A Guest blog post from Wahls Health Practitioner Alene Brennan:

It’s been 4 years since I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis… one of the greatest challenges in my life. 

It’s also been 4 years since I made the decision to become a Wahls Warrior… one of the greatest gifts in my life.  

This journey with MS is certainly not one that any of us would have intentionally chosen. However, I am personally grateful for it because I have learned so much and am living a better life now than before my diagnosis. 

There are a few lessons that stand out the most to me as I reflect over these four years. 

It’s Up to Me

In the days that followed my diagnosis, I realized that I had a decision to make. 

I could spiral into all of the “what-if’s” and “why me” and leave my future just in the hands of my doctor.

Or…

I could take control of my health. 

As Dr. Wahls writes in her book, “You are now in charge of your own health. Your future, your progress – even your happiness – is up to you… I’ve given you the tools, now it’s up to you to use them.”

Reading those words made the decision easy. 

I immediately became #TeamWahlsWarrior.

Bite by bite, I started to follow Dr. Wahls’ recommendations. I started to experience the results too… less brain fog, less fatigue, and the lesions on my brain even shrunk within six months. 

In fact, the Wahls Community became such a meaningful part of my life, I dedicated my nutrition coaching practice to helping fellow Wahls Warriors adopt the protocol and experience their healing transformation.

Warrior after warrior is finding a better life despite their diagnosis. 

Is it easy?

Nope! 

In fact, some days are really hard. Social gatherings can be the most challenging for me – when I want to indulge in all the food like a “normal person.”

But I remind myself of two things:

My Hero’s Journey
WHY do I want my health? 

I’m not following the Wahls Protocol just to “be healthy” or even just to “eliminate my symptoms of MS.”

I’m following the Wahls Protocol because I’ve always dreamed of having a family and traveling the world with my husband. And at 40 years old, I finally got married. Now that my dream can actually become a reality, I want to have the energy and strength to do both. 

So, in the moment, I may be choosing a salad over fast food, but in reality, I’m choosing my dream over my disease. 

If you haven’t yet identified your “why,” I highly recommend you do so, it’s stronger than willpower ever will be in following the protocol and in getting the health transformation that is waiting on the other side. 

I am not alone.
I also remind myself that I am not alone in this journey. 

While I may feel like I’m the only one at the social gathering that is eating differently, I know that there are thousands of Wahls Warriors around the world who are in this with me. 

Together, we are choosing the foods that will heal our body. 

Together, we are prioritizing self-care. 

Together, we are moving our body to the best of our ability each and every day. 

Will you join me a toast?

So, I would like to propose a toast to all the fellow Wahls Warriors around the world, you have the ability to heal your body, and always remember that we are in this together.

Let’s lift a glass and cheers to our health! (And of course, to make it a Wahls-friendly toast, download this Free Summertime Mocktail Cookbook for you to try out.)

Cheers!

In honor of this anniversary, I’m also hosting a live discussion for Wahls Warriors on Instagram and Facebook everyday throughout July. I would love for you to join me! I’m sharing all the details of how I and my clients live the Wahls Warrior lifestyle. 

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Alene Brennan, Health Coach, Www.Alenebrennan.Com

Beyond food, Alene empowers individuals with the use of doTERRA essential oils to help manage physical symptoms, emotional wellbeing and reduce the toxic load in their home. Essential oils are a natural extension of the food is medicine approach – or as Alene says, “Less Pharm, More Table.”

Alene holds four certifications: Nutrition Coach, Natural Food Chef, Yoga Instructor and Personal Trainer and two specialty certifications in the Wahls Protocol and the Autoimmune Protocol. In addition to these certifications, she has great insight in the food and healthcare industry having lead a 12-year corporate career working for Fortune 500 Companies such as Campbell Soup and Aramark and Virtua. 

She has been featured in USA Today, Philadelphia Inquirer, Mind Body Green and on Fox News.