From Survival to Balance: A Health Coaching Journey

This path began in pure survival mode. Navigating a child that needed help, food allergy, chronic hives, breast cancer scare, and a partner’s heart attack while juggling family life on a budget. Each challenge forced a reevaluation of what health truly meant, shifting the focus from quick fixes and symptom management to long-term, sustainable well-being. Over time, survival gave way to balance. Blending lessons from nutrition, emotional healing, spiritual connection, and mental resilience into a holistic approach that now helps guide others toward their own version of wellness.

Finding Purpose in the Everyday

Life purpose or Dharma is often seen as a distant goal, something we strive toward for years. But in truth, Dharma is lived daily. It can be as simple as caring for your child, showing yourself love, or having a meaningful conversation. Purpose isn’t just a future destination it’s in the choices and connections we make right now.

During the heartfelt exchange that shaped this story, Dharma was reframed not as a lofty, far-off mission, but as the path you’re already walking. The future isn’t only decades away, it's also tomorrow, or even 30 minutes from now. When you start to see it that way, the weight of “finding your life’s purpose” lightens. It’s no longer about chasing a grand plan; it’s about showing up for the moments that matter today.

Your Dharma could be cooking a nourishing meal, tending to your garden, calling a friend, or simply giving yourself space to rest. Some days it might feel big and bold; other days it might be quiet and small. Both count.

By anchoring into the present and asking, “What is my purpose today?”, you create a life of ongoing meaning, one where every step, no matter how small, keeps you aligned with who you truly are.

Growing Up on the Standard American Diet

Raised in the 70s and 80s, food was simply “food.” Processed snacks, sugary drinks, and convenience meals were the norm. Nutrition wasn’t on the radar, and like many families of the time, meals revolved around what was affordable and available. Coca-Cola, breakfast cereals, frozen chicken nuggets, and instant oatmeal were regular staples. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with Doritos and a cold soda often made up lunch, while dinner was just whatever was quick and filling.

There was no conversation about organic produce or nutrient density if it was in the store, it was assumed to be good for you. Eating habits weren’t built around schedules either. Breakfast was often skipped, lunch might be light, and dinner was the main meal of the day. Carbs were a favorite, meat was eaten selectively, and sugary treats were common.

This way of thinking carried into adulthood, especially in the early years of raising a family. Processed foods, boxed dinners, and sugary snacks still found their way onto the table not out of neglect, but because that was normal. It wasn’t until a series of health challenges hit the family that this casual, unquestioned relationship with food began to shift toward something more intentional and nourishing.

Turning Points That Changed Everything

Between 2009 and 2010, my son’s ongoing ADHD challenges brought us to a crossroads. Years on medication had left him in a constant fog, with frequent stomach pain and little improvement in school. Choosing to homeschool him also meant removing the medication and looking for nutritional ways to support his focus and learning.

Around the same time, I developed intense hives, swelling, and pain that no doctor could explain. After weeks of searching for answers, allergy testing revealed a severe egg allergy. This discovery required a complete overhaul of our pantry, recipes, and even the way we ate out.

The most urgent wake-up call came when my husband suffered a heart attack at a young age. While his recovery went well, the event fueled a deep commitment to improving our diet and lifestyle, with the goal of getting him off medication as quickly as possible.

Together, these experiences lit the spark for everything that followed, fueling my passion for nutrition, holistic health, and finding ways to support wellness from the inside out.

Beyond Food: The Four Bodies of Health

Nutrition was the entry point, but it became clear that physical health is only one piece of the puzzle.

True wellness comes from balancing:

• Physical health (nutrition, movement, rest)

• Mental health (thought patterns, mindset)

• Emotional health (relationships, self-awareness)

• Spiritual health (connection to self, purpose, and energy)

  
  

This holistic view inspired the creation of 4Bodies Health & Healing, a space for guiding others through their own unique balance journey.

Lessons from the Path

The biggest shift came in approach, moving away from telling people exactly what to do, toward guiding them through their own story. Early on, the passion for nutrition and holistic health made it tempting to present one “right” way of doing things. But with experience came the realization that no single formula works for everyone.

Each person’s health journey is shaped by a unique mix of beliefs, cultural influences, personal history, and current circumstances. A food choice that feels empowering to one person might feel restrictive to another. Emotional connections to certain habits, family traditions, or even childhood comfort foods can run deep.

Instead of prescribing a rigid plan, the focus shifted to asking better questions that help uncover the “why” behind someone’s choices. This creates space for self-discovery, allowing people to make adjustments at their own pace. It’s about listening deeply, respecting individual timing, and offering tools rather than demands.

Meeting someone where they are means celebrating small wins, supporting through setbacks, and recognizing that growth often comes in waves. The real magic happens when people claim ownership of their journey, guided not by rules, but by a renewed trust in themselves and their ability to create lasting change.

A Card for Reflection

This card wasn’t just a pretty image, it was a mirror. The Diamond Heart Seed Crystal spoke of wisdom earned under pressure, of the quiet strength that comes from walking through fire and still choosing to open your heart. It’s about awakening to yourself, not in a perfect moment, but in the middle of life’s mess.

From the nitty-gritty of allergies and health scares to the slow unfolding of emotional and spiritual growth, this journey is proof that balance is built in the small, consistent choices we make every day.

Want to experience the conversation where we unpack this raw, unfiltered story of resilience, growth, and self-discovery? Join us in

Nitty Gritty to Balance – EP: 11 From Skeptic to Health Coach

where we draw the card, tell the truth, and explore what it really takes to live in alignment with your purpose.

Listen now and see how a single reflection can shift your perspective, spark clarity, and guide you toward your own version of balance.