Where the journey first began.

Oh, I hit the genetic jackpot growing up—blessed with a turbo-charged metabolism that allowed me to inhale food like a vacuum cleaner without breaking a sweat. Seriously, I could eat anything. And my family? Well, they were the food gods and goddesses. Dinner wasn’t just a meal, it was sacred. We had garden produce that was nothing short of magic. My grandma and mom were culinary wizards who turned pie crusts, roasts, and stews into edible hugs. Those home-cooked vibes? They were planting seeds for my future obsession with fresh, real food and, of course, the joy of shoving it in my face while surrounded by the people I love.

Then came motherhood. And, oh boy, did my body betray me. Three kids later, and my hormones showed up like uninvited houseguests—bringing postpartum depression and a version of me I didn’t even recognize. Add in the ridiculous beauty standards from social media, and I was spiraling faster than a toddler on a sugar high. Instead of celebrating the powerhouse that had birthed three humans, I was over here punishing myself for not snapping back to some mythical “ideal” size. Spoiler alert: that was not the answer. Depression hit like a freight train, anxiety moved in, and I felt like I was failing at everything.

Cue my brilliant solution: starving myself thin. Oh, yes, I became that person—the one obsessed with calories, crash diets, and workout binges. Yoga every day? Check. Surviving on two oranges? Double-check. I even tried every diet pill and cleanse under the sun. (Spoiler: they were all garbage.) I lied to myself and everyone around me, convincing myself I was being “healthy” when, in reality, I was digging myself deeper into a hole.

And guess what? When I finally hit my “goal” size? Yeah, happiness didn’t magically appear. I was a size 2, but my brain was still like, “Hey, remember those saggy skin and stretch marks? Total failures.” I spent way too much time chasing some moving target of perfection and, spoiler alert, ended up hating myself even more. Fun times.

Eventually, my body threw in the towel, and my mental health took a nosedive. I shut everyone out, stayed in bed, and let shame spiral its way to the top. But somewhere in the middle of all that chaos, I found hope. Therapy, support from the real ones, and the willingness to finally deal with my issues helped me start climbing out of that pit. Turns out, letting people in and not punishing yourself for being human is a game changer.

Fast forward to today: I’ve kissed those quick fixes goodbye, and I’m all about balance now. Yes, I still love food (who wouldn’t?), but I’ve figured out it’s not the enemy—it’s my fuel. And gut health? Yeah, it’s a big deal. Turns out, starving and bingeing don’t exactly do wonders for your microbiome. Fun fact: eliminating whole food groups? Not the answer. Trying to reintroduce them later feels like a science experiment gone horribly wrong. Lesson learned.

And let’s talk skin. My hormonal acne fought like it was auditioning for a role in Fight Club. After five years of tweaking my skincare routine (shout out to the dermatologist for not giving up on me), I finally found my glow. My face is calm, my confidence is back, and I no longer feel like a walking “before” photo. Proof that patience and the right care really do work miracles.

Now? I’m all in on a holistic approach to health—one that respects both my body and my mind. I’ve learned to blend conventional medicine with functional practices like yoga and herbal remedies. It’s not about slapping a bandaid on my symptoms anymore; it’s about healing from the inside out. If I can figure this out, I promise, anyone can.

So here we are. Ready to embrace the messy, beautiful journey of self-discovery together. I’m here to share recipes, workouts, skincare tips, and a whole lot of laughs as we navigate this wellness thing without losing our minds. Let’s keep it real, find balance, and maybe even have some fun along the way.

Got a story to share? A burning question? Or a totally random tip about gut health or the best way to roast veggies? I’m all ears! Email me at thewellnessblondie@gmail.com. Let’s inspire, commiserate, and kick some serious butt on this journey toward health and happiness—together.