Born in Chicago, IL. Raised in Glenview and Northbrook, IL. Oldest of 3 kids.
Grew up wanting to only eat American food. Shunned my Korean roots and cuisine until going to college.
Parents immigrated to US in late 1960’s
Went to Boston College 1988-declared pre-med to get parents off my back. Found it very stressful and competitive. Experienced loneliness and depression, did not fit in at BC. Dad was diagnosed with colo-rectal cancer. Transferred to University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. Was a psychology major, switched to pre-dental (Wanted to stay in health profession field)
Mouthbreather, thumbsucker, allergies. ADHD. Bottle fed
Ortho in 6th grade (upper only), ortho in college with headgear and elastics. Dx with tongue thrust. Myofunctional therapy was introduced by orthodontist.
Invisalign as an adult. Moderate to severe generalized recession
Tongue tie observed as adult!
Sleep study: snoring, mild sleep apnea
Narrow arches, scalloped tongue. Headaches since childhood, fatigue as adult. Digestive issues
Frenuloplasty Oct. 3. Took Breathe course-lightbulb moment re: tongue tie, sleep apnea study result, undergoing Myofunctional therapy
Mother was large influence in health journey. Especially seeing how my father lived his life and did not concern himself with longevity and health. Lived in the moment and enjoyed food and drink without much thought to negative effects. Made life more fun with adventures in eating, music, travel. Mother always tried to cook healthful meals and promoted exercise. Watching the excruciating decline and change in my father as he suffered from cancer truly influenced me to emphasize healthy choices. However, intense fatigue and digestive issues seemed to plague me for years. It made it nearly impossible for me to achieve my goals. Saw a number of nutritionists, doctors. Forced myself to see exercise trainers, acupuncturists, massage therapists, clinical psychologists. The physical and emotional stresses in life were taking a toll. It seemed hidden to the outside world as I appeared “healthy” and “slim” and “active.” Even my own husband could not truly relate if I complained about a stomachache, or that nagging “pressure behind my eyes.” I had to seek the answers for myself. It was not until years and years of looking for answers. Trying many modalities such as myofascial therapy, breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, , and finally seeing Sarah Greenfield , functional nutritionist, Dr. Norris , naturopathic dr, and going to the Breathe Institute to a class, that things finally began to fall into place. I also started really understanding what was happening to my body in my middle age, with menopause, hormone imbalances, and muscle loss. Working with a trainer alone wasn’t enough. Educating myself and empowering myself on how to create my best and optimal self is starting to come to fruition. It is just this month, Sept 2022, that I am beginning to feel the best I have felt in a very long time. The debilitating fatigue seems to be falling away, I don’t have the intense eye pressure. The sour stomach I was waking up with each morning has disappeared. My headaches are very infrequent. I have more energy and feel much leaner and strong.