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Hello , my name is Valerie Vargas. I am a life long resident of the Lehigh Valley and a fitness enthusiast for over a decade. I am a member of First Baptist Church of Bethlehem, a co grief leader, children's ministry director, your friendly neighborhood crunchy SAHM and a fiercely patriotic American.

 

My wellness journey began early in life, probably as early as my first chiropractor appointment at 9 years old and subsequent knee surgery in 2007. I had been asking my long-time practitioners the same question for years: “ Am I in pain because I'm angry, or angry/depressed because I'm in pain?”

 

I remained largely unsuccessful in my attempts to heal, rigorous fitness regimes plus failed medications and therapy. I’ve also had physical therapy from my head to my toes. I’ve had 3 different personal trainers and tried over 6 antidepressants/SSRI’s. I was also on the same birth control for 15 years till I got pregnant in 2020.

 

I knew at a young age my pain was not normal- I was constantly met with conflicting information. Not one doctor asked me about my diet, or inquired about my cycle and use of birth control. No one thought it was strange that a young lady had so many symptoms. My definition of eating healthy was not being hungry and not having diarrhea basically. No one in my family modeled a healthy lifestyle. Both my parents had multiple surgeries and to be honest I remember little about their recovery.

 

Despite the gaslighting from family and Drs, I knew I was carrying generational baggage, coupled with unhealthy coping mechanisms- like drinking. Also patterns of fear and anxiety masked by performance and people pleasing in the name of “community.” Nothing I was doing was sustainable long term. This was a season of surviving, not thriving.

 

The turning point in my life truly was when I got married, summer 2019; before the world as we knew it ceased to exist and I was thrust into true adulthood head first and became pregnant shortly after. I was so sick the whole time but what a blessing to be able to stay home and not have to share the experience with anyone but my husband. I knew probably around age 12 I wanted to have a home birth and to my surprise I was never questioned *to my face, and it was truly a religious experience. It opened my eyes to the real conclusion that I wasn't broken, my body was communicating, and I hadn't been listening. I didn't know how. I didn’t know where to start.

 

Around this time I purchased every modality I could get my hands on; I own a vibration plate, red light, castor oil packs, eye massager, acupressure mat, dener roll and probably more *ask my husband lol. After my youngest son was born in 2024, I’d lost around 15 lbs during pregnancy from being sick round the clock. Around 5 months postpartum I found a holistic practitioner and got my firstof many hydro colon cleanses. LIFE CHANGING. Shortly after that I came across an advertisement for Recharge and showed it to my husband. To my surprise, he was all in.