¡Hola and welcome to my page! My name is Larissa Siravo, and I am from the Dominican Republic. I am in graduate school studying to become a Registered Dietitian (RD), with a passion for specializing in gut health and autoimmune disease nutrition.
Throughout my life as a highly sensitive person (HSP), I used to conceal my pain under the misconception that expressing emotions was unsafe and seen as a weakness. I often prioritized others over myself, driven by the fear of rejection and abandonment. This led me to repress unwanted thoughts and feelings, believing something was inherently wrong with me and that I was never good enough.
However, a “mental breakdown” or, as I prefer to call it, a spiritual awakening, changed everything. This awakening led me to understand that my body was manifesting disease and a dysregulated nervous system, causing severe depression, anxiety, and chronic pain. This pivotal moment urged me to face my shadows, initiating a profound healing journey by seeking psychotherapy, practicing ‘discarding’ meditation, learning about astrology and human design, and exploring various spiritual healing practices such as Reiki.
Through this transformative process, I am reclaiming my power by becoming self-aware, cultivating self-compassion, and learning to let go of the illusionary world crafted by my human mind—a world shaped by limiting beliefs and painful past experiences.
I invite you to explore my blog and the free resources available to support you. I am thrilled to share everything I’ve learned and continue to discover in my healing journey. My hope is that this website and my personal stories will serve as a guide and inspiration to empower you to persevere in your own healing journey
Everything is changing for me, and it can change for you, too.
My Story
Throughout my life, I struggled with feelings of inferiority and inadequacy, often feeling like I didn’t fit in anywhere. The sting of constant rejection and disparagement from others led to me to experience chronic loneliness creating this void that seemed impossible to fill. This fueled a belief that something must be inherently wrong with me; a sense that I was “too sensitive or that I simply wasn’t enough”. In an attempt to escape the feelings of unworthiness, I resorted to excessive self-criticism, people-pleasing, and the relentless pursuit of perfectionism.
These coping mechanisms were deeply ingrained from childhood, convincing me that I had to constantly do more for others and work harder to prove myself as worthy of love, respect, acceptance, recognition, and appreciation. However, this path ultimately resulted in self-abandonment, self-betrayal, disappointment, and resentment. The emptiness continued to expand over time, hindering any potential for self-fulfillment or authentic connections.
I thought that there was something inherently wrong with me and that it was impossible for me to change. Then, I had a life-altering epiphany followed by my Saturn return that illuminated my life’s purpose. This realization led me to resign from my job and committed to pursuing a master’s degree in Nutrition at Montclair State University with the aspiration of becoming a Registered Dietitian (RD). Unbeknownst to me, this revelation marked the beginning of a profound spiritual awakening, ultimately leading me through what is often described as ‘the dark night of the soul’. In essence, I discovered that the ‘void’, the indefinable sense of absence, represented my quest for alignment with my authentic self and God (the Universe).
As a consequence of chronic stress and repressed emotions, I began experiencing a range of physical symptoms, including depression, anxiety, fatigue, constant bloating, brain fog, and widespread chronic pain throughout my body. Alongside these challenges, I received medical diagnoses such as Sjogren’s Disease, Stage 4 Endometriosis, Small Intestinal Fungal Overgrowth (SIFO), Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), Mold Toxicity/Exposure, Leaky Gut, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), Histamine Intolerance, Estrogen Dominance, further complicating my health journey.
Over time, I realized that there is a mind-body connection as I finally understood that the combination of chronic stress, repressed emotions and the environments I was in were impacting my health and were manifesting as physical ailments and chronic pain, serving as a diversion from the underlying emotional distress I was experiencing.
From my personal experiences and challenges, I’ve come to understand that genuine healing can only happen when individuals gently embrace their journey and emotions with mindfulness and compassion. This involves cultivating the ability to regulate the nervous system and foster a sense of safety within their bodies. This awareness ignited a profound desire to create the ‘Food Mind Heal’ blog, a platform where I can share everything I’ve learned and experienced to educate, inspire, and empower individuals in their healing journeys.
Why Do I Want to Be a Registered Dietitian?
For over a decade, I’ve been struggling with gastrointestinal issues such as gastritis and GERD that have significantly affected both my physical and mental well-being. While I initially managed to gain some control over these conditions, I began to observe a worsening of symptoms in the subsequent years.
Despite my persistent efforts to seek answers from numerous conventional medicine doctors, no one was able to identify the root cause of the symptoms I was experiencing. They’d say things such as: “It’s just you”, “It’s all in your head”, “It’s just stress”, or “It’s just IBS Larissa, get over it and take this medication”. I left feeling frustrated and hopeless. While I understood that there was a mind-body connection and that stress could be playing a role, it didn’t explain all the symptoms I was having.
Still, I was determined to figure out the reason for the sudden changes in my body, including the emergence of food and skin sensitivities, chronic fatigue, brain fog, constant bloating, thinning hair, and more. Therefore, I decided to pursue a master’s degree in nutrition to help me understand my body and how to take care of myself. Throughout my studies as well as my own research, I was able to correlate my symptoms with potential diseases and found the right healthcare providers who helped me get the right diagnoses.
Over the last year, I have I received medical diagnoses such as Sjogren’s Disease, Small Intestinal Fungal Overgrowth (SIFO), Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), Mold Toxicity/Exposure, Leaky Gut, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), Histamine Intolerance, and Estrogen Dominance. These helped explain the chronic symptoms I have been experiencing for years.
After graduation, I want to specialize on autoimmune and gut health nutrition within the framework of functional medicine—a holistic approach that prioritizes uncovering the root cause of diseases rather than merely treating symptoms. Through my own experiences, I’ve come to appreciate the importance of empowering individuals through informed dietary choices and necessary resources to actively participate in their healing journey.
Three important lessons I learned through my healing journey include:
- Trust your intuition – if something feels off in your body, trust it. The body communicates through pain and discomfort.
- You have to be an active participant in your healing – stay informed, do your research and find health care providers who are willing to listen and take action.
- You have to be your biggest advocate for your healing.
Professional Bio
Education
- Master’s degree in Food Science and Nutrition at Montclair State University Expected Graduation: May 2025
- Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics and Business minor at Montclair State University
Certifications
- ServSafe Manager
- Usui Reiki I
Affiliations
- Student member:
- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
- Latinos and Hispanics in Dietetics and Nutrition (LAHIDAN)
- Nutrition Entrepreneurs (NE)
Fun Facts About Me
- The name ‘Larissa’ means cheerful (I truly live up to name as I am cheerful person!)
- I am a Leo Sun, Leo Moon, Virgo Rising | I am a 4/6 in Human Design
- I am an “empath” or highly sensitive person, meaning that I am highly attuned to the emotions and energies around me
Disclaimer Note: The information provided on this website, including text, images, links, resources, and blog posts, are solely for educational purposes. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For any questions or concerns regarding a medical condition, it’s always recommended to consult your physician, mental health professional, or another qualified healthcare provider.