If you clicked on this blog, you are probably looking for answers and a bit of hope with health questions that you are facing. I share my story in hopes to give you hope that the answer IS there.
I’ve faced my share of challenges throughout my life from my brain injuries, but nothing prepared me for what I went through during my battle with endometriosis and other auto immune diseases. Looking back now, I can say that the journey wasn’t just about healing my body; it was about finding my voice, trusting my intuition, and rediscovering the strength I didn’t know I had by taking the situation into my own hands. If I could heal my brain with my mind, I could also figure this one out. I just needed to change my mindset for starters. Sounds easier said than done, I know.
My story begins when I was 10 weeks pregnant. I remember waking up one morning with a severe pain in my lower abdomen—pain so sharp as if I was stabbed with a knife, that I rushed myself to the emergency room, certain I was having a miscarriage. Sitting in the ER alone, consumed by pain and fear, I felt completely defeated. My heart felt like it was shattering into a million pieces as I tried to keep myself together.
As I waited for an ultrasound, my mind raced with thoughts of loss, pain, and fear. When they finally called me back, I braced myself for the worst. But then, I saw it—a tiny, flickering heartbeat on the monitor.
Relief flooded through me. My baby was okay. The source of the pain was a ruptured ovarian cyst, not a miscarriage. It was excruciating, but knowing my growing baby was safe made it bearable. At that moment, I thought the worst was behind me. I had no idea that this was just the beginning of a five-year battle with pain, fatigue, and frustration.
A Life Consumed by Pain
After that first rupture, I began experiencing cysts regularly. The pain would come without warning, sharp and debilitating. Sometimes it was so intense that I couldn’t stand or move, frozen in pain. But I was a single mom, and life didn’t slow down for me. I pushed through the pain (even if it had me screaming like I was in labor), telling myself it was normal and that I just had to toughen up. But that didn’t work, depression slowly crept in with no signs of every leaving.
Over time, the pain became more frequent and more severe. It wasn’t just during my periods—it was all the time. And it wasn’t just the pain. I was constantly exhausted. Most days, I struggled to get out of bed. The only thing that kept me going was my son or having to get to work. I’d muster enough energy to get him to school and then collapse until it was time to pick him up.
As a stuntwoman, my job required me to be in top physical condition. But my body felt like it was failing me. On set, I’d push through scenes, pretending I was fine when every movement sent sharp pains through my abdomen on the bad days. Stunt work isn’t for the weak. If you’re injured or can’t keep up, you risk losing jobs. So I faked it, gritting my teeth through the pain and hoping no one would notice. Sometimes I wondered if I had cancer and the doctors just didn’t catch it.
But it wasn’t just work. I had also bought a small farm during this time. Between caring for the animals—pigs, chickens, dogs, foster animals, and rescue bunnies—and raising my son, I was stretched to my limit. My 115-pound, 5’9” body felt like it was carrying twice its weight. I was certain something was seriously wrong.
Searching for Answers
I went from doctor to doctor, desperate for answers. Test after test came back inconclusive. No one could explain the pain, the fatigue, or the feeling that I was slowly dying. I began to lose faith in the medical system. How could no one figure out what was wrong with me?
By 2019, the pain had reached a breaking point. I was working on a film, running through fields as explosions went off behind me. Each time I hit the ground during a scene, the pain in my lower abdomen intensified.
During our lunch break, my friend Amber noticed something was wrong. When I told her what I’d been dealing with, she said something that changed my life: “It sounds like endometriosis.”
I had never heard the term before. That night, I went home and started researching. Every symptom I read about matched what I was experiencing—pelvic pain, fatigue, digestive issues, and depression to name a few. For the first time, I felt like I had an answer.
Amber told me about a world-renowned endometriosis specialist in Atlanta. I booked an appointment immediately, hopeful that I was finally on the path to healing.
A Shocking Encounter
The day of the appointment, I felt a mix of hope and apprehension. The doctor came highly recommended, and I was eager to hear his insights. But the experience was not what I expected.
After reviewing my paperwork not me, the doctor said, “It looks like you possibly have endometriosis.” He then presented me with two options: surgery to remove part of my colon and surrounding nerves—leaving me in a diaper for six months—or a hysterectomy, which would end any chance of having more children.
I was stunned. How could he recommend such drastic measures without even conducting an exam? His words “possibly” also weren’t reassuring. My gut was screaming at me, This isn’t right. I voiced my concerns, but he dismissed them, insisting that surgery was the only solution. To him, I was just another patient and even if it was the wrong surgery, he didn’t care.
I left his office in tears, overwhelmed and disheartened. But deep down, I knew I couldn’t accept his recommendations. I had to find another way.
Turning to Holistic Healing
That night, I texted a friend, asking if she knew of any holistic doctors in the area. Growing up, I had only been to holistic doctors, and I believed in the body’s ability to heal itself. To my surprise, there was a holistic doctor nearby.
Dr. Anna was my bit of hope. During our first appointment, she listened intently as I described my symptoms. After a few minutes, she said, “Gluten is killing you. You need to eliminate it from your diet immediately.”
Her words were simple yet powerful. I had no idea how deeply food could impact my body in that way. At the time, gluten-free diets were just starting to become a thing, options were limited, so I knew it wouldn’t be easy. But I was willing to try anything.
The Road to Recovery
The first few weeks without gluten were challenging. I had to overhaul my entire diet and rethink how I approached food. But within days, I noticed a difference. My energy began to return. The constant fog that had weighed me down started to lift and my constant heavy thoughts started to turn positive.
Over the next year, I eliminated not just gluten but also refined sugar and dairy. The results were astounding. My pain decreased significantly, and my energy levels soared. I felt like I was getting my life back.
Through my research, I learned that modern gluten is vastly different from what it used to be. I think we all know that by now. It’s often loaded with pesticides and genetically modified, making it harmful to many, if not all, people. For me, it was the root cause of my pain and inflammation.
A New Perspective
Looking back, my battle with endometriosis and auto immune diseases taught me more than I ever expected around food. It opened an entire new world to me and I thought I ate really healthy already! It showed me the power of holistic healing, healing through food and the importance of listening to my body to another level. Our bodies are designed to heal themselves. Given the right nutritional and herbal support, our bodies are capable of healing and getting back on track to functioning in complete health. That I know for sure. I did it with my brain, of course I could do it with my body.
Doctors have their place, but they’re not the only way. They’re limited by their training and often overlook the role of nutrition in healing. If I had listened to that first specialist, I might have undergone unnecessary surgery out of fear and desperation. Instead, I found a path that worked for me because I listened to what my body was telling me. I added Acupuncture to my routine to help support the healing of my body. Between a diet with foods from the earth, Accupuncture and herbal supplements, my body found its way.
Today, my endometriosis and my other “auto immune diseases” I would say are completely gone. I haven’t had any symptoms or signs in nearly 3 years.
“The body is an unconscious mind does not know the difference between an actual experience and a thought.” -Dr. Joe Dispenza
If you’re struggling with health challenges, my message is this: Don’t give up. Listen to your body. Do your research. Seek out second, third, or even fourth opinions in different modalities if something doesn’t feel right. Don’t believe everything you hear. Always check in with your body. Is what you are being told resonate to you? Healing is a journey, not a quick fix and it’s here to teach us something.
Now that gluten free is a widely known trend, there are many additives to gluten free products that are not so good for you creating a whole new set health issues. Ingredients to stay away from that will also cause inflammation that will lead to more serious issues: all seeds oils, citric acid, corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, MSG, Sodium Nitrates, Artificial colors (e.g., Red 40, yellow 5, blue 1), Preservatives (e.g., BHA, BHT, Sodium Benzoate), Refined sugar, Refined flour, Carrageenan (found in deli meats, dairy alternatives, some ice cream), Xanthan Gum and many, many more. For your health, do your research and don’t believe everything you see;)
Your body is always communicating with you. Pay attention to the signs, and trust that you have the power to find the answers you need. For me, it wasn’t just about healing my endometriosis and auto immune diseases—it was about reclaiming my life, my strength, and my reminder that everything is possible when you trust yourself.
You can do the same. Never stop searching, never stop questioning, and never stop believing in your ability to heal. I hope this gives you some light at the end of your tunnel and inspires you to take control of your life and know healing is possible. We are literally what we eat and think. Our bodies eventually cannot override the junk we put into it and it starts to break down. Give your body what it needs to thrive so you can thrive.
One last little secret: when a doctor diagnosis you, don’t let that label define who you are. Don’t attach yourself to it or allow it to become your identity, as this can make the journey even more challenging. Life may present bumps in the road, but those bumps are simply road signs encouraging you to pause, reassess and make the necessary changes to move forward. A positive mindset is essential for creating a healthy and empowering healing journey. Remember, nothing happens to us, everything happens for us. We just have to stop and take a moment to look at the big picture to see what’s really going on.
Here are some resources to get you started: Check out the documentary Fantastic Fungai available on most platforms. Opening up to a new world of caring for our bodies is so important.
*Check out the Anima Mundi products at www.animamundiherbals.com. I cannot recommend her products more. They changed my life! Exploring ways to heal with products from the earth have become a passion. I hope you dive deep into getting to the “root” cause of issues you may be facing and remember, there is always an answer. Sometimes it just takes some searching to find it.
