The POWER of your GUT

Have you ever had a gut feeling?

Empowering women isn’t just a movement, it’s the key to unlocking our full potential as a society. It’s a privilege, a responsibility and a gift we can freely give to others but first it starts with ourselves.

I have struggled for thirty years with anxiety and depression, which is more than half my life. I was stuck living with brain fog, fatigue, muscle aches, lack of motivation, irritation, sleepless nights, excessive worry and that doesn’t even scratch the surface. I was relying on medication to just help me barely survive each day. Don’t get me wrong, I am so grateful for modern medicine, but it is only a micro piece of the puzzle when you’re feeling helpless. The true key to breaking free, as cliche as it sounds, it is inside of us.

It wasn’t until two years ago that something amazing happened to me as I discovered the tools that set me on a journey of healing all the broken parts of me. Through a few simple changes, I started to experience true peace, clarity, purpose and restful nights. I found myself not dreading the daily grind and I was actually socializing again. I started showing up differently for my kids and my husband and finally learned how to stop and smell the roses. I felt hopeful, motivated, and EMPOWERED. I felt like I had a purpose again. It recently became clear to me that my purpose is to help empower other women experiencing the same struggles to find their own key to freedom and empowerment!

Want to know the secret? It all started in my gut. This is something that my doctors and therapists never told me, and I almost didn’t believe it. As skeptical as I was, I pressed on anyway. I realized that you have to actually fuel your gut in order to fuel your brain. This is because we have what’s called the gut-brain axis which refers to the two-way communication system between the GI tract and the central nervous system. While very complex, it’s a system that impacts multiple aspects of our health, including mood, cognitive function, immune function, inflammation, metabolism and digestion. Which really emphasizes the importance of maintaining gut health for overall well-being.

But gut health wasn’t the only key to my empowerment. By adding in at least 10 minutes of daily meditation and gratitude, I was able to really elevate my mood. Although I was at first skeptical, this became an extremely powerful piece to the puzzle. I quickly started noticing benefits of reduced stress, enhanced emotional well-being, better focus and concentration, strengthened relationships, better sleep, overall mental and physical health.

Who doesn’t want to feel all those things? You actually deserve those things!

It all sounds so simple right? Not so fast! These results take getting honest and intentional with yourself. This is where the rubber meets the road, because the ultimate first step is up to YOU! You get to pick your pain. Do you want the pain that comes with staying stuck or do you want the pain that comes with healing and freedom? The tools are there but the choice is yours. You are worth it though!

I will end by saying, this was not an overnight success. This was and is one foot in front of the other, one day at a time, sometimes one minute at a time. This is a daily practice and a daily choice. The results are, just like you are, completely worth it. I still fall down some days, but I have learned to pick myself up much quicker now. I’m thankful for my family and the tribe of women that have empowered and supported me when I have fallen or lost my way. They have each reached out their hand and showed me the path and taught me to get out of my own way. They have shown me how to help myself and that has been the most precious gift I have found on this journey!

Happiness is SEXY & EMPOWERING, so if you’re ready to feel a renewed sense of energy, peace, purpose and get your sexy back, I’m ready to be your new bestie! You never have to walk alone, just connect to the ones willing to walk the journey with you!

Peace, love and blessings to you all –

Irene

Beyond her love of being a mental health advocate, Irene Kennedy Wyllie is a work-from-home, busy, sports mom of two amazing boys and wife to her loving husband.

To find out more about Irene, please visit https://msha. ke/therealirenekw#about