My Mission – My Passion
 
My journey to optimal health started like most folks in my industry.  I was once extremely sick and found no relief from typical western medicine.  As a child, I had bouts of anxiety, panic and depression, followed by the epstein-barr virus and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) in my early twenties. Later on I suffered from debilitating panic attacks, which lasted for years.  I even had a few years of chronic female problems that resulted in surgery.

I felt like a hopeless guinea pig bouncing back and forth from primary care physicians, specialists, therapists, psychiatrists. I even had a few MRI's in the process.  I was prescribed steroids, hormones, SSRI's and beta-blockers.  They even put me on a drug indicated for high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, kidney and liver disease.  I'll never forget the treatment which was supposed to help with the chronic fatigue. I got weaker and eventually had to stop exercising because I had zero strength and suffered from severe leg and foot muscle cramps.

During this time, I was eating an average american diet devoid of fatty fish, whole grains, fruits and vegetables.  I was drinking, smoking and eating processed food like a typical twenty-something.  I did work out often and even attempted the occasional diet.  Compared to my friends, I was eating pretty well.  They used to make fun of me when I turned my nose up at fast-food and soft-drinks, but looking back, my diet was horrible and I was destroying my body - and mind.

My CFS was at its worst in my early twenties and at the urging (nagging) of my mother, I sought the guidance of a Naturopath.  I described all my ailments and within two hours, she had me convinced to wean off the western medication and begin a natural protocol.  She had me taking a concoction of vitamins, minerals, herbs and immune builders 6 times a day for months.  She urged me to stop drinking and smoking. I had no problem reducing my alcohol intake, but I didn't quit smoking till a few years later (which took a single hypnotism session and a VERY patient husband).

Miraculously, the CFS went away within a month, I was full of energy and went back to the gym on a regular basis.  My diet had improved significantly after my naturopath identified some of my food allergies that had sedative-like effects on my system.  I cut out MSG, chicken and simple carbs including white bread, sweets and most potato dishes. I couldn't bring myself to giving up pasta, but I did pay the price every time I indulged.

Fast forward a few years to the panic attacks and "anxiety disorder". My life had significantly changed overnight as I had just met my would-be husband and step-son, and lost an entire pack of family-like friends in the process.  My world was turned upside-down and my unconscious brain took over flooding my thoughts full of fears and negative beliefs . I spent thousands of dollars seeking help trying to find the "cause" and the “why”.  I came close to becoming agoraphobic but my fiery spirit wouldn’t let me succumb to my “disability”. I knew I didn’t deserve to live in the hell and I persevered to find peace.  I spent the next couple years seeing different type of therapists, studying neuro-linguistic programming, meditation, chakras, ayurveda and even became an avid student of ashtanga yoga. Some of it helped tremendously, and some was a complete waste of money. My only goal was to find inner peace and resume my life without fear.

I found a huge piece of the answer during what I call my “one defining moment”. I was attending a group therapy session led by two incredible counselors when I realized the power of cognitive therapy. The notion that changing my thinking could eradicate my panic attacks was profound and exciting. The answers to my mental anguish where inside of ME and if I could control my thoughts and create new positive thinking habits, I could free myself from the hell I was living in.  I compared it to swimming upstream and reprogramming everything I had learned since childhood. It was extremely difficult, but the results were clearly paying off.

Enter Atali's life goal... from that moment forward I vowed to help others trapped in the same misery I had lived with. I wanted to share my success of overcoming sickness and anxiety with others, and help them find the peace I had discovered. That very day I decided to become a Holistic Therapist - combining natural herbs and supplements with cognitive therapy to help people regain their mind-body balance.

In retrospect, I was meant to endure as much as I did - the agony led me down a life-changing path. I have been a student of natural healing and my ailments led me on a quest for knowledge. I left the unfulfilling corporate world to follow my life mission and passion.

Today I work with people, guiding them towards healthy living with herbs and supplements. I am currently enrolled in graduate school to become a licensed therapist and I am certified by the American Botanical Council as an Herbal Information Specialist. I also have my eye on a few accredited herbal programs but will have to wait until after I obtain my Master’s Degree. After all, I can’t learn it all at once.

Physically, I'm in the best shape (and weight) of my life. I do not consume any alcohol, nor do I smoke. I eat a very clean vegetarian-like diet (still eat fish) and take wonderful whole food supplements and herbs. My anxiety “disorder” is under control without medication and I feel great! Most people chuckle when they see my “well organized” supplement stash. It seems as if I have something for everything. I do; that’s the beauty of natural medicine.

In my spare time I read natural healing books, published articles, clinical trial results, and surf resourceful sites related to natural health and healing. I subscribe to dozens of newsletters and am constantly seeking new information. I add content to this website on a daily basis and learn so much by talking with my customers. I even have my husband on a sugar-detox and a separate protocol for his current ailments. He grumbles about the diet changes but dare’s not to admit he actually feels better (right honey ;-)

Whatever you may be dealing with, whether it is physical or emotional, most would have you believe it’s common and can only be treated with a Dr’s prescription. Well, it may be COMMON, but it is not NORMAL. Whatever ails you can be CURED naturally. After all, we are organic beings and live on a planet with billions of incredible natural resources. You literally have nature’s medicine cabinet at your fingertips. All you need is the awareness and education. This website is a simple place to start – or continue - your natural healing journey.

My mission is to help anyone who is in need through my experience. I share my story with you for many reasons, but if there is one point I want to emphasize – You can heal anything naturally. You just need to learn how. I am here to help where I can, and if I don’t know the answer, I’ll help you find it.
 
Good Health to You,
Atali