Photo: @christinathephotographer

Today’s Comeback story is from Lindsay (@lindsay.shack), who used to let a lot of things hold her back, before she decided to look for what her heart desired.

Lindsay grew up trying to do all the ‘right’ things to fit in. She dieted, over-exercised, dyed her hair, straightened her hair, went the extra mile to go to a top-rated college, worked in the corporate world, got married, bought a house and tried to start a family. But none of it made her happy.

Then at the age of 33 everything came crashing down. The idea of starting over after 3 miscarriages, 3 fertility-related surgeries and an ended marriage was daunting. Lindsay experienced grief, exhaustion, and loss. Lindsay returned to her number one tool to solve her unhappiness – food. She says, “…the weight has been a major shield for me throughout my life…either because I didn’t want attention or because food was my numbing tool of choice at the end of a lonely, stressful day.”

The turning point for Lindsay was when she decided to follow what she felt was right for her. Lindsay says, “What I came to realize was that sometimes the things you think you want are the very things holding you back from discovering what your heart truly desires”.

“The things you think you want are the very things holding you back.”

This time Lindsay moved for a job even though she felt she was letting people down. She started to open up about her struggles even if it felt hard. She found solace in connecting with people and physical activity rather than with food. This turned things around. Today Lindsay feels, “I am enough, I am worthy, …not because of how I look, if I’ve done enough…, or because of what another person thinks of me. Just because I’m me.” Lindsay says, “I found her. The me I’d been searching for in everything and everyone else but myself.”

Thank you, Lindsay, for being brave and vulnerable and sharing your story. We know it’s been tough. But we’re sure many out there can relate and get inspiration from it.