Why I Choose to Be Wildly Well: My Journey & the 10 Wildly Well Principles

Pain and suffering are powerful motivators.

Health has been one of my deepest passions for as long as I can remember—probably because I always seemed to be freakin’ sick. As a kid, I constantly battled colds, and as a teen, I struggled with severe anxiety and anorexia.

In my 20s, I traveled and taught abroad, and I can’t tell you how many times I ended up in the hospital. I’d get a cold, the flu, a parasite—it felt like a never-ending cycle of sickness. I was so tired of being sick, which fueled my desire to learn more about what it truly means to be healthy. This led me to train as a yoga teacher, personal trainer, Reiki practitioner, and Thai Yoga therapist.

Then, while living and teaching in Bolivia, I went to the doctor for the 10th time that year—this time for bronchitis. But my doctor wasn’t satisfied with just treating my symptoms. He wanted to know why I kept getting sick despite appearing so healthy. He ran some tests, and as it turned out, I had cancer—and it was spreading.

The biggest concern was the tumor surrounding my heart. My doctor was afraid it would crush my heart before I could even return to the U.S. for treatment. He told me there was a high chance I could die in my sleep. Not exactly reassuring.

But what I discovered during those terrifying days was that I wasn’t nearly as scared of dying as I was of not truly living. I mourned the future husband I might never meet and the children I might never have.

As you might have guessed, I did make it back to the U.S., where I had emergency surgery the very next day and started chemotherapy that same week.

Although cancer was the hardest and scariest experience of my life, it also led me to where I am today. It forced me to redefine health and apply all the knowledge I had gathered over the years. Through deep research, I realized how much misinformation surrounds health and how many factors contribute to true wellness.

I discovered that inflammation is at the root of most modern health issues. Despite my best efforts to be “healthy,” I was unknowingly fueling inflammation with a high-carb, high-sugar diet. This realization changed everything for me. I discovered the power of an ancestral diet to reduce inflammation and optimize genetic expression.

I also uncovered the hidden dangers in everyday products—from cancer-causing toxins in household cleaners to endocrine disruptors in beauty products. I made the shift to natural, organic, and earth-friendly alternatives. I leaned into movement, energy healing, visualization, nervous system regulation, and deep self-trust.

Six months later, I beat cancer in half the time doctors predicted—and I walked away with a deeper understanding of what it truly means to care for my body. And I was ready to live with intention.

From Teaching to Motherhood: A Bigger Why

I became a physical education teacher to inspire kids to move their bodies and make healthy choices. I thought I was making an impact—until I realized that one P.E. class a week wasn’t enough. These kids still went home to sedentary lifestyles and inflammatory diets. If I truly wanted to make a difference, I needed to reach their moms.

And that dream I thought I might never see come true? It did. I became a mom, and the way I approached wellness changed completely. I no longer just cared about my own health—I wanted to create a healthy, balanced, joyful life for my family.

Moms are incredible. They are brave, loving, and selfless. They are also the ones doing most of the shopping, cooking, and scheduling. While dads play an essential role, research shows that moms are the biggest influence on their children’s health. And if I wanted to create real change, I needed to empower moms first.

This Isn’t About Diets, Checklists, or Shoulds

I don’t have all the answers. I’m not here to tell you to “get it right.”

Being Wildly Well isn’t about perfection—it’s a practice.

There’s no shame here, no pressure, no rigid rules. Instead, it’s about reconnecting to what we already know deep down—that wellness is our natural state. It’s about creating a balanced nervous system so our bodies can do what they’re designed to do: thrive.

Wildly Well is a space where moms can find practical, approachable tools for a healthier, more balanced life—without the guilt, pressure, or overwhelm. From simple workouts and nutrient-dense recipes to easy non-toxic swaps and nervous system support, my mission is to help moms feel their best so they can show up fully for themselves and their families.

Wellness isn’t about doing it all perfectly—it’s about making small, intentional choices that create lasting change in a way that feels good and sustainable. It’s about finding joy, balance, and feeling at home in your own body.

The 10 Principles of Being Wildly Well

Over the years, I’ve distilled everything I’ve learned into 10 key principles of true wellness:

1️⃣ Nourish – Eat whole, nutrient-dense foods. Follow an ancestral diet that prioritizes real, unprocessed foods and optimal nutrition. Become a nutrivore.

2️⃣ Move – Prioritize resistance training, daily movement, and outdoor play. Walk often, move with intention, and challenge your body in diverse ways.

3️⃣ Flow – Do less, get more done. Align with your natural rhythms through cyclical living to optimize energy and productivity.

4️⃣ Regulate – Master your stress response with breathwork, time in nature, and self-regulation techniques. When moms regulate their emotions, their kids learn to co-regulate.

5️⃣ Connect – Strong relationships are crucial to health. Studies show that low social connectedness carries the same risks as smoking. Prioritize meaningful relationships and compassionate communication.

6️⃣ Protect – Reduce exposure to toxins, EMFs, and endocrine disruptors. Choose natural alternatives for food, beauty, and household products.

7️⃣ Challenge – Adopt a growth mindset. Learn a new language, take up a hobby, or develop a skill. Continuous learning fuels purpose and passion.

8️⃣ Play – Play isn’t just for kids! Find joy in movement and creativity. Whether it’s acro yoga, painting, ultimate frisbee, or obstacle courses—make time for play.

9️⃣ Recover – Prioritize sleep, light exposure, and active recovery. Honor where you are in your cycle, give your body time to heal, and don’t overtrain.

🔟 Honor – The thread that weaves it all together. Honor your body, your time, your relationships, and your environment. Create meaningful rituals, practice gratitude, and embrace the beauty of being present.

Final Thoughts: Bringing Wildly Well Into Your Life

These 10 principles are not a checklist—they’re a guide.

They are a path back to yourself, back to wellness, back to a way of living that feels aligned, nourishing, and joyful.

If you’re looking for support, encouragement, or just a like-minded community of moms who get it, I’m here for you.

💛 Let’s become Wildly Well together.

📩 Join the Wildly Well Mamas community today!