon, not a sprint", became my daily mantra. In those darker times, I also discovered a deeper purpose in my journey, a desire to help others avoid the challenges, pitfalls, and setbacks I encountered along the way. I was ultimately drawn to health coaching because it gave me the tools and skills to be a catalyst for change and growth in other people's lives. 

Guiding Wellness

I know what it's like to live in that vulnerable place where your only connection to your body is through pain, discomfort, or illness. I also know how it feels to work through that and come back from it to reclaim your health. My coaching is informed by my training as a Certified Health Coach (ADAPT), my Bachelor degrees Chemistry and Kinesiology, and most importantly by my lived experience. All this to say I have a more extensive tool kit to help my clients achieve their health goals. I help support, motivate, and ultimately guide others through their own healing process, no matter how big or small. The foundational step to my approach is improving Gut Health and Gut Function first and foremost.

If there is one thing I have learned along the way, there is no one-size-fits-all solution to "optimal" health. As your coach, we work together to tap into your own strengths, skills, and fortitude to move you forward. Always focused on the values, strengths, and motivations we each bring to our personal journey.

I would be honored to guide you on your journey to optimal health, empowering you to live a life that is not only full and vibrant but deeply connected to your true self and those around you. Together, we can create a personalized path to optimal health, unlocking your potential to thrive in all aspects of your life.

Let's take this first step toward transformation—reach out today, and let's start building the healthier, more fulfilled life you deserve.

In health,

Shawn