My Story

My story isn't your typical yet brilliant and heart warming tale of being diagnosed with a chronic illness cured by the wonders of real food and positive life changes. No, mine takes a different track...

The first 3 years of uni were probably the worst 3 years of my life. Firstly, I didn't cope with the move from the comfort of high school to the scary 'do it yourself' way of uni. I drank heavily, I smoked, and I ate whatever was cheap and easy. I turned into a wild party girl with no real sense of purpose. I stacked on the weight, I became increasingly moody (though no doubt my parents would argue I always have been!), and started getting constant stomach pains. I was always sick – every weekend at netball I’d have a box of tissues with me to battle the constant onslaught of runny nose. I was single and wild with a relationship break up most likely the root cause of the onslaught of self-doubt. I remember a time when I would get too anxious to even go out in public and talk to a person serving me at a shop. In hindsight, I was developing social anxiety and most likely mild depression but it came across as 'robotic' instead. Everyone thought I was emotionless but I sensed that those closest to me had their doubts. 

By the last year of uni, I had slowed down somewhat. I met a great guy, curbed my partying and started to really enjoy life again. But I was still getting sick. All. The. Damn. Time. The box of tissues continued to be my sidekick, I was still moody and irritable and I was still getting constant stomach pains and you-don't-want-to-know-what. I couldn't figure it out.

Then in 2011, my great guy had to experiment going gluten-free after his sister and brother were diagnosed with coeliac disease. I supported him, being the good girlfriend I am and found myself feeling a whole lot better 30 days later. At the same time, my beautiful cousin was spreading the word on organic food and living. I got hooked. I researched and read blogs, magazines, websites, books, everything. I then started experimenting with my diet. First I cut out gluten, then all grains. I gave up sugar by replacing all sugar with natural sweeteners like Stevia or coconut sugar then gradually cut them out all together. I bought organic fruit and vegetables only. I started buying grass-fed meat and free range poultry instead of the supermarket meat. I even spent big money on a cold-press juicer to have a daily green juice.

And my health changed! I lost the excess weight, my eyes became clearer, I wasn't so moody all the time and I slept better. My breathing improved, my recovery from fitness was quick and the kicker - I didn't get a cold or flu once! I could go on and on about the positive changes I noticed. I started an Instagram account (originally called '@organiconvert') and amassed a following that made me realise - hey, I can inspire people to eat well and be healthy. I've been told before that I'm inspirational as I live with a disability - yep, I'm one of the few young people walking around with hearing aids (ask me about it sometime, I'd love to tell you more!) - but I never believed it. But as my confidence grows and my health starts to glow, I actually want to be inspirational. I want to help people be the best they can be. I began studying at Institute of Integrative Nutrition to become a Holistic Health Coach so I can do exactly that. And now a new chapter called 'Summersalt Life' begins ...