At this point you’re all pretty familiar with my voice, right? Well, as we head into the holiday season and close in on our one-year anniversary (!!), we thought it was time we gave you what you’ve been asking for: more of me! This episode was initially recorded for a FB Live appearance with Naomi Batty of Holtorf Medical Group – and we had such a great chat, I thought it would make the perfect round-up for 2019 and give everyone more of an insight into my WHY – and how the podcast was born out of my adverse health experiences. Learn more about my journey through Hashimoto’s disease, sleep apnea, depression, and anxiety – and how I’ve found strength in the community that Uninvisible Pod has given me. Y’all are my secret sauce – and if I know how to do anything, it’s how to tell stories…and give you the platform to share yours. Here goes nothin’! (Please also note: this episode was recorded a few months ago, and in it I mention I am a finalist for the WEGO Health Awards 2019. By now you probably know – I won!)
Listen in as I share…
- how I was first diagnosed with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and sleep apnea
- how common thyroid disorders can be
- why I think I was sick way before I was diagnosed
- how functional medicine was my saving grace
- how I sought resources after being diagnosed, and didn’t come up with much
- how to find support and resources, and to navigate through your own pride
- how I’ve treated my Hashimoto’s – with combo therapy
- how I experienced medical gaslighting: from a female endocrinologist I used to see
- how I’ve found peace with my body as it is now – and show it love
- the importance of staying open-minded to treatment options when you live with chronic illness
- how I learned to advocate to myself
- the importance of follow-up – and how it’s your responsibility to yourself as a patient
- the value of finding a doctor who is able to make time for you
- how empowering it is to become an involved and educated patient
- that it’s not all in your head – and you know your body better than anyone else does
- how getting sick forced me to communicate better than ever with my nearest and dearest
- that most autoimmune disease starts in the gut
- how peptides and supportive supplements have aided in my healing
- the importance of reducing everyday exposure to toxins – in makeup, skincare, hair care, household cleaners, etc.
- why I am a student of my body, and follow its shifts both excitedly – and accordingly
- how I healed my relationship with food when I adopted AIP
- how Uninvisible Pod was born organically from my experience and background
- the importance of diversity in the discussion of invisible chronic illness – and how I’m continually working to address those gaps in the conversation
- how great it is to find a community – and fellow Spoonie friends
- that things are not any less complicated post-diagnosis: they are just complicated in different ways
- why we have to be open to changing our own stories
054: Lauren’s Story