The Gentle Health Coach Begins…
The truth is, I don’t ever remember feeling good in my own body. It seems like I have always struggled with chronic pain, digestive issues, and low energy levels—far lower than other children my age. My parents brought me to doctors, searching for answers, but none came.
One visit stands out clearly in my mind. I was around seven or eight years old and feeling unwell. My parents, frustrated by yet another doctor’s visit, took me to the GP. Imagine my shock when the doctor looked at my parents and declared, “There is nothing wrong with this child.” Then, he bent down, looked me in the eye, and asked, “Young lady, is there something at school you’re trying to avoid?”
I was devastated. I truly felt sick, but my parents believed the doctor over me. This moment sparked my interest in the medical field and set the tone for the years that followed—struggling with unexplained health issues while being told it was “all in my head.”
Navigating Chronic Illness and Seeking Answers
For years, I battled mysterious health challenges while receiving little support. I was labeled a hypochondriac, told to “push through,” and even ridiculed for avoiding physical exercise due to pain. Teachers dismissed my discomfort, assuming I was making excuses. But they didn’t feel the pain I was feeling.
Determined to understand my body, I became fascinated with holistic health and the mind-body connection. I decided to pursue medicine, hoping to help people like myself—those who didn’t fit into neat diagnostic boxes. However, my struggles intensified. An eating disorder, trauma, and chronic pain made my journey incredibly difficult, and after two years of medical school, I had to drop out.
This experience, painful as it was, led to an important realization: If I wanted to help others with their health, I first had to heal myself. I immersed myself in self-care strategies, lifestyle changes, and functional health practices. Eventually, I returned to college, earning a BSc in Health and Society from Dublin City University (DCU).
I was finally moving closer to my dream of becoming a doctor—until financial barriers put an end to it. While this was devastating, something unexpected happened. As I grieved the loss of that dream, I began to unravel the root causes of my long-standing health struggles.
Finding the Root Causes: A Path to Healing
After years of misdiagnoses and being dismissed by doctors, I finally found answers. I was diagnosed with Lyme disease, psoriatic arthritis, hypermobility, and food sensitivities—all of which had been impacting my immune system, gut health, and energy levels for years. Later, I also discovered I have ADHD, which helped explain many of my lifelong challenges.
Receiving a diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis was both frightening and validating. For the first time, I had a doctor who truly listened. Treatment involved immune-suppressing medications—a necessary but difficult step. In 2020, I began injections that made me more vulnerable to illness. It was a challenging journey, but I was willing to do what it took to reclaim my health.
However, I didn’t stop there. I worked closely with my doctor while also making natural lifestyle changes—reducing stress, eating an anti-inflammatory diet, and engaging in gentle movement. The real breakthrough, though, was learning to be kind to myself.
Becoming The Gentle Health Coach
For years, I pushed myself relentlessly, berating my body when it didn’t meet my expectations. It wasn’t until I could barely walk that I realized the importance of self-compassion. True healing required me to stop fighting against my body and instead, work with it.
As my health improved, I was able to reduce my reliance on medication and step into my power. I no longer needed a doctor to validate my experiences—I had the knowledge and tools to take control of my own health and wellness journey.
This led me to pursue health coaching. I wanted to help others navigate their chronic illness, autoimmune conditions, and unexplained health issues with compassion and understanding. I may not be the stereotypical confident, outgoing coach, but I know what it’s like to feel unheard, dismissed, and lost in a body that doesn’t feel like home.
That’s why I’m here. That’s why I’m The Gentle Health Coach.
If you’re struggling with chronic illness, autoimmune conditions, stress-related health concerns, or simply feeling unheard in your health journey, I want you to know: I believe you. You are not alone. And together, we can find a path forward.
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