My Transformational Health and Wellness Journey to Coaching

JAN-JUL 2019: My grandpa was in hospice, then passed away a week after my grandaunt. I watched him suffer in pain for months leading up to his death, which played a part in my life shift and priorities. My mom, brother, and I were responsible for the funeral arrangements. I had a near-death-like experience due to a terrible asthma attack. The heavy burning of joss paper for an extended time during funeral procedures triggered my asthma and a sleepless night in-between the day of the wake and burial day as I smelled smoke coming out of my lungs. I felt weak and begged my family to take me to urgent care, but they didn't allow me to until after the burial and errands. Thankfully, I kept drinking water throughout the day to help flush out the particles trapped in my lungs. I almost passed out several times during that day. I went to urgent care in the afternoon and got a new inhaler. That day made me see my family differently as I noticed the contrast in our priorities, and I should've called a cab or taken a Lyft to urgent care first thing in the morning instead. This experience taught me to prioritize my health first over what others think I should do, even if that meant going against family wishes and mandatory cultural traditions.

MAY-JUL 2019: The last time I spoke to my grandaunt and saw her alive was in the trauma ICU fighting for her life due to a hit-and-run accident. She then passed away in July. Her suffering, death, and the day of her wake affected me deeply.

APR-JUN 2019: I had painful abdominal symptoms that felt like near-death-like experiences a handful of times; the severity of the pain made it difficult to get out of bed on most days. Although not suicidal, I was at peace if something had happened as I waited for my gastroenterologist appointment day. I was diagnosed with IBS and told to take Benefiber, but I still had the symptoms.

AUG 2019: I found a bi-cultural therapist and started therapy again after being triggered by a toxic, extended family member as I was grieving the deaths of my grandpa and grandaunt while dealing with my IBS pain. Also, I was worried about falling into depression again. I took a short trip to Maine with family, which helped me reset. The mix of that trip, therapy, and reviewing all the lessons from traumatic life events I had witnessed, endured, and overcome up to that point in my life sparked a spiritual awakening. This awakening and prioritizing my mental health care have been vital in helping me keep depression at bay despite still facing difficult life obstacles. 

SEP-OCT 2019: Therapy and journaling helped me get back to a healthy, clear-minded mental health state again. I began to research more about IBS and nutrition. I followed mainly pescatarian and vegetarian diets during this time.

NOV 2019: I decided to commit to an ovo-vegetarian diet with mainly vegan meals to minimize my carbon footprint and an attempt to resolve my IBS issues. Additionally, I started a low FODMAP diet to help pinpoint foods that caused my IBS symptoms.

DEC 2019: I did a lot of research and discovered a functional medicine physician specializing in IBS, and she helped me figure out I had SIBO. So, I ordered her 30-day SIBO treatment program. 

JAN-APR 2020: My IBS and SIBO symptoms subsided after the treatment. I still had a few triggers, so I continued my low FODMAP diet for a bit longer. I slowly started to try meditation and yoga again in April.

MAY-AUG 2020: I stopped the low FODMAP diet in May. That same month, an HVAC leak from an upstairs neighbor caused toxic mold at home, which triggered my asthma. I had to get the municipal public health department involved because my building management association was unhelpful in resolving the issue quickly. Once they fixed the leak, professionals cleared the toxic mold and renovated the room by August. In June, I enrolled in Robin Sharma's The Circle of Legends mentoring program; I explored the power of holistic wellness and impactful work in the program.

NOV 2020-JUN 2021: I started to go gluten-free in November; I did have a few gluten days since then. I also began to eat more clean by February: no sugar and a whole-foods, plant-based diet; I did have some low sugar moments since then. In November, I left Robin Sharma's mentoring program; his lifestyle belief that he preaches wasn't sustainable for me. I learned what I needed from him to help me transition into another program. That same month, I enrolled in an accelerated certified health coaching program to learn about nutrition and additional holistic ways to improve my overall health. I graduated from the program in June 2021 and launched BE WELL WITH FRANCES.

JUL-OCT 2021: I felt extremely unwell and went to urgent care multiple times. I had a bunch of tests and ultrasounds done. The physician had me take OTC medication for a peptic ulcer as I waited for my last test results, which confirmed I had Helicobacter pylori (common infection). I learned this was the underlying reason for my ongoing gut issues since childhood and my peptic ulcer at the time. I didn't get the prescription since not covered by my insurance (about $3K out-of-pocket), and research showed repeat treatment in most patients. As someone with a high risk of antibiotic resistance, it didn't make sense for me to get the prescription. So, I researched alternative solutions and preventions. I went back to the functional physician and ordered a 30-day treatment plan targeting the infection. No more IBS, SIBO, and peptic ulcer symptoms, but I continue with caution as I restore my gut health with nutritional foods. 

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