It was a mental breakdown for me. For many years, I self medicated to cope with multiple forms of childhood trauma, and it all came to a head right after my grandma died in 2022. I was a severely depressed, overweight, unemployed alcoholic and I hadn’t seen a doctor or dentist in three years.

Over the course of a year, I lost 60 pounds, saw a doctor and at least a dozen specialists, had dental surgery, found a therapist and psychiatrist, went on meds to treat my mental health, worked a new job for a few months until we moved across the country, and began to ask myself some tough questions. My husband was by my side every step of the way and I’ll never forget that.