A teenage boy running late T-boned my bike with his own. Resulting in a shattered spleen, vertebrae damage, and whiplash concussion. My internal bleeding was severe and I was transported to emergency. One of the most poignant memories I recall was the head trauma surgeon telling me I was in alot of trouble and that my injuries were life-threatening, but for a 49-year old I was in excellent physical condition. He could not and would not operate. Instead, we would wait to see how my body would heal. Powerful... to think that if I had been in worse physical condition, what my outcome could have been.
When I think of the woman I was pre-accident, I would describe myself as free in spirit, adoring, committed mother, a good friend, and a true heart.
I ran my own private chef business, traveled to Italy that past fall training with incredible chefs, and authored five books in 3 years. I was raising my children as a single mom with ease and great energy, with my divorce behind me tucked away with peaceful integrity.
I had been introduced through a writing project to the autoimmune disease diet. This was revolutionary for me as a chef and a purveyor of nurturing, while sustaining health through culinary expression. I began working with women who had weight issues or autoimmune diseases. I created a program of culinary lessons, resistance training, and mindful meditation practices. My clients were starting to see and feel the adaptations of these lifestyle transformations.
I knew I was onto something spectacular in terms of women's health. I began to formulate a plan to open a wellness bed and breakfast in Calgary… something inner city. I put my home on the market, my life felt whole, inspired, and blissfully purposeful.
THE HIT … not only shattered the health of my body, it required a pause button on all my life’s purpose and true intentions.
My recovery was excruciating and long. I had always resistance-trained, been in good cardiovascular shape, played hard with my kids, and loved being fit and active. My stomach was one of my favourite physical attributes. Post-accident it was so swollen and disfigured I would avoid looking at it. Healing the abdomen took almost 3 years.
Movement was difficult and complicated, as I developed a strange neuropathy in both feet. My migraines were debilitating. I had to be very mindful financially, so I started researching my own ways of training an injured body. This is where I began to understand and learn about the importance of hormone function and the impact exercise can have on a female body under stress.
Emotionally, I was broken. I lived on a pendulum of feeling betrayed by this trauma in my life, to being so grateful for the mere breath under my nose, that I would weep. I sought out industrious ways to maintain my full-time single parenting role that also allowed me the time to heal. I put myself on a healing diet of healthy fats for function, high-quality proteins, and good carbohydrates.
Mindful living took on a whole new meaning in these days of healing and recovery.
After the second year of my accident passed, I began to feel a shift in my thinking.
Through introspection reflections, I saw myself moving my business plan to Kelowna. My children and I spent many years camping in the valley. There is a spellbinding quality to the beauty of Kelowna that has been quite imprinting to me.
So the transformation began. I began to envision and research how I could evolve my skill base. I began studying for the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) coaching exam, business coaching and marketing.
Finally, this past August in the midst of covid, I moved my family to this glorious valley we now call home. After all the years of healing my own body, mind, and spirit, I have exquisitely aligned all of my incredible skills, as I open the doors to ELLE JOLIE WELLNESS.
A personal training, culinary, and wellness-based business.
Bringing women the STRENGTH, NOURISHMENT, and VITALITY they so very much desire, through the art and science of my Health and Wellness Coaching program.
I'm truly blessed to be here with you all.
Allora,
Elle Jolie
