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Andrea gesturing with her hand towards the blog title, introducing 'Gut Feelings: Why Your Stomach Is Messing with Your Mind

Gut Feelings: Why Your Stomach Is Messing with Your Mind

May 29, 20244 min read

Healing your gut could very well be the first step toward not only feeling better but also achieving your dreams and ambitions. - Andrea Knapp

Hey hey, beautiful CollectHERs! It’s Andrea, and today we’re diving into something that has personally transformed my life—understanding how our gut wellness directly affects our mental well-being.

For over a decade, I suffered severely with constant nausea and digestive discomfort, relying on Zofran just to get through each day. But after 11 long years, I began to shift my focus toward healing my gut, and everything started to change.

The Gut-Brain Connection

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “trust your gut,” right? Well, there’s genuine science to back that up! Our gut is often called our “second brain” for good reason. It does far more than just digest food—it communicates directly with our brain. This connection affects everything from our mood swings to our overall mental wellness and daily well-being.

When we talk about trusting our gut, we’re not just referring to following our instincts. Our guts play a crucial role in our health and happiness. They’re incredibly smart, and taking good care of our digestive system can make a significant difference in feeling joyful and vibrant.

When my stomach was off, it was more than just physical discomfort—my mental clarity suffered as well. I felt like I was walking through a dense fog, barely able to think clearly or summon the energy to pursue what truly excites me.

Turning Point

The turning point came when I decided to take a comprehensive look at my diet and nutrition. I learned that I was lacking in essential nutrients that were key to both gut and brain health. With the help of several holistic health professionals, I revamped my diet, incorporating probiotics, nootropics, adaptogens, fiber-rich foods, and cutting out those that aggravated my gut.

Slowly but surely, the changes began to make a difference. My nausea eased, and as my stomach began to heal, so did my mind. It was as if a veil had been lifted, and I could think and function with newfound clarity.

10 tips for improving gut wellness and mental well-being, including incorporating probiotics, eating fiber-rich foods, staying hydrated, avoiding processed foods, practicing mindful eating, exercising regularly, managing stress, keeping a food diary, exploring supplements, and getting quality sleep.

A New Beginning

This journey of healing my gut didn't just improve my wellness; it fundamentally transformed my life. I was no longer just surviving; I was thriving. Taking control of my wellness gave me the motivation to start my own business, empowering me not only to change my life but also to help other women find their path to inner and outer body comfort. It sparked a fire in me to speak up and advocate for holistic wellness approaches that offer women the tools they need to thrive physically and mentally.

This transformative experience has instilled in me a powerful desire to support other women on their wellness journeys, ensuring they too can enjoy the profound benefits of true wellness and comfort.

Why This Matters

Sharing this personal journey isn't just about telling my story. It’s about highlighting the crucial role that gut health plays in our lives, particularly for those of us dealing with mental fog and motivational challenges. If you’re struggling like I was, consider looking at your gut health—not just what you eat, but how your body processes it. Healing your gut could very well be the first step toward not only feeling better but also achieving your dreams and ambitions.

To truly understand what works best for your body, consider exploring different types of nutrition and paying attention to how various foods affect you. Keeping a food diary can be an incredibly effective tool in this process. By tracking what you eat and how you feel afterward, you can start to identify patterns and foods that your body may love or dislike. This personalized approach to diet can help pinpoint specific dietary changes that could enhance your gut health and, by extension, your overall well-being.

Let's Talk

I'm curious to hear about your experiences. Have you noticed a link between your diet, gut health, and mental well-being? What changes have you made that have made a difference? Drop your thoughts in the VIP Beautiful Chaos Collective (link below), and let's start a conversation about the real, tangible impacts of nurturing our gut wellness.

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Remember, we're in this together, collecting strength, wellness, and positivity one day at a time.

Until next time, stay motivated, stay well, and keep trusting those gut feelings—they might be telling you more than you think.

XOXO, Andrea

blog author image

Andrea Knapp

Hello, I'm Andrea. Beyond being a wife, mother, daughter, and friend, I am a survivor of mental wellness challenges that once seemed insurmountable. My journey through fear, self-doubt, and a huge misbelief about my own nature has been both a battle and a revelation. The fear was real, intense, and at times, paralyzing—I worried about judgment to an extreme, haunted by thoughts that felt alien yet overpowering. For too long, I believed I was not a good person. But through time, support, and a lot of inner work, I've come to not just believe but know that I am far from the negative thoughts that once consumed me. The power of the mind, the weight of words, and the strength found in facing our darkest fears cannot be understated. My journey has been one of deep introspection, learning, and ultimately, taking back control from the shadows of diagnosis that loomed large over my life. Finding my purpose has been transformative. Today, I stand before you, not just as Andrea, but as a voice for mental health, an advocate for hope, and a living testament to the possibility of better days. My experiences with suicidal ideation, self-harm, and emotional turmoil are chapters of my past that have shaped but do not define me. I've risen from a place where I felt utterly lost, to a state of gratitude and genuine happiness that once seemed unattainable. Medications, natural remedies, and a commitment to self-love and healing have been integral to my journey. While the path to wellness is unique for everyone, and I don't know what the future holds, I stand firm in my belief and determination to continue this fight, not just for myself but for anyone who feels lost in the darkness. If you're struggling, know that you're not alone. I've walked through the storm and seen the other side, and I'm here to tell you: It can get better. It can even become great. Never give up on yourself. Your happiness matters, your story matters, and most importantly, you matter. Love yourself, embrace your journey, and remember, we're in this together.

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HELLO

I'm ANDREA!

Hello, I'm Andrea, a survivor of mental wellness challenges that once seemed impossible while being a wife, mother, daughter, and friend.

The journey through fear, self-doubt, and having a massive misbelief about my nature has been both a battle and a revelation. The fear was REAL, intense, and, at times, paralyzing—Talk about feeling worried about judgment, haunted by thoughts that felt foreign yet overpowering.

I felt I was not a good person for too long, and I actually believed it! But through time, support, and a lot of inner work, I've come to not just think but know that I am far from the negative thoughts that once consumed me. 

What I learned is the power of the mind, the weight of words, and the strength found in facing our darkest fears are not an understatement. My path to confidence has been a journey of deep self-reflection, learning, and ultimately, taking back control over the shadows of my diagnosis that loomed primarily over my life.

Embracing my purpose has genuinely transformed my life. Standing here today, I'm not just Andrea—I'm a fierce advocate for mental health, a beacon of hope, and living proof that better days are fucking possible. The intrusive OCD thoughts that once haunted me, scaring me into believing they were real, are just chapters in my story. Alongside battles with suicidal ideation, self-harm, and overwhelming emotional chaos, these experiences have molded me, but damn sure don't define me. From feeling completely lost to living in a state of gratitude and joy that seemed utterly out of reach—I'm here to tell you it's real and achievable.

My Mission?

I show the overthinking woman how to act in confidence so she can stop the mental exhaustion and elevate mind, body, and money.

Hear It from the Hearts We've Touched

Don't just take it from me, take a peek at what these fabulous souls have to say! Each testimonial is a story of transformation, a testament to what happens when you dare to ditch the doubts and lean into your own power. From overcoming the whirlwinds of overthinking to strutting their stuff with newfound confidence, these women are rocking their journeys, and they have some unfiltered truths to share. Read on to see how we’re rewriting the script, one fabulous woman at a time. Your next chapter could be just as revolutionary!

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