Hi there, I'm Kayla!

I’m a naturopathic doctor dedicated to empower people across the globe to regain their health and freedom!

I spent my early adult years in a fearful and tearful time when my father struggled with an unknown illness.

Seeing him go from a happy, joking father to unable to get out of bed for weeks from fatigue and pain was heartbreaking. It took a toll on our whole family, and it was only after our family worked together to change our diet, daily routine, and find all areas of what feeds our bodies that we all started to see my father improve and all of our lives regain stability. 

Our experience inspired me to help others regain their health and to share what I and my family have learned through our firsthand experience!

Having 10 years experience working in the diet therapy and natural wellness realm along with my educational background in biology, chemistry, and biochemistry, I have seen many people, including my father, regain their health and get back to their life passions by making diet and lifestyle changes. You can read more details of my and my father’s journey below!

2010

It all begins with a move to sunny San Diego, CA and starting my nutritional training as the Assistant Chef at the Gerson Institute. I spent the majority of this year learning cooking techniques, the importance of organic food, and how to preserve nutrients in food. This year also began the steep downward slope of my father’s unknown health issue.

2011

While I served on the front lines at the Gerson Institute, I gained experience teaching basic principles of nutrition on a 1 on 1 basis.

During this year, my healthy, vibrant, joking father deteriorated until he could barely get out of bed. We implemented an organic and plant-based diet and saw a positive shift in his health!

2012

I began sharing my nutritional knowledge in conferences on the role of juicing, the interconnection of our mind and body, healing reactions, and supplements.

In this same year I began my studies in Biology in preparation for applying to become a naturopathic doctor.

2013

I continued serving by working on a 1 on 1 basis as well as in large and small group settings. Learning how to teach hands on skills as well as theoretical understanding of how food plays a vital role in our body’s metabolism and function.

My father’s unknown health issue progressed and he, despite our best efforts, became more weak daily. Because my father could not fulfill his normal role our family banded together through this trying time. This slowed my studies temporarily as we supported each other.

2018

In this year, my father began a lectin-free diet called the Plant Paradox to improve his health. While I was concerned about the limited diet, he began to do well and not only lost unhealthy weight, but stayed at a normal, healthy weight as his symptoms began to dwindle!

2016

Through the next few years my father’s health wavered in and out of “alright” and awful. In the midst of this, my grandmother and him were diagnosed with Sjogren’s Syndrome, a rare autoimmune illness.

Tiny House Adventure

A majority of this year I spent with my future husband, Thomas, building our first (Tiny) home from the trailer up!

2019

As I long anticipated, I graduated with my Associates degree in Biological Sciences & completed all prerequisites for naturopathic medical school!

I also began facilitating the training of medical professionals in a nutritional therapy for chronic illness. Observing cases firsthand and the nuances of how they practice integrative medicine grew as an inspiration.

After a full year of strictly following a lectin free diet, my father tested negative for Sjogren’s Syndrome and his condition was put into remission!

2017

At the beginning of 2017, I married the love of my life! However, we were still finishing our Tiny House when he experienced an accident with a power saw that despite hours of surgery and weeks in the hospital, caused the loss of his right index finger.

Though this was a wrench in the plan, I returned to school and in order to finish my pre-medical studies and Bachelor’s degree.

2020

Later in 2020, I graduated with my Bachelor’s in Biological Sciences and began attending Bastyr University in order to pursue my doctorate in naturopathic medicine.

My father remains in remission with his Sjogren’s Syndrome, and is able to maintain his wellness in order to walk the beach, go to work regularly, and even be someone who people recognize as “never out sick” a far cry from his past!