Growing up in New Orleans as one of 11 children, surrounded by delicious food, I had a childhood filled with love and warmth. Despite the abundance of food, I take full responsibility for my continuous weight gain—I cannot blame anyone or anything but myself. In 2010, weighing in at 298 lbs, I made the life-altering decision to undergo Gastric Bypass surgery. Little did I know, this pivotal moment would ignite my passion for helping others navigate similar journeys.

Over the next year and a half, I shed 120 lbs by adhering to strict rules and embracing exercise. However, as time passed, weight management became increasingly challenging. Menopause, back problems, and a lack of exercise seemed to provide reasons for each pound I regained. Despite my struggles, in 2011, I became a certified Health Coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN), gaining insight into various diet and nutrition philosophies. Although I yearned to coach individuals on their weight loss journeys, FEAR held me back.