My Background
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There are two ways of learning a language. For instance you can study French grammar and syntax and practice pronunciation until you think you sound like a native. But you may be surprised to find that when you visit France you can't carry on a conversation. The other way to learn a language is to become immersed in the culture. If you live among the people and have to speak the language to survive, you can learn amazingly fast! Health has a language of its own...and so does sickness. The first one I thought I had learned by studying hard, but it wasn't until I was immersed in the second that I really began to understand the culture of both. I was born with a genetic neuromuscular disease called myotonia congenita, or Thomsen's Disease. Although it was a nuisance and kept me from pursuing some of my goals as a young person, it didn't really show its teeth until I was married and had a baby. For the next twenty years I struggled with numerous conditions, from chronic fatigue syndrome to much more serious complications like congestive heart failure and kidney failure. At one point I weighed 65 pounds and wasn't expected to live. After I finally recovered and was well enough to work again (and even exercise), my world was again turned upside down when I was sitting in my car at an intersection and got hit from behind. The resulting injuries included a herniated disc in my neck and a brain injury. I learned a whole new language this time...the language of pain. A few years later I was well enough to go back to work as a nutritional consultant at a wellness clinic. While all my experiences had given me new insights into dealing with chronic illness and injury, I still had more to learn. Three different Olympic athletes requested help as they were training for the Sydney Olympics. Though I was able to give advice on their particular conditions, I realized that I knew a great deal about sickness, but not nearly enough about health. I began taking a course to become a certified personal trainer. Fortunately the organization I chose for my training recognized that not everyone will be able to work out at a gym pressing 150 pounds. I learned about the proper way to strengthen muscles and connective tissue, how to lose weight safely and permanently, and how to improve quality of life with a fitness program. As I began to apply the principles to my own life, my overall health improved and I was able to do much more than I had imagined. Although I work with people who are at all different levels of fitness, many of my nutrition clients are disabled or physically challenged in some way. I decided to pursue training that would give me the tools to help them achieve a level of fitness that matched their capabilities. I am grateful for all the experiences that have affected my life, both the negative and the positive. They have made me the person I am today, and they have allowed me to help others with compassion and understanding. My goal is to help you improve your quality of life, whatever your circumstances. I think you'll find that we speak the same language! Update: In August of 2003 I was bitten by a mosquito carrying the West Nile Virus. A year of suffering unlike anything I had ever experienced followed. My heart goes out to the victims of West Nile all over the country. My ongoing neurological symptoms have greatly reduced my capacity to work, but I have started a special forum just for those of us who are dealing with this often incapacitating illness. |
