How Did I End Up Caring About Gut Health?
My interest in gut health grew naturally out of my life experiences and passions. As a yoga teacher with a nursing background, I’ve always seen how closely our physical and mental well-being are connected. But it wasn’t until I started baking sourdough bread that I realized how much our gut health impacts our overall mood and clarity.
Back in 2019, my friend Julia shared her Hungarian sourdough starter with me and taught me the basics of making bread. That hands-on experience sparked a deep curiosity. A year later, Julia gave me Vanessa Kimbell’s book The Sourdough School, which opened my eyes to the benefits of fermented bread. Soon after, I traveled to the UK for one of Vanessa’s workshops. Today, I’m part of a two-year program with her, learning how to create personalized bread recipes that nourish both the body and the mind.
Recently, I also started the Zoe program, a personalized nutrition initiative that uses in-depth tests to provide insight into how our bodies react to different foods. Through Zoe’s blood sugar, blood fat, and gut microbiome diversity tests, I discovered that my gut microbiome had low diversity. This realization helped me focus on improving my diet and lifestyle, and I’ve been able to see meaningful changes in my overall well-being.
At the same time, I’ve continued practicing and teaching Iyengar Yoga. This type of yoga focuses on the mind-body connection, helping us feel grounded, resilient, and calm. B.K.S. Iyengar’s teachings remind me that yoga isn’t about perfection; it’s about finding what helps each person feel their best—just like Vanessa’s approach to sourdough. It’s not about the perfect loaf, but a loaf that truly nourishes.
Just as Iyengar Yoga helps us understand our bodies and breath, Vanessa’s recipes help us understand how food can support our well-being. Together with the insights I’ve gained from Zoe, these practices have taught me how movement, mindfulness, and good nutrition work hand in hand to support a healthy, balanced life.
By sharing what worked for me—yoga, mindful eating, and focusing on gut health—I hope to inspire others to find their own way to improved wellness. Small, thoughtful changes can lead to meaningful results, and I’m excited to share what I’ve learned along the way.
Stay tuned… something is fermenting, and it’s going to be gut-friendly
