I’m Back — With a New Shoulder and a Renewed Heart for This Work

Hi everyone,

You may have noticed it’s been a little quiet around here lately. That’s because certain life events recently asked me to step away from the keyboard and focus on healing.

On March 20th, with a long to-do list waiting for me at home, I decided to take my standard poodle, Clotilde, out for our usual two-mile morning walk. I couldn’t find her pinch collar, but I thought, “We’ll be fine.”

Well… about three-quarters of the way through our walk, Clotilde spotted a cute little Maltese across the street and decided she needed to investigate immediately. My restraint did not win that battle, and my shoulder dislocated.

Because that shoulder had already been injured in the past, the damage was significant enough that on May 4th, I underwent total reverse shoulder replacement surgery.

And let me tell you — going from being the health professional to being the patient is always an eye-opening experience.

It reminded me of something that many of you are already aware of: healing takes time, patience, support, and a whole lot of grace. Our bodies are incredibly resilient, but they also need space, care, and the right support to do what they were designed to do.

I’m very grateful to say that my shoulder is mending beautifully, and I’m now on the other side of the most intense part of recovery. Apparently shoulders take a LONG time to heal, I have been working on my patience, and I hope to begin rehab in a couple of weeks. 

And now, I’m so glad to be back.

Back to writing.
Back to teaching.
Back to coaching.
And back to what I love most: helping you decode your health.

After more than 35 years working in medical laboratories, I learned one truth over and over again:

Your body is not giving up on you. It may simply be waiting for the right information.

Too often, especially once we cross the 50+ milestone, we’re told that feeling tired, gaining weight more easily, struggling with a stalled metabolism, or staring at confusing lab results is “just part of aging.”

But I don’t believe your body is broken. And, I believe we can always get better. 

And I definitely don’t believe your routine blood work should feel like a foreign language.

That’s why I’m stepping back into my coaching practice with renewed energy and purpose. I’ll be opening a few select spots for new coaching clients who are ready to better understand their health, their labs, and the signals their body may be sending.

Together, we’ll look at the science of your unique body through real lab literacy, practical lifestyle strategies, and gentle metabolic support — so you can feel more informed, more energized, and more empowered in your own health journey.

Thank you for your warmth, patience, and encouragement while I took the time to heal. I’m deeply grateful.

And I am so glad to be back in the lab — and back in your corner.

With optimism and real data,
Debbie