My Journey to Intrinsic Wellness

Gena Hernandez Courtney, MS, RDN, LD, CFNP

I’d like to share my personal story that helped launch me on the path of becoming a Registered Dietitian specializing in Functional Medicine Nutrition. My journey began back in 2007 even though I was completely unaware my exploration had begun.

My son was born just two years earlier, and during my pregnancy my life was forever changed when I learned my son would be born with a congenital heart defect that would require a pacemaker. The doctor told me I carried something called “sjogrens antibodies” (an autoimmune marker) which had crossed the placenta and attacked the AV node of my son’s tiny heart. My son had complete AV heart block and it was caused by something going on in my body. I had heard the term “autoimmune” before, but really had no idea exactly what it meant. I was heartbroken and confused, but determined to stay positive and focus on my son, his health, and ensuring he arrived in this world safely. I am extremely fortunate my son Cooper arrived safe and sound and actually made it to the age of 16 before he received his pacemaker. Thankfully, he is a healthy and happy eighteen-year-old today who is ready to forge his path in to adulthood! However, during the first two years of his life, I was focused on his well-being, and although I cared for myself, there were signs my health needed attention, as well.

Working full time as a pharmaceutical sales rep and trying to be a wife and mom (at the time) took every ounce of my energy. My body began to let me know something was wrong and the symptoms became debilitating. This started to affect my job and my ability to be the mother and wife I wanted to be. After a string of doctors, batteries of tests, and a long and frustrating quest to find answers, the nurse practitioner in my OBGYN’s office suggested my health issues might stem from the autoimmune activity going on in my body. She discovered I had Hashimoto Syndrome, which is an autoimmune thyroid disease. I saw an Endocrinologist and Rheumatologist, which led to an additional diagnosis of Raynaud’s Syndrome (an autoimmune circulatory disorder), and a warning my blood work was showing indicators that Lupus or Rheumatoid Arthritis could be in my future. It was a lot of information to digest, but it was especially disheartening when I asked the doctors what I could do to slow down or even attempt to reverse the path they predicted. “Nothing”, was the demoralizing answer I got. Nevertheless, I was confident something could be done.

I have always been a proactive person with a positive attitude. In my mind, surely, there was something I could do to turn my health crisis around; the desire to reclaim my life, as I knew it, fueled my motivation to take charge of my health and find the help I needed.

I have always been a proactive person with a positive attitude. In my mind, surely there was something I could do to turn my health crisis around, and at the very least slow down the progression of disease in my body. After seeing several other physicians and taking every thyroid medication available, I was still not feeling well and my quality of life was truly suffering. The most discouraging experience was some doctors began to elude this must be all in my head. I felt alone and defeated. However, the desire to reclaim my life, as I knew it, fueled my motivation to take charge of my health and find the help I needed. I was desperate for answers, so I stepped up my research efforts and slowly but surely started finding my way to potential solutions. The same theme seemed to keep coming up during my research, and that was food and how our daily food choices can profoundly affect the course of our health. I thought I had a healthy diet. I stayed away from fast food, drank mostly water with an occasional diet drink, tea or coffee, and I chose whole grain options as opposed to the more processed white flour choices. Little did I know, I had a lot to learn. I started to study as much as I could about autoimmune disease and how I could help myself lower the inflammation in my body and calm my own immune system through my diet. I discovered the importance of gut health and how that related to my immune system and its function.

The same theme seemed to keep coming up during my research, and that was food and how our daily food choices can profoundly affect the course of our health. I thought I had a healthy diet. I stayed away from fast food, drank mostly water with an occasional diet drink, tea or coffee, and I chose whole grain options as opposed to the more processed white flour choices. Little did I know, I had a lot to learn.

I eventually found a Functional Medicine Doctor who had a dedicated Nutritionist in his office. The doctor and his nutritionist confirmed my nutrition findings and helped me to make sense of the information I had found and put it to practical use. My chronic pain was alleviated and the checklist of symptoms that had been interfering with my life, were slowly but surely being relieved. It was a small miracle, and a big triumph for my quality of life! I’m not claiming food “cured” my disease, but it has definitely been a tool to help me manage my disease and keep it in remission.

I have lived in San Marcos for the past 18 years. I spent the majority of my career as a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative and trainer, but after experiencing my health challenge, I had the aspiration to shift my path and hopefully help change lives through what has become a true passion for me. My former career allowed me to spend a significant amount of time in doctors’ offices talking to doctors, nurses, and staff members where I learned about how these offices operate. As a trainer, I trained sales representatives in the classroom and in the field. My past work experience, education, and personal health struggle arm me with unique skills and form a foundation on which I would like to continue to build. I also want to give back to the community that continues to give so much to me.

My mission is to help people listen to their bodies and become their own best health advocate. I am especially passionate in assisting those suffering from autoimmune diseases, of which there are many, but I also have the desire to help anyone who wants and needs the help in their quest for healthfulness.

After my own health crisis, and the experiences I’ve gone through, I firmly believe a person can have an enormous impact on his or her own well-being, state of health, and healing through their nutrition choices. My mission is to help people listen to their bodies and become their own best health advocate. I am especially passionate in assisting those suffering from autoimmune diseases, of which there are many, but I also have the desire to help anyone who wants and needs the help in their quest for healthfulness. I hope to be part of a new focus in the healthcare system which will integrate nutrition information in the promotion of wellness, as well as, in the treatment of various diseases.