I was never athletic growing up and only became interested in wellness in 2005 when I was diagnosed with Colitis. I was determined to get off of over $200 in month in medications and find a natural way to ease my symptoms with dietary changes. With the help of a fabulous Gastroenterologist who also was more interested in homeopathic remedies than writing prescriptions, I have been in remission for over 10 year now.

In 2011, I almost lost my Dad due to complications from a routine procedure. It was discovered at that time that in addition to cholesterol and heart issues, he had a hereditary blood disease, Factor V Leiden, making him prone to blood clots, resulting in an emergency triple by-pass.

Because the blood disease is hereditary, my siblings and I all had to be tested. It turned out that I also had a mild form of it, and now I, too, was prone to clots, in addition to heart disease. I was also about 20 pounds overweight and had high cholesterol.

And so it began–

I did not want to die–at the time I was only 42 and I had a 10 year old daughter.

As part of my wellness journey, (and throughout my entire life!), like most women, my weight has fluctuated 10 to 20 pounds on either side of the scale. I have tried just about every program out there, all which work great at first, but then the program either fails me or I fail the program!

About 2 1/2 years ago I found my “place”. An online program that was based on nutrition, a variety of workout options AND accountability with a group of women just like me to stay on track. I started posting about my walks, runs, healthy meals, and people would say “I should join you” so I started inviting them.

As a result, in 2015 I started a Women’s Walking group, somewhat by accident, and I was so inspired by the women that joined me in my walks, that I decided to pursue various professional certifications, so that I could not only share my journey, but also truly help others….

When I started experiencing peri-menopausal symptoms, I decided that I was tired of my hormones controlling my weight, my figure, my emotions, how I looked~essentially controlling my life. I had long been “in tune” with how certain foods effected my body and how I felt from my experiences over the last 10 years learning to control my Colitis naturally through lifestyle modifications including diet and stress management. I figured if I could learn to control that without medications, I certainly could learn to manage perimenopause and eventually menopause the same way.

And I was right!

As I was approaching my 50th birthday, I was part of a test group for a program that was truly life changing and has resulted in me being in the best shape of my life–ever–at 50!

The women who joined me “virtually” and on my walks inspired me to work harder, stay on task, and focus on my goals, regardless of their “place” in their wellness journey.

Women just like me.

And you, too.

And inspired me so much, that MISSION:midlife Wellness Studio was born and my “part-time” gig became my full-time “retirement” career.