There was a time when I didn’t even recognize myself.
I was losing my hair, constantly bloated, and running on fumes no matter how healthy I tried to be. Migraines, fatigue, mood swings, food intolerances, you name it, I had it.

And the most painful part? I worked in traditional medicine. Even surrounded by doctors, I couldn’t get real answers. It took walking through my own health crisis to realize that our healthcare system isn’t built to help us heal—it’s built to manage symptoms.

It all began one morning in June of 2018 when I woke up and knew something was terribly wrong. I went 17 days without a bowel movement, and to say I was uncomfortable would be an understatement. Convinced I had a small bowel obstruction, I brought myself to the ER (where I worked, ironically) only to be met with shrugged shoulders and a prescription for an enema.

From there, things spiraled. I waited four long months to see a gastroenterologist, only to be told that my labs were “normal” and I wasn’t sick. Meanwhile, my health was sinking fast. My hair was thinning, my energy was gone, and my digestion was completely shut down.

Four GI specialists later, I finally discovered my root cause: black mold exposure. I was living in a brand-new Nashville apartment that had hidden water damage, and no one thought to test for mold. By then, I had been suffering for years and spent tens of thousands of dollars on dead-end appointments and unnecessary procedures.

That season of suffering became my turning point, and ultimately, the genesis of Stephanie Center Wellness. If you’ve ever felt brushed off, hopeless, or stuck in a body that no longer feels like your own—you’re not alone. I’ve walked that road too.