Hello and welcome to my podcast, The Wellness Project with Des. On today’s podcast episode, I speak with Jen Yundt Coles about her journey with SIBO and the mind-body connection.
I’m Desiree, a Mental Health Therapist and Holistic Wellness Coach, passionate about helping you to improve your mental health and live a healthy and fulfilled life. One way I do this is by interviewing experts in the field of mental health and wellness as well as those that share their first-hand accounts with their mental health journeys. In this episode, we will hear from Jen about chronic illness and how it impacts our mental health.
Growing up, Jen Yundt Coles’ perfectionism drove her to excel, earning straight A’s and succeeding in all her endeavors. However, beneath the surface, she was riddled with anxiety and chronic stress. Due to her chronic anxiety and stress, she was a child who was always sick. She spent countless hours in the nurse’s office and struggled with persistent digestive issues.
After years of seeing various doctors and specialists for her digestive issues, Jen finally visited a functional medicine doctor, who diagnosed her with Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO).
Chronic illnesses like SIBO don’t just affect the body, they take a toll on mental health as well. Due to our strong mind-body connection, when we suffer physically, our mental health is impacted and when we are struggling with our mental health, we experience psychosomatic symptoms.
Determined to take control of her health, Jen enrolled in a health coaching program. Through this journey, she gained invaluable knowledge about digestive health, mental health, and how to advocate for her own well-being.
Now, Jen shares her expertise to help others navigate their own health challenges. By sharing her story, Jen hopes to inspire others to take charge of their health and find the answers they deserve. Listen to this conversation to learn more about the mind-body connection and how you can support your health and well-being.