It's Your Health

12/24/2025

Send this to someone you’re on your health journey with.

Every meal, every workout, every night’s sleep—it’s all building the future you. What you do now, in your 20s, 30s, and even 50s, shapes the health you’ll experience in the decades to come.

To understand why the choices you make today impact your future health, consider this: chronic disease and mobility loss are rooted in long-term, silent processes. Inflammation, poor diet, stress, and lack of exercise can slowly damage your cells, arteries, and brain, starting decades before symptoms appear.

These conditions are not random—they develop over time based on lifestyle factors. Every healthy choice you make now can slow or even prevent these processes. It’s all connected.

It’s never too late—or too soon—to start living well.

12/23/2025

Holistic Medicine: My Story

A Goiter
Thyroid Disease
Concern for Cancer

Gastrointestinal Symptoms
Colon Polyps
Ulcerative Colitis vs. Crohn's Disease

Autoimmune Disease
Mitochondrial Defects

It's a Journey

In 2012, I was diagnosed with a goiter.
Within six months, I had three thyroid nodules.
By twelve months, there were seven—one pressing on my trachea.

Because of how rapidly the nodules appeared, grew, and multiplied, there was serious concern for thyroid cancer. I was 29 years old. I had a four-year-old at home and dreams of a long life ahead of me. I wasn’t ready for the battle that lay ahead. My life felt like it was flashing before my eyes.

Today, I know I am genetically predisposed to autoimmune disease.

I am deeply grateful that God gave me a father who loved helping others. He served on the fire department, and I grew up surrounded by EMS, firefighters, and local police—learning the “tricks of the trade” long before I understood where life would eventually lead me.

I didn’t step into healthcare on my own. God led me here—and it’s a long story.

My story started before I was born, continued through my childhood, and ultimately drew me into nursing when my grandfather became ill and needed a home health nurse.

By sixth grade, I was already dealing with significant gastrointestinal issues. I remember the gastroenterologist telling my mom there was concern for ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. I had several colon polyps, which raised concerns for colon cancer. He shared lifestyle and dietary recommendations. I listened as well as any 12-year-old does and made some changes.

As a seventh grader, I knew I wanted to be a nurse. I also dreamed of owning my own health practice. For years, I never saw a way for that dream to become reality—until 2020.

God gave me a vision, and I worked tirelessly to follow His direction.

I went to nursing school, earned my Family Nurse Practitioner degree, and had everything I had ever dreamed of—until my GI symptoms returned. One thing led to another, and my life fell apart. All the years I spent battling to stay ahead eventually led me into the fight of my life.

In 2021, I returned to college to complete a post-master’s degree in Nursing Education. Today, I am able to use all of my education, training, and lived experience to help others who are suffering as I once did. I now share this knowledge through my health coaching practice.

When I was struggling with my thyroid, I prayed.
I prayed the nodule they were preparing to biopsy was not cancerous.
I prayed for more time with my daughter.
I prayed for guidance, healing, and direction.

Thyroid cancer runs in my family, and the idea of reversing chronic disease felt impossible.

But God opened doors and showed me a different way. I am profoundly grateful that I prayed, listened, and followed. With every passing day, my gratitude grows.

Today, I am completing a Functional Genomics and Health Coaching Certification for four reasons:

I genuinely love learning.

What I learn helps me—and it helps my patients.

Genetic testing changed my life and helped me better manage my children’s health.

Understanding how the body truly functions allows us to work upstream—because our genetics do not have to control our lives.

Today, I received another genetic report. All I can say is: God is great.

This report showed I carry 18 genetic variants associated with Crohn’s disease—18 genes I have been able to deactivate and keep deactivated. While I still experience GI symptoms, I manage them through herbs, supplements, nutrition, and lifestyle changes.

I have battled one autoimmune condition after another—continuously working upstream, praying, listening, and following God’s direction. Along the way, He has given me story after story proving that traditional medicine does not have all the answers.

We need all of God’s medicine.

Through genetic testing, I also learned I have an extremely rare mitochondrial defect—one with no cure, no treatment, and no conventional hope for the future. Life expectancy is approximately 42 years, with an average of five years following diagnosis. This condition significantly increases the risk for cardiomyopathy, Parkinson’s disease, cancer, and many other chronic illnesses.

If I had not stepped into holistic, functional, and integrative medicine, I would have died a long time ago.

These approaches saved my life.

Just because we are genetically predisposed to something does not mean it will be expressed.
And even when it is expressed, it does not mean we must live with it forever or that nothing can be done.

The truth is, there is so much we can work on through epigenetics and the microbiome. We can provide the body with what it needs to change how it functions, fill in gaps, restore balance, and live the best life possible—even with chronic conditions.

God gave me a complicated journey because the plan He has for me is bigger than me. One person can make a difference. I don’t claim to know everything—but God does. And when we trust Him, He will show us a way to live our best life, even in the face of health challenges.

This isn’t all of my story—this is only a condensed version. Our stories are journeys that shape us, strengthen us, and make us wiser and more resilient. They allow us to help others, create connection, and bring hope. Every story matters, and every story deserves to be heard.

It’s Your Health
Together We Can Take It Back

learningtolivehealthier.com

12/23/2025

High functioning autism....

12/23/2025

Nutritional Support
Clean the gut
Work on lifestyle
Manage stress
Create your own healthcare team
We all need help finding the missing answers to our health conundrums.

It's Your Health

When the colon is backed up, waste begins to leak into the bloodstream. That same blood flows to every part of your body, including your brain.

If the blood is toxic, the brain cannot function at its best. This shows up as brain fog, poor focus, irritability, or fatigue. What seems like a “mental problem” often begins in digestion.

A clean colon supports clean blood, and clean blood supports clear thinking. This is why true healing starts with the gut.

Our Holiday Reset Kit is made with herbs that gently move waste out and give your body a chance to restore balance and clarity.

12/22/2025

Someone recently asked the question, what helps you with getting through some of the symptoms of your condition?

Physical Therapy

It doesn't matter what health condition/a you suffer from, whether it is an injury, autoimmune condition, Long-Covid, deconditioning from an underlying genetic condition, and any other health condition you can think. In all honesty even respiratory issues like asthma or COPD can benefit from therapy such as breath work and then there is Yoga and meditation. There is something out there to help manage symptoms other than just medication.

I had a knee injury in June. Thankfully I had genetic testing earlier in the year. I have MDDS, MNGIE (Mitochondrial Depletion DNA Syndrome, Mitochondrial Neurogastrointestinal Encephalopathy). There is NO CURE. There is nothing traditional medicine has to offer me other than manage my symptoms and watch this condition progress until each of my organs such down and I die. This is supposed to be rapidly progressive. The average life expectancy is 42. The average number of years following diagnosis following a flare up is 5 years. My first major flare was in 2018. I ended up with a catastrophic brain injury from status epilepticus and encephalitis. It was a long and painful journey.

And GOD helps me get through the hard days.

Thankfully God pulled me into Holistic Medicine in 2012. I am beyond the age of 42. I studied hard to help me and my kids. Now I get to use that knowledge to help others with my health coaching practice.

I practice Holistic, Functional, and Integrative Medicine. All of those years ago I didn't know what I was treating naturally until I finally received my genetic test results. Thankfully I had my genetic test results back before this most recent flare.

In September I started having chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, and calf pain. This is how things started in 2018. I suffered severe deconditioning after being released from PT in mid September. I returned to PT a week after being released from PT for deconditioning and POTS symptoms.

POTS is a diagnosis of symptoms. I don't have POTS. Root Cause.... I know now I have MDDS, MNGIE. PT manages my condition the same as POTS.

I had a reevaluation today. I am not back to normal but I am pretty damn close.

I don't follow the traditional path of any of my autoimmune conditions most confirmed with genetic testing because of stepping into utilizing other medical modalities.

We are spending money on finding answers. It's important to also find the money and time to work in other medical modalities. We have to use ALL of God's Medicine.

The body was designed to heal. Sometimes we are dealt a bad hand. We get to choose what cards to play and what cards to lay down and pass on.

It takes a team of doctors, nurse practitioners, and holistic healers (of all kids) to help us truly live our best life despite our diagnoses.

It's Your Health
It's Time to Take it Back

learningtolivehealthier.com

12/21/2025

Taking care of your mental well-being goes beyond just relaxation techniques—it’s about taking small, yet powerful actions to soothe your nervous system. From the calming effects of hugs to the stress-relief of yoga and laughter, there are countless natural ways to find peace in your day. These practices don’t just benefit the mind, but can rejuvenate your body and soul as well.

Engaging in grounding activities like walking barefoot on grass or pet therapy can reconnect us to the Earth and offer relief from stress. Whether it's cold exposure or simply practicing deep breathing, your nervous system can find its balance naturally.

These free regulators are powerful tools that anyone can incorporate into their life. Embrace these holistic practices for a calmer, healthier you.🌸🧘‍♀️

12/16/2025

Never have I ever had a patient come in to see me for Health Coaching, do everything I suggested, and come back for a follow up and not need me anymore.

Today I can say, YES!!! Yes, I have had a patient come in, do everything I have suggested, and come back feeling great so they do not need a follow up visit.

Joint pain - gone
Fatigue - gone
Energy - It's Back
Allergy Issues - gone

This individual is waiting for a massage to clean out the lymphatic system. They were able to experienced a Red Light Sauna and there is absolutely nothing else they need at this time.

Taking someone from blah to "I feel great" is exactly why I have my own health coaching practice, It's Your Health

Helping people feel their best doesn't put me out of business. It spreads the word that I do have something different and IT WORKS!!!

Learning to Live Healthier

12/16/2025

The gut is the foundation of your immune system, your emotions, your brain chemistry, and your spirit. When the gut is congested with mucus, parasites, and processed waste, the whole body goes into dis-ease.

Healing starts by removing the filth from the colon and nourishing it with living foods and herbal medicine.

Start there..clean the gut, change your life.

Try our Holiday Gut Reset now at Highertohealth.com

12/16/2025

Long post... And Very important to my journey here today.

There comes a day when you realize all of the fighting for your life was absolutely worth it.

This past year has been hard. I was out of work for six months. It all started with an injury to my knee. When I thought things were great life threw a curve ball and sent me into a flare of an autoimmune condition I've had to fight three times before. Each time it gets worse putting me back in physical therapy for deconditioning and no real answers. There has never been a specific diagnosis just you have an autoimmune disease and we treat it as symptoms appear. No specific name for the condition we just have understanding of the path I end up on and Seizures are possible. With my kids genetics I learned a few years ago a part of this Encephalopathy and illness can be a trigger.

Thankfully I Trust God with my whole story. Earlier in the year I said yes to full genome genetic testing. I had completely forgotten I had sent in the swab and then the flare hit. The results of my genetic test came just in time. The final dots were finally connected. Unfortunately I had to wait as the doctors learned what I have been studying while I waited for their appointment.

I don't just have "an autoimmune condition" I have an extremely rare Mitochondrial Defect. One that traditional medicine says, "I'm sorry there is nothing we can do for you except manage your symptoms as they come up. This is progressive and it can't be reversed." Research shows the average life expectancy is 42 and death usually follows within 5 years because of the rapid deterioration of the body. Thankfully I survived the worst of it in 2018 when God said, "I'll let you go back but you have to work for me."

Here I am back to work, smiling, jumping, and having fun with my kids AGAIN. My spark is back. The light is shining 🌟 brighter than before. Today I looked in the mirror excited to see how long my hair has grown.

I remember the day I had to start on the medication for a brain tumor. I remember pulling gobs of hair out of the hair brush crying. I remember being afraid to run my fingers through my hair. I quit taking showers every day. I know they say it's not cancer but this medication isn't easy on the body.

I am still on that medication. I have been on it for several years. I added nutritional support to fill in for the deficiencies the medication caused and my hair loss stopped.

I'm still on that medication. The brain tumor is no longer visible on imaging. There is still a small cyst present but only known to be there because it still affects my prolactin level. I've tried to wean off of the medication and every time I do my hormones get jacked up.

Thankfully with a holistic approach I've been able to stay on the lowest possible dose necessary to maintain proper body function.(Despite traditional medicines warning of how this medication does have to increase until we find that sweet spot) I was hopeful to one day get off of this medication but now I understand sometimes no matter how bad we want to get off of All of our prescription medications sometimes they are absolutely necessary.

Now my entire life story makes sense. All of the years back and forth to the doctor with no answers are now all connected because of one answer. I am genetically predisposed to non-cancerous tumors which can turn into cancer if I don't make necessary changes to stop the cycle. I have multiple Mitochondrial defects affecting the way my body works including my metabolism, how my body methylates, and how it requires extra essential vitamins. I thank God for pulling me into Holistic Medicine in 2012. I wouldn't be here today had I NOT decided to step off of the Merry Go Round of sick care and step into something now being supported by new research every single day.

Skepticism is important but so is being open to what new research and the test of time has proven time and time again to be effective and essential to living.

Diet, lifestyle, sleep, stress management, herbs, supplements, exercise, and having someone guide you along this path can change your future. I know it did for me and for my children.

Of all the people available to talk on behalf of holistic, functional, integrative, and natural medicine God chose me. He has given me stories and knowledge and experience to support both sides. The TRUTH to the question, which is better? Is neither. Neither is better than the other. We need it all. It all has risks and they all have benefits. We just have to learn when to use what and how to use it safely. We have to understand certain herbs and supplements don't mix well with prescription medication and vice versa. We need an expert in helping us walk both sides of the system (traditional and natural).

Right now I may be on four prescription medications BUT it is my use of herbs, supplements, IV nutrition infusions, and lifestyle modifications that has given me back my life back. The prescriptions are there to help manage symptoms. Now that the symptoms are under control I can finish physical therapy, work a little more, and enjoy my time with the kids. I'll work on weaning off some of those medications in 6 months or so. Until then I know We need to use it all not just Traditional Medicine and not just natural medicine. We need it all at the right time, for the right reason, and in the right situation.

Jeremiah 29:11

God has a plan and one day he'll show you what he wants you to do with everything you've learned.

In the past I studied natural, holistic, functional, and integrative medicine to help myself and my kids. Today I study to help whomever walks through the door because sometimes it only takes one person to help you make sense of EVERYTHING

Everything is connected to everything. This is what makes functional and holistic medicine truly phenomenal. There isn't a one size fits all approach. It's individualized. It's personalized. It's looking at everything from a BIG picture and piecing things together. AND I love puzzles

It's Your Health

learningtolivehealthier.com

12/10/2025

Essential Nutrients...

learningtolivehealthier.com

Essential nutrients run the entire operating system of your body.
The importance of minerals cannot be understated

Every heartbeat, every muscle contraction, every memory, every immune response, minerals are behind it.

Here’s what you’re looking at:

🟡 Calcium: not just for bones
It also drives nerve signaling, muscle contraction, blood clotting, and hormone release.

🟢 Magnesium: the quiet multitasker
It’s required for hundreds of biochemical reactions, from energy production to DNA repair to blood pressure control.

🔵 Zinc: your immune system’s “on switch”
It helps build proteins, repair tissues, support growth, and regulate immune cells.

🔴 Iron: oxygen delivery
Without iron, hemoglobin can’t carry oxygen, and your cells can’t produce energy.

🟣 Potassium: the electrical system
It stabilizes heart rhythm, nerve function, and fluid balance.

🟠 Sodium: the regulator
Essential for fluid balance, blood pressure, and nerve impulses.

🟤 Copper: the builder
Needed for red blood cells, collagen, and antioxidant defenses.

🟣 Iodine: the metabolic throttle
Your thyroid uses it to regulate growth, energy, and brain development.

🟢 Selenium: the defender
Key for antioxidant protection, thyroid hormone activation, and reproduction.

🟡 Phosphorus: the structural backbone
Critical for DNA, cell membranes, and energy production (ATP).

Minerals don’t work in isolation; they’re a network. A deficiency in one can disrupt multiple systems at once.

This diagram puts it in one place: the minerals that keep your brain, heart, metabolism, hormones, bones, immunity, and energy production running smoothly.

📄 Source: Nutrients (2023). The Role of Selected Minerals in Maintaining the Health of the Human Body.

12/10/2025

12 ‘Common’ Household Items That Are Slowly Killing Us 🕯️