My Story

Top of Mount Helena

Here’s my story:

I had a tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy roughly 8 years ago; my problems mostly began after that. (Though, as a child I believe that I had many of these symptoms which didn’t come to 100% fruition until once post-illness freshman year of college and then again post-tonsillectomy.) My problems manifested via my stomach and mouth. I have been bloated to the point where I get asked, “Are you pregnant?!” I had gone to multiple doctors and dentists, only to be put on more medication (once it was determined I had colitis), given more tests and still no hope. No one knew what was going on and most just thought I was crazy! Throughout various tests that I’ve had in the past several years, I have found out that:

I am “intolerant to 22 foods,” I have a form of colitis that effects the lowest part of my colon and (within the couple of years) my stomach and esophagus are highly inflamed (hence my commitment to 100% gluten free).

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard, “Do you eat enough fiber?” Seriously. Stop with that question! I used to be a fiber-aholic because of it. And that was not the problem. As a matter of fact, many of those foods were the exact problem! About 6 years ago I decided to do a 21-day detox diet from January 1 – January 21 (yeah –> “New Year’s Resolution” dork). I was eating plain as plain can be and no: Wheat, Gluten, (unnatural) Sugar. By about the 2nd week, magically, everything went away! However, because I was not connecting any of this to food, I went back to eating normally and everything came back. A few months later, it was a dentist who said, “Maybe you have some sort of food allergy/intolerance.”

I have devoted my life to it ever since.

But let me say – it is not easy! Food to me, over the past several years, have been more of an art form than anything else that I have tried to slice and dice with all the ingredients, facts, labels – deciphering and writing every last thing down. I have journals and more journals on daily intake combined with noticed symptoms. And it typically got me nowhere. I then sought out a nutritionist about 3.5 years ago. She was great! In the beginning I cut out mostly just processed things and stuff with all the extra “ick.” And that was okay, but still not right. We then tried the GAPS Diet, which was phenomenal. When I stuck to that 100% of the time, I felt amazing. So I broke away from my nutritionist and have battled with it on my own ever since (I am even currently studying to be a Health Coach myself).

Today, I maintain a version of the GAPS Diet, and I am 100% Gluten Free. Instead of calling it the Gut and Psychology Syndrome Diet, I call it the “Gut and Psychology SARAH.” This is not a DIET to me, it’s a LIFESTYLE. And because it’s a LIFESTYLE, I have made my own version of it. The version that is 90% book and 10% Sarah Kay Hoffman! I have been 100% gluten free since June 20, 2010. It has made all the difference in my life. My bloat went from a level 10 to a level 2 just 2 days post-gluten. (My pictures prove it!)

So what does all this jibber-jabber mean? It means that I am up against some (mis) fortunes. But they do not define me. I define me. I choose what to do with what I was given, and make it the very best I can.

Things I believe:

• #DailyJoy
• Make a difference.
• Inspiration through leadership.
• Only promote products/services that I believe in.
• No therapy like nutritional therapy.
• Rabbitsfoods are too little for fate; we create our own destinies.
• Trust.
• My life is complete with my husband, Ryan and our 2 dogs (Peekepoo Fiona and Great Dane Reagan).
• Cut the ingredients. Clear the clutter. Simple. Zen.
• And of course my “mantras:”

….Just a country girl with a (gluten-free) foodie-fitness flare

“I am fairly certain that given a cape and a nice tiara, I could rule the world.” – Curly Girl Designs

My three keys to success: “One, be your own person. Two, work hard. And three, have a passion for what you’re doing.”

And finally, I believe in constantly re-inventing myself. I am on a lifelong journey to inspire, motivate and lead – in person and virtually, so that I can reach an infinite amount of people!

I am interested in meeting, connecting with and working with those who share similar interests, are forward-thinking and have a deep overall passion for work, life and the balance of it all!

Thank you for stopping by my blog. I can’t wait to hear from you!

~ Sarah Kay Hoffman

Life is Good!