Seventeen years ago, life threw me a curveball I never saw coming. A complicated back surgery left me disabled and facing a new reality—one filled with chronic illness, uncertainty, and a lot of questions. But what started as a search for answers turned into something much bigger: a journey of rebuilding, reimagining, and reconnecting with my health from the inside out.
At the time, I was juggling a fast-paced career, overexercising, raising young kids, and pushing through pain—like so many women do—without giving much thought to rest or nourishment. Looking back, I can see how those patterns played a role in my health unraveling.
Today, I’m a nutrition educator, integrative health practitioner, and lifelong learner who believes in the power of small, daily choices. My work explores how mindset, habits, and the microbiome are deeply connected—and how we can support our well-being by tuning into those relationships.
More than anything, I believe we all have the capacity to reclaim our health stories. It’s not about fixing what’s broken. It’s about honoring where we are, learning to live from that place, and moving forward with intention.
The Story
The history, challenges, and insights of my experience with food, illness, and advocacy.
Before Screens, We had the Streets
Born in Dorchester, MA (1972), at a time when neighbors looked out for each other, and kids
spent hours playing outside in the streets. My dad, an Irish immigrant, worked as an automotive
mechanic. My mom was a “housewife” and part time seamstress at the local highschool.
The Sweet Decade that Left a Mark
The 1980s cemented processed food brands as household staples. Their fun, carefree marketing shaped a generation of kids who grew up linking soda and snacks with pop culture—setting the stage for future health concerns.
Speaking the Unspoken
Our childhood experiences shape us—including the trauma and the silence. As a teenager, I
was sexually assaulted by a medical doctor while being treated for a duodenal ulcer. With an estimated 736 million women worldwide experiencing sexual violence in their lifetime, this
remains a pressing public health crisis.
When the Message Shifted, So Did I
Though the tobacco and processed food industries operated separately, both used similar
marketing tactics in the ‘80s—promoting a carefree, indulgent lifestyle. Anti-smoking efforts
gained momentum in the ’90s. I quit smoking at 25, after laparoscopic surgery and a week-long hospital stay for a viral infection.
Choosing Challenge as a Way Forward
As part of my recovery from reconstructive leg surgery following a traumatic dog attack, I signed
up for my first triathlon. At 27, I didn’t know how to swim—but I believed learning something new
could help me heal.
Tying The Knot
Stephen and I got married in Newport, Rhode Island where we met.
Where Advocacy Begins
My pregnancy was complicated, and at 36 weeks I was induced due to fetal distress. Stephen missed all his developmental milestones, and by age three, he was diagnosed with multiple developmental disabilities. As his needs grew, so did my resolve—I started my first support group in our community.
What We Learned the Hard Way
By toddlerhood, Camden’s recurring bronchitis led to rounds of steroids, antibiotics, and chest x-rays. We came to realize that parents are rarely offered alternative options to reduce antibiotic use in children.
Losing My Career to Chronic Illness
At 35, complications from back surgery left me with a disability, setting off a cascade of chronic illnesses. After a decade in Investor Relations at a Fortune 500 company in Boston, I was forced to step away from position I loved.
Serving Where It Matters Most
I joined the Board of Directors of a local nonprofit serving over 60,000 people with special healthcare needs, offering my perspective as a disabled patient to support health, education, and advocacy in my community.
Our Wake-Up Call to Allergies
We thought we had “healthy living” figured out—until Treyson’s severe eczema and food reactions began by age two. First it was whey, then soy, corn, and canola. A terrifying reaction to peanuts in a granola bar sent us to the allergist, immunologist, and into life with an EpiPen.
Caring Across Generations
While managing my own chronic illness and my son’s intensive therapy schedule, my mother’s
health declined. A CT brain scan revealed progressive cerebellar degeneration. I began to
notice changes in her movements, speech, cognition, and ability to swallow.
From Symptoms to Curiosity
As early research from the Human Microbiome Project emerged, I saw a common thread—gut
symptoms ran through my health challenges, my mother’s diagnosis, and my children’s struggles. I became deeply committed to studying nutrition and rethinking our lifestyle habits.
Her Story Still Speaks
Despite our concerns and worsening symptoms, my mom’s condition went untreated for too long. She passed away at 72 from complications to a chronic disease that may have been preventable. Her story is a reminder that listening, deeper inquiry, and timely care matter.
Healing Through Shared Stories
I began sharing my story—the insights, the struggles, and the practical lessons I was learning
along the way. In listening to others, I realized my story was your story too.
Shining a Light on Food and Farming
My family was featured in an award-winning documentary highlighting the harmful effects of
genetically engineered food and glyphosate on our health and the planet. The film received the Green Planet Award at the Rhode Island International Film Festival in 2018.
Resilience, Then and Now
To explore the broader conversation around resilience, I wrote End Chronic Disease to invite readers through a transformative journey, encouraging them to shift their perspectives,
adopt healthier behaviors, and understand the critical role of the microbiome in chronic disease prevention and healthy living.
Clarity in a Noisy Landscape
In a world flooded with conflicting health messages, recognizing patterns—within ourselves and our systems—is key to empowered outcomes. I’m entering a new chapter to contribute to a wider perspective and help others make more grounded, informed choices
