Welcome!

Welcome to Live HEALthfully! I know that you reached this place not by accident. I know that you’re meant to be here.

My name is Rana Ghaoui. I am a Certified Holistic Health Coach, Yoga and Arthritis Exercise Instructor who was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 15. My journey of transformation and the journey of loved ones diagnosed with multiple sclerosis have inspired Live HEALthfully, a health coaching practice dedicated to supporting those who have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease (Rheumatoid Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, Hashimoto’s, Scleritis, and Uveitis).

In addition to relating to those who suffer from autoimmune diseases, I also relate to the confusion that parents go through when their child gets diagnosed. My parents had to take me to 5 different doctors before I was properly diagnosed. That is why I also offer programs that support parents of children and young adults who have been diagnosed with autoimmune disease.

So, if you or your child have an autoimmune disease such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, Scleritis, or Hashimoto’s and you’re ready to take steps towards change or just explore what else is out there beyond the meds, then you have come to the right place!

Meet Rana

Growing up, I was one of those kids who were involved in all extracurricular activities imaginable. One memory that clearly sticks out is being asked by my ballet instructor to demonstrate how a proper backbend should be done to the rest of the class…I used to be able to place the palms of my hands on my calves while back bending! Then, one day, after suffering from a bad cold that lasted for months, I was too stiff and swelled up to stand upright. I was diagnosed with poly articular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at 15. My hands started becoming so stiff I could not make a fist for lab technicians to draw out blood. I started having trouble standing up and sitting down. Even though I was taking a cocktail of at least 11 different medications a day, I was still experiencing flare-ups so severe I could hardly walk. Every time I visited a doctor, I would leave in tears. Each time I got over one thing, something else would rear its ugly head and the cycle of pain and suffering seemed endless.

Three years ago, my pain had become so bad that I had to literally throw my body out of bed one morning in order to get up. I felt sharp pangs of pain ripple through my body every time someone brushed past me. Simple tasks became too much of a challenge. I remember bursting into tears and stopping to have a conversation with God every time I needed to open a water bottle. I had a panel of doctors that I visited every week because, in addition to rheumatoid arthritis, I also had severe flare-ups of Scleritis and Iritis in both eyes, accompanied by secondary glaucoma. I had severe flare-ups of Rosacea, multiple surgeries and, as a result, bone and skin infections resulting in post-traumatic osteoarthritis. Sometimes, I felt paralyzed. Perhaps worst of all, I was going through all of this pain but I didn’t want to be a burden for others. I found it increasingly difficult to concentrate at school or at work. I was just so tired, so exhausted all the time. I had no energy to do anything besides go to work, then come home and sleep. I couldn’t get up in the morning. I began to struggle with severe depression. All I wished for at one stage was to place my head on a pillow and to never wake up again. I intentionally stopped eating so I could end all this misery.

Three years ago, I, also, found the courage and the resolve to not take the pain anymore. I made a conscious decision to take positive, healthy steps to put an end to all the suffering. I have come an incredibly long way from where I was then. I transformed from someone who had lost all hope to someone who has so much energy and love for life, health and fitness. I have witnessed my own miracle and continue to be amazed at my ability to transform into a strong, healthy and fit person who is getting healthier every day.

I integrated dietary changes, yoga, Pilates, acupuncture, chiropractic care, therapy and a spiritual practice into my life and I started witnessing my own healing miracle. I’ve transformed into a strong, healthy and fit person and with my doctors’ blessings, I have reduced the medications I take to only one which I’m currently being weaned off. I have become a certified yoga teacher…something I thought would be impossible when I could not walk only three years ago.

Who I was three years ago is not who I am today. I am grateful for all my body and my spirit endured and my ability to pull through the toughest of times with a lot of grace. I would be very grateful to share my knowledge and experience with you… I changed my story.  I want to change your story too. My mission is to use my experience of healing along with the experience of working with a large team of medical doctors, health, wellness and fitness practitioners to shortcut your healing journey and to help you witness your own version of a miracle!

If that’s the kind of transformation you want for yourself, then you’re on the right page. All you have to do is click here to take action and schedule a HEAlth Breakthrough session. We’ll have an open, confidential conversation to determine your roadmap to health – the one that works perfectly for your body, lifestyle, preferences, and goals.

Do you have a child who has been diagnosed with RA or MS and want to help them transform their lives? I have crafted a special program dedicated to supporting you and your children.  Click here  to schedule some time for us to chat and find out what you can start doing for them today!!

I invite you to join me on the journey

I want to walk with you and show you how to take back control of your health. I pledge to:

1. Support and guide you so you can sustain being successful in the long run
2. ‘Chunk it up’ so that the road to recovery is gradual and exciting, not overwhelming
3. Encourage you to keep going when you don’t feel like following through
4. Show you the means with which you can heal more quickly, reduce your inflammation and, in time, your dependence on drugs, and
5. Help you find ways to reduce the cost of your prescription medication

So…What are you going to do today, that will change your tomorrow?

• Find out how you can start. Schedule a HEALth Breakthrough session
• Feeling inspired but not sure where to start? Contact me with any questions you have.
• Learn more about my own healing story
• Sign up for my newsletter so you don’t miss a bit
• Keep up with me on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+ and LinkedIn
• Or just drop me a note to say hello, because I know it can be so helpful to talk to someone who really understands what you’re going through!