About

Hi, I’m Cindy, the architect behind Vital Sassy People!

First, so that you know who I am and what I believe in. I dislike establishment anywhere, period!—in government, the medical system, any educational conduit, or my life!

Establishment means that we all fit into one boat. And we don’t!

Even as a high school teen, that’s who I was. However, I didn’t realize it at the time. I figured I was one of those rebellious teens. I was the first girl to wear pants to school. Back then, girls had to wear skirts or dresses. The boys could stay nice and cozy in their pants in 20-below-zero weather. That was ridiculous in my mind.

But the pants I chose to adorn myself that day were bright burnt orange, flared bell-bottoms, waisted in a studded wide belt. The vice principal promptly escorted me out the door, saying, “Cindy, Cindy, Cindy, you can’t wear pants to school. You know you can’t do that?” Of course, I did :)!

We’re all familiar with the cliche, “Go with the flow.” That’s great for fish in a river, but I don’t live in the water. I breathe air, and I like it fresh.

For those curious about my background, I spent 25 years as a healthcare documentation specialist, working across multiple specialties from psychiatry to podiatry. Over the past 14 years, I’ve immersed myself in functional and nutritional health research, blending medical field experience with independent study. While I’m not a clinician, my goal is to share well-sourced, experience-backed insights so readers can make informed choices on their own.

How I Found My Path in Healthcare

I didn’t exactly stumble into healthcare—it started with a course through the California College for Health Sciences, where I studied anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and medical terminology. That’s when I first became captivated by the human body, especially the brain. I still remember saying out loud, “Oh my God, YOU are brilliant. Who else could design something like this?”

Breaking into medical transcription back then wasn’t easy, especially with zero experience, but my sister (who owned a transcription business) gave me my first break, and I’ll always be grateful for her faith in me.

Before all that, I’d worked hands-on in hospitals, nursing homes, and private care, experiences that taught me as much about people as they did about medicine. And somewhere in the middle of it all, I became a mom to an awesome son who still makes me smile every time I think of him.

Later…

I was in my early 60s and already exhausted all the time with jack-in-the-box anxiety. I knew I needed a lifestyle change, but where do I start?

So, I went for a doctor’s visit. Nothing was found except for the usual “high cholesterol” (NOT), or so the diagnosis was. I was told to eat more fiber and get a colonoscopy and mammogram—sigh! I felt like a cut of beef on a conveyor belt awaiting inspection.

At that point, I began researching, realizing I must be my own health advocate. I became a podcast and webinar addict, a functional health book fanatic, and a TED talk junkie.

To this very day, I can recall precisely what I was doing when I discovered the article that would alter the course of my life. I was sitting in my home office, at my desk, trying to listen and concentrate on what the current doctor in my queue had dictated.

My mind was all over the place, hearing the same health problems, the same diagnoses, and the same pharmaceutical fixes day in and day out. Few weaned off their drugs or became healthier. More prescriptions were written.

So, I began clicking through Google links to alleviate the monotony.

That’s when I stumbled upon an article by Dr. Michael R. Eades. Dr. Eades is the author of many books, including Protein Power.

In Dr. Eades’ article, he mentioned Dr. Terry Wahls, her journey with multiple sclerosis, and how she went from a reclining wheelchair to riding a bike 12 miles! That was my first introduction to the world of functional medicine.

If Dr. Wahls could do that, imagine what a person without MS could do.

So, Why ‘Vital Sassy People’?

Because it’s even more critical now, as I grow older, to advocate for myself, and I want you to do the same! So why not share information from my 14 years of research and 25 years of experience in the medical field?

And I’ve been writing in my head, probably since I was ten years old, and that’s where it hibernates until now.

And p.s., in a society where retirement is the BIG thing to look forward to, I’m a bit of a baby boomer rebel, and the word retire gives me chills.

For me, life without a sense of purpose is like rewatching the movie Groundhog Day. I can’t do that!

So, instead of couch-rooting, I’m pursuing my passion in research and writing, and my brain adamantly agrees.

What You Won’t Get…

Pages littered with strobe-like ads playing tricks on your retina, or a Suit-like figure popping off the page, seemingly grabbing you by the shirt collar with a sales spiel. Vital Sassy People is a high-quality informational website.

There are enough optical illusions in our everyday lives. Ugh—I promise you will not see that here!

My goal is that if even one person finds value from my experience or what I’ve discovered in 14 years of research, it’s a win in my book.

So, Welcome to Vital Sassy People!

Here, you’ll find information from a library of books I’ve been marinating in for years. I’ll discuss nutrition, whole-body and mind well-being, society, and spirituality, and occasionally hike through the philosophical terrain. I believe it’s all intertwined and what makes us whole.

In my free time, I’ll most likely be immersed in health and wellness podcasts, reading, walking with wildlife, or practicing stillness to satisfy my craving for quietude.

And, as an eternal DIY diehard emerges, the dawning of Vital Sassy People.

Curious? I hope so!

Thanks for stopping by!