Why is an interior designer writing about gut health? If you know me personally, you’re probably already aware that I’ve been grappling with gut health issues for years. Recently, I found MAJOR relief, and I thought if sharing my experience can help just ONE other person struggling like I was, then this blog post, on this little platform, is worth every minute it took to write.

It goes without saying, but please note that I am not a doctor and everything in this post is my own opinion and what I personally experienced on my health journey. 
 
For nearly 15 years I endured constant stomach pain, bloating, brain fog, acne, acid reflux, inflammation and bouts with anxiety and depression. I would feel mediocre at best in the mornings, and by bedtime my stomach would be so inflamed and distended that I could only wear the stretchiest of pants and would go to bed miserable. Each day this cycle would repeat itself. 

Despite consulting numerous GPs and specialists across several states, and rigorously trying every diet imaginable, nothing provided lasting relief. I was given generic advice such as, “drink more water” or “eat more fiber,” often without any medical professional actually asking about my current diet or lifestyle. After my first colonoscopy came out “clear,” I was told I had Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and sent on my way with pharmaceuticals in hand with no further testing. To say I felt dismissed, especially in the early stages of this journey, would be an understatement. 
 
Living with chronic stomach pain and bloating is incredibly frustrating. Each day felt like a battle I was fighting alone, with symptoms that had no clear cause or solution. I tried numerous diets, hoping each would be the answer. From low FODMAP to gluten-free, dairy free, paleo to vegan, I left no stone unturned. Yet, relief was always temporary, and the pain and bloating inevitably returned.
 
I’ve lost track of everything I tried, but here’s a rundown in case you’ve been on a similar journey and are feeling discouraged:
Most of this testing I had to advocate for on my own. 
 
By age 33, and after 15 years of discomfort, I had tried the following:

• (2) Colonoscopies
• (1) Endoscopy
• (1) Sitz marker test
• (1) ‘Smart Pill’ Mobility Test 
• (2) Different prescription drugs from various GI doctors
• Multiple X-rays
• Countless over-the-counter medicines
• Chiropractic adjustments
• Acupuncture/Needling
• Dutch (Hormone) Test (revealed other issues but didn’t resolve gut problems)
• Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) Breath Test (which was Positive, and I’ll address below)
• Saliva, nail, and hair testing
• General bloodwork
• Thyroid testing

 
And many different diets:

• 6+ years Gluten-Free
• 3+ years Dairy-Free
• Whole30 (80/20 lifestyle still to this day.)
• Low FODMAP
• Paleo
• Vegan
• Candida Diet
• Carnivore Diet
• Liver Detox Diet
• I even tried blending veggies to replace 2 meals/day (this is where desperation really set in). 

 
In addition to undergoing numerous tests and making significant dietary changes, I also took measures to modify my environment in an effort to alleviate my symptoms. I was willing to try anything and everything to find relief. Here are some of the changes I made:
*Disclaimer - I didn't make these changes all at once. These are just things I did over time, and have continued with after healing my gut. 

**Affiliate links are for for products I use (and SWEAR BY) every day and already share with friends and family!
 

• Stopped Burning Conventional Candles: I no longer burned conventional candles or used wall flower plug-ins in my home to avoid potentially harmful (and endocrine disrupting) chemicals. 
• Switched to SEEN Shampoos and Conditioners: I replaced all my hair care products with paraben and fragrance-free alternatives to reduce my exposure to synthetic preservatives.
• Revamped Cleaning Supplies: I changed all my cleaning supplies to those with simple, natural ingredients, such as Branch Basics or a concoction of vinegar and baking soda.
• Natural Laundry Detergent: Branch Basics also allowed me to ditch store-bought, scented laundry detergent.
• Adopted Natural Brands for Lotions and Makeup: Most of my lotions and makeup were switched to natural brands to minimize contact with synthetic chemicals. I CANNOT say enough good things about ClearStem products; especially for my acne prone girls. I've been using them for over 2 years now, and they're one of the only non-toxic products I've found that are actually designed for those who are acne prone.
• Eliminated Fragrances: I eliminated artificial fragrances wherever possible to reduce my exposure to potential irritants.
• Removed ALL See Oils: Only leaving Olive Oil and Avocado Oil. This alone should help eliminate inflammation in the body. 
• Mold Testing: I invested in a local company to check for mold spores in the air at my condo -thankfully not finding any of concern. 
• AirDoctor: I invested in a high-quality home air filter to ensure cleaner indoor air and reduce allergens and pollutants.
• Water Filters: I switched to a Berkey System (now Boroux) for drinking water and added an Aqua Bliss shower filter to my shower head.
• Gym Membership: Although not an environmental change per se, finding a gym that worked for me has been crucial for mental, (and of course physical) health. This was one of the first changes I made when moving to Charlotte over 10 years ago, and it’s been a constant in my life ever since. 
• (Talk) Therapy: This isn't talked about enough. We go to the doctor for so many physical ailments, but why don’t we take care of our mental health? Finding a therapist to discuss both my health struggles and day-to-day stressors has been invaluable. I use BetterHelp and can't say enough good things about them! 

These efforts improved my overall health, but the extreme bloating and inflammation persisted.
 
Then, I started working with Ashley from Wellness with AO, and my journey took a transformative turn.
 
A Holistic Approach
When I met Ashley, I was at my wits' end. I had just completed a 45-day gym challenge focused on fitness, diet, and weight loss, only to not lose a single pound of fat (or feel any gut relief) while also weighing my heaviest in years and feeling overall inflamed. It was then I re-confirmed what I already knew; something was really wrong.
 
Ashley’s approach was different. She looked at my health holistically, considering not just my symptoms but my entire lifestyle. Comprehensive stool testing revealed a severe bacterial overgrowth, commonly known as H. Pylori, buried in my stomach lining, causing my discomfort and the absolute slew of symptoms mentioned above. Ashley also explained why no previous SIBO protocol had worked—healing had to start in the Gut from the top down. 
 
Ashley’s approach also addressed mental health. She introduced me to meditation, breath work, and journaling to help calm my mind and reduce stress. I truly believe this multifaceted approach was crucial to my recovery.

You can visit Ashley's website here.  Or give her a follow on socials @wellnesswithao.
 
Results
With Ashley’s tailored protocol, which included dietary adjustments and natural supplements, I began to notice significant improvements within just two weeks. Remarkably, in just three months, the painful symptoms that had plagued me for years were completely eradicated, (cue the tears!) I experienced relief from stomach pain and bloating, a dramatic reduction in inflammation, and effortless weight loss.






















The photo on the left was taken February, 2024, the photo on the right was taken June, 2024. A side by side to show the difference in inflammation and weight loss that came with healing my gut.

Beyond the physical changes, the most surprising and positive shift has been in my mental health. While I knew there was a strong correlation between the brain-gut connection, I hadn't realized just how profoundly interconnected they truly are.

I no longer have to unbutton my pants after a day of normal, healthy eating (a past ritual on the ride home from work as embarrassing as that is to admit). I fit into clothing sizes I haven’t worn in years, and my skin is clearer than I can ever remember. The extreme brain fog is generally gone, allowing me to get more done at work. I don’t get acid reflux from certain food groups, and I can enjoy a cocktail or two without the instant bubble gut that used to follow.

It might not seem like much, but these transformations have been life-changing. I feel more confident, energetic, and healthier than I have in years - maybe ever (certainly my entire adult life). This journey has taught me the profound impact that a holistic approach to health can have, and I am forever grateful for the support and guidance I received from Ashley.

The Importance of Gut Health
My journey has highlighted the importance of gut health and the need to be our own advocates. The gut is often called the body’s second brain, and its health is vital for overall well-being. As you have probably picked up on, an unhealthy gut can cause not only digestive issues but mental health struggles as well. Through research of my own, I’ve learned that leaving H. Pylori untreated has the potential to lead to major life-threatening diseases. Some as serious as Stomach Cancer. 
 
I can’t stress it enough; addressing gut health holistically can improve energy levels, mental clarity, and overall health.
 
Final Thoughts
If there's one thing I've learned from this journey, it's that I am resilient. Despite feeling beaten down many times by doctors and those around me who didn’t understand why I kept trying to find a cure without any relief, I knew deep down that something was wrong, and I wasn’t willing to give up.
 
Looking back after years of agonizing discomfort, I've realized this:
 
I've learned so much about myself and my health along the way. The environmental changes I made are ones I still follow today. To some, they may sound extreme, but I didn’t make them all at once. It was a gradual transformation over a decade or so, done in bite-sized pieces.
 
Above all, I learned the importance of mental health in the physical health journey. We spend so much time working on our physical health at the gym and eating well, but without our mental health in good standing, where is our health really? Alongside Ashley’s protocol, I continued working with my therapist, (I’m a big believer that everyone needs a therapist—but that’s a rant for another day). This year I also made drastic changes to eliminate some major stressors in my life. I’m certain that reducing what I had control over really sped up my healing process. If you don’t believe me, I highly recommend The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk.
 
My experience with Ashley has been nothing short of miraculous. She helped me overcome years of discomfort and equipped me with the tools to maintain my health. I am so incredibly grateful for her dedication and expertise, and taking my own health issues seriously when very few others did.

I say this all the time to anyone who will listen: Don’t settle for temporary solutions; aim to get to the root cause of your issues.
 
If you’re still reading, I get the feeling you’re someone who also struggles with your gut health. And if there’s one thing I hope you get out of this, is to please not lose hope. With the right support and a holistic approach, I'm confident you too can finally start to feel some relief.

I want to also express that in no way, shape, or form do I receive any benefits from sharing Ashley’s business other than watching a bad a** female entrepreneur help other bad a** women (and men!) finally feel their best.