Nick Pelletier

Don’t let celiac disease hold you back from adventuring!

#CouldItBeCeliac

My journey to diagnosis started at the age of 5. Over the span of a few months, my family and I started to notice changes in my health, but were unaware of the cause. I suffered excruciating stomach pains most days, a large and bloated abdomen area, a substantial loss in weight, a paleing of my skin, and many days involving vomiting. After a number of attempts at different diets, x-rays, examinations, and ultimately a biopsy, I was diagnosed with celiac disease. I was put on a strict gluten-free diet, and things began to get better. Slowly but surely, I regained weight and energy, and became a normal kid once again.

— Nick Pelletier, Ultra Endurance Athlete and Extreme Adventurer

Being a Celiac from such a young age

Being a Celiac from such a young age has taught me the importance of discipline in life. Without discipline to stick to my diet, I suffer physically. The same goes for life – with no discipline towards your goals, your success, mental health, and impact on the world suffers. Convenience of travel and the ability to not have to think about what I put in my body is the hardest part about being Celiac for me. But by being so diligent about what I consume, I am able to be conscious of the nutritional value of the foods I eat, and thus live a healthier and better planned out life.

Celiac Disease shouldn’t be the end of anything in your life; it should be an adjustment and a constant reminder that life isn’t fair, but it is what you make of it. Drawing the Celiac card isn’t ideal for anyone, but regardless of that, it’s the reality for me and many others out there. Live your life in a way where you’re constantly asking yourself “What can I do?” instead of claiming “I can’t do that”. Don’t let Celiac Disease hold you back, pursue your goals and work through any roadblocks it may present. There’s almost always more than one way to do something.

Donate Now