Something shifts when a room is filled with love, inspiration and people searching for answers. You don’t just see it, you feel it. Hope. Fear. That quiet ache for connection and something different. 

A few weeks ago, I stepped into that energy at a sold-out event hosted by my dear friend, Kerri Kane.

Some people sat quietly not sure what to expect. Others leaned in, eyes wide and chatting with everyone around them. They weren’t just there to take notes. They were there to support each other plus find themselves again.

And I knew, at that moment, the only way to meet them where they were… was to go first. 

So I did.

I laid out the rawest, unfiltered moments of my life (the ones that nearly broke me). And the lessons that put me back together.

Strangers became family. Pain turned into purpose. 

And now, I’m bringing that same conversation here. I pull back the curtain on my story: the struggles I faced, the changes I made, and how faith guided me. These takeaways might be exactly what you need. 

Let’s jump right in.

When My Body Said ‘Enough’

At 27, my body was failing. I was exhausted, overweight, and trapped in a marriage that drained my soul.

A practitioner finally put words to what I had felt for years but couldn’t explain: My body was overloaded with toxic heavy metals. 

Mercury and lead were poisoning me from the inside out. My brain was under attack. My nervous system was shutting down.

And then, my body did what I refused to do. It stopped. 

A stroke paralyzed my left side.

That was when I realized health is about everything you allow into your life. The stress. The toxicity. The relationships. The emotional weight.

It all adds up. And if you ignore it long enough?

Your body will make you listen.

Lessons That Restored My Life

It took me years to rebuild. Years of trial and error, frustration, and faith. But if I could go back and tell my younger self what I know now, this is what I’d say:

1. Listen to your gut: Your intuition knows before your mind catches up. Pay attention.

2. Surround yourself with love: If someone drains your energy, they don’t belong in your space. Protect your peace.

3. Be still: Silence is where answers live. Turn off the noise and listen to what your soul is saying.

4. Your greatest challenges are your biggest lessons: The hardest moments are often the biggest teachers. Look for the lesson, not the loss.

5. Get outside: Nature heals. Step away from the screens and breathe in fresh air.

6. Food is your fuel: Every bite fuels disease or fights it. Choose wisely.

7. Move your body every day: It’s built for movement. Walk. Stretch. Dance.

8. Find light in the darkest days: Even in the worst moments, there’s hope. Look for it. Hold onto it.

9. Life happens FOR you, not TO you: Shift your mindset. What if your biggest struggle is setting you up for your biggest breakthrough?

10. God is with you: Even in your deepest lows, you are never alone. Lean into faith, and you’ll find the strength to keep going.

I didn’t read these in a book. I wrote them, because I lived them. 

And they saved me.

Maybe they can save you too.

The Inner Strength I Didn’t Know I Had

After my stroke, doctors told me I would never walk again. Some even said I had months to live.

I remember thinking: No. Absolutely not.

Every morning, I made a choice. 

Even when I couldn’t move my limbs. Even when fear crept in. Even when it would have been easier to give up.

I chose to fight.

I pictured myself walking again. I filled my mind with gratitude, even when my body wasn’t cooperating yet.

Because here’s the thing: your mind is your greatest weapon. What you believe, you create.

So let me ask you, what story have you been telling yourself?

And what if, just for today, you chose to tell a different one?

Resources and Announcements

• Transform your health with a FREE Home Wellness Checklist here.
• Visit the Waunakee Project Brave for mental health, trauma, and substance abuse resources.

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Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional health care services. The statements and views expressed are not medical advice and are not meant to replace the advice of your medical doctor. This podcast, including Jen Heller and her guests, disclaims any responsibility and any adverse effects you may experience from the specific use of the information contained herein. The opinions of guests are their own and this podcast does not endorse or accept responsibility for the statements made by guests. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you think you have a medical condition, consult your licensed physician.