about me
I'm Mary Ann, a holistic wellness practitioner who has traveled many roads to restore my health of body, mind and spirit. I believe we all deserve vibrant abundance on all levels. Now, I am using my experience and expertise to help you create the life of your dreams (click here for more on my journey).
My background includes:
Additionally, I've tried numerous health protocols, plans and energy work myself; developed a network to help meet your needs and am continuously reading, researching and exploring new approaches to help you return to wholeness!
Using research-based modalities, we can explore various avenues to help you define your version of wellness and walk the nourished path.
To learn more about life along the nourished path email: AlongNourishedPath@gmail.com.
MY JOURNEY
My journey towards, and on, the nourished path has ranged from treks-up the most challenging mountains to slogging my way out of the deepest pits. These hard times have been interspersed with strolls of contentment, blissful highs and the mundane marches of daily living.
My past is both worse than and better than that of many of you.
I've faced childhood trauma, battled my body, fought my own mind, hurt more than I thought possible, felt lost and abandoned, walked clouded in depression and had to deal with med-splaining ~ medical professionals who listen, but don't hear; tell you the obvious (usually after you've told them); and/or disregard your innate bodily wisdom and actual experience living in your own body.
I've been told:
The list could go on and on.
Truthfully, the majority of the medical establishment only knows what they are taught, many have no desire or need to explore outside the realm of allopathic medicine and may be so far removed from their own innate "knowingness" that they are unable to hear or believe when a patient says, "I JUST KNOW."
Combined with insurance and big pharma interests, patients and our voices can get lost in the shuffle.
It took me months to find a doctor who could care for my body when I was in a state of high disordered eating and it was a miracle I was able to locate a counselor who offered a sliding pay scale to address the psychological and emotional aspects.
When I tore all the tendons, ligaments, nerves and muscles in my right ankle, it took weeks of me saying, "This isn't getting better, it's getting worse", to be heard. Five years, numerous casts and two surgeries later, along with a slew of alternative therapies, I defied the surgeons' odds and gained back more than 50%-60% functioning.
It wasn't until I was in my 30s and 40s that I hit "the wall". Nothing felt right and no one listened. My blood panels came back within the normal range.
I was down to about 10 foods I could eat without feeling worse which means that I felt awful most of the time. In fact, at one point I looked so bad a friend thought I was dying.
I was riddled with intense stomach "flus", lethargy, reactions to foods, migraines, mood swings, pains and aches, sinus infections. I had gone mostly organic and cut dairy, grains, soy, sweets, caffeine and sugars from my diet.
I was using every tool in my box: Prayer/meditation; therapeutic grade essential oils; supplements; yoga/gentle movement (due to the detox my body couldn't do much exercise); organic foods, beverages, household products and personal hygiene items; crystals; journaling; time in nature; detox baths and soaking in the Gulf of Mexico (I was residing in Naples, FL, at the time).
Finally, with support from a coach who held a doctorate in nutrition, my chiropractor and a few yogi friends, I was able to start returning to Me. I found people who were/are willing to say "I don't know" and either help me find more information or point me in a new direction. Who (mostly) LISTEN and are less than traditional in some of their approaches.
And, I've bumped into so many folks, especially women (like me) in and around "middle age", who are tired of being ignored, med-splained, stereotyped, closed up, shut out and not getting the care of body, mind and spirit that is our birthright.
I share all this because when no one believed in my "mystery illness", I forged ahead and it was lonely, painful, disheartening and far too long a journey.
My dad used to say it was only my wicked sense of humor and sheer stubbornness that kept me going (I like to use the word determination).
It was out of sheer desperation that I followed my interests in natural health; holistic care; the environment; the interconnectedness of body, mind, spirit; writing; and courses in natural health sciences, essential oils, yoga and the like over the years. And, it's what inspired me to get the Pn1 sports and fitness nutrition certification, as well as align with Healy World.
This history inspired me to want to not only feel better, but to enjoy and live life fully !
It has brought me to this moment and time.
Please understand here is not a final destination by any means. It's the acknowledgment and understanding that to walk along the nourished path is a constant, requires ongoing effort and that I/we will continue to encounter peaks, valleys and, if we allow and create it, the where-with-all to enjoy the vistas.
My background includes:
- AA in Psychology and BA in Communications
- Advanced Chemistry of Essential Oils Certification
- Certified Reiki Master | Certified Animal Reiki Practitioner
- Healy Partner
- Pn1 Certification (The Essentials of Sport & Exercise Nutrition)
- Coursework in herbology, essential oils, natural health, yoga, massage for dogs
Additionally, I've tried numerous health protocols, plans and energy work myself; developed a network to help meet your needs and am continuously reading, researching and exploring new approaches to help you return to wholeness!
Using research-based modalities, we can explore various avenues to help you define your version of wellness and walk the nourished path.
To learn more about life along the nourished path email: AlongNourishedPath@gmail.com.
MY JOURNEY
My journey towards, and on, the nourished path has ranged from treks-up the most challenging mountains to slogging my way out of the deepest pits. These hard times have been interspersed with strolls of contentment, blissful highs and the mundane marches of daily living.
My past is both worse than and better than that of many of you.
I've faced childhood trauma, battled my body, fought my own mind, hurt more than I thought possible, felt lost and abandoned, walked clouded in depression and had to deal with med-splaining ~ medical professionals who listen, but don't hear; tell you the obvious (usually after you've told them); and/or disregard your innate bodily wisdom and actual experience living in your own body.
I've been told:
- It's all in your head
- There's nothing wrong with you
- You're crazy
- Just power through
- It's what women go through
- It's part of the natural aging process
The list could go on and on.
Truthfully, the majority of the medical establishment only knows what they are taught, many have no desire or need to explore outside the realm of allopathic medicine and may be so far removed from their own innate "knowingness" that they are unable to hear or believe when a patient says, "I JUST KNOW."
Combined with insurance and big pharma interests, patients and our voices can get lost in the shuffle.
It took me months to find a doctor who could care for my body when I was in a state of high disordered eating and it was a miracle I was able to locate a counselor who offered a sliding pay scale to address the psychological and emotional aspects.
When I tore all the tendons, ligaments, nerves and muscles in my right ankle, it took weeks of me saying, "This isn't getting better, it's getting worse", to be heard. Five years, numerous casts and two surgeries later, along with a slew of alternative therapies, I defied the surgeons' odds and gained back more than 50%-60% functioning.
It wasn't until I was in my 30s and 40s that I hit "the wall". Nothing felt right and no one listened. My blood panels came back within the normal range.
I was down to about 10 foods I could eat without feeling worse which means that I felt awful most of the time. In fact, at one point I looked so bad a friend thought I was dying.
I was riddled with intense stomach "flus", lethargy, reactions to foods, migraines, mood swings, pains and aches, sinus infections. I had gone mostly organic and cut dairy, grains, soy, sweets, caffeine and sugars from my diet.
I was using every tool in my box: Prayer/meditation; therapeutic grade essential oils; supplements; yoga/gentle movement (due to the detox my body couldn't do much exercise); organic foods, beverages, household products and personal hygiene items; crystals; journaling; time in nature; detox baths and soaking in the Gulf of Mexico (I was residing in Naples, FL, at the time).
Finally, with support from a coach who held a doctorate in nutrition, my chiropractor and a few yogi friends, I was able to start returning to Me. I found people who were/are willing to say "I don't know" and either help me find more information or point me in a new direction. Who (mostly) LISTEN and are less than traditional in some of their approaches.
And, I've bumped into so many folks, especially women (like me) in and around "middle age", who are tired of being ignored, med-splained, stereotyped, closed up, shut out and not getting the care of body, mind and spirit that is our birthright.
I share all this because when no one believed in my "mystery illness", I forged ahead and it was lonely, painful, disheartening and far too long a journey.
My dad used to say it was only my wicked sense of humor and sheer stubbornness that kept me going (I like to use the word determination).
It was out of sheer desperation that I followed my interests in natural health; holistic care; the environment; the interconnectedness of body, mind, spirit; writing; and courses in natural health sciences, essential oils, yoga and the like over the years. And, it's what inspired me to get the Pn1 sports and fitness nutrition certification, as well as align with Healy World.
This history inspired me to want to not only feel better, but to enjoy and live life fully !
It has brought me to this moment and time.
Please understand here is not a final destination by any means. It's the acknowledgment and understanding that to walk along the nourished path is a constant, requires ongoing effort and that I/we will continue to encounter peaks, valleys and, if we allow and create it, the where-with-all to enjoy the vistas.
