After a decade of struggle with Crohn’s disease symptoms, Hadley found relief with food, movement, mindset, and faith.

By Hadley Ott

As a 12-year-old in sixth grade, my weight had dropped to 53 pounds, and I struggled with daily digestive symptoms.

In many ways, it is no surprise that I got sick. I was out of shape, lived on junk food, and stomach issues had always plagued me. By the time I entered middle school, my health was steadily deteriorating.

A trip to the hospital and a series of tests confirmed Crohn’s disease. I was told it was a lifelong condition — something to be managed but never cured.

Thus began a decade-long cycle of routine tests, hospitalizations, and medications. For much of that time, I was on the biologic drug Remicade. It helped at times, but symptoms were never far away. Even more difficult was the stigma of being “sick for life,” which slowly became part of my identity.

Searching for Another Path

During my first semester of graduate school, I was still experiencing symptoms and felt there was little room for adjustment within my conventional treatment plan. I began exploring functional medicine and alternative approaches.

Through my research, I discovered stories of others who had improved their health in unconventional ways. If change was possible for them, I wondered if it might be possible for me.

After a series of appointments with a functional medicine provider, I felt ready to move forward with a new plan. I made the decision to come off Remicade and pursue a natural path. Not everyone agreed with my choice, but I believed it was time to take full ownership of my health.

Low FODMAP for Crohn’s Disease

Diet became central to my approach. For people with Crohn’s and colitis, there are multiple dietary strategies, including the Maker’s Diet, the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, and Low FODMAP. My provider recommended the Low FODMAP diet.

For me, dietary changes were significant. Prior to these, I went to the bathroom a dozen or more times each day. After following the Low FODMAP diet, my daily bowel movements dropped to a normal two to three. My stomach also felt better, less bloated, and almost at ease.

That said, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to inflammatory bowel disease. Progress often requires patience and trial and error. Each experiment brought me closer to understanding what worked for my body.

My functional medicine provider also recommended the elemental diet — an all-liquid formula that can be followed for days or even months. I found this diet to be a godsend. It allowed for a true gut reset, was easy on my digestive system, and generated very little digestive buildup.

In addition to fine tuning my diet, I began a probiotic regimen and was grateful for the guidance to start using other supplements as well, such as fish oil.

Movement also became part of my healing. What began as simple calisthenics to rebuild strength evolved into running and weightlifting. Physical activity helped me feel stronger and more resilient, both physically and mentally.

Finding Faith to Support Healing

Deepening my Christian faith became an unexpected part of my recovery. As I explored functional medicine, I also began cultivating a belief that my body was capable of more than I had been told.

For me, prayer and reconnecting with my spiritual life helped dismantle the “sick for life” identity I had internalized. Letting go of that narrative changed how I approached my health and how I saw myself.

Today my body feels better than ever. Symptoms still arise at times, but I now have the protocols in place to quickly bounce back. This is what I love about the alternative healing approach. It offers you the opportunity to be in charge of your health.

Nutrition, movement, mindset, and faith each played a role in my journey. What those elements look like will differ for everyone. But for me, shifting my beliefs about what was possible became just as important as the physical changes I made.

I want others who are suffering to know that hope exists and that different paths may be worth exploring. For me, pursuing a natural approach brought a level of freedom — personally and professionally — that I once thought was impossible.

The Steps That Helped

  • Low FODMAP diet — Temporarily removing fermentable carbohydrates helped reduce digestive distress and identify problem foods.
  • Elemental nutrition during flares — Using a liquid, easily absorbed formula gave his digestive system periods of rest when symptoms intensified.
  • Targeted supplementation — Practitioner-guided use of probiotics, fish oil and other supplements supported gut health and inflammation balance.
  • Strength training and movement — Gradually rebuilding strength through calisthenics, running and weightlifting improved resilience and overall well-being.
  • Reframing his identity — Letting go of the “sick for life” narrative shifted how he approached healing and restored a sense of agency.
  • Deepening his faith — Prayer and spiritual grounding strengthened his mindset and helped him stay committed to long-term change.

About the Author

After being diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at age 12, Hadley Ott spent more than a decade navigating conventional treatments before pursuing a functional and lifestyle-based approach. He is the author of the upcoming book Drug-Free Crohn’s, scheduled for release in April on Amazon. Follow him on Instagram.

If you enjoyed this story, you might also like: Beyond Remission: An MD on Healing from Crohn’s Disease.