I’ll never forget the day I wore my hair pulled back with a headband and my coworker called me out for having a big forehead.

I had been self-conscious about it before, but that day made me feel ultra self-conscious moving forward.  My dreams of growing out my bangs for more long, luscious locks around my face and less work in the hairstyling department quickly vanished.

At the time, I had no idea how insightful my forehead would be about my health.

Sometimes what we take for granted or hate most about our bodies can hold the most valuable clues about our health.

For example, the extra weight you might have put on around the middle can be a big clue for blood sugar imbalances, toxic exposures, chronic stress and cortisol hormone dysfunction.

Or weight gain in your “lady parts” (aka breast, hips and butt) strongly correlates with excess estrogen circulating in the body, which can be true for both women and men.

And early signs of gray hair is linked to high stress and low levels of glutathione in the body, which is the body’s master antioxidant and detoxification nutrient.

When is comes to your ideal health and weight, your body holds all of the answers.

Western medicine takes more of a “let’s stop the issue” and take this pill for that approach instead of checking in with the body to understand where it’s coming from or what is causing it.

That’s why it’s so common to get prescribed a medication, such as birth control for acne, only to have it partially resolve the issue and for something new to pop up.  It’s like chasing holes in a sinking boat!

This western approach works perfectly in acute and serious situations such as car accidents or catastrophic events when measures need to be taken immediately to stop the bleeding and save a limb or life.  But they aren’t effective for the common chronic health and weight issues that most of us face on a daily basis.

We could spend hours breaking down all of your body parts and what clues they hold about your health.  Correlating body parts with symptoms and nerve meridians have been a main focus in eastern medicine practices such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries.

For today, let’s just focus on the little nuggets about your health that your forehead might have to share

In this week’s video and blog, I share 3 super clues that your forehead might be holding about your health and what you can do with the information.

These 3 clues will give you insights about your digestion, liver  and detox capacity, hormonal balance and thyroid function.

Super Clue #1 – Metabolism & Thyroid Function
I first learned about the forehead’s correlation with your health status when I started studying thyroid conditions on a deeper level.

Hair loss in the “widow’s peak” area of the hairline or forehead points to a sluggish thyroid usually indicating hypothyroidism or Hashimotos.

Missing the outer 3rd portion of your eyebrows (also in the forehead region) is another strong clue indicating low thyroid function that should be investigated.

Super Clue #2 – Digestion & Gluten Sensitivity
I was fascinated when I heard Dr. Tom O’Bryan (one of the pioneers in gluten sensitivity research) quote a study that connected the dots between the size of your forehead and your susceptibility for gluten sensitivity.

In the study, they found that a large forehead directly correlates with having Celiac’s disease and/or gluten sensitivity, so much so that the study stated, “This sign along with the presence of other clinical signs and symptoms, should alert a physician to test a patient for celiac disease.”

I had cut out gluten long before hearing this, and I was never diagnosed as being Celiac, but after hearing this is all made sense.  I had a large forehead indication and increased sensitivity or potential autoimmunity related to gluten, and that’s why I felt so much better with gluten out of my life.

Super Clue #3 – Liver & Detoxification
You may have heard the old-wise tale about how acne in specific areas of the face can correlate with your diet, stress, dirty hands and allergic reactions.

Well there’s actually some truth to this.

According to the nerve meridians used in eastern medicine, the area of your forehead is linked to your major detoxification organs such as you liver, gallbladder, kidneys and bladder.

Acne on your forehead can indicate a back-up in your body’s ability to detox and process toxins or excess hormones, such as estrogen, adequately.

When I was in the throws of healing Hashimotos, detoxing from toxic mold and estrogen dominance I had forehead acne for the first time in my life.

And even more interesting, on an emotional level forehead acne can be related to anger, anxiety, fear, frustration, worry and grief!

On top of it all, all of these clues can also be connected!  

In order for your thyroid to function at full steam, your digestive tract and detox organs need to be running effectively.

An inflamed digestive system from gluten sensitivity will allow more toxins into your bloodstream, leading to liver overload and then taking your thyroid down with it.

And the vicious cycle could go on and on and on.

Next time you look in the mirror, take a closer look at your forehead to see what it might be saying about your health.

If you notice any of these clues that I mentioned, you’ll want to…

• Do a food sensitivity and gluten reactivity test to verify if these are issues for you
• Test your thyroid to see if your thyroid hormones are in optimal ranges
• Boost your detox capacity with some high quality liver support supplements and naturally detoxifying food such as beets, dandelion greens and cruciferous vegetables

I’ve learned to love the size of my forehead because of the valuable insights and empowerment it’s given me about my health.

And as many of my clients and I have experienced, it may not be possible to change the size of your forehead but you can learn to appreciate the health knowledge it has to offer, and it is possible to get your thyroid, digestion and detoxification back on track so you can have your luscious hair and clear skin back.

Share this with a family member or friend who might find it useful too!

And as always, if you want to get your hands on the right lab tests and resources so you can find the missing pieces of your health puzzle and get back to feeling like yourself again, schedule an Ideal Health & Weight Discovery Session with me today here.

I’ve basically been a high performer right out of the womb.

When I was in kindergarten, I remember getting mad at my teacher for writing my name on my paper because I knew how to write my name already when the rest of the class didn’t.

I was student body president in 6th grade.  I took advanced classes in elementary, middle and high school while playing varsity sports and graduating with straight A’s.

In college I juggled a full time class schedule, internship, social life and part time job – I was “doing it all.”

And I’ve always excelled in every job I’ve had, climbing the management and career ladder quicker than most of my peers on top of throwing some of the best social gatherings and taking care of a sick mother.

Can you relate?

Now that I know what I know now about health, and how “doing it all” is what drove my hormones, immune, digestion, detoxification, energy and nervous system into the ground, I would certainly go back and do things a little differently.

It’s easy to get caught up in this fast pace millennial world pursuing success and peak performance while sacrificing your health.  It almost seems expected in order to make something of yourself.

But I’m here to tell you, there is a way to have it all without sacrificing your health completely, and yesterday I went live on the Driven Millennial Summit with Mia Christina Sarno to give you tips about how you can do life differently so you can perform and preserve your health at the same time.

And you’re in luck, you can still catch my live interview for the next 24 hours!

Let me introduce you to the passionate powerhouse, Mia Christina Sarno, who is driven to change the way millennials, and those of us impacted by the millennial age, prioritize our health.

She started Firewave Wellness, a digital platform for healing, vitality, and holistic health and I totally resonate with the movement… she’s supporting people around the world in decreasing stressful habits and transforming their mindset around health to make being productive (while maintaining health) easier.

You see, Mia also experience burnout, just like I did, as a result of trying to “do it all” – getting good grades, climbing the career ladder, being strong for others and striving for the ideal body.

We both recognize how the mode of the millennial age can drive people like you and me into health catastrophes.

This summer, Mia and I collaborated to provide you with super fast and simple tips to help you keep your health at the forefront while pursuing success in your career and peak performance in your life.

As you know, I want to support you and provide valuable insight whenever I can.

Mia has started a new show, The Driven Millennial: Fast and Easy Tips for Peak Performance without Burn Out, where I and other health experts get to share our stories and passion for health in a unique format that will encourage your heart and leave you with real TOOLS FOR HEALTH.

So let me ask you…

Do you want to go down the same road Mia and I did, or would you like to take a shortcut to the successful healthier super highway?

Or would you like to re-route yourself in that direction and reverse the health issues you might already be facing?

And what would it be worth for you to get better performance in your career, family, life? Even 1 take-away can change the way you perceive health. It’s that easy.

You can get access to the Fast and Easy Tips for Peak Performance Without Burnout show here

You can do all the diet and exercising in the world, but if you’re still operating from a millennial state of mind, as we all are guilty of doing sometimes, then getting results and improving your health will be harder than you’d like.

Just hit the easy button and listen to the tips that Mia and I have collaborated on for you 🙂

How often do you hear or say the phrase… “it must be a millennial thing”?

Whether you’re a millennial or not, your health has been impacted by the technology and social advancements of the millennial age.

Let me ask you a few questions…

• Would you like to do more faster, with more peace?
• Would you like to have the time to actually accomplish all the things you want to do?
• Would you like to have the energy to jump out of bed, EXCITED for the day ahead?

If you said yes to any of these then you’re suffering from the impacts of the millennial age, even if you aren’t a millennial, and there’s a very important person you need to meet.

Let me introduce you to a passionate powerhouse, Mia Christina Sarno, who is driven to change the way millennials, and those of us impacted by the millennial age, prioritize our health.

She started Firewave Wellness, a digital platform for healing, vitality, and holistic health and I totally resonate with the movement… she’s supporting people around the world in decreasing stressful habits and transforming their mindset around health to make being productive (while maintaining health) easier.

You see, Mia also experience burnout, just like I did, as a result of trying to “do it all” – getting good grades, climbing the career ladder, being strong for others and striving for the ideal body.

We both recognize how the mode of the millennial age can drive people like you and me into health catastrophes.

This summer, Mia and I collaborated to provide you with super fast and simple tips to help you keep your health at the forefront while pursuing success in your career and peak performance in your life.

As you know, I want to support you and provide valuable insight whenever I can.

Mia has started a new show, The Driven Millennial: Fast and Easy Tips for Peak Performance without Burn Out, where I and other health experts get to share our stories and passion for health in a unique format that will encourage your heart and leave you with real TOOLS FOR HEALTH.

So let me ask you…

What would it be worth for you to get better performance in your career, family, life? Even 1 take-away can change the way you perceive health.It’s that easy.

You can get access to the Fast and Easy Tips for Peak Performance Without Burnout show here

You can do all the diet and exercising in the world, but if you’re still operating from a millennial state of mind, as we all are guilty of doing sometimes, then getting results and improving your health will be harder than you’d like.

Just hit the easy button and listen to the tips that Mia and I have collaborated on for you 🙂

Podcasts are all the rage these days, and why wouldn’t they be?

They are one of the easiest ways to ingest information in the fast-paced world we live in, they help us to connect with others that we can relate to and get in touch with experts on specialized topics that pique our interest.

I’ve been honored to be a guest on some extraordinary podcasts lately with people who are doing the groundwork so that people like you can access the info you need about health, wellbeing and personal self growth so that you can feel like your best self.

In these podcasts, I’ve had a chance to share tips, tools and resources on a variety of topics.

I’ve touched on everything from lab testing, to mindset, mold, eliminating toxic exposures, the courage of ease, living confidently and how food can heal.

So this week, instead of my usual blog, I encourage you to catch all the info you can from one or more of my recent podcast appearances!

Click here to see all of my podcast appearances and listen away!

I’ve always prided myself on being a healthy eater, but what I realize now is that how good you eat doesn’t matter as much as you think.

As a kid I grew up with a garden, dinner was always balanced with a lean protein, vegetable and starch, and I had to clear my plate before I could have dessert – making sure I ate all the “good stuff” first.

In college I did my best to carry-on the good eating habits my parents had taught me, and although I wasn’t perfect I definitely ate healthier than the majority of my peers.  Plus, I hit the gym regularly to offset my indulgences.

But my weight was always up and down despite my healthy eating and exercising habits.

As I entered my mid-twenties I was determined to get my weight under control and have the body of my dreams, so I signed up for my first fitness competition.

I cut calories, I trained harder than ever, I ate small meals throughout the day and I drank gallons of water.  My daily food intake usually included oatmeal and berries, yogurt and berries, a protein bar or shake, and chicken breast with a vegetable such as broccoli or zucchini for lunch and dinner.

Super healthy right?

And on competition day I was the smallest I had ever been, a lean 125 pounds at 16% body fat that only lasted for a few days.

Sure I looked great on stage, but the second I relaxed on my diet and training routine after the show I ballooned back up and weighed more than I did before training for the competition!

Along with the rebound weight gain, my fatigued and seasonal allergies intensified.  I could barely keep my eyes open in the afternoon after having a double Americano and the second the seasons changed my head would fill up with fog, congestion and pain from earaches.

At the time I didn’t connect the dots between my fatigue, weight gain and seasonal allergies so I just kept trucking along and decided it would be a good idea to do another fitness competition to get my weight back under control.

This time instead of cutting calories so drastically I tried carb cycling, meaning I would eat less than 50 grams of carbs per day for 3 days then I would have a high carb day of 120 grams, and repeat.  My food included way more protein and vegetables, and way less fruits and grains.

I did more Olympic lifting and I pushed myself even harder.

My muscle gains were great.  I stood on stage at a lean 130 lbs and 16% body fat, feeling good in my body but still struggling with fatigue and allergies.

But just like before, my results didn’t stick.  Most of the weight came back, I was still tired all the time and plagued with severe seasonal allergies.

I questioned myself, and all that I knew about diet and exercise.  I was the healthiest person I knew but I didn’t feel or look like it.

I went searching for answers and that’s when I started to realize how good you eat doesn’t matter as much as you think.

In this week’s video and blog, I want to help you better understand the link between diet and getting results, and why how good you eat doesn’t matter as much as you might think.

When I found the Functional Diagnostic Nutrition® (FDN) Course, all of the pieces fell into place.

I studied fitness, nutrition and health in college but not a single class addressed the actual functional components or importance of diet, rest, exercise, stress reduction and supplementation and how all of these pieces worked together like the FDN course did.

What I came to find is that…

Your diet is only as effective as the rest of your lifestyle.

You could be the healthiest eater in the world but if you’re burning the midnight oil, over or under exercising, and dealing with a ton of physical and emotional stress, your healthy eating efforts fall to the wayside.

The body is a complex network of systems that all work together.  If you want your healthy eating habits to be effective for weight loss, increasing your energy or resolving other health issues, then you need all systems online and working right.

You have to learn to value sleep and stress reduction as much, if not more than, diet and exercise.

Focusing on diet alone may get you some results; maybe you’ll lose a few pounds, notice a small increase in your energy or some symptom relief but eventually progress comes to a halt unless your lifestyle also supports your healthy eating habits.

For example, one night of poor sleep or going to bed late can have significant impacts on your body’s ability to balance blood sugar and your hormones, both of which directly correlate with weight gain or weight loss resistance.

Over exercising or exercising too intensely when you’re body is already depleted and tired also directly impact hormone balance, which will dictate your weight.

And then there’s emotional stress.

When you’re stressed, your stress hormone cortisol goes up and surges in cortisol have been linked to weight gain right around your midsection (the “spare tire” effect).

I was guilty of all of these things.  I stayed up late, worked long days at a stressful job and constantly pushed my body beyond its limits when it came to exercise, and my functional lab tests showed it!

My cortisol was out of control, my sex hormones were low, I had a congested liver and some pretty nasty bacteria growing in my gut.

It was no wonder why I felt fat, tired and broken down even though I was eating healthy!

Ok, so here’s how I finally got my weight and allergies under control, and my energy back once and for all…

I shifted my focus to be equal parts diet, rest, exercise and stress reduction by:

• Paying more attention to what foods made my body feel good
• Setting a goal to be asleep by 10pm at least 5 nights per week
• Incorporating 1-2 days of restorative exercise such as beach walks and yoga
• Creating a daily mindfulness practice using a variety of meditation and breath-work tools

And I also worked on restoring function to the different systems of my body using functional lab testing as my guide.

Now my healthy eating habits are as effective as they can be, and one or a few days off my normal eating routine doesn’t throw me completely off course.

I’ve seen a similar story over and over again with the clients who have come through my health coaching practice.

They’ve tried various diets such as Paleo, Whole30 and Keto but get little to no results because it’s the only thing they’ve been focusing on, and their lifestyle wasn’t supporting the expected results of their eating habits.

But once we run some functional lab tests to identify their healing opportunities and get them on a more personalized plan with a balanced focus, the weight starts falling off, their energy instantly goes up and any other health issues start to diminish or go away completely.

If you’re frustrated with the lack of results you’ve been seeing from your healthy eating habits, then let’s explore what’s holding you back.

Schedule an Ideal Health & Weight Discovery Session here.