What We Can Learn from Trevor's Story: A Gut Health Case Study

At Christmas lunch in December 2023, Trevor was doubled over in pain. What should have been a joyful day with family became a turning point. He was hunched over, wracked with intense stomach cramps, and barely able to eat. He'd already been treated for a suspected ulcer. But the symptoms kept coming back. His energy was fading. He was rapidly losing weight.

Despite following medical advice, something didn’t sit right. Deep down, Trevor felt there had to be another way. So he listened to that inner voice - the one that said, “Keep looking.”

He turned to Facebook in search of a nutritionist. That’s how our journey together began.

The Start of Something Different

Trevor was hesitant at first, unsure whether nutritional coaching could offer the kind of relief he so desperately needed. But very quickly, his openness and willingness to try a new approach laid the foundation for a powerful transformation.

Over the course of our sessions, Trevor and I worked on rebalancing his gut, reducing inflammation, and feeding his body what it truly needed. From meal plans to mindset work, his commitment was unwavering, even when things weren’t easy. One of the first things we visualised together in a grounding exercise was Trevor on his paddleski - healthy, pain-free, strong. In March 2025, he sent me a photo of himself back on the water. He’d achieved the dream.

In Trevor’s Words:

“Hey everyone, long story short. At Christmas lunch in December 2023 I was doubled over in excruciating tummy pain. I did not want to go the colonoscopy, gastroscopy route. I reached out on Facebook looking for a good nutritionist and a number of people recommended Jacki McEwen-Powell. I made contact with Jacki and was hesitant at first but I can now say with confidence that Jacki has not only cured me of a suspected stomach ulcer but she has educated me about gut health in general. I have learnt so much about gut health, changed my eating habits completely and today I am totally healed and in a much better space healthwise. I had lost a lot of weight and Jacki suggested I consult with a functional medical practitioner. I went to see someone Jacki knew and I am 100% convinced that between Jacki and this lady they saved my life. As it turned out, I had also contracted TB during this time and completed the TB treatment in November 2024. Jacki went out of her way to compile eating plans for me, and changed them when I couldn't eat certain things due to the TB. Nothing was too much for Jacki. She is an absolute angel and without Jacki and the functional medical practitioner I would not be here today. THANK YOU Jacki - you are truly one in a million and I will be forever grateful for everything you have done for me. Much love – Trevor.”

Healing with Food

When we started working together, Trevor was underweight, struggling with severe stomach pain, and navigating what would later be confirmed as TB. He wasn’t interested in harsh medication for his gut symptoms unless absolutely necessary. That’s where functional medicine became a key part of his healing journey.

I recommended he consult a functional medical practitioner I trusted. Together, we created a plan that combined natural gut healing with medical support. Trevor describes this decision as life-saving.

His diet changed completely. From fearing food to loving the power it has to heal, Trevor restructured his eating around whole, nutrient-dense, gut-friendly meals. He learned about the role of fibre (both soluble and insoluble), about the importance of probiotics and prebiotics, and about calorie-dense foods to support weight gain.

We also made adjustments for the TB medication, which meant removing certain foods like cheese and tuna, and finding gut-friendly substitutions that still supported his weight goals. Every time something didn’t work, we pivoted. That flexibility was crucial—and so was Trevor’s willingness to stay the course.

Retraining the Palate

When we first started, Trevor wasn’t a fan of sauerkraut or yoghurt. Today, both are staples in his fridge. This is a powerful reminder that you can train your palate. Just because you don’t enjoy a food now, doesn’t mean you never will. Trevor pushed through the initial discomfort, trusted the process, and now actively enjoys the foods that once made him wince.

We started slowly—just a spoon of yoghurt at a time, or a tiny side of fermented veg—and gradually built up to full servings. This approach helped reduce food aversions and gave his gut time to adjust, too. Now, fermented foods are part of his everyday routine.

Lessons We Can All Learn

Trevor's story is about more than healing a gut or gaining weight. It’s about resilience, intuition, and the power of personalised health care. Here are a few lessons we can all take from his journey:

• Trust your instincts: If something doesn’t feel right, explore other options. Trevor knew deep down that antibiotics alone weren’t the answer.

• Functional medicine has a place: By bringing together nutritional healing and functional testing, we got to the root of what was going on.

• Food is powerful: Once you learn how to work with your body, food becomes a tool for healing, not a source of fear.

• You can rewire your taste buds: Don’t give up on foods that are good for you. You might learn to love them.

• Healing is a whole-person journey: From visualisation to supplementation, everything matters.

How We Managed His Caloric Needs

Gaining weight was part of Trevor’s goal, but doing so in a gut-friendly way was essential. We calculated his BMR and daily needs, aiming for around 2,500 calories a day. When he wanted to gain 1 kg in a week, we increased his daily target to 3,500 calories. But Trevor struggled with volume. He felt full quickly. So we focused on calorie-dense, low-volume meals that were still gentle on his gut.

Some of the foods that worked well included:

• Avocados and olive oil (easy to add, high in healthy fats)

• Full-fat coconut milk in smoothies

• Chia seeds for fibre and healthy fat

• Greek yoghurt with honey

• Baked salmon, chicken, and turkey breast

Smoothies became one of his secret weapons—easy to digest, packed with protein, healthy fats, and probiotics. We layered his meals and snacks with intentional ingredients so every bite counted.

Supplement Support

We used targeted supplements to support Trevor’s healing. He continued with:

• L-glutamine for gut lining repair

• Omega-3s for inflammation

• Probiotics to help restore and rebalance his microbiome

Everything was monitored alongside his TB medication to avoid interactions. And importantly, we focused on food first, using supplements to support rather than replace.

Where Trevor Is Now

Trevor has completed his TB treatment, healed his gut, and is maintaining a healthy weight of nearly 60 kg. He feels stronger, happier, and more in control than he has in years. He’s back on the water with his paddleski, living the vision he set out for himself.

When he sent me that photo in March, I had tears in my eyes. Not just because he looked so healthy and strong, but because I know how much work went into that moment.

From the man doubled over in pain at the Christmas table to the man paddling across the sea, Trevor’s journey is a true transformation. One built on trust, commitment, and the belief that healing is always possible.

If You’re Reading This and Struggling…

Trevor’s story is proof that there’s another way. That your body is capable of healing, and that with the right support, you don’t have to live in pain or confusion. Whether you’ve been told there’s nothing wrong, or you’re overwhelmed with medication and not seeing results, there are paths worth exploring.

If you’re ready to take back control of your health—or even just start understanding what your body is trying to tell you—I’m here.

To Trevor – thank you for trusting me. You are a reminder of what’s possible.

If you’d like to learn more about gut health and healing, feel free to get in touch or explore my books. The journey doesn’t have to be done alone.