The severe acne left me feeling incredibly self-conscious and I avoided leaving the house for fear of judgment. Comments like, “what do you eat to make your skin so bad?” led me down a path of food restriction and hyper-fixation on my diet. Next, the constant gut problems—abdominal bloating, cramping and unpredictable bowel habits, to the point where I was in tears daily whilst I was overseas for work because I couldn’t find any relief. And the relentless cycle of burnout and prolonged stress—knowingly pushing myself beyond my limits and merely ignoring the signs—left me with sleepless nights stewing over my to do list, extreme period pain that had me lying on the shower floor month after month, and more recently, jaw pain from continually clenching my facial muscles. Finally, the stigma of mental health struggles left me feeling like I shouldn’t seek help. I won’t lie, it has felt like I was fighting an uphill battle at times.

But through it all, I’ve learned the beauty of balance and freedom. Today, I can enjoy a croissant or a glass of wine with girlfriends without the fear of symptoms returning or guilt for ruining my health. I no longer obsess over food choices or worry about “falling off the bandwagon.” My health journey has taught me that being truly healthy isn’t about perfection—it’s about living in harmony with your body and embracing a lifestyle that feels sustainable, joyful and empowering. 

I better not leave out a crucial part in my journey—nearly eight years of service in the Australian Defence Force.

This has shaped my approach to discipline, structure and routine—traits that have been both a blessing and a challenge for my health.

While it has helped me create beneficial habits, the high-intensity demands of military life have also contributed to my strong beliefs surrounding balance. This unique perspective helps me understand and guide others in finding harmony within demanding lifestyles.