About

As a teenager, I quickly came to terms with my limitations; activities like horseback riding, roller coasters, gymnastics, and other high-impact sports were off-limits. Entering adulthood, I discovered that having an epidural during childbirth was not an option due to significant surgical scar tissue in my epidural space.
 

I had a fulfilling career as a Dental Hygienist for many years, but it didn’t help my chronic back pain. The body mechanics needed for dental hygiene are tough, especially for someone with a sensitive spine. I overcompensated for my limited range of motion by compromising my shoulder positioning.

 

After years of repetitive, awkward movements, and poor body mechanics, it was a recipe for disaster. In the end, I needed bilateral AC joint (shoulder) surgeries. Additionally, the surgeon removed a ganglion cyst on my wrist and performed an Ulnar Nerve Repositioning (also from my career). Throughout this whole, I realized my back was continually worsening.
 

After a fusion with Harrington Rods, I ended up with "flat back syndrome," a condition that brings pain, mental fatigue, sciatica, spinal stenosis, neuropathy, muscle fatigue, spasms, lack of lordosis (making it difficult to stand up straight). These were just a few of the struggles I faced. Meet the not-so-happy me! To top it off, I had to leave a job I loved. From that point on, I promised myself I’d focus on finding ways to feel better and enjoy life more!
 

I was resolute in my quest NOT to allow chronic back pain to be the center of my life, especially being a new mom of two daughters. Who has time for pain? This is NOT the role model I wanted for my girls! After extensive trial and error, I found a diet and safe exercises that effectively alleviated my chronic back pain. It wasn't just one or two changes that made an impact, instead, it was a combination of an anti-inflammatory diet, safe exercises blended with traditional methods, and integrative medicine practices that contributed to the difference.

 

Driven by pain, I dedicated myself each day to implementing a combination that effectively alleviated my symptoms. Sounds great, doesn’t it? Empowering, even? Not quite! There was one crucial element I needed to incorporate into my regimen: I had to address my mental state. Yes, you heard that correctly. I often found myself thinking: “I work so hard every day just to get by,” “This is frustrating,” “Why is this happening to me?” “I just don’t feel like it,” “No one understands what I’m going through,” “My body feels deformed,” “It’s just not fair". Without addressing my mental struggles, I felt like a three-legged chair—unstable and unbalanced. If you lack balance, you cannot pretend to be whole.

I soon discovered what life coaching was and recognized it as the MISSING LINK in my journey. This insight inspired me to pursue certification as a Life Coach. I dedicated an entire year to coaching others while also undergoing my own coaching, focusing on thoughts, limiting beliefs, uncertainties, conditioning, fears, and the strategies that genuinely created impactful change.
 

Did you know that most pain we feel is neuroplastic pain, which is learned pain that just doesn't serve us? The good news is you can train your brain to unlearn it, helping to reverse that pain! There is substantial neuroscience to back this up, and the notion of it being pseudoscience has been thoroughly debunked. By taking this crucial step, I now live a pain-free life.

In the spring of 2024, I decided to undergo spinal revision surgery to avert potential disabilities in my later years. After thorough research, I discovered Dr. Joseph M. Lombardi, MD, a brilliant and highly skilled surgeon specializing in the operative management of spinal disorders at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York. Dr. Lombardi is trained in cutting-edge surgical technologies, including robotics, guided navigation, and artificial intelligence. Thanks to his expertise, I underwent a pain-free surgery with an accelerated recovery time and outstanding results. With the guidance of coaching, this choice has proven to be the best I've ever made.
 

It wasn't just the physical aspect of the surgery that made a difference, it was also my mindset and thoughts leading up to it. I had to confront my limiting beliefs about surgery, uncertainties about the outcome, and conditioning from past experiences with medical procedures. Through self-reflection and coaching sessions, I was able to work through these fears and develop strategies to stay positive and calm.
One key strategy was visualization. I visualized myself coming out of the surgery feeling healthy and strong, free from future pain. This helped me remain focused on a positive outcome rather than dwelling on potential negative scenarios.

I want to teach you the tools to help you Wear Your Pain Like Diamonds!