My Health Journey - Part 3
August 2024
At the time my pain started coming back after eating, Matt had been watching a lot of podcasts. One featured a doctor named Dr. Will Cole, who practices functional medicine. He offers a program called the Autoimmune Health Reset. I was so desperate at that point that I ordered an at-home test kit to measure inflammation levels in my body. I also completed other comprehensive tests, including hair samples, as well as blood, stool, and saliva tests. I didn’t know where else to turn, and I was determined to find answers.
I started with the inflammation test. Once completed, I filled out a detailed packet and scheduled an appointment with someone from Dr. Cole’s team. During my one-on-one interview, I was almost in tears. Finally, someone could explain what was happening to me—why I was feeling the way I did, why the things I’d tried weren’t working. It was overwhelming to feel understood after so long. The practitioner I spoke with told me they believed I had leaky gut and SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth). Without hesitation, I signed up for the program.
The results were almost immediate. Within 24 hours of starting, my abdominal pain disappeared. I could eat without discomfort, my arm pain vanished, and I felt like myself again. It was a relief I hadn’t experienced in years.
This journey wasn’t just about healing my body—it was also a deeply emotional experience. I’d spent so long feeling dismissed and frustrated, but now I finally had clarity. For the first time, I understood that my symptoms weren’t random; they were signals my body was sending, begging for help.
One of the most significant changes was my weight loss. Before starting the program, I had already begun cutting out sugars and reducing processed foods, which initiated some weight loss. But when I fully committed to this program, eliminating processed foods entirely, the transformation was undeniable. I went from 160 pounds to 108 pounds—not because I was “sick,” but because I was nourishing my body the right way.
By the time I completed the program in December, I felt like a completely different person. My mood swings were gone, my periods were manageable, and I no longer struggled with bloating, acid reflux, or cravings. While I’m not 100% healed yet, I can confidently say I’m on the right path.
This experience has been life-changing. It’s opened my eyes to how much our bodies are affected by what we eat and how we live. It’s also inspired me to help others who are struggling with similar issues. Healing isn’t easy, and it’s rarely a straight path, but it’s possible—and it starts with listening to your body and being willing to make a change.
