#28: Breaking Free: Finding Healing Beyond Gluten with Michelle Kooi
If you’ve ever felt like your gluten-free journey was a winding road full of questions, misdiagnoses, or “it’s all in your head” moments—today’s episode is for you.
I’m chatting with Michelle Kooi, a fellow gluten-free warrior who opens up about her path to healing after years of health struggles and food confusion.
Michelle shares what finally led her to discover the root of her symptoms, how her life has changed since going gluten-free, and why she’s passionate about helping others feel seen and supported in their own journey. Whether you're newly diagnosed or have been living gluten-free for years, her story is both validating and inspiring.
Let's Recap: Finding Healing Beyond Gluten with Michelle Kooi
A Life-Changing Cleanse
Living gluten-free isn't just a diet choice for many—it's a transformative health journey that can dramatically improve quality of life, as demonstrated by Michelle Coy's powerful story shared on The Gluten-Free Engineer podcast. Michelle, a professional coach, writer, and CPA, discovered her gluten sensitivity in 2012 through an unexpected route: a 21-day cleanse that eliminated gluten, sugar, coffee, alcohol, and animal products. While this might sound extreme, the results were life-changing.
Years of Fatigue, Finally Explained
For decades, Michelle had battled chronic fatigue, consulting countless healthcare professionals from traditional doctors to alternative medicine practitioners. None suggested gluten might be the culprit. After just three weeks of eliminating these foods, Michelle experienced an energy transformation that she describes as coming out of a tunnel. By day 14, her energy levels improved significantly, and by week three, she felt better than she could ever remember feeling—perhaps since childhood.
Gluten Sensitivity Isn’t Just Digestive
The connection between gluten and fatigue is often overlooked. Many associate gluten sensitivity primarily with digestive issues, but for Michelle, debilitating fatigue was the primary symptom. She recalls having to take naps under her desk at work because she was so exhausted, and struggling with energy levels that impacted every aspect of her life. This fatigue led her to unhealthy alternatives like excessive caffeine consumption and diet pills just to function normally.
Dining Out Without the Stress
Restaurant dining requires additional planning, but it’s now part of our pre-vacation excitement instead of a source of stress. We research celiac-friendly restaurants in advance using the Find Me Gluten Free app and build a list of safe places to try.
When dining out, we communicate clearly with servers—often using the term “gluten allergy,” which tends to resonate better than “celiac disease.” We ask about shared fryers, prep areas, and cross-contamination risks. This year, we’re especially excited to try a dedicated gluten-free ice cream shop in Myrtle Beach that offers pineapple ice cream—a new treat we can all enjoy together.
The Role of Modern Wheat
What makes Michelle's story particularly interesting is that she later discovered wheat specifically was her issue, rather than all gluten-containing grains. She can consume barley and rye without problems, highlighting how personalized these sensitivities can be. After learning about the significant changes in wheat agriculture over the past 60 years—including hybridization that has increased gluten content—Michelle developed a deeper understanding of why modern wheat might be problematic for many people.
More Than Just Energy: A Total Life Shift
The ripple effects of going gluten-free extended far beyond just increased energy. Michelle began trail running, got in the best shape of her life, and even found the energy to make major life changes, including ending her marriage. Her transformation was so noticeable that people began asking what she was doing differently, noticing her brighter eyes and increased vitality. This led her to pursue certification from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition and eventually begin coaching others.m.
A Mindset Shift Around Gluten-Free Living
For those hesitant about going gluten-free because it seems too difficult, Michelle offers a perspective shift. She doesn't see avoiding gluten as a restriction but rather as an easy choice: "I look at bread and see it as poison for me. Why would I eat something that's going to make me feel horrible for days?" She emphasizes that going gluten-free doesn't mean giving up delicious food or social dining experiences. In fact, it made her a more creative cook and broadened her culinary repertoire.
Turning Her Story Into a Mission
Michelle's journey eventually led her to write a book titled Burn Struggle to Strength: A Woman's Guide to Reclaiming Herself, which includes her gluten-free story as part of a larger narrative about boundaries, perspective shifts, and energy management. In 2021, she was also diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis, which she manages through nutrition rather than pharmaceuticals—adding another layer to her health journey.
Listen to Your Body
The key takeaway from Michelle's story isn't just about eliminating gluten but about listening to your body and taking ownership of your health. As she puts it, "We're always learning more about our bodies, and we only get one, so helping it be the best it can be is so important." For anyone struggling with unexplained fatigue or other chronic symptoms, Michelle's experience demonstrates that sometimes the solution lies in examining what we put into our bodies and being willing to make changes that support our individual health needs.
Connect with Michelle Kooi
Michelle Kooi is a professional coach, writer, and CPA who helps entrepreneurs, financial professionals, and ADHD business owners create sustainable success without burnout.
A former CPA firm owner, she understands the pressures of business and guides clients in managing their time, energy, and money more intentionally, setting healthy boundaries, and cultivating well-being with greater ease and alignment. With expertise in self-care, work-life balance, productivity, and ADHD-friendly strategies, Michelle blends practical tools with intuitive coaching to help professionals and business owners reclaim their focus, confidence, and fulfillment—both in their work and personal lives. She integrates mindset, structure, and self-care into her coaching, helping women feel more grounded, empowered, and capable. A lifelong yogi and adventurer, she believes in the power of mindfulness, movement, and nature to fuel resilience and success.
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/RadiantLifeWellness
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellekooiwomensbusinesscoach/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/michelle.j.kooi
Website - www.confluencecoaching.life
