Go with your Gutzy

Turning IBS struggles into illustrated stories with heart, humor, and gut feelings.

About this project

As someone with IBS, I’ve had my fair share of memorable gut moments - some painful, some ridiculous, most traumatic.
So, I created Go with your Gutzy as a way to process those experiences through illustration and storytelling.

This is a character-driven project that brings the world of gut health to life in a fun, honest, and slightly absurd way - so people like me can feel seen, learn something new, and maybe even laugh about poop 💩 (because honestly, sometimes that’s the only option).

Wait… What’s IBS?

IBS stands for Irritable Bowel Syndrome - a common (and frustrating) gut condition that affects how the intestines work.

It can cause bloating, cramps, gas, diarrhea, constipation… or a confusing combo of all of them. Yay.

It’s chronic, unpredictable, and often invisible (which makes it hard to talk about and even harder to explain). IBS doesn’t show up in scans or blood tests, which makes it tricky to diagnose.

Most people with IBS live with daily discomfort, social anxiety, and a constant mental map of nearby bathrooms. It’s often misunderstood.

There’s no cure, and treatment is different for everyone. It can involve diet changes, stress management, medication, gut-directed therapy and a whole lot of trial and error.

That’s why Go with your Gutzy exists - to give a voice (and some giggles) to guts like mine. 🦠

Meet the Gutzy Gang

Meet Gutzy, the main character! 🧡
Gutzy is characterized by her resilience and humor. Despite facing the challenges of living with IBS, she approaches life with a positive attitude and a willingness to find humor in even the most uncomfortable situations. Gutzy's determination to navigate her gut health journey with grace and laughter inspires others to do the same.
Personality:
- Brave: courageous and adventurous, unafraid to venture into the unknown and face challenges head-on
- Optimistic: even in the face of adversity, Gutzy maintains a positive outlook on life, always looking for the silver lining and finding humor in difficult situations
- Playful: with her lively and playful demeanor, Gutzy brings joy and laughter wherever she goes
- Empathetic: able to empathize with the struggles of others
- Loyal: fiercely loyal to her friends and companions, standing by them through thick and thin and always offering a listening ear and a helping hand when needed
Navigating the challenges of living with IBS with grace and laughter, inspiring others to do the same.

Meet Tella, the Prevotella! 💗
Tella is the Gutzy Gang’s quirky, prank-loving bacterium. She’s always bouncing with energy and ready for fun and games.

Personality:
- Sociable: loves making friends wherever she goes
- Adventurous and curious: seeks out new experiences and embraces the unknown
- Empathetic and kind

Tella is the prankster of the group, always finding joy in the unexpected and turning everyday moments into memorable escapades.

Hailing from the lively ecosystem of the gut microbiome, Tella is known for her infectious laughter and playful spirit.
Prevotella: This genus of bacteria is commonly found in the gut microbiota and is known for its ability to break down complex carbohydrates. Prevotella bacteria play a role in carbohydrate metabolism and may be associated with dietary habits and gut health.

Meet Lacto, the dairy diva! 💛

Lacto is the nurturing caregiver of the group, always ready with a warm hug and a comforting word. She has a passion for cooking and sharing delicious meals with their friends.
Personality:
- Peaceful: exudes a sense of calm and tranquility
- Harmonious: values harmony and balance, seeking to maintain equilibrium within the gut microbiome
- Diplomatic: skilled mediator and negotiator
- Empathetic: deep empathy for others, able to understand and connect with their emotions on a profound level
Lactobacillus: These bacteria are commonly found in fermented dairy products like yogurt and cheese. They play a role in digestion and are known for their probiotic properties.

Meet Bifido, the gentle giant of the Gutzy Gang! 💙

Bifido is the cuddly, calm Bifidobacterium - known for his role in promoting digestive health and supporting the immune system, who’s as soft-hearted as he is fluffy. Known for his bright blue fur, Bifido is always there when his friends need a little extra comfort.

Personality:
- Gentle and caring: he’s the friend who listens and gives the best hugs
- Patient and grounded: stays calm even when things get messy
- Wise and encouraging: has a knack for sharing just the right words

Though a bit shy, Bifido’s presence brings a sense of calm to the Gutzy Gang, making him the heart of the group.
Bifidobacteria: These are a group of beneficial bacteria found in the gut microbiota, known for their role in promoting digestive health and supporting the immune system.

Meet Akker, the adventurer of the Gutzy Gang! 💜

Akker’s not one to shy away from a challenge... Whether it’s navigating the roughest corners of the gut or jumping into wild adventures, he's always ready to explore the unknown.

Akker, or Akkermansia, is the embodiment of resilience. Tough as nails and full of determination, he's the first to embrace the journey, no matter the obstacle.

Personality:
- Resilient: Akker thrives in the harshest environments
- Resourceful: He always finds a way to make things work
- Independent: Charting his own course, no one tells Akker where to go
- Driven: He’s got goals, and nothing’s going to stop him from reaching them

Why stay in one place when there’s an entire gut to explore?
Akkermansia muciniphila: This bacterium is known for its association with a healthy gut microbiome. It's involved in maintaining gut barrier function and has been linked to various health benefits.

Illustrated episodes

Here I share some of my real-life IBS stories in comic or animated form.

Each episode dives into the chaos, shame, confusion (and occasional comedy) of living with a gut that doesn’t always cooperate.

There’s also a mini chronicle called Gutzy Tipster - tips related to IBS, designed to help, educate, or simply say “same” in visual form.

Behind the scenes

All illustrations and animations are created in Procreate.
I focus on shape language, color storytelling, and emotional expression to keep the tone light and playful - even when the stories aren’t.

Tools used

Procreate
Figma
Storytelling
Character design
Visual humor
Trauma processing (with a side of probiotics)

Why I made this

This project is deeply personal. 🧡

I wanted to tell my story in a way that felt healing and helpful - not just for me, but for anyone who’s felt the shame or confusion that comes with IBS.

If this makes someone feel less alone, more informed, or just smile at a poop joke… I’ve done my job. ✌️

FAQs

IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) is a chronic gut condition that affects how your digestive system works.
It brings along fun things like bloating, cramps, gas, diarrhea, constipation… or all of the above.
Yes! IBS isn’t a one-size-fits-all - there are a few types, based on dominant symptoms:
- IBS-D: Diarrhea is the star of the show.
- IBS-C: Constipation takes the lead.
- IBS-M: A chaotic mix of both.
- IBS-U: Unclassified - doesn’t fit neatly into the others.
There’s no single cause - it can be linked to gut-brain communication issues, food sensitivities, stress, infections, hormones or even past trauma.
It’s complex. Just like the people who have it.
Usually through a mix of medical history, symptom tracking and ruling out other conditions (like IBD or celiac disease) via bloodwork, stool tests, colonoscopy, etc.
It can take a while, and many tests. So patience (and a good doctor) is key.
Nope! They sound similar but are totally different:
- IBS = functional disorder (how the gut works)
- IBD = inflammatory disease (like Crohn’s or colitis - causes visible damage)
Common culprits include:
- Certain foods (fatty, spicy, gluten, dairy, caffeine, alcohol…)
- Stress and anxiety
- Hormonal shifts (especially in people who menstruate)
- Lack of sleep or routine
But every gut has its own drama - what triggers one person may not bother another.
Oh yes. The gut and the brain are BFFs (sometimes toxic ones). Stress can make symptoms worse - and symptoms can increase stress.
That’s why managing IBS often includes things like therapy, mindfulness and lifestyle changes.
Not yet. Management is the name of the game - through food, stress management, sleep, and other lifestyle changes. And a lot of trial and error. A lot.
No, it’s not life-threatening - but it is life-disrupting.
It can mess with your daily routine, mental health, social life and confidence.
So yeah, it deserves attention.
Because I have IBS.
I’ve lived through the awkward, frustrating and traumatic episodes, and I wanted to turn them into something creative, visual and human.
If someone sees themselves in these stories and feels a little less alone, laughs, or learns something… mission accomplished. 😌
They’re illustrated characters - a crew of illustrated gut bacteria and friends that help explain the IBS experience in a fun, relatable way. Each one has a different role and personality.
Think of them as the quirky cast of my inner sitcom.
Unfortunately, yes.
Fortunately, I have a sense of humor.
Yes please!
Just credit me if you do. And tag me - I’d love to see where Gutzy goes. 🧡

Have fun with our quizzes

Go to Gutzy Polls

Let’s talk guts

Know someone who lives with IBS?

Share this with them - or better yet, tell them about Gutzy. She’s tough like that. 💪

If you’re passionate about using creativity to raise awareness or tell meaningful stories, I’d love to collaborate!

Whether you’re a brand, a fellow artist or someone working in health, let’s bring more awareness to important causes in fun and engaging ways.

Got an idea?

Let’s work together!

let's chat!