My journey with food has been a lifelong struggle. As a teenager, I managed to keep my weight down thanks to an active lifestyle—walking to school, roller skating, and biking. But my relationship with food was unhealthy; I often used it to cope with low self-esteem, eating far too much, especially junk food. As I got older and started driving, fast food became an obsession. Dieting attempts were short-lived, often ending with a trip through a drive-through.
Marriage added another layer of complexity. I gained 100 pounds during my first pregnancy but worked hard to lose the weight through a low-fat vegan diet and exercise. However, after having more children and moving to another state, I fell into depression. My husband’s negative comments about my weight further eroded my self-esteem, and I stayed in the marriage out of fear of being alone.
In 2008, at what was likely my heaviest weight, I decided to make a change. I began walking daily, but the pain from plantar fasciitis was unbearable. Despite the challenges, I persisted, even while dealing with the dysfunction of an alcoholic spouse. A turning point came when I reconnected with Danny Vierra of Modern Manna Ministries, who encouraged me to go completely vegan. This shift led to significant weight loss and a new opportunity—I became the head chef for a vegan crusade, ultimately earning my certification as a raw food chef.
By 2009, I had lost over 100 pounds and was finally under 200 pounds for the first time in years. I even filmed a raw food demo and began selling my products. Despite this professional success, I still struggled personally, particularly after moving back to Nevada in 2011. My depression deepened, and I reverted to old eating habits, gaining back all the weight I had lost.
In 2014, I started an online business and, by 2015, had the courage to ask my husband to leave. This decision opened up a new chapter in my life, filled with adventures and a supportive, long-distance community. I encountered Kaia Fit and, inspired by the stories of other women, knew it would be the right fit when I was ready.
By the end of 2016, I had lost some weight but was still out of shape. After a series of health challenges, I finally joined Kaia in January 2017. I committed to a plant-based diet and gradually transitioned to a high-raw vegan lifestyle. With the support of Nikki, my accountability partner, I rediscovered my passion for raw vegan cooking. This change led to significant weight loss, and by the end of that year’s BRIK, I had lost 27 pounds.
On the left I weigh almost 300 lbs 5 years ago- on the right 70 lbs down from highest weight of 340. This picture is taken after 4 months at Kaia.
Since joining Kaia I have had many adventures. I completed my first half marathon, an incredibly emotional experience that I couldn’t have achieved without the support of Kaia Fit and my Kaia sisters. Since then, I’ve participated in numerous runs, including the Ragnar Trail Tahoe and several more half marathons.
Today, I’m living my passion by helping others embrace healthier eating.
I know that Kaia Fit saved me, my coaches and my Kaia sisters helped me find my strength, and they helped me believe in myself. Now I get to help others- by creating my raw vegan foods and coaching people on implementing a raw vegan and plant-based diet.