Shelby G.

You don’t have to live with the pain

 

Since late childhood and my early teen years, I struggled with abdominal pain.  I have vivid memories of being doubled over in pain as the school bus pulled away and I walked toward my house.  I forced myself to stand up straight all day while at school, wanting desperately to be “normal”,  and not wanting anyone to know the pain I felt everyday.

 

A diagnosis of a duodenal ulcer at age 16 and a prescription for medication provided a bandaid of temporary, partial relief for a couple years. However, I continued to struggle with abdominal pain and digestive issues throughout my adult life.

 

While always drawn to nutrition and wellness, I tried to make changes in diet, yet never knew exactly what to do. I learned to “live with the pain”, accepting it as a part of life that I couldn’t change.

 

After over 35 years of digestive disorders, I healed myself through Functional Medicine.  I got at the root causes of my pain and learned how I could treat my disorders with diet and lifestyle behavior changes.

 

I learned how to reduce toxic exposure and adequately detoxify, follow an anti-inflammatory diet which healed my gut, use Mind Body Medicine techniques to transform stress, and in the process I lost over 50 pounds of excess weight as a natural “side effect”. I have been pain-free and living my best life with superfluous energy and well-being for over five years.

 

Big changes are made through small steps

 

I am thrilled to help people achieve their optimal health and well-being.  To that end, I believe that behavior change comes most easily and is maintained when we start with small actions and organically build upon each success. I enjoy helping my clients to set realistic goals that don’t overwhelm the brain’s built-in resistance to change.

 

I received my certification as a Functional Medicine Certified Health Coach from the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy (FMCA) in December 2016, where I currently work as a Course Facilitator, Practicum Supervisor, and Admissions Team Member. I also completed my certification as a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) through ICHWC (www.ichwc.org) in October 2017.

 

As a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, I studied Biochemistry and Business Management, later studying for my Master’s in Psychology at Concordia University in Chicago, IL. Prior to becoming a Function Medicine Certified Health Coach, I had a successful 15-year career in corporate human resources and consulting with Fortune 500 companies, while maintaining my lifelong passion for health & wellness.

 

I enjoy reading, laughing, meditating, playing sports in the cul-de-sac with my children, running with my dogs, and going to the theatre. 

Focus areas:

Digestive disorders

Women's health conditions

Cancer prevention/treatment

Mental health

Autism

• Certified Functional Medicine Health Coach - Functional Medicine Health Coaching Academy

• National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach - International Consortium of Health & Wellness Coach