About Coach Omi

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I am a big advocate for gluten-free living because, in 2013, I found out that I had a gluten intolerance, gratefully not Celiac Disease, but my blood, small intestine, and other organs couldn't metabolize it anymore. 

My symptoms were very disruptive, along the lines of; headaches, stomach pains, loud digestion(stomach howled after eating), consistent rashes and hives, gassy, unforgivable belching, constipation, bloating, vomiting, and the list can go on. Before the diagnosis, I had no idea, nor did my family, but after learning about this food allergy, I finally noticed the disruptive behaviors I had with this food. I was addicted! 

I literally did not know how to eliminate it from my diet, mainly in the USA. I was able to successfully beat the craving in Panama, Central America. Not only was it difficult to stop the cravings for certain glutenous foods in the USA, but foods you would never assume had gluten in them had it. So I had to really put into practice reading everything on pre-packaged foods, not just the ingredients, but asterisks, front labels, may contain disclaimers, nutritional content, any and everything on the packages. 

The How: What I Chose to Do

I went through multiple streams of different methods of therapy to help me fight the addiction like; hypnotherapy, energy work like Polarity, Reiki and Cranial therapy, Acupuncture, group, and private Counseling; and anything to find any way to get emotional and spiritual relief because my symptoms were getting worse year after year of not staying committed to the gluten-free diet. I knew it was a mindset issue, and it was wearing me out, finally realizing how bad it truly was. It was the hardest thing I ever had to shift around in my life.

After many attempts and years of failing the elimination of it, I finally felt like I started to get a hold of it from all the attention I was actually giving it. I then had so many new behaviors that I had to take on to keep up with the diet around my social life. It was taxing on me honestly. Asking waiters countless questions about the menu, asking to see Nutritional Guides at restaurants, remembering to ask what flour was being used, or just remembering to tell the waitress I wanted the GF options. I sent countless meals back because of my lack of communication or forgetfulness.

I hated that I had this allergy for a while because I felt like I couldn't eat anything "normal" or what I wanted in a moment. Or that I was a burden on others for having the allergy in the first place. I had to reveal to everyone and their mama that I had this allergy to be able to eat in public and in peace. I found myself literally relapsing, trying to find "good" reasons to still eat gluten at my convenience, but then I started noticing those previously listed symptoms were literally killing me slowly if I didn't abide by the GF diet.  When I stayed on top of it, every single one of my symptoms would subside, but the food addiction was real and I felt like I had no control at times.

The What: Speaking Reality into My Future Self

...But one optimistic day after a beautiful therapy session, I heard myself have an epiphany, I thought to myself, "This allergy is a blessing, not a curse, it's giving me the ability to really look deep into why I can't stop eating it, even though it's making me sick any time I eat it". This is when things started looking up for me, that's when everything started making sense. I went into Auto-Pilot and never looked back. I started to create more affirmations like:

"My body is a Temple and I should only put foods in my body that agree with my blood and digestive system."

"I'm not like everyone else, I have a special system that I have to be more mindful of to avoid ailment."

"This is a gift to be aware of, not a setback."

"I eat mindfully for the sake of living whole-fully." 

I had to reprogram my mindset, and I realized it's all worth it to pay better attention to the foods I'm consuming versus the latter; I truly felt and still feel like my life depends on this kept mindset. I am so very grateful for this allergy; it made me take my diet into my own hands, and it's forced me to cook more often and more mindfully for myself. It's also ignited a beautiful creative side in me; though I've been cooking for as long as I could see over the kitchen counter, adding the layer of gluten-free to my homemade meals has elevated my flavor palette of options. 

I went to school and got my degree in nutrition after I was diagnosed, and I learned so much more about food that I was ignorant of. I discovered foods that I never paid attention to before, whether Gluten-Free or not, but this journey has made me much more aware of what I can eat and has even opened me up to more cultural influences in my meal ideas and ways of living around this lifestyle diet.

So now I dedicate my time and work to helping those who are struggling with gluten issues and transitioning as well, whether that is the intolerance of it, full-blown Celiac Disease, or just being aware that they aren't the sustainable foods as they once were for our bodies to digest. 

If you are or know anyone struggling with these conditions, and my story resonated with you, please find your help. It really is no joke and should not be taken lightly. I wish you well on your p,ath and I hope you stick to; it it is worth, it and you will be grateful you took it seriously when ycould to do so. The willingness can be a stubborn thing but you will overcome as well as long as you stick by it.