About the Autor

The Journey to Balance: Rediscovering Myself

Are you tired of feeling constantly tired even exhausted? I know I was. For years, that feeling became so familiar, it felt like a part of me—a constant, unshakable weight that dulled my energy, blurred my focus, and drained the joy from even the simplest moments.

At first, I thought it was just the demands of life. I’m a 40-years-old woman and a busy naturopathy practice to run ‘I thought’. I was going through a very difficult marriage that ended in a very stressful and long divorce. I had to deal with work deadlines, financial stresses and an emotional breakdown. Feeling fully rested seemed like a luxury I couldn’t afford. But deep down, I knew this wasn’t normal.

It was more than being tired. It was a bone-deep exhaustion, the kind that made it hard to get out of bed some mornings. My mind felt foggy, my moods were erratic, and my body seemed to ache in ways I couldn’t explain. For someone like me—a naturopath, trained to promote wellness and healing—this disconnect was both frustrating and humbling.

There’s an italian’s saying, “The cobbler’s shoes are always broken.” which means that usually the professional put the needs of others’ ahead of his own. And for me, that couldn’t have been more true. I had dedicated my career to helping others, but in the process, I had completely neglected myself.

I tried to push through it, thinking, This is just life in your 40s with new challenges ahead. I had a healthy diet, I exercised regularly, and I tried to practice what I preached. But none of it seemed to matter.

Stress played a huge role. My days were a blur of tasks and responsibilities. There were times when I felt like I was on autopilot—packing lunches, answering client emails, seing clients at the clinic, repeating the cycle day after day. When was the last time I truly paused? I couldn’t even remember.

It wasn’t until one particularly overwhelming evening that I decided something had to change. I had just finished a long day of seeing clients, and I sat at my desk feeling utterly depleted with a feeling of broken life. I had to convert my fears into courage. As I stared blankly at my computer, I found myself googling, “Why am I so exhausted?”

That night, I stumbled across an article about the microbiome—the trillions of microorganisms living in our gut—and how they influence nearly every aspect of our health, from energy levels and digestion to mood and immune function. The word that kept popping up was dysbiosis: an imbalance in the gut microbiota that can wreak havoc on the body.

Even as a naturopath, I had never truly stopped to consider how much my microbiome might be contributing to the way I felt. I had studied it, recommended probiotics to clients, and understood its importance theoretically. But now, sitting there in the quiet of my home, I realized I had never taken the time to apply that knowledge to myself.

I became fascinated—no, obsessed—with learning everything I could about the microbiome. I dove into research, reading scientific studies, books, and anything I could get my hands on. The deeper I went, the more I saw the connections between my lifestyle and how I was feeling.

For years, I had thought I was doing everything right. My diet was clean, and packed with whole foods, organic vegetables, and lean proteins. But I began to realize that even a healthy diet isn’t always enough if your microbiome isn’t in balance. If your gut bacteria aren’t thriving, you can’t properly absorb nutrients, no matter how much kale you eat. This also has a deep consequence on your emotions due to the gut-brain axis.

Stress, in my case was a major factor. I learned that chronic stress depletes the gut microbiota, reducing the diversity of beneficial bacteria and contributing to inflammation and affecting the emotional state leading to anxhiety and depression. It hit me like a lightning bolt. I had spent years putting everyone else’s needs ahead of my own, pushing myself to the brink, and ignoring the subtle signals my body was sending me. No wonder I felt this way.

With this newfound knowledge, I decided to make myself my case study. For the first time in years, I treated my health as a priority, not an afterthought.

I started with my diet, journaling and mindfulness. The holistic approach to wellness includes three areas to look into: environment, nutrition and emotions. While it was already healthy, I realized that my diet to start with lacked diversity. I began incorporating more prebiotic foods like garlic, onions, and bananas to feed my beneficial gut bacteria. I added fermented foods—sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir—to reintroduce a variety of probiotics. I even started experimenting with homemade yoghurt, something I had always meant to try but never found the time for.

But diet was only one piece of the puzzle. Stress management was critical, and I had been neglecting it for far too long. I started small—just five minutes a day of gratitude journaling. Every morning, I wrote down three things I was thankful for. At first, it felt forced, but over time, it became a habit that shifted my mindset.

Meditation was another game-changer. I had always told myself I was “too busy” to meditate, but I quickly learned that even ten minutes of deep breathing could work wonders. I set aside time in the evenings, to sit quietly, focus on my breath, and let go of the day’s worries.

Sleep was the final piece of the equation. I had been burning the candle at both ends for far too long, staying up late to finish work or catch up on household chores while trying to figure out my new life. I committed to honour my body’s need for rest. I created a bedtime routine—no screens an hour before bed, a cup of herbal tea, and calming essential oils in a diffuser. It didn’t happen overnight, but gradually, my sleep improved.

Over a few months, I began to notice subtle shifts. The fog that had clouded my mind started to lift. I woke up in the mornings feeling lighter, and more energized. My moods stabilized, and I found myself smiling more, laughing more, truly enjoying life in a way I hadn’t in years.

This journey didn’t just transform my health; it reshaped the way I approached my work. I began incorporating microbiome education into my sessions with clients, sharing my own story and helping them see the connections between gut health and overall wellness. I encouraged them to prioritize self-care, reminding them that they couldn’t take care of others if they didn’t first take care of themselves.

The response was incredible. My clients opened up about their struggles, and their own “tiredness,” and together, we worked to find solutions. Helping others rediscover their vitality became even more meaningful to me because I had lived through the same journey.

Looking back, I’m grateful for the struggle, as difficult as it was. It forced me to pause, reflect, and realign my life. I’ve learned that health isn’t just about eating the right foods or exercising—it’s about creating balance in every aspect of life. It’s about listening to your body, managing stress, and making space for joy.

And most importantly, I’ve learned that it’s never too late to put yourself first and start a new journey.

So if you’re reading this and you’ve felt the way I did—tired, depleted, stuck in the endless loop of life—know that there’s hope. Healing is possible. You don’t have to settle for less than vibrant health.

The answers might be closer than you think, maybe even as close as your microbiome.

For me, that tiny community of microorganisms changed everything. And I’ll never look back.

Conclusion: Take Action for Your Health Today
If you’ve been stuck in the cycle of tiredness and overwhelm, now is the time to act. Don’t wait for the “right moment” to prioritize your well-being—because that moment is now. My journey taught me that true health comes from balance, self-care, and a deeper understanding of our bodies. The microbiome was the missing link for me, and addressing it has been life-changing.

You don’t have to feel this way forever. Start small—add some fermented foods to your diet, take five minutes to practice gratitude, or simply pause and breathe deeply today. These small steps can pave the way to a life full of energy and vitality.

I’ve shared my story to inspire you to take your first step toward reclaiming your health. For more insights, actionable tips, and the science behind the microbiome, visit my blog. It’s packed with information that could transform your life—just as it did mine.

Don’t let another day pass feeling drained. Do something about your tiredness today. Take that first step, and you’ll be amazed at how far you can go. The journey to balance and vibrant health starts now!

[Visit and subscribe to my blog https://biomedvibes.co.uk/ to learn more and take control of your health! You will receive suggestions on how to improve your diet, your lifestyle and so much more. These are tailored to my readers, and your comments and suggestions are very important for me to dive deep into further research.]

Let’s make this journey as enjoyable as possible.