How listening to my gut changed EVERYTHING. | Rebecca Hirst | TEDxRoyalTunbridgeWellsWomen

Summary

This narrative follows a personal journey from struggling with adult acne and health issues to discovering the power of listening to one's body. The speaker recounts working at Coca-Cola while battling health problems caused by milk and sugar, which led to her decision to study nutrition. By trusting her gut instincts, taking one step at a time, and seeking feedback, she transitioned into a career focused on helping others feel healthy and fulfilled. The story emphasizes the importance of intuition, dietary choices, and trusting the body's signals for overall well-being.

Takeaways

• 😀 Trusting your gut is essential for both physical and mental well-being, as your gut plays a crucial role in immunity and serotonin production.
• 😀 Listening to your body's signals, like food intolerances or discomfort, can lead to transformative life changes.
• 😀 Small, incremental steps towards change are easier when guided by your gut instincts.
• 😀 The gut is home to 100 million neurons, making it as powerful as the spinal column in controlling your health.
• 😀 Serotonin, produced by the gut, is linked to happiness, sleep, and overall well-being, showing the importance of gut health in mental health.
• 😀 The vagus nerve connects the brain to the gut, creating a direct line for your body’s signals to communicate with your brain.
• 😀 Paying attention to subtle signals from your body, such as food aversions, can lead to breakthroughs in health and lifestyle.
• 😀 The speaker's personal journey of overcoming acne by discovering a milk allergy emphasizes the importance of listening to your body’s needs.
• 😀 Trust your instincts when making life decisions, especially those regarding health and career changes.
• 😀 Overcoming the inner critic, which often promotes unhealthy habits, is key to making lasting, positive changes in your life.
• 😀 Feedback from your actions, no matter how small, is essential in helping you move forward and refine your choices for personal growth.

Q & A

What was the initial cause of the speaker's acne issues?

The speaker's acne was a result of adult acne, which resurfaced in their 30s, leading them to feel embarrassed and struggle with skin issues despite thinking they had outgrown it.

What side effects did the speaker experience from retinoid medication?

The speaker experienced a variety of side effects, including cracked lips, bloodshot eyes, hot flashes, aching tendons, and nosebleeds.

How did the speaker discover their allergy to cow's milk?

Through working with a nutritional therapist, the speaker learned they were allergic to cow's milk, despite having an aversion to it for years and avoiding dairy products.

What signals did the speaker’s body give them about their intolerance to milk?

The speaker's body gave clear signals, such as shuddering at the thought of drinking cold milk, disliking yogurt and fresh cream, and preferring coffee without milk.

How does the speaker define 'dietary gold dust'?

The speaker refers to 'dietary gold dust' as the clear, obvious signals the body gives about what it does or doesn't like, and how listening to those signals can improve health.

What role does the gut play in overall health according to the speaker?

The gut is crucial for immunity, housing 85% of the immune system, and plays a significant role in mental health, with 90% of serotonin being produced there, affecting mood, joy, and sleep.

What is the gut-brain connection described in the script?

The gut and brain are connected through the vagus nerve, which sends electronic impulses, called action potentials, from the gut to the brain, influencing overall health.

How did the speaker decide to pursue nutrition after working at Coca-Cola?

While on a flight from Melbourne to London, the speaker read the book 'I Quit Sugar' by Sarah Wilson, which inspired them to enroll in the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and pursue a new career in nutrition.

What was the reaction of the speaker's husband when they told him about switching careers?

The speaker’s husband, Nick, was supportive but surprised, responding with a simple 'Good flight' after the speaker casually mentioned their decision to study nutrition.

What key steps does the speaker recommend for trusting your gut and making life changes?

The speaker suggests three key steps: listening to your gut instinct, taking one small step forward towards what your gut is telling you, and seeking feedback to guide future decisions.