Hi, I'm Jackie: Cancer Survivor, Menopause Thriver and Your Coach
Cancer Changed Everything
My journey into health and wellness began the way no one wants it to—with a cancer diagnosis at just 30 years old.
I thought I was doing everything right. I exercised, ate "healthy," checked all the boxes. But cancer didn't care. It forced me to ask harder questions: What does true health actually look like? How do I build a life where I'm not just surviving, but thriving?
That diagnosis led me down a path of deep transformation. I started looking at everything—not just what I was eating, but how I was nourishing my entire life. How I moved. How I managed stress. How I showed up for myself. Slowly, intentionally, I began making changes that felt sustainable. Not perfect. Not restrictive. Just real.
Then Came Surgical Menopause
A few years later, I found myself navigating surgical menopause—and suddenly, the strategies that had worked didn't work anymore. My body felt foreign. Weight crept on. Energy tanked. Sleep was a disaster.
And the advice I kept finding? "Just eat less and move more."
That doesn't work in menopause. In fact, it often makes things worse.
So I became a student of my own body again—learning what worked for hormonal changes and metabolic shifts. I let go of diet culture BS. I focused on building strength, not shrinking. I learned to trust my hunger cues again. I stopped punishing myself with exercise and started moving in ways that felt good.
That's when I knew: This is the work I'm meant to do.
WHY I SPECIALIZE IN MENOPAUSE & FOOD FREEDOM
I Get It, Because I'm Living It
I became a health coach because I believe no woman should have to figure this out alone.
Perimenopause and menopause are challenging enough without the added noise of diet culture telling you to restrict, deprive, and shrink yourself. You don't need another meal plan or another "just try harder" pep talk. You need someone who understands what your body is going through—and who can help you build habits that actually work with your hormones, not against them.
That's where I come in.
I specialize in helping women navigate perimenopause and menopause through:
Food freedom and intuitive eating: because restriction doesn't work in midlife, and honestly, it never did.
Strength-building habits: for your bones, your metabolism, your independence as you age.
Sustainable lifestyle changes: no quick fixes, no overwhelm, just real strategies that fit your real life.
Disease prevention and longevity: because the choices you make NOW matter for your 60s, 70s, and beyond!
I'm not here to give you a one-size-fits-all plan. I'm here to help you figure out what you need—and to support you as you build a life where you feel strong, energized, and free.
Training That Backs Up the Work
I'm not just speaking from personal experience (though that matters too).
I've invested in the training and certifications to back up this work:
National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) — I earned my Health & Wellness Coaching Certification through Emory University's Health & Wellness Coaching program and nationally board-certified in 2023 and went on to become Board-Certified in 2024. This means I've met rigorous standards in training, practical experience, and ethics, and I'm committed to evidence-based practices.
Certified in Mindful & Intuitive Eating (2026) — I earned my certification in Mindful & Intuitive eating through IIN in early 2026. Because I believe the path to sustainable health starts with trusting your body, not fighting it. This specialized training supports a weight-neutral, anti-diet approach to nutrition.
I also bring lived experience as a cancer survivor with Lynch Syndrome and as someone navigating surgical menopause. I know firsthand that your health isn't guaranteed—and that makes every choice, every habit, every day matter even more.
Who I Am When I'm Not Coaching
I'm a wife, a proud mom of two incredible girls, and an outdoor enthusiast who believes the best therapy often happens on a trail with a good dog by your side (I've got one of those too).
I live for early morning walks, strength training sessions that make me feel powerful, and meals that nourish without rules. I'm passionate about living a life that's full, intentional, and joyful, not one dictated by a scale or someone else's idea of "perfect."
My personal mission? To feel strong and vibrant today, while building the foundation for independence and vitality in my 70s, 80s, and beyond. And to help as many women as possible do the same.
Let's Connect
If you're navigating perimenopause or menopause and you're done with diets, quick fixes, and feeling like you're failing—let's talk. I'd love to hear your story and explore whether we're a good fit.