Age: 33
Occupation: Wellness Specialist and Vegan Lifestyle Coach
Health issue: Depression and a life-altering accident
Symptoms: My life was on a downward spiral. My days were spent recovering from a jumble of anxiety, depression, self-hate and self-induced illnesses. I wanted to spend my time sleeping, as this was the only time I was actually at peace with myself. I couldn’t cope. Then one day, while hiking with my dogs, the ground eroded from under me causing me to fall about 50 feet. I was caught by a tree that broke my fall – and also broke my back and ribs.
While I was grateful that I was not paralyzed, I was far from healthy. I had regular seizures, was condemned to a bed and couldn’t work or socialize. I thought: “I have nothing left to live for.”
Health recommendations: I had refused pain medication after the first week because I didn’t want to spend my days as an addict. I decided I wanted to opt for natural healing regardless of how painful the experience was going to be.
Doctors told me I would be a hunchback, would need back surgery, and my brain injury would greatly affect my life. I refused to accept my own demise. I started small. I began stretching and exercising (something that was completely foreign to a punk rock kid like me). I stopped drinking and smoking, and started eating healthy raw and vegan foods. Suddenly I realized that the positive energy I was feeding my mind and body was creating positive things in my life; including a new and amazing appreciation for myself.
The results: I got my life back! I believe in myself and my life experience so much so that I started my own Wellness Company – a vegan-based lifestyle coaching company called Veeg. My mission is to help others with their personal journey to wellness using natural information and tips. Change is never easy and sometimes we all need a cheerleader to help guide and motivate us.