Akwaaba (welcome in Twi)

I’m Lizz

Born in Zimbabwe with Ghanaian roots and raised in Ottawa, Canada, my life has been defined by a relentless pursuit of excellence. Growing up in a disciplined household as a military brat and PK, mediocrity was never an option. This mindset propelled me to strive for greatness in all aspects of my life—academically, professionally, and athletically.

​

My journey as an athlete began early at 10 years, competing in track and field events such as the 100m sprint, 4x100m relay, long jump, high jump, shot put, discus, and volleyball from the end of elementary school through all of high school. Every athlete knows that discipline starts in the mind, with the physique following suit. Though soft-spoken, I have always carried a strong determination, embodying a blend of quiet resilience and unwavering strength.

​

With a background in psychology and business, I’ve thrived in the corporate world, enjoying making others look good while working diligently behind the scenes. Though shy and reserved, I come alive in engaging conversations on great topics.

​

My challenges were compounded by the loss of my grandmother on September 28, 2007, and my uncle, a doctor, exactly nine years later on the same date.  A few years later, my life took a sudden turn when I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism after experiencing severe lethargy, coinciding with two personal traumatic events (unrelated to the loss of my grandmother and uncle). At that point, I was living a very healthy lifestyle, meal-prepping, eating clean and whole foods 95% of the time, weight training 5x a week, and using clean products. 

​

Some years later, while visiting my parents for the Christmas holidays, I passed out and was found unresponsive in my room. My parents called 911 and the paramedics rushed me to the ER, where I faced a life-threatening health scare—a large pulmonary embolism (PE)—that claims many lives. This happened during the height of the COVID pandemic, unrelated to the virus or associated vaccines. The period was already marked by fear and isolation, and I was suffering in every way, severely deconditioned, and longing for a way out of life.

Three years later, I woke up in a panic one night, unable to feel my legs. Earlier that day, I had been at a café, finalizing work for a client and going about my regular activities. Guess which date it was—September 28. Just as I was overcoming my PE, I faced a new health crisis that left me unable to walk, with drop foot, numbness from the waist down, and a loss of voice due to extremely low energy. Unbeknownst to me, I had a prolapsed disc, and multiple sclerosis (MS) had been silently advancing until it made a grand entrance. I consider myself a walking miracle, with a purpose beyond myself; despite being hit with curveballs, it seems I refuse to die.

Building and Navigating™ is the culmination of my experiences, embodying my vision to live purposefully by sharing my journey and engaging in difficult, raw, but honest conversations. Sharing my story is also traumatic for me, as it requires reliving painful events and confronting my struggles. Yet, if I can be a beacon of hope for even one person who identifies with the struggles of an overachiever dealing with comorbid chronic and autoimmune illnesses, I will find fulfillment in knowing that my journey and efforts extend beyond myself and my work.

My ongoing reality has revealed that I've always been the one doing the watering, never knowing what it's like to be the garden. As I navigate this journey, I will learn to tend to my own garden, because MS is my Red Sea, and the only way out is through. Since I didn’t die, I guess I must live.