It all started with a hidden toxic mold exposure.

Let’s rewind a bit here. After graduating from the University of Southern California with honors in 2017, I was embarking on a career path in the competitive corporate world. I moved into my first post-grad apartment, ready to take on my twenties with genuine excitement. But everything began to shift after moving in. Little did I know that the headaches, gut issues, brain fog, and crushing fatigue were just some of the symptoms that would plague years of my life, all brought on by a hidden toxic mold exposure.

I slowly started to put together the pieces of my very complex health puzzle and learned that the exposure had triggered a host of health issues, including mold toxicity, chronic Lyme disease, viral reactivations, autoimmunity, hormone irregularities, parasites, and gastrointestinal imbalances. My world became consumed with researching and trying countless therapies — conventional, alternative, and integrative — in an attempt to heal from the debilitating symptoms I was living with on a daily basis.

My healing journey sparked an insatiable curiosity for learning and research, so much so that I went on to earn my master’s degree in Functional Medicine and Nutrition. I overhauled my entire way of eating, adopting an anti-inflammatory diet with a focus on nutrient-dense foods that would provide the nourishment my body so desperately needed. I made the switch to a lower-tox lifestyle to reduce my everyday exposures and support my body's healing process. Along the way, I also learned that healing isn't just about addressing the physical, but recognizing the connection between the mind, body, and nervous system.

Healing was a rollercoaster with plenty of trial and error, and it took time to piece together what my body truly needed. Through a combination of targeted interventions, foundational lifestyle changes, and a whole lot of patience, I began to regain my energy, mental clarity, and sense of self. The anxiety lifted, my digestion improved, and slowly but surely, my life was no longer defined by symptoms.

What started as a personal mission to reclaim my health eventually became something much bigger. Through The Detoxing Duo, I've had the opportunity to share my constantly evolving health journey, the research and education I've gained along the way, and my passion for helping others feel empowered in their own health.

Today, I continue to bring together my education in functional medicine, personal experience, and a genuine curiosity for the ever-evolving world of wellness. My goal has always been to make health feel more approachable, help others get to the root of their symptoms, and encourage a way of living that supports both feeling good and actually enjoying life.

Because we all deserve to thrive.

Credentials:

• Master’s Degree in Functional Medicine and Nutrition.

• Certification in Smart Mold Assessment from the Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA).

• Specialized education in mold toxicity through Dr. Jill Crista’s mold literacy program for practitioners.

• Bachelor’s Degree from The University of Southern California.