My Story

I was diagnosed with POTS at age 11, after pnemonia. At the time in 2005, we were mostly making out own path with POTS as there wasn’t a lot of information out there. Later I was diagnosied with MCAS at 25, and hEDS at 26. Each of these conditions has profoundly shaped my daily life and how I move through the world.

In the fall of 2019, I began teaching French at a local school. When the pandemic hit, many of my students began experiencing symptoms of long COVID, POTS, MCAS, and other chronic conditions. I started connecting with those who were struggling—sharing my own experiences, speaking with parents, and collaborating with the school nurse. Before long, I was hosting a small weekly support group for students navigating new diagnoses.

In 2023, a severe MCAS flare made full-time teaching unsustainable. But through that transition, I realized that what I loved most about teaching was the connection, advocacy, and education. I kept thinking about that small support group and wondered how I could expand that kind of impact.

That’s when I discovered Health and Wellness Coaching. I enrolled in the Mayo Clinic’s program and launched Navigating the Diagnosis—a space where individuals with chronic conditions can find support, clarity, and empowerment.

Today, I combine my lived experience, clinical training, and passion for advocacy to help others navigate their own diagnoses with confidence and compassion.