My client’s success story just has to be shared with the world!

Meet Janis, a vibrant woman in her 70s who experienced a powerful transformation through Mind Body Coaching.

Janis’ Journey – The Beginning

When I first met Janis, she wasn’t entirely sure why she responded to my advertisement but felt drawn to my words. During our initial call, we connected immediately. However, Janis, living on a basic pension, thought the cost of coaching was out of the question. To my surprise, she messaged me later that day, asking if she could change her mind!

The Initial Challenges

In our first session, Janis shared several concerns:

• Low energy

• Poor sleep

• Stomach discomfort

• High stress levels

• Anxiety about going outside, worsened by COVID

• Constipation requiring laxatives

• Medication for acid reflux

• Swollen and painful knees

• Negative self-image

• Avoidance of high-calorie foods despite not focusing on weight loss

• Moved her body infrequently

Janis, who enjoyed maintaining her daily hair and makeup routine, was a fun, positive lady who lived alone in a senior community.

Small Steps, Big Changes

Janis began her journey with small changes: simple breathing exercises, light movement, and dietary adjustments. Her energy improved, and she felt more vibrant. Despite a long history of stomach issues, the first few weeks working together were going extremely well.

The Power of Intuition

One morning, I had a strong intuition: “JANIS. GLUTEN.” Despite initial hesitation, I couldn’t shake the thought. During our next session, Janis mentioned worsening stomach symptoms and bloating—a typical sign of gluten sensitivity. I admit I was a little concerned, it was early on to make big changes to her diet, but Janis listened and was so fed up with the stomach discomfort, she wanted to try removing gluten from her diet.

Janis’ symptoms improved within two weeks and disappeared after three more weeks. She accidentally consumed gluten twice, which for her, confirmed her sensitivity. Since then, she has been cautious, checking food labels and enjoying an increased appreciation for food.

Continued Growth

With her stomach issues resolved, we focused on other aspects of her health and wellness, including sleep, anxiety, digestion, and overall mind-body connection. Janis became more aware of her body’s messages and recently decided to remove dairy from her diet, further improving her health and wellness. She is an extremely happy lady!

A New Life

After a year, Janis is now in tune with her mind and body. She regularly communicates with her body and feels content with her life. Here’s what she shared with me:

“I feel good, I am content with my life. I gave up guilt and shame around food. I enjoy eating in a restaurant and get excited when I discover a new place I can eat without feeling unwell. My family sees how different I am, and I still eat what I want. This is who I am, and I like who I am. I no longer look at calories but check for ingredients that don’t agree with me. If you don’t enjoy eating, that’s terrible. I am happy, and it has nothing to do with my body size—it’s how I feel inside! I used to call myself ‘a lump,’ but now I love my body. I live in the moment. I will always need you in my life, Rachel. You’re the most important part of all this!”

The Bigger Picture

Non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) is proven to be more common than celiac disease, yet often overlooked by general practitioners. While doctors focus on medication, exploring dietary changes can lead to significant improvements, as seen in Janis’ story.

In my dieting days, I was inspired by weight loss success stories. It took over 30 years to learn that focusing on weight loss as the main goal leads to short-lived success. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to lose weight, but we must address the underlying emotions and desires that drive this need.

Janis’ story is a testament to the power of learning to listen to our bodies and the profound changes that come from nurturing our mind-body connection. Her story is one that will forever be in my heart and I love that I have been a part of her transformed life experience.