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What led me here...
What originally began as learning for my own health, quickly turned into a passion for knowledge. After becoming a Functional Nutrition Consultant, I knew there was so much more tied into our health than just food. So, I continued my studies and became an International Coaching Federation (ICF) Certified Coach, a Health & Wellness Coach, a Women’s Health Coach, and a Reiki Practitioner. Additionally, I have completed studies on the vagus nerve + nervous system regulation, hormones, gut health + the microbiome, and Level 1 + 2 Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT).
I was first diagnosed with hypothyroidism in January, 2009, at the age of 27. I was newly married, wanting to start a family, and it was such a happy time in my life that it threw me by complete surprise when all of a sudden, my mood dropped, my hair started falling out, my weight increased, and I couldn't stop crying.
Fast forward 10 years and I thought it was all under control. I had seen many doctors over the years as I was meticulous about 6 monthly checks and would often just see whichever doctor was available within the clinic (we had moved during this time and our clinic had changed, too).
I had admittedly been very lazy when it came to educating myself during this time. I just went with whatever I was told, and if my thyroid panel was in range, I was happy. When a friend mentioned the word 'Hashimoto's' to me, I raised it with my doctor. She said it was an autoimmune disease linked with hypothyroidism, but if the thyroid panel is in range, then you don't worry about it.
How it all started
Jump forward 2 years towards the end of 2020. I'm 39, the fittest I've ever been, and I thought I was living a fairly clean life. Imagine my surprise when I wake up one day feeling 'off', mentally slow, and an overall feeling of being hungover. It was that day I would have my first ever panic attack.
From that point on, things escalated quickly. I was constantly paranoid, my heartrate was through the roof, I was regularly trying not to cry whilst also hiding this from our children, and the panic attacks were often, to the point I was scared to even drive with our kids in the car. We learned that my thyroid panel was perfect. But my antibodies were so out of control, that my body was attacking itself. I was in a state of chronic inflammation which then led to a slew of other issues for me.
Marni x
Alarmingly, she also told me that I actually had Hashimoto's, (as indicated by my off the chart's antibodies in my bloodwork) and said that I would likely have had it the entire time. It was in my records, others had seen it and noted it, but it had never been mentioned to me. That was the first time I heard that I had Hashimoto's. 10+ years after the fact.
I left that appointment a bit bewildered, but still had complete faith in my GP. Although, out of curiosity, I asked several doctors that I know how they treat Hashimoto's. Their answers were all the same. "If your thyroid is in range, you don't worry about the Hashimoto's." Unfortunately, this is what they were all taught. Even more unfortunate for me, is that I learned the hard way how wrong this approach is.
From there, there was no going back. No more solely relying on Western Medicine. Instead, I found myself an Integrative GP, my beautiful naturopath, Emma Drady, and I even had several sessions with a hypnotist in the early days (amazing!). I immersed myself in study, starting with a course in Functional Nutrition. Initially, it was only to benefit myself and my family, but the more I learnt (after nutrition it was gut health, hormones, the vagus nerve, reiki, coaching, and EFT), and the more people I spoke to, the more I realised how much support is needed in these areas. I know, for me, it would have made such a massive difference if I knew of anyone I could have sought out for support along my healing journey. Someone who knew first-hand what it all felt like.
Looking back, I wouldn't change a thing, though. As hard as that time was, the changes it has allowed me to make have had such a profound impact on the health and wellbeing of myself, and my family as a whole. It has also allowed me to really listen to my body and to recognise that I know it better than anyone else does.
I went in without fear, and with nothing to lose. And along the way I realised the saying is true. "By changing nothing, nothing changes."
I look forward to supporting you in living this life as the best version of yourself.
I would end up addressing and correcting a hormone imbalance, heal my gut health, and become gluten-free (this was a game-changer!). Additionally, I changed how we eat by going primarily organic and additive-free, plus I changed how we live, by swapping out everything I used in the home (and on myself) that contained nasties + endocrine disrupting chemicals.