My Story

Welcome, I am Amber and this is my journey with chronic illness...

I was an active, happy, healthy women in my mid thirty's working in a job I loved when my health slowly started to decline. Over a period of 3 years, my health deteriorated to the point I was unable to work, go for a walk or catch up with friends. I had skin issues and infections that no specialist or any amount of antibiotics or steroid cream could fix. I was barely able to eat as my stomach couldn't tolerate food. This caused severe anxiety around food because I never knew what mouthful would put me in bed for 3 days.

My whole body was puffy and inflamed. I was intolerant to cold and heat. My brain wasn't functioning, I had severe brain fog and couldn't think, remember, or process any information. Reading and watching TV was out of the question.

My mood swings had got so bad that I wasn't sure when I was going to have a meltdown next, so I avoided everyone. Even booking an appointment would have me yelling at the receptionist then calling back 10 mins later in tears apologizing. I was exhausted and no amount of sleep (I was sleeping 14hrs a day) would refresh me. A 10-minute walk was all I was able to manage.

My GP was at a loss after numerous appointments and all my tests came back negative. She told me that I was a hypochondriac, it was all in my head, and I should go see a psychiatrist. As for the chronic fatigue - I just had to learn to live with it. My mental health deteriorated, I was in the depths of depression. I felt the strange combination of being completely numb while feeling emotions so strongly that the smallest thing had the waterworks flowing.

I sat on a couch for days staring at the wall. I had no will or desire which was a very scary place to be. Luckily, I got the wakeup call that pushed me to decide to help myself. I realized I had to make a drastic change. I packed up my life and moved home with my parents. I found a Functional Medicine Dr who diagnosed me with toxic mould illness and chronic fatigue and supported me throughout my recovery.

I spent the next 18 months 100% focused on my health and getting well with the support of my family. I said yes to anything that could help. It was a challenging time with many ups and downs. I made a complete recovery; I have my life back and I can do anything I want every day. It's an incredible feeling. I am very thankful to be well and for all that I have learnt along the way.

This journey has changed me, and I am inspired to help support people with chronic fatigue, depression, anxiety and other chronic illness on their recovery. I became fascinated by the science and dove deep into the methods that helped me recover. I became certified in Breathwork and completed a Heath Coaching Certificate so I could support you more fully in your road to recovery.

We all deserve to be well, and I believe it is possible for everyone.

What does being well mean to you?

During my recovery I realised that everyone had their own definition of what being well meant. So, I asked myself the question, what did being well mean to me? What was my idea of 100%???

An image came to my mind of me standing on the top of a mountain. For me this represented freedom, that I was strong enough, I had the energy, and I was able to do the things that challenged me and brought me happiness. That's what I wanted my 100% to be.

When I could barely get out of bed and a 20 min walk left me exhausted this image was almost impossible to imagine.

What is your 100%?

I love this photo!

This is me standing on top of a mountain on a solo 8 day hike in the South Island of NZ. I am fully recovered from chronic illness.

I am so proud of myself and everything I did to make this dream a reality.

I am free, I am healthy, I am happy. I have my life back!

This is my 100%

Are you ready to achieve your 100%? Book a free discovery call now!

022 060 8020

amber@healyourself.co.nz

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