I began my college career in 1999 at East Tennessee State University. I completed my general core classes and moved to Julian, North Carolina. During my two year stay, I obtained an associate degree in medical assisting and registered nursing at Alamance Community College in Graham, NC.
I moved back to Tennessee and finished my bachelor’s degree at East Tennessee State University. This degree allowed me to teach medical courses and also direct medical offices. During the next ten years, I worked in a pediatric medical office, a gastrointestinal surgery office, but was mostly in an ob/gyn office and labor and delivery at the hospital.
I had a hard time making my mortgage payment on my 800 square foot home so I wanted to better myself. I left Tennessee again and began chiropractic school. Going through the program taught me so many aspects to the body. While chiropractic was very important to me and I absolutely love the holistic aspect to it, it just didn’t feel like the right path for me. So, I added to my chiropractic education and began courses as a Naturopathic physician. I took as many courses as I could to complete the program faster. I knew at this point, natural medicine was my passion.
Unfortunately in December 2015, I had a medical emergency. My gallbladder exploded and the gallstones I had, acted as bullets and tore through my body. I had to have an open incision to fix my internal organs including my right kidney, gallbladder, liver, and pancreas. It was an 11 hour surgery and it took me over a year to be able to walk normally. I went through that completely alone but I survived. After that, I knew I wanted to get my health in check and make sure my body was good. Regrettably, I had already signed up for the next quarter’s classes. The quarter ended without me being able to physically go to class and it showed up on my record as all F’s for grades. Loans are based on grades so I wasn’t able to obtain a loan for the next quarter. Despite speaking to the president of the college and showing my medical documentation, there wasn’t anything I could do. During the recovery period, I had secured my masters degree online in public health with a concentration in epidemiology.
I moved back to Tennessee and less than a year later, met a man who is now my husband. I went back to school and finish my doctorate degree in naturopathic medicine. I had already taken all the in-person courses so all the remaining courses were finished online. I am very fortunate I finished when I did because in 2020, due to the pandemic, the naturopathic school I attended had closed down.
Everything happens for a reason and I know that I received my education for a reason. I love helping others. Unfortunately, Tennessee is one of three states that will not allow doctors of natural medicine to practice. It is my opinion that every person should have the right to chose if they want to go the allopathic western medicine route or the natural holistic route with their healthcare. Or have both! Because of this law, I wasn’t able to practice but I could educate and that is exactly what I began doing. I began writing books, speaking at events, and helping people in anyway I could. During this time I became a certified auricular therapist (which is legal for me to practice in Tennessee with specific tools) along with other therapy programs and I sale herbal products that I make. I educate through my bi-monthly natural medicine newsletter, through my online school, and through this wellness membership where I can help even more people.
I do very much appreciate you being a member. Please reach out to me using the contact form or replying to the email I send with any questions or comments you may have.
Thank you for reading my story and for being a member!