Hi, I’m Heather Pharr.
My journey in chronic illness started young. I struggled with chronic health issues from early on. I had full body chronic eczema from the age of 2, chronic ear infections and almost lost my hearing at one point, food allergies and sinus issues, and I took rounds and rounds of antibiotics and steroids as a result for years. I struggled with acne, irregular periods, anxiety, and more eczema in high school. In college I felt more anxious and depressed, struggled with chronic fatigue, had trouble focusing, had insomnia and weight fluctuations. I was always on some new food fad because I intuitively knew it had something to do with food, but could never figure out what and thus just developed a not so great relationship to eating. I saw dermatologists, allergists, ENT’s, primary care physicians and no one had any answers other than to give me more antibiotics and steroids, which wasn’t solving the problem and resulted in despair that there was just something wrong with me. When I stopped sleeping and started getting daily hives on my neck and face after college I had to do something different. I found a holistic nutritionist who believed in food as medicine, changed my diet and my life was transformed. I finally had some idea of what was happening in my body and how I could help myself heal. It was literally life changing.
I started feeling more confident in knowing my own body and turning my focus back to whole body health, rather than looking for someone to give me a bandaid for symptoms. This journey, while it was focused on food only at first, became so much more than that. It allowed me to understand the natural power of my body, and be open to growing and learning more about the mind, body, spirit connection. It led me to explore acupuncture, chiropractic care, yoga, homeopathy, myofascial massage, functional medicine and lymph drainage therapy, among other things. It drove me to be confident in overcoming the fear from my first c-section birth experience and being open to turning toward midwife assisted birth and eventually having a home birth that was beautiful and transformative. It has also empowered me to seek answers for my children beyond symptoms and diagnosis and to be an advocate for them as well. And interestingly, it also led us to our decision to homeschool our 3 boys. My personal health journey has taught me the power of the body to heal itself, that we aren’t doomed to suffer with chronic illness or fall apart as we age and that the key to all of this is feeling EMPOWERED.
And that’s what I want to share with YOU.
Certifications
Issued by Institute for Integrative Nutrition
This badge designates that its holder has graduated from Integrative Nutrition's Health Coach Training Program. They have demonstrated an ability to understand and utilize a wide range of dietary and nutrition theories, as well as develop business and coaching skills to practice in a variety of settings. They have been trained to educate and guide clients to make behavioral changes resulting in improved nutrition, dietary habits, and physical ability and overall greater health and wellness.
Issued by Yoga Alliance
Earners of this badge have successfully completed a 200-hour yoga teacher training that is registered with Yoga Alliance.