Written by Megan Murray, Founder, Speaker & Entrepreneur 

Hey there, fellow women in tech! It's Megan Murray here, co-founder of ATX Women in Web3 and Operations Manager of ATX DAO. While much of my time these days is spent in the blockchain and emerging technology space, I have recently been reflecting with amazement on different industries. Most recently, of all places, in the health diagnostic industry. Tech advancements are everywhere these days, and can impact us even if we are not actively working and building in those fields.

Today, I want to share a personal story about the importance of advocating for your health, because let's face it, we often put our well-being on the back burner while we're busy making waves in the tech world. The constant juggle of daily life, professional commitments, and self care is important to balance if we are truly showing up as the best versions of ourselves.

For years, I struggled with mysterious digestive issues that left me feeling bloated, fatigued, and just downright unwell on random days. For years, I could not draw strong correlations and kept wondering what was physically wrong with me. I underwent countless scans, ultrasounds, and blood tests, desperately searching for answers. Every test came back normal, which I am grateful for, however the uncertainty left me feeling constantly defeated and depleted. I even gave up my beloved coffee, thinking it might be a trigger! 

But it wasn't until my doctor recommended the LEAP MRT test that I finally found the clarity I'd been seeking. This innovative food inflammation test revealed that some of my biggest triggers were lurking in my everyday diet. Cows milk, barley, chickpeas, bananas, bell peppers, onions, and a slew of food dyes and preservatives were wreaking havoc on my system without me even realizing it! ️

Eliminating these inflammatory culprits from my diet wasn't easy. I experienced a five-day headache and literally felt like toxins were being flushed from my body. But let me tell you, the relief I felt once I started feeling better was worth every single discomfort. Within days, my body felt unrecognizable in a good way. You really are what you eat!

This led to me to dive deeper on not just what I eat, but also what I put on my skin. This particular test also assessed common preservatives, additives and food dyes. Turns out a number of active ingredients in my face wash, sunscreen, and other daily items also contained inflammatory ingredients. While I have mostly been focusing on getting comfortable with new eating patterns, I am slowly identifying and phasing out these toxic (to me) soaps and lotions. I even trained a ChatGPT powered model to research and summarize product ingredients to help me!

But hey, different things work for different people. Consider this to be another tool in your awareness kit if you are on a journey to improving your health. For me, the LEAP MRT test provided me with answers that years of tests failed to uncover. It's been a powerful reminder that when it comes to your health, never settle for a single test result. Keep pushing for answers until you find the solution that's right for you. We are all unique and our bodies are no exception, however you are always your best advocate!

I encourage all of you to prioritize your health amidst the chaos of your busy lives. You owe it to yourself to feel your best, both inside and out. I truly believe that it is only through navigating our personal well-being that we are able to live our healthiest, happiest lives!

If you'd like to contribute to the AWT blog, please connect with Leslie M. Dill via LinkedIn or email publicrelations@awtaustin.org