After a serious horse riding accident at age 10, I developed an inflammatory spine condition that would shape the rest of my life. To manage the pain, I was prescribed high doses of pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory drugs for years.
While they dulled the pain, these medications damaged my gut lining and disrupted my microbiome, leading to Leaky Gut Syndrome. With my gut barrier compromised, I could no longer absorb nutrients properly, setting off a cascade of health problems — multiple food sensitivities, systemic inflammation, hormone imbalances, insulin resistance, and chronic pain.
By my teens, I was also battling debilitating depression — a direct result of my damaged microbiome. The beneficial bacteria that produce serotonin and dopamine — key neurotransmitters for mood, motivation, and emotional wellbeing — had been depleted. Without them, my brain chemistry shifted, and my energy, mood, and resilience plummeted.
At the same time, I developed chronic fatigue from Epstein–Barr virus, migraines, and IBS. I spent years going from doctor to doctor, only to be offered more medications. The pharmaceuticals masked symptoms temporarily but never addressed the underlying cause — and in many ways, made things worse.