Meet Daniela!

I grew up with an avid love for movement - I even wrote my 7th grade research paper on the importance of exercise! I was a gymnast, a soccer player, and did a little basketball back in my day. I found the human body and its physical abilities to be fascinating.

In 2007 I began to experience a series of symptoms - hair loss, digestive issues, skin rashes, etc. And in 2008 I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Lupus Nephritis. I was told I’d be able to live a normal life, but living life with chronic fatigue, constant joint pain and inflammation, and fear of spontaneous flare-ups did not feel like a normal life to me.

When I moved to college I was no longer playing sports so I decided to start working out at the gym - strength training specifically. I quickly realized that exercise was helping me manage my symptoms. So I began exercising more and more - constantly driving my body into the ground. What began as a helpful resource turned into a way for me to prove that I was worthy of being seen - that Lupus wouldn’t keep me hidden. I didn’t realize it at the time but the feelings of unworthiness didn’t come from Lupus, they had actually been present for most of my life. And the actions I was taking to ‘manage’ my symptoms were a deeper cry for love and care.

After being on steroid medication for almost 9 years, I knew it was all taking a toll on my body and health. I looked into the Autoimmune Paleo Protocol and decided to give it a try in an effort to get off of the medication. This 3 month process opened my eyes to more than just the food I was eating. It opened a door for me to see healing from Lupus as a possibility. More importantly I began to see the hopes and dreams I had for my life come into reach.

It wasn’t until a shoulder injury in 2018 that I came face to face with my own actions that contributed to the on-going flare-ups, weight gain, and chronic fatigue. I began to evaluate my approach to exercise, my mindset around my autoimmune diagnosis, and my own responses to stress.

I began to love myself wholesomely, the way that God has shown love to me.

Little by little I began to make changes to my exercise routine. I began to practice mindfulness around my actions and make note of patterns that led to flare-ups. And I even dove deep into how my emotions played a role in my diagnosis. What I discovered was that it was me the entire time. That I was the answer to my healing. And thus began a ‘remade’ practice to healing and self-care. One that was more gentle in thought and in practice. I began to love myself wholesomely, the way that God has shown love to me.