About Dawn

Dawn's

Story

Thank you for stopping by and I can't wait to meet you!  My name is Dawn Bergeron and I am a Certified Functional Medicine Health Coach and Integrative Health Practitioner, a Certified ACE Fitness Instructor and a seasoned photographer with over 25 years experience in the photography industry.   I was born in Denver, Colorado and have since lived in Washington State, Hawaii, Washington again and now Illinois.

I am like many others in life having lived a life of challenges.  I was born into parents of alcoholics.  My father passed away from alcoholism and a heart attack when I was 5 years old.  My mom who was also leaning on alcohol, spiraled into a state of depression and addictive behaviors following his death. 

As a young child I remember the defining moment when my mother was at a party in Denver Colorado.  It was winter and it was snowing outside.  My younger sister and I were left in a cold car while she was partying.  Someone from the house, called the police on my mother and she was taken to jail that night while my sister and I spent the night in the police department eating chocolate bars, until the authorities could place us into a receiving home (separated) - which is a home they put you in till they can find a foster home for you. We were separated for 2 weeks until they found a foster home we could both live in. 

My sister and I then went to live in Foster Care for the next 6 years of our lives which presented another set of childhood challenges.  We would go on periodic visits with our unstable mother over the next 6 years hoping she would get better.  But she didn’t . At the ages of 10 and 11, we were then allowed to be adopted into our 3rd family. It was an amazing family that gave us a new chance at life, but my sister and I had so much baggage in our personalities by then. 

My sister took on the life and identity of alcohol, drugs, stripping, and appearing as a penthouse centerfold, along with lots of sex and that plagued her until her death in 2008. I struggled with eating disorders all those years and on and off overuse of alcohol and a reliance on depression medications. I functioned and was successful but still struggled. I spiraled into a depression after my sister died in 2008. I didn’t really realize it at the time, but when I look back at that time, I can see it clearly now.  I was on and off antidepressants over the years - dependent on the corrupt system that had molded my family into dysfunction. 

In December of 2014 while in Colorado, I overdosed on Wellbutrin (an antidepressant) and spent 2 days in the hospital having hallucinations. At that time, January to April 2015, I gave up all medications and alcohol.  Through a series of intense self analyses and in depth work, I started a path of healing both externally and internally.  I decided to dive into the world of health coaching and learning about the mind, body and soul. Before that, I ran my own photography business for over 20 years while moving around - and I still do this - because I still love it.

I have worked to  create memories for my photography clients through imagery and found that while I could create lasting images, the photo didn’t always tell the story of how the client really felt.  My passion for health and wellness drew me to coaching and personal training since I wanted to help clients not only look amazing in images, but truly FEEL amazing in their health.  I wanted to feel this way too. 

As a previous Photographer (20 years) turned Health and Integrative Wellness Coach, I have developed a unique perspective when it comes to capturing the story behind my clients health issues. Influenced by mentors such as Dr. Stephen Cabral, Dr. Joseph Mercola, Dr. Mark Hyman and others, I aspire to create a dynamic and optimal health experience for my wellness clients.

I earned my Health Coach Certifications through the Functional Medicine Coaching Academy and the Health Coach Institute in 2017 and January 2018.  During that time, I worked as a Functional Medicine Health Coach for a functional medicine Doctor in my town from September 2017 to November of 2018. I also earned my Personal Training Certification through the American Council on Exercise in 2017.  I then went on to secure my certificate in Integrative Health and Functional Medicine Lab Testing through Dr. Stephen Cabral and the Integrative Health Practitioner program and completed that certification in January of 2019. I had the opportunity to work directly for Dr. Cabral from 2019 to 2020 until Covid hit.  My foundational education includes my MBA from Regis University which I obtained in 1997 and my BA in Business Administration in 1992.

I am committed to working with my wellness clients to treat the root cause of their chronic disease and not the symptoms.  My goal is to create a dynamic and balanced wellness experience that brings proven results in a reasonable time frame.  Most wellness clients will see significant health improvements in 12 weeks.

I am passionate about helping others get their lives back by inspiring them to take a proactive approach to health through diet, lifestyle and a functional medicine approach. My goal has always been to empower people through education and give them the tools and resources they need to focus on the cause and prevention of chronic disease. People come to me desperate.  Any type of practice is usually their last hope….they leave my program with most of their symptoms resolved, vibrant and feeling great, and armed with a renewed confidence and strength to continue on their journey to health and maintain their new way of life.

I have 3 amazing children that all played soccer.  My twins are now 23 and my youngest is 19 and finishing up his first year of college.   I have worked with kids of all ages and families and have a good grasp on personalities.  It is my absolute passion to help change the world to live a more natural and healthier life void of pharmaceutical drugs, toxins, and disease.  I think the fact I am 54, might help me to connect with other women my age.  History, life, experience - those are the things that mold us.  I want to help inspire women in that age range to be all they can be.  To feel good about themselves, to feel vibrant, alive and not afraid.  Life is meant to be lived. 

I love Yoga, Hiking, Biking, Swimming and Walking as well as Working Out, My Kids and Soccer + of course photography. 

I believe in getting to the root cause of our health issues and finding a simple and holistic way to heal the body void of pharmaceutical drugs, masks, fake food, etc.  It is a constant battle we face with the elites and what they push.  I also believe in BALANCE.  I am not perfect nor do I WANT to be.  I want to live life to the fullest, enjoy friends, food, and more.  But I know how to detoxify and eat right 80% of the time. 

I have a strong belief in detoxification methods and learning how to integrate that into our lives on a daily basis.  I strive to teach the truth and help others heal this way.

Please take a tour of my site and call when you are ready to ask more questions.  I would be happy to connect with you and offer you a free Health Analysis to get a current score on your current health.

My Long Term Vision... 

Is to help thousands of people become empowered to take control of their own health, to make big positive changes and live their best life feeling vibrant, full of energy and pain free for their entire life.  To have a massive mind shift to know what is true and what are lies.  To teach others to leave the MSM and to think for themselves.  For when they do that, they are so empowered to live a life of true freedom, health and community.