My Story
A Wellness Journey: From Pain to Purpose
I have greatly debated sharing my personal story. Does it maintain professionalism? Does it help others feel less alone? Or will people overlook the uniqueness of their own journeys? During my studies, I was advised not to share personal experiences, as it could create bias or disrupt the provider-client relationship. After much reflection, vulnerability, and excitement, I believe that as providers, our stories matter—and sharing them has the potential to create a profound impact. My purpose is to foster connection, unspoken understanding, and offer a glimpse into my personal journey—because I’m a human too! Before reading, I encourage you to do so with the understanding that we are all unique. My path to healing may look or feel different than your path to healing.
I vividly remember walking around with a red bell pepper as if it were a lollipop at eight years old. Thanks to my natural love for fruits and vegetables, no one doubted my quality of health. However, despite my food choices, I was in constant pain since birth. After countless doctor and hospital visits, my mom’s relentless advocacy led to a celiac diagnosis (commonly known as gluten-free). For better or worse, this would create a sense of hyper-awareness around what and where I was eating. This was my first real introduction to wellness, as nutrition is one of the key factors in our health—and in advocating for ourselves and trusting our bodies.
Fast forward to my time at San Diego State University, where I pursued a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a minor in Counseling and Social Change. I always knew I wanted to help people, but it wasn’t until my final semester when I studied abroad in Florence, Italy, that my perspective on wellness truly expanded. I took courses in nutrition, sports medicine, and yoga, and realized that wellness is much more than just mental health. Imagine this: you see a therapist for over 10 years and consider your mental health superb, but you’re eating poorly and constantly tired. It became clear to me that in order to fully understand and help others, I needed to study not just mental health, but the full spectrum of wellness, encompassing nutrition, movement, and lifestyle patterns.
During my undergraduate years, I personally faced severe fatigue, brain fog, mood swings, consistent acne, and a fluctuating appetite. I also struggled with painful bloating, inflammation, and disordered eating. I was told it was “normal” to feel unhealthy as a college student, but I knew that couldn't be true. My main motivation at the time was to appear healthy by societal standards—so I pushed myself through intense exercise and restricted my eating. I lost 15 pounds quickly, but my symptoms only worsened.
A routine check-up revealed a six-centimeter cyst, which led to a laparoscopy in October 2022. It was then that I was incidentally diagnosed with endometriosis. While I was relieved to finally have an answer, the only solution offered was birth control. After just one week on a hormonal contraceptive pill, my symptoms intensified, and I felt completely disconnected from my body. I knew I needed to find a different approach, but I felt hopeless, isolated, and the medical professionals around me insisted there was no other option.
Determined to find another way, I dove into alternative medicine. I began researching and experimenting with changes to my nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, and supplementation. Over time, I saw significant improvements in my symptoms. This fueled my shift toward a more holistic, integrative approach to wellness—both personally and professionally. This journey led me to pursue a Master of Science in Kinesiology, Integrative Wellness at Point Loma Nazarene University, and a certification from the National Board of Health and Wellness Coaching (NBC-HWC).
Wellness is a lifelong journey, and I’ve learned firsthand the power of listening to your body and honoring what it needs. I continue to refine my understanding of what supports my health, and this ongoing process fuels my passion for helping others navigate their own wellness journeys. At the core of my approach is the belief that we know ourselves best. I’m here to empower you to reconnect with your body, understand its signals, and create a personalized, sustainable plan for healing. I understand that changing your lifestyle and behaviors can be challenging, but the rewards are life-changing.
If my story resonates with you, I’d love to connect. Healing is not meant to be a solo journey, and I believe in the power of community. I’ll continue sharing conversations, experiences, and evidence-based insights on all things lifestyle and wellness. Let’s grow and navigate this together.
In happiness and health,
Taylor Walker
Founder, RestoreHer Wellness