A Bit About My Background and Journey

to Whole Foods Plant-Based Nutrition

I’ve always had a passion for fitness and health since my early 20’s, figuring if I didn’t have my health, I didn’t have anything!

From the time I was a teenager, I was looking for ways to be healthy and even joined Weight Watchers  with my Mom. I knew my true calling was in health & fitness and became accredited with the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) working as a Health Fitness Instructor.

Despite my intense health regimen, at a young 44 years, I had a medical scare, nonetheless. You see, I thought  I knew what proper nutrition was all about, especially after earning my ACSM ticket. But with symptoms of “fluid-in-my-lungs” and 4 misdiagnoses, eventually, a tumor was found in my left atrium, and I ended up on the operating table having open-heart surgery. Feeling that the medical system had failed me, I knew I had to dig deeper into the literature and standard health care processes. It would be necessary to discover a better way to take charge of my own personal health.

Fortunately, I was introduced to a Whole-Foods, Plant-Based lifestyle. I read The China Study by T. Colin Campbell and was blown away!

It was as if I’d been wearing blinders my whole life!

When I learned the truth about eating animal products and the horrible health consequences of doing so, I was convinced that I needed professional guidance. My near miss with death was inspiration to serve others in their quest for better health.

I soon became a Nutritional Therapist certified by the Health Sciences Academy, UK., in addition to a specialty in Plant-Based Nutrition from the Center for Nutritional Studies, T. Colin Campbell Foundation at Cornell.

My program, “ Rapid Path to Optimal Health,” was then developed. So many folks have since been helped! As a mentor on the ‘Friends of Dr. McDougall’ Facebook page I guide those with challenges. You’ll find me on Facebook, the Optimal Health Diet Coaching page and, locally in my Tucson community am an organizer in the Tucson Veggie Meetup group.

When I’m not helping people reverse health conditions or lose weight, I spend my time cycling, salsa dancing, working in my garden, or walking my Rat Terrier/Chihuahua dog. I still fly airplanes on occasion.