From Struggle to Strength: My DNA-Driven Health Transformation
Join us for an inspiring and deeply personal episode where I share my journey of overcoming over two decades of chronic illness. From battling cancer and chronic fatigue to enduring generalized pain, brain fog, digestive issues, and a weakened immune system, my quest for answers seemed endless. But everything changed when I discovered the power of understanding my unique DNA.
In this episode, you'll hear about my tireless search for solutions, the pivotal moment of uncovering critical information about my body, and how I applied this newfound knowledge to transform my health. Today, I'm no longer fighting those debilitating issues, and I'm eager to share the steps that led me from struggle to strength. Tune in to learn how understanding your DNA can unlock a path to better health and well-being.
Disclaimer: This transcript has been automatically generated and may contain errors. We apologize for any inaccuracies.
Welcome to the Healthy Mama Simply podcast. I'm Michelle Hills. From struggle to strength, my DNA-driven health transformation. Find out how DNA information about your unique body can transform your life. Have you tried all the things? Are you tired of not having the right answers? Have you just given in, waved the white flag, and think that there is no answer and no hope for you?
Let me share a glimmer of hope with you, just as a friend did for me. My health journey really started about 25 years ago. I was struggling with daytime fatigue, and honestly, I was getting sober at that time, so I was just starting to become more aware of my body. Who knows if I struggled with that prior to that—I was such a mess. But at that time, it was a big struggle, and I was seeking help. I had some sleep studies done and really didn't get any answers. I was also dealing with some digestive issues that had started a few years prior to that, and again, saw specialists and got no answers. It wasn't until I was in my early 30s that, after taking some time away from seeking answers, I decided to try again.
What I found was that I had cancer. Now, what they found was that I had cancer. It was not your typical pancreatic cancer, but something called neuroendocrine cancer. They said it had nothing to do with my struggles. However, I share this because I did have to go through major surgery, the largest abdominal surgery there is. They removed part of my pancreas, some of my small intestines, and rerouted everything, so it was a hot mess. It was a lot of trauma to my body. I did not do chemotherapy; they did not have that as an option for that type of cancer at that time. I was in a downward spiral from there.
Through my thirties, I continued to have ongoing digestive issues and chronic fatigue with no answers as to why. My issues increased to having brain fog and generalized aches and pains. The best way I can explain it is like having the body aches from the flu or strep. There was an ache in my muscles that was so deep that if I tried to massage it, I just couldn't find it. My joints hurt terribly. It would start in my fingers and toes and then work its way throughout my body. There'd be mornings that I would wake up in tears because it was so incredibly painful. My immune system was a mess. I was in and out of the hospital with a lot of issues due to having had my surgery, but my body was just not responding well to the challenges I was facing. I went to a multitude of doctors without any answers.
It wasn't until I got into my early 40s that I decided to take another route. I had been talking to some friends about seeing a naturopath, and I went that way. It was a little expensive and out of my comfort zone, to be honest with you, and I really didn't stick with it. Eventually, I saw an integrative specialist, which actually gave me a glimmer of hope. I learned some really important stuff. I learned the value of high-quality supplementation. She asked if I was taking supplements. I explained that in the past, I had taken some, but they would either not work or make me feel worse. I never really stuck with it. I realized I had no clue about supplementation. I would hear that something was good for this or that, and I would just get it without knowing what I was taking or the importance of high-quality supplements. Many supplements don't even have what they claim to have on the packaging, can have contaminants, or your body can't absorb them. You also have to give your body time to respond, which I didn't know.
She educated me on that, which was huge for me. I left there with challenges, but I was committed to taking high-quality supplementation. I was now investing in my health, taking a full regimen of supplements. It wasn't just a multivitamin. There was an investment there, and I believed—and still do—that it's as important to maintain good health as it is to keep the lights on in my house. We made it a priority in our family. I continued to try all different things on my own, including different diets, not just to feel better but also to look better. As you get older, your metabolism slows down and your body responds differently. The last one I tried was the keto diet. I stuck to it pretty well for about a month and a half. I had a period where I was more energetic, but I did not lose any weight. Kudos to those who drop pounds on the keto diet; it did not work for me. I eventually decided to try a plant-based diet for a week and get my family on board. I felt it would make me more intentional about what I was eating.
Not everyone needs to go that route. I'm very much an all-or-nothing kind of girl. Either I'm going to get slammed drunk or I'm not going to drink at all. I've had 25 years of sobriety, thank God. We have eight children that came to our family through adoption, so yeah, I'm an all-or-nothing girl. That's why we went plant-based, and I ended up sticking with it, but that's another story. I went on this clean eating diet, which happened to be plant-based. I joined the gym, started working out seven to eight hours a week, and was taking high-quality supplementation. I didn't really know what to take. The company I was buying from had different packets like heart health and brain health. Each month, I would switch packs based on what I read or thought I needed, without really knowing what I was doing. It would have been great to design the packs myself, but I didn't have the knowledge.
Here I was, eating a clean diet, working out seven to eight hours a week, and on a full regimen of high-quality supplements. I lost two pounds and felt better but it didn't seem to add up. I felt like I was putting in 100% and only getting 10% in return. I was so frustrated. Nearly five years ago, a trusted friend shared something about DNA testing and coaching people using their DNA. I was intrigued. I had spent years going to doctors and specialists who wanted to throw medication at me. They had run all the tests, and I had heard multiple times that sometimes we just don't know and have to try different things. I did try some different things, but then I would have side effects, or my body would do the opposite of what was intended. I was intrigued by the idea of learning about my body and what it uniquely needed.
Honestly, I was hesitant because it seemed too good to be true. But my husband, in all his wisdom, said, "Michelle, there's only one way to find out." It was like a lightbulb moment. We took it seriously, considering it was an investment. Thankfully, it was an affordable option, not like the thousands of dollars doctors charge. It was super easy to do at home—a cheek swab, mail it off, and get the results via email. But we were $90,000 in debt at that time, and investing in my health monthly was something we had committed to. We wanted to be wise with our money, but we believed that my friend had something valuable to share.
So I did it. I got the DNA test, took the free assessment, and waited for my results. Once I had my DNA results, I could input additional information and the database of over 10,000 third-party peer-reviewed studies would analyze everything. This was incredible because all the time I had spent searching online and reading different articles—this was the science behind it all. The health report told me all the things I could do to improve my health score, independent of any products. It was truly informative.
The DNA results also gave me recommendations for supplementation. It provided a detailed report on what my body needed, what triggered each recommendation, and the supporting studies. I could choose what to include in my supplement pack based on my budget and goals. I got personalized packs—an AM pack and a PM pack, designed for optimal absorption.
This program had something I hadn't seen anywhere else: a shield against taking something contraindicated. A friend of mine was on medication where taking magnesium could be fatal, and the shield blocked her from taking it. This was incredibly amazing. This is where my health and wellness journey truly pivoted.
Nearly five years ago, I started on the supplementation and incorporated the information from my DNA report. It was a 43-page report with all the application-required information. I learned how my body best responds to certain exercises and fat loss with exercise. I changed my workouts and started to see body composition changes almost immediately. More importantly, I started to feel better.
I learned that I have the MTHFR gene mutation, which affects how my body metabolizes certain vitamins and detoxifies. I needed to ensure I was getting the appropriate form of some vitamins and avoid things toxic to me. Giving my body what it needed and avoiding what it didn't was transformative. Within 60 days, I felt so much better. I no longer feel like someone battling chronic illness. I don't have daytime fatigue, brain fog, or muscle and joint pain. My immune system is strong, and I feel great.
This isn't a cure claim. I know that if I go back to what I was doing, I'll feel how I used to feel. But now I know what to do. It's amazing that nobody knew to direct me to find out about my body and what I needed. I watch people struggle, and it kills me that there are things they haven't explored that could be a turning point for them.
I hope this helps and inspires you. I hope it gives you hope. That's why I share my story. If I care about you, I'm not going to keep this for myself. I'm going to shout it from the
rooftops, and I hope you do the same.
Thank you for joining me on the Healthy Mama Simply podcast. I hope you join me again next time. Bye for now.
