Why I Started The Eat Well Studio: My Personal Journey With Perimenopause, Hormones, and Reclaiming My Health

For a long time, I debated whether or not to share this part of my story publicly.

As a registered dietitian, people often assume that because you understand nutrition and health, your own body should always respond the way you expect it to. But the truth is, sometimes even when you are doing “everything right,” your body still feels different — and that experience completely changed the way I approach health, hormones, and patient care.

Over the course of about a year, I gained more than 30 pounds seemingly out of nowhere.

At first, I thought maybe it was stress, lack of sleep, getting older, or just life being busy. So I did what many people do: I tried harder.

I bought a Peloton and committed to consistent workouts. I cleaned up my nutrition even more. I reduced alcohol. I focused on protein intake, movement, and healthy habits. I stayed disciplined and consistent.

But nothing worked.

In fact, despite my efforts, the weight continued to increase. More than the number on the scale, I just didn’t feel like myself anymore. My energy was low, my body felt uncomfortable, my recovery was poor, and I felt frustrated knowing that the strategies that had always worked for me suddenly were no longer working.

It was honestly one of the most humbling experiences of my career and personal life.

Eventually, I went in for my annual medical appointment and explained everything I had been experiencing. I advocated for myself and requested a full lab workup, including hormone testing, because deep down I knew something more was going on.

For the first time, I finally started getting answers.

Like many women entering perimenopause, I learned that hormonal shifts can significantly impact:

• Body composition

• Energy levels

• Sleep

• Recovery

• Muscle mass

• Mood

• Metabolism

• Overall quality of life

And yet, so many women are told their symptoms are simply “part of aging” or are left feeling dismissed and unsupported.

That experience sparked something in me.

I started researching extensively, reading the available evidence, learning more about hormone health, metabolic changes in perimenopause, and emerging therapies that may support women during this stage of life.

After careful consideration and conversations with healthcare providers, I personally decided to move forward with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and peptide therapy as part of my overall health plan.

And slowly, things began to change.

I started feeling stronger again. My energy improved. My workouts felt productive again. I rebuilt muscle, lost the weight I had gained, improved my recovery, and most importantly, I finally felt like myself again.

To be clear, this was not about chasing perfection or becoming “smaller.” It was about reclaiming my health, confidence, strength, and quality of life.

It’s also important for me to say that there is no single solution that works for everyone. Hormone therapy and peptide therapy are highly individualized decisions that should always involve appropriate medical guidance, education, and consideration of risks and benefits.

For me personally, these therapies worked alongside — not instead of — foundational lifestyle habits like:

• Strength training

• Adequate protein intake

• Sleep

• Stress management

• Nourishment

• Consistency

That experience completely transformed the way I connect with patients.

As both a clinician and someone who has personally experienced the frustration of hormonal and metabolic changes, I now understand on a much deeper level what many women are going through.

I know what it feels like to:

• Feel dismissed

• Feel uncomfortable in your body

• Feel frustrated when “nothing works”

• Feel exhausted trying to keep up with conflicting health advice

• Wonder if you will ever feel like yourself again

And that is ultimately why I started The Eat Well Studio.

I wanted to create a space where women feel heard, supported, educated, and empowered — especially during seasons of life like perimenopause and menopause that are often overlooked in traditional wellness conversations.

At Eat Well Studio, my goal is not extreme dieting or perfection. My goal is to help women build sustainable strategies that support:

• Metabolic health

• Muscle preservation

• Hormonal health

• Energy

• Longevity

• Confidence

• Real-life balance

I combine my background as a registered dietitian, my clinical experience, and my own personal journey to help clients navigate health in a way that feels evidence-based, compassionate, and realistic.

Currently, I also serve as an Internship Director at the Veterans Health Administration, where I continue to mentor future dietitians and work within a clinical healthcare environment. Education and patient advocacy remain at the center of everything I do.

I truly believe women deserve more conversations around hormones, metabolism, strength, aging, and long-term health — without shame, misinformation, or unrealistic expectations.

If my story resonates with you, please know you are not alone.

And if you’re looking for support, guidance, or simply someone who understands the journey, I’d be honored to be part of your health journey.

Thank you for being here 🤍