My Story
After years of trying (and failing) to run a marathon, I finally discovered what was holding me back—not just in running, but in life: my gut health.
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Once I started addressing my gut health, everything changed. I went from struggling to finish a marathon to completing TWO 50-mile ultramarathons, TWO full Ironman triathlons, and a 100k ultramarathon—all in the same year.
But the benefits didn’t stop with athletic performance. I experienced firsthand how gut health can transform your energy (no more afternoon crashes!), mood (goodbye anxiety and depression!), digestion (hello, relief from bloating and gas!), immunity, and even mental clarity. It was so life-changing that I left my career as a therapist to become a gut health consultant.
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I spent years helping others restore their gut health—until one day, mine crashed again.
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Despite doing “everything right,” I found myself exhausted, bloated, gaining belly fat, and struggling in my endurance training. Lab work confirmed what I felt: my stress and inflammation were off the charts, and my hormones were totally out of balance.
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Desperate for a change, I did something unexpected: I went vegan.
Inspired by ultra athletes who had been thriving on a vegan diet for decades, what started as a 3-week experiment turned into a turning point. Within days, I felt lighter, clearer, and more energized. I slept better, shed excess weight, and even started running faster again. The deeper I dove into the research, the more I realized that much of what I had believed—and even taught—about nutrition had been shaped by industry-driven messaging, not science.
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Now, at the Joy Clinic, I help others reclaim their health, energy, and confidence through the power of a plant-based lifestyle. Whether you’re an athlete, tired of relying on medications, or simply want to feel like yourself again—I'm here to guide you back to your most vibrant self.
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Because I truly believe you can tap into your body's natural ability to heal itself.
When I'm not speaking, coaching, or consulting, you will usually find me running on trails, tending to my small farm, or going on any number of backyard adventures with my husband and many children.