From Nurse to NTP: My Health Journey with Nutrition and Wellness

Oh my goodness, hi! I am so glad you’re here! I would love to connect with you. Please reach out! 

Everyone has a story…Here’s mine!

I’m MaryRose, a Registered Nurse and Nutritional Therapy Practitioner. I’ve been in your shoes… 

•     As a child, I dealt with chronic ear infections, the overuse of antibiotics, and poor immune health.  
•     As a teen, I struggled with chronic digestive issues, body image concerns, and over-exercising.  
•     As a young adult, I felt burned out from chronic workplace stress, anxiety, and inadequate nutrition.  
•     As a postpartum mom, I faced anxiety, digestive problems, and brain fog.  
•     As a mother of two, I experienced hormonal imbalances while navigating my children’s health and digestive challenges.  

If you’ve experienced or can relate to any of these things…you are not alone. Many people don’t realize the importance of dropping the “hustle” mindset.

Whether you're dealing with fatigue, digestive discomfort, weight gain, headaches, or simply want to feel better, I am glad you found my page.

In this blog post, we’ll break down:

•     A little bit about my story
•     How I overcame my challenges and how you can, too
•     Actionable nutrition and lifestyle tips 
•     How to know when you are ready for extra support

By the end, you’ll know the following steps to take toward feeling more like yourself again- balanced, energized, and ready for IT (insert life, work, motherhood, CEO, etc….all the things)

Ready to get more support with your digestive or hormonal challenges? 

Learn more about my signature program, Thrive & Bloom, here!

My Story 

In 2020, I was a new mom who gave birth to my son Charles during the pandemic while my husband was deployed overseas and experienced a very traumatic delivery. I was taking multiple medications daily but still just did NOT feel my best. My hormones were out of control. I felt irritable and anxious and had chronic digestive problems, skin issues, and more. As a Registered Nurse, I could not FIGURE IT OUT… why was I feeling this way? I was so frustrated!

My son had just turned one when we found out I had a silent miscarriage at 11 weeks after having heard the heartbeat at 8 weeks of our sweet baby boy. The miscarriage turned our lives upside down. I had to undergo two procedures in the following two months due to complications. I was in therapy, feeling anxious and depressed. A few months later, I discovered I was pregnant with my daughter, Claire, who is now a delightful little toddler. Although the pregnancy and delivery went well, my postpartum struggles were even harder this time. 

As all of this was happening, my son was experiencing chronic digestive issues. By this point, we had seen three specialists in three states to determine what was happening and how to address it. The nurse in me did all the research and followed the doctors’ and specialists’ instructions, hoping to find answers. But we didn't. I was five days postpartum with my daughter when I finally got an appointment with the local gastroenterologist after a four-month wait due to scheduling issues. I slowly waddled into the appointment. This doctor told me most of the things the previous doctor had told me. 

“Continue giving capfuls of MIRALAX daily.”  

“He’ll grow out of it.”  

“Let’s do another X-RAY.”  

“Did you add fiber?” 

I went home. I was trying to breastfeed my colicky daughter on the couch and could see my son was visibly struggling. I was struggling. It hit me. I had no other option but to do something different; I couldn’t ignore my gut instinct that this wasn’t OK. I began to question everything, and started to ask why. I had enough. I never went back to that doctor for my son; I wanted to be present and involved with my kids- not checked out, fatigued, depleted.

This decision changed my entire approach to caring for my family. 

So…what's next?

I started using natural remedies to care for myself and my children instead of relying on over-the-counter and prescription medications. I began researching the root causes of our health issues rather than merely masking the symptoms. I started working with an amazing Naturopathic Doctor who completely transformed our lives. Through testing, we discovered imbalances, sensitivities, and toxicities that were causing our symptoms. We used nutrient-dense foods, lifestyle changes, and supplementations to get back to feeling like ourselves.

Day by day. One step at a time. I began to improve both my health and my son’s health. I was also working on my daughter's digestive health at this time- as she, too, was having difficulties as a newborn. I was astonished by the results. And I was HOOKED. At the core of all the changes we made, the most significant one was food. The nutrition we fuel our bodies with—every cell—is SO important. I returned to school and became certified as a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner through the Nutritional Therapy Association. Alongside my Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and MBA, I felt empowered to start my own practice and assist others in taking control of their health, finding answers, stepping outside the realm of conventional medicine. I started recognizing that there ARE alternatives—taking my family's health into my OWN hands instead of mindlessly following others without knowing why we weren't getting better. My hope is that you understand and realize that HEALTH is possible. You don’t have to feel this way.  I want to help you feel better.

I wake up every day feeling grateful and thankful that I made the choice that enough was enough. I made BIG changes. It wasn’t a quick fix; it has been a long, challenging health journey for both my son and me. But I can assure you—it’s worth it.

Why does this matter?   

As a Registered Nurse, I have witnessed the value and necessity of traditional medicine. There are times when pharmaceuticals and medical interventions are life-saving and absolutely necessary. However, I have also observed a gap in the healthcare system—a tendency to address symptoms with quick fixes rather than looking into the root causes of illness.

Throughout my nursing career, I often felt constrained by time and resources, unable to provide the depth of care my patients truly needed. The fast-paced environment left little room for meaningful conversations or a thorough understanding of the "why" behind their health challenges. Time and again, I saw patients return months later, burdened with yet another chronic condition—often a downstream effect of unresolved issues.

Now, as a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (NTP), I combine my medical expertise with a holistic approach to nutrition and wellness. This allows me to address the whole person, considering symptoms and the underlying factors contributing to their health concerns. I am passionate about providing my clients the time, space, and personalized attention they deserve to uncover and address the root causes of their challenges. I aim to empower them with the tools and knowledge to take charge of their health, prevent chronic illnesses, and achieve lasting wellness.

By bridging the best of both worlds—traditional medicine and holistic nutrition—I am dedicated to providing a higher standard of care, helping my clients overcome challenges, and getting back to feeling like themselves again.

Practical Tips to Support Your Health:

Taking control of your health starts with small, deliberate actions that build momentum over time. Here are some valuable tips:

Nutrition Tips

Nutrition is the foundation of health. What you eat impacts every system in your body! The right foods can provide the building blocks your body needs to balance hormones, support digestion, and boost energy!

1. Prioritize Whole Foods: Focus on nutrient-dense foods like vegetables, fruits, proteins, and healthy fats. Limit processed and sugary foods that can disrupt digestion and energy levels.
2. Stay Hydrated: This is bio-individual, but aim for at least half your body weight in ounces of water daily. Proper hydration supports digestion, detoxification, and overall cellular health.
3. Eat Mindfully: Slow down and chew your food thoroughly. This aids digestion and allows your body to absorb nutrients better.
4. Experiment with Fermented Foods: Add gut-friendly options like kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, or yogurt to improve microbiome health and diversity.
5. Balance Blood Sugar: Include protein, healthy fats, and fiber with every meal to avoid energy spikes and crashes.

Remember, small changes add up! Try starting with one of the tips mentioned here and build up from there.

Lifestyle Tips

While nutrition is critical, your daily lifestyle habits play a huge role in how your body functions. From sleep to stress, these areas often make or break your wellness journey.

1. Prioritize quality sleep: Aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep each night. Good sleep is essential for hormone regulation and recovery. This is when your body heals itself! 🌟
2. Move Your Body: Incorporate some daily movement into your routine, like walking, yoga, or strength training! It’s a wonderful way to boost your circulation, enhance digestion, and uplift your mental health.
3. Manage Stress: Consider incorporating stress-reducing techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, or journaling into your routine. It’s important to remember that chronic stress can take a toll on your digestion and overall well-being, so finding ways to relax can make a difference!
4. Create a balanced routine: Consistency in meals, exercise, and sleep helps your body maintain balance. Feeling overwhelmed? Start with small rituals—like 10 minutes of quiet time in the morning or cooking a nourishing meal.

Action Step: Pick one habit to focus on this week—small changes add up!

If you’ve been trying to figure out how to help yourself on your wellness journey and aren't seeing the progress you want, it might be time for extra support! 

Here’s how to know if you’re ready:

• You’re tired of feeling “off,” having low energy, and feeling unbalanced
• You’ve tried quick fixes to keep your digestive symptoms like reflux and constipation at bay without lasting results
• You want a plan tailored to your unique body, lifestyle, and goals. 

Imagine this: A few months from now, you could wake up feeling energized, balanced, and confident, knowing exactly how to support your body. 

Here’s what support can look like:

• Working with an experienced Nutritional Therapy Practitioner who can identify the root cause of your symptoms
• Following a step-by-step plan with clear guidance
• Receiving accountability and encouragement to help you stay on track

Taking the first steps toward better health can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. As a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, I work with clients to find the root causes of their health issues and create personalized plans that support sustainable, long-term wellness. Together, we’ll focus on actionable strategies to help you feel your best—inside and out.

If you’re curious about what it’s like to work with an NTP or how I can support your unique health journey, I’d love to connect with you. Let’s explore how we can work together to help you feel like yourself again. 

Click here to book a free discovery call so we can chat through what you are experiencing and answer any questions you may have. 

Ready to Take the Next Step Toward Feeling Better? 

This is absolutely possible for you! 

You can finally feel vibrant, healthy, and content with the right tools, habits, and mindset.  

If you’re ready for personalized support to fast-track your progress, I’d love to work with you inside my Thrive & Bloom package. 

Schedule a free discovery call here.

Your body deserves this care—and so do you.

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Disclaimer: This post is intended for inspirational and informational purposes only, is not a substitute for medical advice, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease. Consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your routine.