I was living a “normal” life
“I’m sorry, it’s positive. You have breast cancer.”
Said the doctor over the phone in the summer of 2018.
At the time, this felt like a death sentence. I was frozen. Absolutely terrified that I would not live to see my 15 year old daughter turn 18.
After a double mastectomy and reconstruction surgery and healing, the doctor’s appointments subsided, I was declared “cancer free” (a wonderful term!) but, while I was feeling happy and grateful for that I also felt something else that I didn’t expect.
I felt lost, untethered, confused in which direction to go now. I “looked” normal to my friends and family. But EVERYTHING had changed.
I didn’t know where to look to learn how to prevent recurrance, or even deal with those fears.
I was stuck and feeling guilty (I mean, I was cancer free).
That’s when I started my long journey to true healing - my body, my mind and my spirit after breast cancer temporarily wrecked my life.
I had to put my life back together step by step. And some parts looked very different. But there was no going back. I was healing for me and me alone.
There was nothing in my life that would have screamed cancer diagnosis.
Knowing what I know now, there were definitely some contributors such as: high stress, high pressure environments, alcohol and feeling a lack of purpose in the world…. all “lifestyle diseases”.
It’s now my mission to help breast cancer survivors after treatment confidently take their next steps.
Plant forward healing
The first place I turned to for further support was nutrition.
“Wait, I can heal with FOOD?! Why wasn’t I made aware of this?”
Previously, I thought I was eating healthy. I was eating on the healthier side of the Standard American Diet. Furthering my education in Health, Wellness and Nutritional Coaching has anchored in all that I had begun learning from my own research and healing.
I chose a way of nutrition that promotes longevity. “How can I live my most optimal and fulfilling life?” This way of nutrition is the most efficient for healing from and preventing the “lifestyle diseases” listed above. Leading with a plant-forward diet has provided all that and more.
The Be Empowered Wellness Pillars
Plant Based Nutrition│Movement│Sleep│Stress Management│Connection│Purpose/Passion
Take your life back
As it goes with healing, one thing led to another, and I found myself taking a closer look at ALL aspects of my life, not just my nutrition.
I rebuilt myself, from the ground up. Through this journey, my passion grew to help breast cancer survivors once their treatment ended. When they rang the bell and felt alone and adrift. When everyone around them thinks it’s time to “move on”.
I have created what I wish I had then.
