03/02/2026
Nothing like going through old photos to ignite an unexpected inner-teenager healing journey. 🙈
In these photos, I’m 16 and at my lowest point. Every weekend, I sought escape through alcohol and ci******es. My idea of fun was getting wasted to the point of blacking out with friends. I’m not demonising this as it’s part of my story, and probably part of many people’s.
At 17, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. I was exhausted, falling asleep in class, often sick, and spent many days in bed. Yet on weekends, I appeared happy while drowning my feelings in double blacks (IYKYK). It even got to the point where an ambulance had to be called.
Teenage Maddie had no tools to navigate her health. She didn’t understand her periods, was put on the pill at 15, and got her first period without her mother around. I was completely disconnected from my feminine energy, my cycle, and myself. My throat chakra felt blocked, and I didn’t know my own voice.
Now, diagnosed with endometriosis and adenomyosis at 29, I can see how this disconnection shaped my health. That’s why I light up teaching people about menstrual cycles and helping women embrace their cyclical nature and breaking the taboo. I even love teaching men about them!
I’m forever grateful to 19-year-old me for dropping out of my Japanese degree to become a naturopath and help others, just like my naturopath helped me back then.
If you’re feeling disconnected, exhausted, or out of touch with your body, I’d love to support you in finding your way back. Life is too short to stay in self-destruct mode and there’s so much beauty waiting for you.
