MY STORY

In 2011, I had a serious burnout which changed my life. Events from previous years such as losses (and absence of grieving), several country changes, and bereavement occurred in a short space of time. Furthermore, since I was a teenager I suffered from menstrual pain, mood swings and exhaustion, which no doctor could explain. The acute pain and all the hormonal changes led to a reduced or almost non-existent quality of life that impacted my professional activity, culminating in depression and exhaustion during my postdoctoral studies.

Although I was not diagnosed at the time, I believe I suffered from an acute thyroid disorder, together with several unhealthy behaviours such as exercising too much, drinking caffeíne and an insufficient diet. There was a time I was having panic attacks while asleep, and several while awake. I was not able to walk two steps to go to work and was unable to eat, because I was choking often including while ingesting liquids. My nervous system was highly vigilant and I was not able to calm down even with medication. I felt the most effective treatment was psychotherapy, first in a group, then 1-1, and Tai Chi, together with the mindset of not giving up on myself. Slowly I started changing my life and understanding where I was coming from, and more importantly, where I was, where I wanted to be and how I wanted to live my life.

I sought help in various areas of conventional and alternative medicine but ended up abandoning research. During my recovery, I was able to work while continuing my journey of self-care, respecting, and listening to my body. In 2019, I was diagnosed with PCOS and adenomyosis. This explained, in part my burnout. Today I am fulfilled, with tools that help me embrace life's diverse challenges with curiosity and I want to continue being an ally to people on their journey.

My first encounter with Functional Medicine happened by reading research articles which led me to improve my diet, greatly increasing my quality of life. I believe that Functional Medicine is the medicine of the future and that's why I decided to become a certified coach by the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy (FMCA), the only certification partner of the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM), USA, founded by doctors Jeffrey and Susan Bland, which also includes doctor Mark Hyman.

CREDENTIALS

Degree in Biology (Licenciatura specializing in Microbiology and Genetics) by the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon, and a PhD in Neurosciences from King’s College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience. I have more than 16 years of experience in scientific research on topics such as embryonic development of the spinal cord, HIV (INSARJ), development of lactic acid bacteria strains for probiotics (Chr-Hansen, Dinamarca), neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, rare metabolic diseases (IOP-KCL, Londres), post-traumatic stress, anxiety and depression (CNC-Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Coimbra). From 2011 onwards, I started managing a Systems Neuroscience Laboratory (Champalimaud Research, Lisboa) and many scientific projects, I taught Molecular and Cellular Biology, Genetics and Genotoxicity, and founded some NGOs related to science communication, writing and medical communication. I am currently contributing to the integration of higher education students from countries in conflict to continue their studies in Portugal, as a volunteer, and member of the Board, at Nexus 3.0.

I am double certified as a Functional Medicine, Health and Wellbeing Coach by the FMCA, US and the UK & Internacional Health Coaching Association, UKIHCA. Additionally, I have been Certified in Medical Science Liaison (MSL) by the Universidade Católica Portuguesa since June 2021, PT.