My Mission Is Simple:
I was the first child born Chinese girl out of 5 Children raised in Vietnam and immigrated to the United States when I was 10 years old. I didn’t know a word of English, and suddenly, I found myself in a country where I didn’t understand the language, the culture, or my place within it.
Growing up, I was taught that as a girl, my worth was tied to achievement in traditionally “masculine” professions. My family had rigid expectations—I was supposed to become a doctor or an engineer. When I decided to pursue nursing, my family dismissed it as beneath me.
At 14, my body changed in a way I wasn’t prepared for. When I got my first period, it wasn’t met with the care or guidance you might expect. Instead, my father threatened me for not explaining what was happening, and my mother humiliated me by announcing it to the family. I felt exposed, ashamed, and completely alone. I internalized those reactions as a sign that womanhood was a curse, something to hide and feel ashamed of.
Those experiences carved deep scars into my self-esteem. For years, I viewed my femininity as a burden and felt like I had to dim my light just to survive. I even reached a point where the shame and pressure became so overwhelming that I considered ending my life.
Despite the challenges of my childhood, I found strength in my education. I threw myself into learning, determined to prove my worth through academic success. Becoming a nurse practitioner wasn’t just a career choice—it was a way to claim my identity on my own terms.
But even as I built a career, I carried unresolved wounds. Those cracks began to show after I became a mother. When I had my first child at 35, my body rebelled. I had hair loss, mood swings, crying spells and exhaustion. It took my 16 month old son head butting me and breaking my teeth to make me realize I was malnourished. Although I was struggling with my broken body, I somehow managed to hide well and pretended that I was normal.
My second child at 38 was a little more difficult to recover. I had weight gain, and overwhelming fatigue left me questioning everything. Doctors labeled it “just postpartum depression” and handed me pills. Deep down, I knew there had to be more to the story.
It was then that I discovered functional medicine. For the first time, I learned how food, hormones, stress, and lifestyle could profoundly affect health. I realized that the root of my struggles wasn’t just physical—it was emotional and spiritual, too. This understanding marked the beginning of my journey to heal, not just my body but my relationship with myself. A little over a year later, I was able to get my mind and body back.
Life went on to test me in unimaginable ways. After building a thriving practice in Florida, my husband of 26 years tragically took his own life. I’ll never forget the night it happened—the sound of the gunshot, the sight of him lying on the floor, my daughter witnessing the aftermath. That moment shattered me.
Suddenly, I was a single mom, navigating grief while trying to keep my business afloat. The stress was unbearable, and my body once again bore the brunt. The shock of my husband’s suicide took a toll on my mind and body. I rapidly lost 16 lbs in a matter of 3 weeks. My hair was rapidly thinning. I was blaming myself and suffered in silence. I had PTSD, anxiety, depression, and at times rage! My colleagues recommended I should take antidepressants but I disagreed. My husband just passed away. How could I be ok? I was not OK. I was a mess!
A tumor the size of a baby’s head formed on my uterus, caused by years of unaddressed stress and hormonal imbalance. This time, I relied on everything I had learned through functional medicine. I used natural therapies to shrink the tumor and rebuild my health. Although I ultimately needed surgery, blood loss, heavy bleeding and ultimately needing iron transfusion.
Through this whole process, I emerged stronger, more determined to turn my wounds to wisdom to better help me navigate my life, heal, and to share what I had learned with others. I am grateful to have friends, family, and above all faith that God, not me, is in control, but I still need to show up to be the willing participant to change my narrative from victim to victor! With determination, I continue to work on myself. I continued to take inspired action to live a healthy lifestyle and yearn to get my mind and body back!
Looking back, I see how each chapter of my life prepared me for this moment. The shame I felt in childhood, the struggles of motherhood, the heartbreak of loss—all of it shaped me into the woman I am today.
Functional medicine didn’t just save my life; it gave me a purpose. Today, I help women over 40 who feel dismissed, unseen, and out of sync with their bodies. I understand what it feels like to search for answers and come up empty, and that’s why I’m passionate about addressing the root causes of health challenges.
Through my practice, I empower women to reclaim their vitality, balance their hormones, and heal their bodies in ways that honor their unique journeys. This isn’t just about physical health—it’s about embracing the wholeness of who you are, scars and all, and stepping into a vibrant, powerful chapter of life.
I’ve learned that healing is never linear, but it’s always worth it.
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