Guest Spotlight: Meet Trecia Knapp, a Devoted OHI Guest

Trecia Knapp has always made her health a priority. “I’ve had a very active life, despite some significant health challenges,” said Trecia. “I was diagnosed later in life with Celiac disease, so I’ve had to learn how to manage that health opportunity. And a few years ago, I suffered a serious neck injury that required multiple surgeries and extensive physical therapy.”

Despite these setbacks, Trecia never let her health opportunities define her. A lifelong athlete, she was determined to restore her strength, mobility, and spirit. “I was doing everything I could — doctor visits, rehab, medications — but I still felt exhausted, mentally foggy, and emotionally drained,” she recalled. “Later that year, I confided in a friend about how much I was struggling. My friend had been to OHI many times and urged me to consider a stay. She told me it was where the body, mind, and spirit could truly heal — not just recover.”

Trecia did some research and quickly booked a flight to OHI San Diego. “It turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” she said.

Within days of starting the juice cleanse, she noticed a dramatic difference. “My energy rose, my mental clarity improved, and the heaviness I’d been carrying began to lift,” she said. Despite work commitments, she knew completing the full three-week program was essential.

Trecia arranged her schedule creatively—attending one week, returning home for work, then coming back twice more. “It wasn’t ideal to stop and start, yet each return brought deeper healing,” she said. “That month showed me the power of clean eating, focused intention, and spiritual renewal with God.”

At OHI, Trecia found more than just physical recovery. “I realized I had been holding onto trauma — both from my Celiac diagnosis and my injury — that no amount of physical therapy could fix,” Trecia said. “The colon hydro therapist and massage therapist at OHI were critical in helping me release that trauma. And the rest of the staff were incredibly compassionate, walking beside me as I processed all the emotional weight I hadn’t realized I was carrying.”

Trecia has now incorporated OHI into her long-term wellness routine. “I was diagnosed with Celiac disease at age 36,” said Trecia. “For two decades I did my best to avoid gluten and manage symptoms. OHI taught me that avoiding triggers wasn’t the same as healing my gut. They’ve helped me shift from surviving to thriving.”

Since her first visit six years ago, Trecia has returned to OHI more than a dozen times. The principles she learned there have become a core part of her lifestyle. “Today, my diet is at least 50% vegan,” said Trecia. “I do intermittent fasting four to five days a week, and I juice cleanse regularly when my body feels like it needs a reset. I’ve also become passionate about preparing my own food — I sprout seeds, bloom rice in my dehydrator, make homemade seed cheese crackers, and eat fermented foods regularly. My whole approach to nourishment has changed, and it’s made all the difference in how I manage my autoimmunity.”

Just as she thought her health had finally stabilized, Trecia faced another frightening ordeal. “I was clearing brush in Tennessee and reached into a pile of leaves,” she recounted. “Suddenly, my hands were burning, I was having difficulty thinking, my speech started to slur, and my entire body swelled with a blistery rash. My husband rushed me to urgent care, where we found out I had been bitten by three baby copperhead snakes nesting in the leaves.”

The clinic administered lifesaving antivenom, but Trecia’s body was overwhelmed. “I was in freefall,” said Trecia. “I knew I needed more than just a hospital stay to recover, so as soon as I was stable, I got on a plane to OHI.”

Once again, the staff at OHI helped Trecia reset her body. “OHI helped detoxify my body from the venom and medications,” said Trecia. “The love, care, and expertise they offered were truly lifesaving. I finally started to feel like myself again.”

Today, Trecia is a passionate advocate for OHI and holistic healing. Her advice to anyone who is struggling with their health — physically, emotionally, or spiritually — is simple: “Whatever your wellness journey looks like, OHI should be a part of it,” said Trecia. “It takes commitment and hard work, but it’s worth it. Even a single change in your routine can begin to shift your life. OHI is there to support you every step of the way, no matter what your goals are. If you truly want to transform your life, they will help you get there.”

To learn more about the OHI for Life Body-Mind-Spirit Program, call (800) 588-0809.