Why Gut Health Was the Key I Didn’t Know I Was Missing
I Thought I Was Doing Everything Right
I ate healthy(ish). I got enough sleep (most nights). I even drank water and took supplements.
But something still didn’t feel right.
Maybe you’ve felt it too. That frustrating sense that your body is trying to tell you something, but you can’t quite figure out what it’s saying. For me, it showed up as:
Bloating almost every day
Skin breakouts that seemed random
Afternoon energy crashes
Mood swings and irritability
A general sense of feeling off
At first, I chalked it up to hormones, stress, midlife, or just the pace of life. But after surviving two sudden cardiac arrests (yes, two), I became much more intentional about listening to my body; and when I zoomed out and looked at all the symptoms, one word kept popping up: gut.
Gut Health Is About So Much More Than Digestion
Gut health used to feel like a “niche topic” to me. Something people talked about when they had digestive disorders or food sensitivities.
But what I didn’t realize was just how connected the gut is to almost everything else.
Here’s what I’ve learned and what I wish more women knew:
Your gut is your body’s command center.
It’s home to:
70–80% of your immune system
95% of your serotonin (your “feel-good” hormone)
A vast network of nerves that constantly communicate with your brain, heart, and hormones
When your gut is inflamed, imbalanced, or stressed out, it doesn’t just show up as bloating or gas. It can look like:
Anxiety and irritability
Skin issues like acne or rashes
Trouble sleeping or staying asleep
Hormonal imbalances
Brain fog or poor memory
Low energy or fatigue
Sugar cravings and blood sugar swings
In other words: your gut might be the missing piece you’ve been searching for.
My Gut Wake-Up Call (and the Shift That Changed Everything)
Before I understood this connection, I was stuck in a cycle of trying to “fix” the wrong things.
I’d swap out skincare when I broke out. I’d push harder when I was tired. I’d try to cut back on sugar without realizing I was craving it because my gut was out of balance. I didn’t need another diet or detox. I needed to support the place where everything begins: my gut.
After my cardiac arrest, I was gifted a second chance at life; and I took it as a sign to stop ignoring the red flags. I went through IIN’s Gut Health course, learned how the gut affects everything from mood to metabolism, and slowly started making changes. Not drastic overhauls, just thoughtful, simple shifts.
3 Gut-Healthy Changes That Actually Helped Me Feel Better
Let’s be real. Most of us don’t need more on our to-do list. We just need clarity on what actually works. Here are three changes that made a real difference for me:
1. I Started Supporting, Not Restricting
I used to believe the answer was cutting things out, but the shift came when I started adding support in.
I added a digestive enzyme before heavier meals (I use EZGest).
I started incorporating chia seeds, prebiotic-rich foods, and gentle movement after eating.
I looked at how I was eating, not just what.
It felt good to give my body help instead of punishment.
2. I Simplified My Mornings
I used to skip breakfast or eat whatever I could grab. Now, I start my day with:
Room temperature water right after waking up
A gut-loving smoothie with:
Frozen berries
Banana
Yogurt
Chia seeds
It’s simple. It’s easy. And I feel more energized and less bloated all morning.
3. I Stopped Overthinking It
There’s so much noise out there. So many supplements, programs, detoxes, and diets. I unfollowed the overwhelm and got back to simple, sustainable wellness.
I reminded myself: I’m not trying to be perfect. I’m trying to feel well for the long haul.
What Could Be Disrupting Your Gut?
Even if you're eating well, gut-disrupting habits might be sneaking in. Some common culprits include:
Overuse of antibiotics or medications
High-sugar or ultra-processed diets
Environmental toxins in skincare, cleaning products, or food packaging
Chronic stress or lack of sleep
Dehydration or not enough fiber
These disruptors can weaken the gut lining, throw off your microbiome, and make you feel like you’re constantly in a fog.
Want a simple way to explore this? I created a free checklist of Common Gut Disruptors + 5 Easy Fixes inside my Facebook group.
It’s Not in Your Head. It Might Be in Your Gut.
If you’ve been struggling with fatigue, skin issues, mood shifts, or even stubborn weight, it might not be a motivation problem. It might be a gut imbalance.
And here’s the best part: you don’t have to do everything at once.
Start with one swap.
Drink more water.
Add a digestive enzyme.
Join a community (like my group) where people are making small, sustainable shifts together.
This week on Instagram and inside my group, I’m diving deeper into gut-friendly habits that actually work. No trends, no pressure, just real life.
Your gut is worth supporting.
Your health is worth simplifying.
And your reset doesn’t have to feel like restriction.
I’m not here to sell you a six-pack or shame you into a challenge. I’m here to remind you that feeling good is possible, even in midlife, even if you’ve felt off for years.
Here’s to the month of getting back to you.
