When Nutrition Isn't Enough: Surviving My Gut Healing Journey
I'm writing this blog post after sending an update to my newsletter community that the gut cleanse I'm on is working!! Ahaha—to be excited about someone's bowels is... something lol. But it's so much more than that. It's a revolution considering everything we've put our bodies through. To finally come home and say, "I'm sorry for treating you this way, and now I'm here to take care of you"—and for it to be received? That’s worth getting giddy for.
But it wasn't until I started honoring all the parts that needed TLC. Like I said before, it's more than diet and exercise. True healing and WELLTH starts when we honor all of ourselves—beyond the superficial parts. And it's an uncomfortable thing to go deeper inside yourself and yank out all that junk you thought you were supposed to hold and now know you HAVE to let go.
It’s not fun and it doesn’t feel good. Not even gonna ice it up for you.
No matter how much you exercise, diet, or try to "clean up" your eating, that stubborn bloating, belly discomfort, or slow digestion just won't go away, seems like. If anything, it feels like your body is stuck—holding on to tension, extra weight, and exhaustion and it feels like there's nothing you can do about it but suffer.
What if I told you it's not just about what you're eating—but what you've been surviving?
I learned this the hard way. After a series of more than stressful life events, I found myself battling gut issues I couldn't understand. It didn’t matter how much I worked out or how clean my meals were or how hard I tried to "do the right things." My body was speaking another language I wasn’t hip to—until I realized the part no one talks about: the undeniable connection between chronic stress, trapped emotions, and gut health.
In this post, I'm sharing what I’ve uncovered (and lived through) about healing your gut from the inside out—starting with the subconscious, not just the plate.
From Burnout to Breakdown
Back in 2020, I was at the peak of my health — or at least the best it had ever been up to that point. I was still deep in hustle culture, though: teaching spin classes, managing the front desk at the gym, commuting 4 hours a day for undergrad, Ubering in between to make ends meet, and trying to hold it all together as a mom. I was chasing freedom… but barely seeing it. It was way too much. I was going and going until… I couldn’t.
When COVID hit, I took it as a sign — a key to the life I wanted. I placed my focus on building my own wellness brand while coaching fitness clients and driving Uber. But I was already burning out — and didn’t know that was even a thing let alone how bad it was about to get.
That same year, I entered a relationship I would later realize was abusive. I lost everything. My home. My car. My career. My income. My friendships. My sense of safety.
I found myself sleeping in a car rental, alone in a new city, delivering food to regain my footing and pick back up where I left off, but unsure of what to really do next. So I did what I’ve always done—kept pushing.
When My Body Said “Enough”
Not long after, my body just... stopped.
Literally. Stopped.
I couldn’t move. Couldn’t go. Couldn’t push through anymore, y’all. And I was in disbelief.
On the way to bring someone some chicken wings, out of nowhere, I froze and started bawling my eyes out. (Sorry, sir. I hope you got your food still.)
From there, I picked up the phone and landed in the last place I remembered feeling safe as a kid— my godparents’ back home. What was supposed to be three days of rest turned into months of trying to recover from everything I’d just been through… while pregnant with a child I was surprised to be carrying.
When Stress Hits the Gut
Now here’s where the gut comes in.
I remember I stopped feeling hunger completely. And... for months. I could go the whole day with not one grumble. And when I did eat, I’d feel full as fast as my first bite. This was unusual for somebody who would down 3200 calories a day while on a muscle building journey just weeks before.
My gut had completely shut down.
And though I was shocked and confused, it made sense.
We had been through crisis after crisis and my gut didn’t feel safe to function. And you know how people talk about nutrition and exercise like they’re the answer to everything? (I was one of em. Now I’m like yeah, that’s cute.) But I was doing all the “right” things — the green juices, the clean foods, the workouts. And guess what?
I still felt like sh*t. In fact, I felt worse.
Nothing was working because the real issue wasn’t being addressed: the trauma trapped inside me.
Gut Healing Beyond the Plate
So I’m healing my gut from the inside — starting with the stuff I’ve avoided for years. The messy stuff. The stuff that still makes me uncomfortable.
The pent up emotions. The stress. The rage. The grief. A mess.
Here's what I'm doing to restore my gut function little by little:
1. Making Room to Freely Feel
Whenever I notice myself tightening up — clenching, overthinking, trying to “push through” — I’m pausing. Giving myself time to listen to what’s really the matter. Just like I’d do with my babies. I remind myself this won’t kill me and I’m not in danger. Then, I breathe into my belly. I release what’s stuck instead of holding it in. And go free to carry on about my business.
2. Choosing Real Nutrition
At this point, I started bingeing sweets, boxed snacks, fast food... anything to feel some comfort and rest. But that “rest” wasn’t real — and the food wasn’t helping.
So I’ve been cleaning it back up. Adding gut-friendly, fiber-rich, mineral-supportive foods that diversify my gut microbiome and actually help move things through my system. You can join my newsletter below for some gut-friendly recipe ideas to support your healing journey.
3. Hydrating vs Drinking Water
Not just drinking plain water. I mean hydrating. Infusing it with herbs to regenerate and repair my cells, minerals to support organ and body systems function, and electrolytes that help flush toxins and restore energy.
Sometimes, it’s as simple as my all-time favorite coconut water, Nilo. Or cucumber-mint-lime water. And herbal teas that support digestion and soothe the nervous system.
4. Soaking in the Sun
You don’t have to “do” much to start feeling better right now. Sometimes all it takes is stepping outside. Standing in the sun. Breathing in some fresh air and enjoying being alive.
I used to forget that when I would spiral. But now I go outside for a quick reminder. And that Vitamin D? Vital. Especially for gut healing, immune function, and nervous system regulation.
5. Moving With Meaning
Yes, movement matters. Of course. But not in the high-intensity grind-until-you’re-drained way.
I created FEMMENIN.FIT as a soft, sacred space to return to your body after trauma, stress, or burnout. It’s for the one who’s been strong for too long. The one who’s tired of performing, pushing, and pretending it’s okay.
Inside FEMMENIN.FIT, we rebuild our strength gently, intentionally — from the inside out. We focus on restoring our relationship with the body through breath, posture, emotional release, and intuitive movement. It’s trauma-informed and designed to help people (like me, like you) ground back into the body — especially when the body’s been abandoned.
You’ll start with foundational practices and purposeful motion — like breathing, body awareness, and alignment — and evolve into expressive movement while freeing the emotions and energy your body’s been holding.
Whether you're brand new to fitness or finding your way back after a long break — this program is for you.
This is where you begin again — not to “fix” your body, but to finally feel at home in it.
Come see what strength looks like when it’s rooted in softness and sisterhood.
Come move like you mean it.
6. Resting For Real
Rest is more than just sleep.
It’s the opposite of stress.
Rest is emotional. Mental. Spiritual.
I’ve been nurturing my overworked and hyperactive adrenals with magnesium and eating foods that ground me, but also by addressing what’s been causing it. Practicing presence and acceptance. Acknowledging old wounds instead of running from them. Being forgiving — of others, and of myself.
And it’s working. Slowly. Gently. Deeply.
It Takes the Whole You
If your gut is stuck, your subconscious probably is, too.
If your digestion is off, you might be overwhelmed with emotions and unmet needs.
You can’t just diet or exercise your way out of this.
True gut healing- any healing- is about restoring the WHOLE Self — body, mind, spirit, ALL of you. Because the body remembers. And until we start listening to what it’s been holding... we’ll keep suffering the same stuff.
You don’t have to suffer anymore.
Because the REWARD is GREAT. The relief. The ease. The flow. The joy. The peace. The FREEDOM.
The boundless and infinite potential to create a life you'd RATHER live.
Who will you be and will you do for it? What will you let go of?
For me? Something as priceless as that, I'll endure discomfort a little longer to dig up a few skeletons and burn 'em so I can go free.
If you want to continue this journey with me:
✨ Join my newsletter for real-time updates, reflections, and gut-loving recipes.
✨ Head on over to FEMMENIN.FIT to move your way through your healing journey.
✨ Or, if you're ready to dive deeper in your unique journey, work with me 1-1 at The Wellthy U.
This is your invitation to begin.
Let's get free.
