I'm Meg and I am so excited to meet you all! I was diagnosed about 8 years ago. One thing that was harder than I expected was the isolation I felt when not being able to participate in sharing food with friends and family. I never appreciated how much sharing food is a part of our human experience. It was hard to give up traditional family recipes and not be able to eat the foods I loved, and to eat them with the people I love. However, this has made me stronger too, because I have had to find ways to connect with others that don't involve food... so I have learned to create shared experiences with people I love .... like going on hikes, having dance parties, doing something creative, or going to experience art or music of some kind. This has opened me up to all sorts of new activities and experiences that I may not have had. In fact, I would love to eventually host badassCeliac trips where we go backpacking, whitewater rafting, or do other adventurous things together to build confidence and strength! I also want to have retreats ( I am a yoga teacher and also teach hoopdance and expressive arts) where we move our bodies...dance, yoga, surfing... and also learn nervous system regulation tools such as breathwork and meditative art and journaling, etc. Celiac has also made me much stronger, both physically, and mentally. I also developed multiple food sensitivities so I had to switch to a Paleo/AIP diet. I have had to become VERY disciplined with my self care, which includes yoga, breathwork, creative expression, and time in nature. This has made my body and mind FEEL better which has helped me live a life more aligned with my dreams and goals. It's hard but it is what I have to do in order to be able to function and not feel sick. I am so excited to meet other Celiacs who also want to learn how to thrive with this disease. I want to support and encourage each other, and I want the focus to be on how much we can gain despite this diagnosis! Let's discover and create and play and adventure together, and encourage the mindset that Celiac does not have to hold us back. In fact, hopefully it can be a doorway into a healthier and braver and more badass life!