How pain and health crisis can become a catalyst for self-love and embracing your greatest passion.
At LoveSelf, we write about people healing with the power of real food and self-love. I am often asked why I started LoveSelf. Below is part of my journey. As the universe intends, I will continue to share. I hope you find LoveSelf’s articles full of inspiring love.
Share YOUR story with us!
XO, Rachel
Dearest LoveSelf’ers,
LoveSelf was born out of my very personal story of overcoming health challenges. My physical pain brought me face to face with what I call a “crisis of the heart”. As you will often hear me say it is our darkest hour that often brings forth our greatest joy.
LoveSelf is that joy. Over the years, I have been diagnosed with Lymes, Celiac disease, dealt with extreme autoimmune disease symptoms, inflammatory bowel, multiple surgeries, and damage to the nerves around my spine. There were many days that it took everything I had just to get out of bed.
One particularly eventful afternoon a leading MD reviewed my symptoms and the only thing he knew to say was “I am sorry. This is a disaster.” He gave me a referral to another specialist who could only offer options that felt more like death than life.
I recall those moments as the beginning of everything changing for me. I remember vividly, leaving the appointment alone, getting in my car, and beginning to cry. Not small tears. Weeping, bawling emotions from my core. My reaction was especially surprising because up to that point, I had lived from a place of positive bravado and thought wellness meant toughing it out. My tears subsided and an inner peaceful knowing spoke clearly.
The voice said, “I am doing it my way”. In the moment, I had no idea what “my way” meant, only that I was going to stop listening to the words of fear.
In the following months and years, I learned that our bodies have the ability to heal themselves, emotion and physical dis-ease are intertwined, food is medicine, and that self-love must always be our first love.
After years of antibiotics, the core of my physical well-being needed attention. I was already gluten free due to the Celiac. As a huge food lover, I didn’t want to live from a place of sacrifice. Ultimately, I discovered the Paleo diet. In combination with a raw food diet and lactofermented foods, I began to feel so much better. I learned to create amazing refined sugar free, gluten free, grain free desserts, and still smile when I recall the countless requests I received for my yummy creations.
My health challenges became life awakening and life changing. I knew real food was the core yet I also understood that I couldn’t stop there. My quest became about empowerment and healing. I took steps to authentic self-love.
I understood that all life is interconnected energy, that living from a loving heart is the highest truth, and that the food we eat can inspire and heal us.
LoveSelf began with my own healing and became the catalyst to share the inspiration with others. On this journey of love and health, I have learned to listen to my inner wisdom. I followed my heart when it told me to leave all that I know and begin traveling to share the inspiring stories of others. I (quite literally!) put everything I owned into storage, packed two suitcases, and left on a journey to write about the light I see in others. LoveSelf was born! I had no backup plan. My only foundation was air and faith. People would often ask me why? I would say, “my heart is pulling and all I can do is follow”.
Today LoveSelf is a global community.
My dream is that we all live an inspired life with a happy belly and a loving heart. Our choices can heal us. Abundance is infinite and healthy is our right.
I am so incredibly honored to be part of your journey.
XO!
Rachel
