The big deal came in the form of serious complications that I never imagined would happen to me. Diabetic retinopathy required painful eye injections to save my vision. Diabetic neuropathy became so severe that I had to have nerves surgically removed from both feet. Gastroparesis left me vomiting regularly, unable to keep food down, disrupting every aspect of my daily life.
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These weren't just medical terms in a textbook anymore—they were my painful, life-altering reality. The consequences of my on-and-off approach to diabetes management had caught up with me in the most serious way possible.
That's when I finally understood: you can't fake your way through diabetes management. Your body keeps score, even when you're not paying attention.
Everything changed when I stopped making excuses and started truly understanding this disease. I learned what my body specifically needed, took control of my management, and discovered that even after serious complications, it's possible to shift from surviving with diabetes to actually thriving with it.
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This journey—from denial and poor management through serious complications to finally taking control and thriving—taught me some hard-earned lessons that now guide everything I do as a coach. I learned these lessons the hardest way possible so you don't have to. My commitment to providing professional, comprehensive support led me to become an Accredited Certified Coach through the International Coaching Federation, bringing proven coaching methodologies to diabetes wellness. As a Silver Sneakers Certified Instructor in Classic, Yoga, QiGong, and trained facilitator for the SilverSneakers® Nutrition as We Age Member Engagement Workshop, I bring a holistic approach that combines mindful movement with evidence-based nutrition education. Both disciplines have taught me how powerful these tools can be in managing not just blood sugar, but stress, pain, and overall wellbeing. I'm currently pursuing my ACE Personal Trainer Certification and Nutrition Coach Certification to further enhance my ability to guide clients safely through movement practices tailored specifically for chronic conditions.
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Today, I combine my hard-won personal experience with professional training to help others navigate their own journey with greater ease and confidence. I believe that thriving with diabetes and chronic illness isn't about perfection—it's about understanding your unique needs, building sustainable habits, and having compassionate support along the way. Whether you're newly diagnosed, struggling with management, or ready to take your health to the next level, I'm here to meet you exactly where you are and help you discover what thriving looks like for you.
MEET CYNTHIA
My Story
Twelve years ago, hearing "You have diabetes" felt like my world stopped. Like many people, I felt overwhelmed, scared, and completely unprepared for what came next. The medical terminology, the lifestyle changes, the constant worry about my future—it all seemed impossible to navigate.
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If I'm being completely honest, for the first 12 years of my diabetes journey, I didn't really take care of myself. I wasn't watching what I ate, I wasn't consistent with my medications, and I certainly wasn't making the lifestyle changes I knew I should.
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Here's how it really went: I'd go to my doctor's appointment, get told my numbers were bad and that I needed to do better. I'd leave feeling motivated and guilty, manage my diabetes properly for about two weeks, then slowly slip back into my old habits. This cycle repeated over and over again for years.
I thought I could get away with it. I felt fine most days, so I convinced myself that minimal effort was enough. I was surviving, after all—what was the big deal?
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CERTIFICATIONS & TRAINING
Accredited Certified Coach (ACC) - International Coaching Federation
Personal Trainer Certification - American Council of Exercise (in progress)
Nutrition Coach Certification - Precision Nutrition (in progress)
SilverSneakers Certification Yoga Instructor - Tivity Health
SilverSneakers Certification Energychi Instructor - Tivity Health
SilverSneakers Certification Classic Instructor - Tivity Health
SilverSneakers Certification Fundamentals of Teaching Group Fitness - Tivity Health
SilverSneakers Nutrition as We Age Member Engagement Workshop - Tivity Health
Fitness Theory Certification - Body BluePrint
MY PHILOSOPHY
"The Honest Guidance I'd Wish I Had"
Diagnosis as Awakening, Not Failure A diabetes and chronic illness diagnosis isn't a judgment on who you are—it's your body communicating what it needs. This perspective shift changes everything from shame and self-blame to empowerment and understanding.
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The Truth They Don't Always Tell You I wish someone had been completely honest with me at diagnosis about what diabetes and chronic illness management really means. Not just "watch your sugar," but the real understanding of damages and dangers that come with diabetes and chronic illness. You deserve to know what your life could look like without proper management—not to scare you, but to empower you with the truth that can prevent the complications I've experienced.
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From Surviving to Thriving Through Knowledge My 12+ years taught me that doing the bare minimum only allows you to survive. Thriving means having control over the ups and downs, understanding what YOUR body specifically needs. My complications—diabetic retinopathy, neuropathy, and gastroparesis—became my teachers, but you don't have to learn these lessons the hard way.
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You're Not Walking This Path Alone When you're struggling, you need someone who can share their real story with you—someone who proves you're not alone and that there is genuine hope for your future. You CAN thrive with this disease. Yes, there may be limitations, but within those limitations, new doors of strength, wisdom, and purpose open.
Support That Changes Everything Having experienced support and guidance can transform not just your management, but your entire perspective on living with diabetes and chronic illness. You deserve someone who walks this path with you, offering the honest, knowledgeable support that can change your trajectory completely.