My Health Initiative
Finding the Root: My Journey to Better Health Through Vitamins, Hormones, and Self-Care
Vitamins as a part of my daily routine really help. I’ve added Vitamin B-12 for a deficiency. I was already taking Vitamin D, and recently, I’ve added hair, skin, and nail gummies.
My skin has “been weird” lately. Combo-oily, dry, pimples, etc. THEN YESTERDAY...
TMI, I know.
I have a history of PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), but it is now known as polyendocrine metabolic syndrome (PMOS). As a person who loves research and is always proactive about my family history, I’ve had a series of bloodwork tests done after the passing of my late mother.
Among her thyroid and pituitary issues, she was diagnosed with MS a few years ago. During the last three years of her life, she was unable to walk. I believe her story always inspired me to continue my research and work in sports as a coach. After becoming a coach, I noticed I was able to find out the root of my issues after allllll these years. I suffered with headaches, heavy bleeding, cramps, fatigue, nausea, and sometimes skipped cycles for months at a time.
I found out I’m anemic. I’ve also added iron gummies. Besides anxiety medication, I have these, as well as multivitamin gummies for women and prenatal vitamins. Doctors also found out I have low folic acid. In the past, I’ve had high aldosterone and testosterone levels, which explained my hairiness.
Back in 2024, I had a head scan done with an endocrinologist named Dr. Alan Kauppi out of Lynchburg, VA. He told me my cortisol levels were sky-high, and he was so amazed at how I lowered them naturally. He asked me, “What did you do?” I told him, “I’m learning not to stress myself out,” haha.
I have clinical anxiety, and it affects specific things like weight gain and sleep. Lately, my diet has consisted of added sugars and carbs, which I admit I need to knock out! I have been doing very well with eating veggies, protein, and fiber. Even my snacking choices are better, with things like Sun Chips, popcorn, and peanut butter crackers.
Cortisol, aldosterone, and testosterone were probably the main causes of my headaches. To ease tension and prevent headaches, I am now using blue-light glasses, especially while I’m at work. It scares me when I have to squint sometimes, but I passed the eye test a few weeks ago, so maybe it was just that day.
I went from a size 10 & 12 to a size 6 in pants and small and medium shirts. So, I’m back to “myself.” I think I look better, and I know I feel better, so it has positive effects on my mental health. Sometimes, we are so hard on ourselves and don’t think about finding the “root” of an issue. It’s best that you admit you won’t have every answer sometimes!
Find experts that you trust, such as myself (if you want), who can guide you through the most effective methods to improve your overall health. Take it one day at a time, and ask all the questions you need. If you don’t go to the doctor at least twice a year as an adult, I would be alarmed if I were you.
It is important to get regular screenings to make sure there are no underlying conditions or ailments. You never know when something could be too far along. People would tell me and my mom that she didn’t look sick all those years, but in her last years, it showed. She continues to be one of the biggest inspirations for my journey, and it serves as guidance through all my endeavors.
It’s only one you. Treat YOURSELF the right way.
