Sometimes, I have to pinch myself to know that I’m wide awake. That’s because I’m living my dream. Just 6 years ago, I could only dream of the blessings that I have now – good health, a location-independent business that allows me to travel, a fulfilling job that I absolutely love doing, and overflowing happiness! Back then, I was struggling with anxiety and depression. Sure, I had a high-paying job with a fancy title – executive vice president. I worked for one of the top retail companies in Canada, I had nice cars, and I could buy almost everything I wanted. But none of that made me happy.
I was emotionally eating to cope with the painful emotions that I had to face on a daily basis. (It was a habit I picked up when I was 11.) As a result, I was 100 pounds overweight and hypertensive. I also had pre-diabetes, high blood cholesterol levels, and other health conditions. Then, a nerve-wracking incident changed my life.
How Losing Weight Transforms Life
Obesity Caused Panic Attacks And Blackouts
One day, I was about to deliver a speech on stage to my co-workers when I suddenly became breathless and unable to speak… I blacked out. Everyone, including me, thought I was having a heart attack. Before I knew it, I was in an emergency room.
After some tests, my heart turned out to be perfectly fine. I simply had a panic attack which had symptoms that mimicked a heart attack. I was referred to a physician who prescribed anti-anxiety medications and antidepressants. I didn’t have a heart attack, but that incident shook me to the core. I knew right there and then that it was time for me to take better care of myself.
Losing Weight Was Just The First Step
I figured that losing weight was the best way for me to regain my health. I took measures to shed my excess baggage. I changed my diet and exercised every day. My efforts paid off: I lost 100 pounds in a year! I was proud of myself and liked what I saw in the mirror. Plus, I could finally wear the clothes that I wanted to try on. But this isn’t the happy ending to my story. My happiness was short-lived. I realized that I was still far from where I wanted to be.
Good Health Is Not Just About How You Look
I was sitting in my corner office one day when this realization hit me: I wasn’t happy! There was a nagging voice inside of me that kept asking, “Is this really what you want to do with your life? Is that how you really want to feel?” That’s when I realized that losing weight was just one of the things I needed to do to be healthy.
While I felt a lot better physically after losing weight, something inside me still needed fixing. I later learned from the people I met and from books I read that there’s more to health than just the food I ate or my exercise routine. I realized that there’s so much more to me than just my body.
There’s A Connection Between Mind And Body
Perhaps one of the most important discoveries I made in my quest for better health and greater happiness is the extricable connection between the mind and the body. I was so fascinated by this discovery that I devoured countless books on the mind-body connection. I also did everything I could to strengthen this connection.
I underwent mental therapies and mind-body healing sessions. I began to meditate regularly. I studied mindfulness and Reiki (Japanese treatment for stress and anxiety). One of the best books I ever read on this connection was “The Anatomy of the Spirit” by Dr. Caroline Myss. It changed the way I saw myself and other people. It helped me understand the connection between mind and body. Dr. Myss’ approach was scientific, but she also incorporated some nuggets of wisdom from ancient religious traditions.
I smile every time I remember how I reacted to what I read in the book. I often found myself exclaiming “Oh, my God, this is so me!” and “Oh, my God, so this is why I feel like this!” It gave me the answers that I needed on why I was not happy. It also showed me the areas in my life that needed improvement. As I was making these life-changing discoveries, I realized what I needed to do.
Taking A Break Helps
While I had a fancy job title and made a lot of money, I wasn’t happy with it. I just felt that I couldn’t work in the retail industry any longer. I realized that the perks that came along with my job didn’t matter to me anymore. So I submitted my resignation letter and took a 3-month vacation.
I rented my dream car (a Mustang convertible), drove to California, and traversed the entire west coast. I went from one end of the country to the other end of the trail. Then, I visited the Southern Rockies. I could finally breathe easy and that felt wonderful! However, I knew I had to step back into the world and fulfill my purpose.
Nutrition And Health Is A Lifelong, Continuous Study
I’ve always had a keen interest in the science of health. In fact, I graduated with a degree in health sciences even before I got involved in the retail industry. As I was going through my self-transformation, I developed an insatiable thirst for knowledge on nutrition, movement, and the mind-body connection. These interests were perfectly aligned with my desire to help women become healthier and change their lives for the better.
I knew I had to go back to school. I had to satisfy my thirst for knowledge and I also had to earn the credentials that I needed to be a practicing clinical nutritionist. I felt that being a clinical nutritionist and a weight loss coach was the best way for me to fulfill my desire to help women like me find freedom from emotional eating and embark on an exciting journey towards self-transformation.
I enrolled into the Institute of Holistic Nutrition, a school that focuses on alternative healthcare. Going back to school was difficult for me, but with sheer determination, hard work, and faith, I pulled through. I graduated with a degree in holistic nutrition, and since then, I have continually pursued further education by attending workshops, retreats, and classes.
There Are Different Ways To Succeed
Since becoming a clinical nutritionist and a health coach, I’ve helped thousands of women overcome emotional eating, heal themselves, and change their lives. I teach them about the importance of nutrition and movement, but I also emphasize the significance of the mind-body connection in regaining and maintaining good health. I encourage them to listen to the messages that their bodies are trying to get across.
I’ve recently moved my practice online and offer one-to-one and group coaching programs. I run a fairly successful podcast where I invite renowned and well-respected health experts to share their knowledge and insights to my audience. I also have a Facebook community where women support and help one another in their own respective journeys toward better health and a better quality of life. I’ve published a book (The Keto Connector) and I contribute to various healthcare platforms online. My greatest reward comes from knowing that I’ve helped someone change her life for the better. This gives me a natural high that I don’t get anywhere else. The words of gratitude I receive and the appreciation I get inspire me to continue my work and fuel my passion for service.
Everything Happens For A Reason
Every time I look back on that fateful day when I had my panic attack, I can’t help smiling and thinking that it was one of the best things that ever happened to me. My panic attack was more than a wake-up call. That incident became a catalyst for my transformation and growth and it led me to the path toward my dreams.
I sincerely hope that my story inspires women who are in the same situation that I once was – sick, miserable, and dissatisfied with life. My story is a message of hope. I am a living testimony that whatever happens to us, good or bad, works to our advantage. We must keep faith and believe that life will somehow lead us to where we need to be.
