Have you ever felt dismissed by doctors despite suffering debilitating digestive issues? In this post, Mystic Mag shares Jessica’s story of overcoming gut problems after a traumatic brain injury and how she found a path to healing. We’ll learn what digestive wellness is, delve into SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth), and discover how to take back control of your health. Let’s get started!
When did you first know that digestive wellness was your calling and how did it come about?
After a Traumatic Brain Injury in 2015, I endured major health complications. One of the most prominent being severe and debilitating digestive issues. After the TBI, I lost my job due to a decline in my ability to function, I lost the ability to pursue my athletic career, I lost relationships, I started losing my vision, I couldn’t eat food without getting sick and started uncontrollably gaining weight, I lost almost everything. I started looking for answers for my complex health issues in Conventional Medicine.
I saw every specialist and had every test done. In the end, I was dismissed by Conventional Medicine and was told that “everything was fine” after all of my labs came back normal. I refused to accept this. I refused to live the rest of my life feeling so poorly. I knew that something was really off in my body and that there was an explanation and solution for my digestive issues. I was relentless in finding a solution. I continued on my path for healing and eventually found answers when I started working with a Functional Practitioner. I learned about SIBO and GI MAPS, special diets and functional labs.
I worked with a few different people while simultaneously studying and getting my credentials to work as a Functional Holistic Health Practitioner myself. I trained with the top SIBO doctors in the world. I became a Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner and a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner. And in 2021 I started my own practice ‘Rebalance Your Routine’ with the aim to help people improve gut health and detoxification by using Functional Labs and making modifications to lifestyle and diet.
What services do you offer?
I currently offer one on one coaching on zoom. I specialize in SIBO but not everyone that I work with has SIBO. I also can help people detox from mold, reduce Inflammation and improve gut health. All functional labs can
be shipped to a clients home. I work with people throughout the USA and have just expanded my services Internationally. I am also able for corporate wellness events, public speaking and workshops which can be held at gyms, schools or the workplace.
What exactly is Digestive Wellness, and what is SIBO?
I define digestive wellness as optimizing the state and function of your gut microbiome and Gastrointestinal Tract. It ’s also important to learn how to create a balanced routine and anti-inflammatory dietary habits while getting educated on potential triggers of poor gut health. SIBO stands for Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth and is essentially an imbalance of bacteria in the small intestine that causes symptoms such as bloating, constipation, diarrhea, belching, gas, nausea, fatigue, skin issues, food sensitivities/ intolerances, weight gain or weight loss. It common and often misdiagnosed as IBS.
What is the best way to motivate someone to make healthy changes to their routine and achieve a balanced lifestyle?
We have to break things down into small steps. Small changes consistently over time can lead to long term improvements in health. Accountability and support is also really important during this process. Building a community of like minded individuals is a great idea too.
What can a person expect from your sessions?
They can expect to get guidance, education and support on how to improve their digestion and support detoxification. Some people have SIBO, some people have H. Pylori, some have parasites, some have imbalanced bacteria in the large intestine. The goal is to help restore balance, reduce toxic burden and rebuild sustainable optimal wellness. The first step is to have a 60 minute Health Intake Session on zoom and that is where we review symptoms and health history.
I will make suggestions on functional labs to run and if a person wants to move forward after the Health Intake Session, we would work together for an initial 90 day program. I will use the information from the functional labs (and Health Intake Session) to identify healing opportunities and create a 90 day protocol that will include suggestions on supplements, as well as modifications to diet and lifestyle.
What do you love most about your profession?
I love to help people get their life back and help them find healing opportunities and explanations for their health concerns. I want everyone to feel good and happy! We all deserve that. Sometimes we just need a little guidance and support to put us back on the right path.
