I know what it is like to feel trapped by your own body. I know how difficult it is to enjoy your life and those around you when you are in constant pain. I know how challenging everyday activities can be, like getting out of bed just to start your day. And most of all, I know how hard it is to see the light in all the darkness.

When I was younger, I was always physically active. I danced, played softball, tack and field, and enjoyed going to the gym to work out for hours. After high school, I went off to college. Early on I went through some highly stressful life situations. With going to school full-time, studying, and working part-time, I found it to be difficult to find time to be active and eat healthy. On top of that, when I tried to exercise, my body kept failing me. I was so frustrated! I could not understand why it was so hard for me to exercise and I often felt like I would injure myself. I would then be forced to be inactive so that my body can heal, but as a result, I became weaker and weaker. This made me even more frustrated.

I tried to get help but because I was so young, doctors did not believe something serious could be going on with me. I felt alone, but I did not give up. When I finally found a doctor that would listen to me, I began a long journey. They ran blood tests, did X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs, and sent me to physical therapy, a Geneticist, and a Rheumatologist.

Several years after no answers I finally was given a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia. One part of me was relieved because I had an answer to what was going on with my body. The other part of me was devastated because this is something I would have to live with my entire life.

With my experience with having Fibromyalgia for many years now, I have found that I will have good days and I will have bad days. This is not in my control, but I can help minimize the frequency and the severity of my pain if I take care of myself the best I can.

With Fibromyalgia, I had to learn how to improve my sleep, how to manage my stress levels better, how to be active without aggravating my symptoms, how to minimize Irritable Bowel Syndrome flare-ups, how to minimize ‘Fibro Fog’ (brain fog), and how to improve my overall quality of life.

Although it has not been easy, I believe my struggles are a blessing in disguise. These experiences have made me passionate about helping others that are struggling with chronic pain and this is why I started Pain Fighting Nutrition, LLC. I want to show other chronic pain sufferers how to be chronic pain fighters, there is light in darkness, and they are not alone. Coach Aly is here to help you through!