An Angel Gets Her Wings

Back in 2006 while living in New York City and attending the Institute for Integrative Nutrition I met a girl named Jessica. She lived in Chicago but came into NYC on class weekends to attend IIN. There was a little group of us who sat next to each other, ate lunch together and bonded over the process that you go through as an IIN student. It was truly a magical time where I grew immensely as a person. I learned so much about myself, my health, how to help others heal and was surrounded by people that were passionate about the same things as I was.

Jessica Marie was one of those people who’s passion, energy and light just lit up the room. She was beautiful and her soul and love for live were even more beautiful and just contagious. There are not many people that have that spark about them but she was definitely one of them. She wanted to inspire, teach and help people ‘beam and buzz with divine health’. And she did. She went on to open Chew Chicago and become a successful health coach and mentor for many.

She had a striving business that had really started to take off and then she was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer due to a rare gene which less than 1% of lung cancer patients have.

She wasn’t the type of person to sit back and give in to a cancer diagnosis. She combined the best of western medicine with the best of holistic care and she fought with a smile on her face. More than two years after her diagnosis Jessica went to rest in heaven.

A quick look at her Facebook page would give you the deep understanding that Jessica truly touched the lives of so many people. She inspired so many to become a better version of themselves and even in her passing she continues to inspire me and so many others. I know I’m not the only one that has been inspired to live a more purposeful life- to have an impact on others and to truly live life and enjoy every moment. Take a moment to take a look at her website Jessica Marie Health and I’m sure you’ll be inspired too.

In keeping Jessicas passion for helping others alive her husband Joe has set up a foundation to honor her great love teaching and encouraging others to be healthier, happier and to strive to be the best possible version of themselves. The fund will help start healthy education programs within her church, community and beyond. If you feel inspired to help with such an amazing cause please take a moment to read about the cause and help others learn to become their very best selves. Here is the Link for the Jessica Marie Health Education Fund.

When you think about being healthy in your own life remember that it’s about so much more than food. True health doesn’t mean that we never get sick, and it’s about who we are on the inside as much as what we put into our bodies. It’s about inner peace, the light and love that we feel in our hearts and that we put out into the world and living with intention. To end this post here is a link to a great post written by Jessica on how to live an intentional life. Hopefully day by day, little by little we can all take the steps to be the best possible versions of ourselves.