My interest in functional health and nutrition began in 2010.
In January of that year, my son was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome (on the autism spectrum). This diagnosis came after years of immense struggles with social development and emotional, behavioral, and mood regulation.
My son’s autism diagnosis was the catalyst.
As I began researching autism therapies, I learned about biomedical autism treatments. A short while later, we began making changes to my son’s diet, and also incorporated beneficial supplements for brain function and mood.
Initially, we experienced a lot of trial and error. In fact, it often felt like we were taking two steps forward, one step back. But in time, it was evident that my son was feeling much better. As we fine-tuned his nutrition to his specific needs, his mood and overall functioning improved immensely.
Functional nutrition therapy was the single most effective treatment for my son.
To make a long story short, my son has benefited greatly from nutrition-based treatment approaches. Ultimately, dietary modifications and nutritional supplements targeted to his biochemistry have made a tremendous difference for him. Today, he is a healthy, happy college student who is enjoying life and has big goals for his future!
Over the years, I’ve met hundreds of people – both children and adults – facing similar struggles.
As a moderator of many in-person and online special needs support groups, I’ve had the opportunity to meet countless parents of kids living with physical and mental health issues, as well as adults navigating these issues for themselves. Sharing my family’s experience, and hearing about the experiences of others I’ve met along the way, opened my eyes. I began to see the ineffectiveness of many conventional treatment approaches. In addition, I saw firsthand how difficult it is for people to find the right support.
As a result, I knew I needed to become a part of the solution.
Due to the shortage of practitioners providing effective holistic support for mental and behavioral health, I returned to grad school for a Master’s degree in Holistic Nutrition. In 2020, after completing my degree, I opened my nutrition practice offering evidence-based, functional nutrition and health coaching with a mission of helping other families like mine avoid the struggles we experienced. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to work with many parents as well as adult clients on effective nutritional interventions for both physical and mental health conditions.
Prior to this, I spent almost 20 years in the corporate world, as well as many years serving in the Colorado Springs nonprofit sector. Because of my personal experiences as the mother of a child on the autism spectrum, I’ve always been drawn to support other families of children with special needs. As a result, I spent many years as a volunteer and board president of a local autism nonprofit and chairperson of a large network of autism professionals.
Holistic health has now become a way of life.
Outside of my work and continuing education in holistic health and nutrition, I enjoy hiking and skiing with my family in the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Colorado, travel and road trips, and any kind of adventure that gets me out into nature (and out of my comfort zone!).