It started with a general feeling of unease after the birth of my second daughter. Consistent fatigue, persistent weight gain, bloating, irritability and inexplicable rashes, headaches and gut pain.
Jen Koenig is a Primal Health Coach Institute graduate who reclaimed her life by applying ancestral health principles.
Hitting Rock Bottom
At first, I rationalized it. This was normal, right? After all, I was a busy wife, mother of two and a senior user experience professional. I was balancing agency work with heavy travel, two young children and a marriage to an entrepreneur with all the ups and downs that business ownership entails. I was also entering middle age. This was just a natural part of change of life, right? Plus, I had a health strategy that had worked in my 20's and beyond. Time to double down and Girl Boss the sh#t outta this!
Except, what worked before wasn’t working now. Calorie restriction, endless cardio, plant based meals, spa days…weren’t working. The pain and ills continued and worsened.
What would happen to me as I aged even further? I had dreams of being active with my kids, traveling and enjoying time with my husband on the lake near our house.
I became disparaged and unconsciously turned to less healthy coping methods like wine in the evenings and stress eating. Spoiler alert: Those didn’t work either (although they did bring some temporary instant relief at the cost of worse symptoms later).
Becoming Disillusioned By Medical Doctors
I decided to go to my doctor, but this was when the real nightmare began. I entered what I like to call “The Spiral”. After a spate of blood tests and questions my exasperated doctor diagnosed me with IBS, POTS, Psoriasis, Neuropathy, early stage Hashimoto’s and Fibromyalgia.
I was referred to several specialists, including a psychiatrist. There was talk of a spinal tap to test for Multiple Sclerosis, despite my objections. I was prescribed six different medications and the psychiatrist wanted to put me on two more despite my having not seen her yet.
Since I was in the immune cell infiltration level of Hashimoto's my thyroid levels were still in range but my thyroid showed damage and antibodies (indicating that my body was mounting an immune attack on my thyroid that would eventually destroy it).
I asked what preventative measures could be taken to avoid overt hypothyroidism. My answer:
- “Well, there’s nothing we can really do to prevent progression, plus your maternal grandmother also was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s right? It’s simply in your genetics and you can’t change your genes. Once your thyroid stops working it won’t be recoverable but we can put you on prescription hormones. Your insurance will cover it. No worries.”
I was never asked about diet or lifestyle. There was no desire to find any unifying underlying cause. None of the specialists I was set up with were in contact with each other and I was never informed by any doctor of potential side effects or interactions with any of the medications. That’s what pill bottle labels are for I guess. None of the medications addressed the cause, they simply treated symptoms. I was expected to take them indefinitely.
I sat in the car with my prescriptions and referrals, crying over the steering wheel, and I knew I was at a crossroads:
- Down one path was pills, pills (did I mention pills?!) anxiety, depression, endless doctor appointments, pain, disability, and an ever spiraling quality of life leading, no doubt, to a shortened lifespan.
- On the other was throwing those prescriptions in the garbage, taking my health into my own hands, and reclaiming my joy for myself and my family, in whatever form that would take for me.
You know what path I chose. I truly hope it is the path you choose.
Jen Koenig enjoys time by the lake with her puppy.
Reclaiming Health By Applying Ancestral Health Principles
I learned to honor my body by applying ancestral health principles and eating the way I had evolved to eat, moving the way I had evolved to move:
- I changed my lifestyle to be more in sync with the natural world and my personal principles.
- I absorbed every book, podcast and blog I could.
- I bent the ear of every coach, functional practitioner and fellow health traveler.
- I tried, failed, tried again and successfully honed techniques and habits to support my health goals and adapt to our hazardous environment.
Becoming a Certified Primal Health Coach
Finally, I formalized my training by earning Health and Nutrition Coaching, and Business Expert Certifications with the esteemed Primal Health Coach Institute, a pioneer in ancestral health discovery and training.
Final Thoughts
I wish I had a coach to help me on my journey as I adapted to my new body and my new way of living. My passion is to be that coach for you. The transformation that is within your reach will change your life in ways you cannot predict or imagine. It led me to leave my former life completely and dedicate myself to helping guide others to rediscover their own health and vitality. The life regained is yours and I would be honored to accompany and support you on your journey.
— Jen Koenig
Connect with Jen at:
- PHCI Directory: Jen Koenig
- Website: adaptivejourney.coach
