“Ashley’s journey mirrors the resilience I see so often in those who choose to find purpose through adversity. This is not just a memoir, it’s a roadmap for anyone yearning to find meaning, light, and God’s guiding hand in the darkest valleys of life.”
— Dr. Jill Carnahan, MD, ABIHM, ABoIM, IFMCP,
Functional Medicine Expert®, Author of Unexpected, and Executive Producer of Doctor/Patient
Speranza: How Pain Became the Path to Hope
Born with a severe mineral deficiency, (Mostly) Healthy Chef Ashley Ondrick entered the world fragile and fighting. A devastating fall that broke her tailbone led to the discovery of a connective tissue disorder, sparking a cascade of medical crises—eleven surgeries, chronic pain, and a relentless battle with Lyme disease. As if her physical trials weren’t enough, anorexia and exhaustion from constant illness tested her spirit to its limits.
But the deepest wound wasn’t one doctors could see. As a child, Ashley overheard an offhand remark that made her believe she was unwanted. That quiet lie took root, shaping her sense of worth, her choices, and her search for love and purpose.
Through decades of pain, Ashley refused to surrender. Her faith in God deepened with each hardship, transforming suffering into strength and despair into devotion. She discovered that no amount of brokenness is beyond God’s power to redeem.
As a chef and wellness coach, Ashley found healing in the kitchen—crafting meals that nourished both body and soul. Her journey also led her across the world, from Italy to the Philippines to Singapore, where food, faith, and service intertwined.
Speranza—Italian for hope—is more than a memoir. It’s a feast for the senses and a testament to grace. For anyone living with chronic illness or aching for renewal, Ashley’s story offers comfort, courage, and the reminder that even in our weakest moments, hope can rise.