Hi, I’m Sarah

I am a happy AND successful wife and a mother of two daughters. I have never felt better, both physically and emotionally, but it hasn’t always been this way. I have often struggled to be my best, mostly because I haven’t always felt my best.

At 28, I was diagnosed with gastroparesis, and not surprisingly, the solution I was given by my doctors was a pill and I was sent on my merry way. I popped that tiny little pill 4 times a day for two years. Then the pill simply quit working. I was in pain…ALL THE TIME.

I was unsure what to eat and began to fear eating as I anticipated the pain that would inevitably follow. My stomach would swell, like really BIG and this became ALL consuming. I was really sick and to complicate things even further, living in another country halfway around the world. I, like many, had no idea how to get myself back to health.

At the time, I was teaching 4th grade at an International School in China, so I decided to fly back to the US during my summer break to have a battery of tests. I tested and tested and then tested some more. As I boarded the plane back to China, I had lost 12 pounds as a result of coming off my medicine and therefore not being able to eat. I had 10 pounds of protein powder in my suitcase, no clear answers and even contemplated the thought of a fake stomach implant at the age of 30. This felt extremely gloomy at the time and I began to wonder if I would ever feel well again.

I grew weaker and sicker on my protein shake and bland diet. I got so sick and weak I ended up having to quit my job and was at a loss as what to do, until one day a friend asked me if I’d thought of going to visit the Chinese doctor who spoke English and treated many expats. I remember thinking to myself “I’m American, we don’t do those type of things.” She sensed my apprehension and simply replied “do you have anything to lose?” And, I was off to visit Dr. Chen the next day.

I was skeptical. I pushed the limits with this kind man and he sensed my apprehension. I was in his office 7 minutes flat and he looked at me at said “your stomach doesn’t work.” He had my attention…and this is truly how food, as Hippocrates would say…became thy medicine…

My journey to health took months, years really…and I still fine tune it here and there. I’ve done elimination diets along the way to understand how to best serve my body so that I could show up the best version of myself and play full out in life.

As I type this, I reflect on the fact that I am a healthy woman, who enjoys incredibly delicious meals with her family and who still has her real stomach intact. This is my win. I’ve healed and, I healed well.

I have learned many things along the way and helping other women who struggle to be their best has now become my passion. I would love to help you. As much as it seems unlikely now, you can feel great again and show up the best version of you in all that you do.