Hope is a powerful thing. For many of us, hope is what keeps us focused, what drives us to our accomplishments, and what allows us to see when things get dark.
During an annual physical in 2004, my PCP found a lump on my thyroid that caused some concern. After some tests I was told it was time to ‘kill’ my thyroid with radiation therapy, and I’d be subject to taking a synthetic hormone supplement for the rest of my life. For 2 decades I’ve since battled all the physical things that go along with hypothyroidism, like weight gain and fatigue, as well as the mental health effects of depression, anxiety, and a rocky relationship with food. I’ve met with ‘specialists’, personal trainers, tried a plethora of fad diets, and been down the alternative medication route more than I like to admit. One of my first endocrinologists actually responded to my concerns with, “You have hypothyroid, and you just have to eat less and exercise more than the normal person. That’s your life now.” Talk about extinguishing hope.
For twenty years I’ve been searching for hope. Maybe it’s my addictive personality, or my mid-live glow-up (I refuse to call it a crisis), and a conversation with my friend Devin Choules that led me to dig deeper and to take control of my health in early 2023. I branched out to find a new endocrinologist, a new PCP, and sought out a dietitian. Together with medication, some lifestyle adjustments, and the right care team, hope began to be restored as I became obsessed with proper nutrition for my conditions, goals, and lifestyle.
The past 13+ months have been particularly important in pursing hope. I’ve since reached and maintained my goal weight, significantly improved my relationship with food, and made lifestyle changes that have led me to being in better shape as I train for my first Ironman 70.3 which is just 5 weeks away…. no, I don't have a goal completion time, I just hope to finish 💪🏼
When you’re unhealthy, life can feel hopeless.
In February of this year I joined an incredible team at Fay to take on an exciting mission; change the way America eats. I believe we are at the forefront of transformation in the American healthcare system, where we are seeing a shift in acting more proactively. Preventive care gives us hope. Proactive care gives us better health. And for all of us, better health begins with food.
Fay has built the nation's largest network of Registered Dietitians (over 1,000 providers) and leads the charge towards proactive healthcare. Fay's RDs cover 30+ specialties, including thyroid, eating disorders, diabetes, kidney disease, weight management, gut health, general preventative care, and many more, allowing the majority of Americans to have easy and convenient access to life-changing nutrition counseling. Fay is restoring hope, and I couldn’t be more honored to be a part of it.
