Joyce Hale

In the episode of Stories of Self-Healing, you are going to hear Joyce Hale share her story about overcoming Lupus. Just a few years ago, Joyce’s Lupus had advanced to the point where her medications were not stopping the progression of her illness and almost every organ in her body attacked by this disease. She was having daily seizures which were causing her to face the reality that soon, she would no longer be able to work. Joyce already had a titanium plate holding one side of her jaw together and was recently informed that she would need to get another plate to hold the other side of her jaw together. Doctors told her that the only way avoid this was to get her Lupus under control. But after years of struggling with this disease, her health started to improve. In a last ditch effort to “try anything”, Joyce decided to try eating a Whole Food Plant Based Diet. After only a couple of weeks, her seizures lessened, she was able to reduce the doses on some medications. Over the next couple of years, Joyce dug deeper into plant based nutrition and today, Joyce is Lupus Free and 100% Medication Free. And today, she is here to share her journey and story with you.

In the episode of Stories of Self-Healing, you are going to hear Joyce Hale share her story about overcoming Lupus. Just a few years ago, Joyce’s Lupus had advanced to the point where her medications were not stopping the progression of her illness and almost every organ in her body attacked by this disease. She was having daily seizures which were causing her to face the reality that soon, she would no longer be able to work. Joyce already had a titanium plate holding one side of her jaw together and was recently informed that she would need to get another plate to hold the other side of her jaw together. Doctors told her that the only way avoid this was to get her Lupus under control. But after years of struggling with this disease, her health started to improve. In a last ditch effort to “try anything”, Joyce decided to try eating a Whole Food Plant Based Diet. After only a couple of weeks, her seizures lessened, she was able to reduce the doses on some medications. Over the next couple of years, Joyce dug deeper into plant based nutrition and today, Joyce is Lupus Free and 100% Medication Free. And today, she is here to share her journey and story with you.

SOSH 24: Joyce Hale

Jeannine Elder

One thing about a vegan diet that I find really interesting is how many subcultures there are within it. There are plant based vegans, vegans who follow a fruit only diet, there’s the high carb low fat approach, and there are also people who follow a potato diet. Have you heard about this kind of diet? Where you eat only or mostly potatoes?  I know what you might be thinking “But potatoes make you fat”... Well, Today I have Jeannine Elder with me who is going to share her story about following a potato diet. In February of 2017, Jeannine ate only potatoes for an entire month. She lost 8 pounds that month and was able to diminish her junk food cravings and reset her taste buds. Now, a year later, Jeannine still follows a modified potato diet and is continuing to lose weight. Jeannine has also struggled with Hashimoto's Disease which is the most common type of thyroid disorder in America, affecting over 14 million people. Today Jeannine is going to share all about her journey with the potato diet, how this diet and approach have affected her Hashimoto's and what she is doing to help others have their own health transformation. One thing I really love about Jeannine’s story is that she didn’t have this crazy overnight health transformation. She didn’t see this rapid change in her health but she didn’t give up on her health either. Jeannine is now helping numerous men and women achieve their health goals with a potato diet and she is also helping women with autoimmune conditions realize that they too can achieve a healthy weight with the power of the potato.

One thing about a vegan diet that I find really interesting is how many subcultures there are within it. There are plant based vegans, vegans who follow a fruit only diet, there’s the high carb low fat approach, and there are also people who follow a potato diet. Have you heard about this kind of diet? Where you eat only or mostly potatoes?  I know what you might be thinking “But potatoes make you fat”... Well, Today I have Jeannine Elder with me who is going to share her story about following a potato diet. In February of 2017, Jeannine ate only potatoes for an entire month. She lost 8 pounds that month and was able to diminish her junk food cravings and reset her taste buds. Now, a year later, Jeannine still follows a modified potato diet and is continuing to lose weight. Jeannine has also struggled with Hashimoto's Disease which is the most common type of thyroid disorder in America, affecting over 14 million people. Today Jeannine is going to share all about her journey with the potato diet, how this diet and approach have affected her Hashimoto's and what she is doing to help others have their own health transformation. One thing I really love about Jeannine’s story is that she didn’t have this crazy overnight health transformation. She didn’t see this rapid change in her health but she didn’t give up on her health either. Jeannine is now helping numerous men and women achieve their health goals with a potato diet and she is also helping women with autoimmune conditions realize that they too can achieve a healthy weight with the power of the potato.

SOSH 23: Jeannine Elder

Eric O'Grey

Just a few years ago, Eric weighed over 320 lbs and was spending over $1000 per month on medications for a host of health problems, including Diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and more.  Then one day Eric decided to pay a visit to a Naturopathic doctor, and this doctor recommended that he make some lifestyle changes, which included diet changes and also, adopting a dog.   In this interview, you'll discover how Eric went from rock bottom to finding happiness, joy, and health in life, with help from his dog Peety.

SOSH 22: Eric O'Grey

Steven Lawenda

Dr. Lawenda, a Family Practice Provider for Kaiser Permanente, struggled with obesity and had a family history of diabetes and heart disease. Both his father and grandfather suffered heart attacks at a young age and Dr. Lawenda worried that if he didn't make some serious improvements to his own health, that he was destined for a life of similar health struggles.   Not learning much about nutrition in medical school, Dr. Lawenda tackled his weight with the only two strategies he knew, exercise and portion control. After years of yo-yo dieting, he felt like a failure and like he was simply genetically destined to be overweight and sick.   After haphazardly stumbling into the science of plant based nutrition, Dr. Lawenda was curious. He found the concept of eating whole plant foods without portion control very logical and appealing. He tried it out and was really blown away by his results. He began dropping weight at a steady pace and after 8 months, had lost 75 pounds.   After having his own health transformation, he wanted to share this plant based approach with his own patients.    In this episode, you will hear Dr. Lawenda discuss:   - The types of transformations that he has seen in his own patients - How he went from Yo-Yo Dieting to losing 75 pounds and keeping it off - Practical tips to make plants the center of your dinner plate   And much more....   This is an interesting episode with a lot of take aways so, if you are sitting down, be sure to grab a pen and take notes

SOSH 21: Dr. Steven Lawenda

Monica Aggarwal

Dr. Aggarwal is a Board Certified Cardiologist.  She has expertise in heart failure, pulmonary hypertension and prevention.  Her path in prevention started with her own illness when she was diagnosed with RA. It was then, with the fear she would not practice medicine again, that she found her path to whole body medicine. In this interview we discuss: -Being Diagnosed with RA -Going from MD to becoming a patient -What is the Leaky Gut and what is it's association with auto-immune disease and inflammatory illnesses -The impact of dairy and inflammation and it's connection to Leaky Gut -The work and research she is doing at University of Florida on the gut biome - How she has been able to heal from RA with a plant based diet.

Dr. Aggarwal is a Board Certified Cardiologist.  She has expertise in heart failure, pulmonary hypertension and prevention. Her path in prevention started with her own illness when she was diagnosed with RA. It was then, with the fear she would not practice medicine again, that she found her path to whole body medicine. In this interview we discuss: -Being Diagnosed with RA -Going from MD to becoming a patient -What is the Leaky Gut and what is it's association with auto-immune disease and inflammatory illnesses -The impact of dairy and inflammation and it's connection to Leaky Gut -The work and research she is doing at University of Florida on the gut biome - How she has been able to heal from RA with a plant based diet.

SOSH 20: Dr. Monica Aggarwal

Kate McGoey-Smith

Kate, like myself, is a nurse, she was living a busy life like many of us do and one day, she developed a cough. Now, this was no ordinary cough and it developed into a lung condition which put Kate on the lung transplant list in a short amount of time. Not only that, Kate quickly developed Diabetes and heart failure. Kate was told she had 2-5 years left to live. A stroke of luck led Kate to a plant based lifestyle and today Kate is thriving and contributes to the whole food plant based community as a Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine Life Instructor at Fork Smart.

Kate, like myself, is a nurse, she was living a busy life like many of us do and one day, she developed a cough. Now, this was no ordinary cough and it developed into a lung condition which put Kate on the lung transplant list in a short amount of time. Not only that, Kate quickly developed Diabetes and heart failure. Kate was told she had 2-5 years left to live. A stroke of luck led Kate to a plant based lifestyle and today Kate is thriving and contributes to the whole food plant based community as a Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine Life Instructor at Fork Smart.

SOSH 19: Kate McGoey-Smith

Paul Chatlin

"My Cardiologist gave me two options, bypass surgery or try "Plant Based Nutrition." - Paul Chatlin.  Paul has a story of chronic debilitating chest pain, and a diagnosis of coronary artery disease that will stop you in your tracks, just like it did to Paul.  Through a series of miracles, Paul was able to avoid having major heart surgery, no longer has chest pain and he has watched his health transform.  Paul is the founder of the Plant Based Nutrition Support Group, is now devoting his life to giving back, and is here to share his story with you today.

"My Cardiologist gave me two options, bypass surgery or try "Plant Based Nutrition." - Paul Chatlin. Paul has a story of chronic debilitating chest pain, and a diagnosis of coronary artery disease that will stop you in your tracks, just like it did to Paul. Through a series of miracles, Paul was able to avoid having major heart surgery, no longer has chest pain and he has watched his health transform. Paul is the founder of the Plant Based Nutrition Support Group, is now devoting his life to giving back, and is here to share his story with you today.

SOSH 18: Paul Chatlin

Tim Kaufman

In this episode, Nurse Kristin interviews Tim Kaufman. Tim is such a great example of what happens when we stop making excuses and start accepting challenges. In his late 30’s, Tim weighed over 400 pounds and struggled with an addiction to painkillers and had just kind of accepted that this might be how his life is going to be. But then one day, he was told by his doctor that he was on his way to an early death. So, Tim stopped making excuses and started making changes. Today, Tim is a Marathon runner, a motivational speaker and an inspiration to so many who are seeking to make a healthy lifestyle change.

In this episode, Nurse Kristin interviews Tim Kaufman. Tim is such a great example of what happens when we stop making excuses and start accepting challenges. In his late 30’s, Tim weighed over 400 pounds and struggled with an addiction to painkillers and had just kind of accepted that this might be how his life is going to be. But then one day, he was told by his doctor that he was on his way to an early death. So, Tim stopped making excuses and started making changes. Today, Tim is a Marathon runner, a motivational speaker and an inspiration to so many who are seeking to make a healthy lifestyle change.

SOSH 17: Tim Kaufman

Josh LaJaunie

Born and raised on the bayou in Southern Louisiana, Josh grew up with a lethal relationship to food that caused him to become over 400 pounds.    It was when the New Orleans Saints won the Super Bowl in 2010, that Josh realized the impossible is possible. This forever changed Josh. Something that he believed could never and would never happen, happened.    Soon after this, Josh changed his way of thinking and let go of what he thought was normal. Josh went to college, got an education, started working out, started losing weight, and then started running.   Once Josh started running, he stopped caring so much about the number on the scale and started caring about optimal health and fitness. And it was those things that became his biggest driver.   Josh soon decided to go to the "next level" and decided to really clean up his diet. Josh cut out all meat and dairy and started running marathons and eventually has now worked his way up to running Ultra Marathons.    Josh has completely changed his lifestyle and has been inspiring others along the way. He now speaks on stages about health and fitness and really is a great example of how no matter where you are in life or what you perceive your limitation to be, you can overcome those obstacles and truly create something great.

Born and raised on the bayou in Southern Louisiana, Josh grew up with a lethal relationship to food that caused him to become over 400 pounds.    It was when the New Orleans Saints won the Super Bowl in 2010, that Josh realized the impossible is possible. This forever changed Josh. Something that he believed could never and would never happen, happened.    Soon after this, Josh changed his way of thinking and let go of what he thought was normal. Josh went to college, got an education, started working out, started losing weight, and then started running.   Once Josh started running, he stopped caring so much about the number on the scale and started caring about optimal health and fitness. And it was those things that became his biggest driver.   Josh soon decided to go to the "next level" and decided to really clean up his diet. Josh cut out all meat and dairy and started running marathons and eventually has now worked his way up to running Ultra Marathons.    Josh has completely changed his lifestyle and has been inspiring others along the way. He now speaks on stages about health and fitness and really is a great example of how no matter where you are in life or what you perceive your limitation to be, you can overcome those obstacles and truly create something great.

SOSH 15: Josh LaJaunie

Jill Brunkhardt

Jill had a hard time losing weight no matter how much she exercised, and she was eventually diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. One day, Jill stumbled across an opportunity to be featured on the reality television show, The Big Fat Truth. She got on the show, and within 10 days of following The Big Fat Truth Diet, an entirely plant based, whole food diet, she was able to reverse her Diabetes and get off those medications. Jill has a story that is sure to inspire and really shows how our health destiny is in our own hands.

Jill had a hard time losing weight no matter how much she exercised, and she was eventually diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. One day, Jill stumbled across an opportunity to be featured on the reality television show, The Big Fat Truth. She got on the show, and within 10 days of following The Big Fat Truth Diet, an entirely plant based, whole food diet, she was able to reverse her Diabetes and get off those medications. Jill has a story that is sure to inspire and really shows how our health destiny is in our own hands.

SOSH14: Jill Brunkhardt

Stories of Self-Healing is a bi-weekly podcast featuring Nurse Kristin's interviews with courageous men and women who have conquered serious health challenges and even reversed chronic disease such as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis after making diet and lifestyle changes.  Many of these men and women have gone on to be influential in helping others make similar changes in their own life.  Whether you want to help others learn about alternative natural ways to improve their health, or you are simply seeking inspiration for making changes in your own life, these Stories of Self-Healing of self-healing are sure to inspire and guide you!

Steven Mattis

""I lost a total of 55 pounds. My BMI dropped from 30 to 23. My total cholesterol dropped 90 points without statins. I reached my ideal weight within three months. I have been on the whole food, plant-based (WFPB) diet since 2014. I have never looked back nor do I miss the Standard American Diet."  - Steven Mattis

""I lost a total of 55 pounds. My BMI dropped from 30 to 23. My total cholesterol dropped 90 points without statins. I reached my ideal weight within three months. I have been on the whole food, plant-based (WFPB) diet since 2014. I have never looked back nor do I miss the Standard American Diet."  - Steven Mattis

SOSH13: Steven Mattis

Heather Goodwin

Heather has an amazing weight loss success story.  She's lost over 285 lbs and has an ultimate goal of losing 300 lbs.  She has been able to lose this weight with diet and exercise... no weight loss surgery, no pills or magic pills or shakes...   In this interview, she shares how she's been able to lose this much weight by making some simple diet and lifestyle changes...

Heather has an amazing weight loss success story.  She's lost over 285 lbs and has an ultimate goal of losing 300 lbs.  She has been able to lose this weight with diet and exercise... no weight loss surgery, no pills or magic pills or shakes...   In this interview, she shares how she's been able to lose this much weight by making some simple diet and lifestyle changes...

SOSH12: Heather Goodwin

Hear how Chef AJ overcame a horrible food addiction, lost over 50 pounds, and now helps others to transition to a healthier lifestyle and diet.

Hear how Chef AJ overcame a horrible food addiction, lost over 50 pounds, and now helps others to transition to a healthier lifestyle and diet.

SOSH11: Chef AJ

Robby Barbaro

Robby was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 12 and began exploring a plant based lifestyle as a teenager.  Since adapting to a plant based high fruit diet, Robby lives a vibrant, active life while keeping his A1C below 6.4%. Robby has a passion of helping people with diabetes and inspiring others to achieve an optimal level of health.  He is the co-founder of Mastering Diabetes and is the founder of the Mindful Diabetic. 

Robby was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 12 and began exploring a plant based lifestyle as a teenager.  Since adapting to a plant based high fruit diet, Robby lives a vibrant, active life while keeping his A1C below 6.4%. Robby has a passion of helping people with diabetes and inspiring others to achieve an optimal level of health.  He is the co-founder of Mastering Diabetes and is the founder of the Mindful Diabetic.

SOSH10: Robby Barbaro

Adam Sud

Growing up Adam always had an unhealthy relationship with food and a poor self image.  By the age of 30, he was a drug addict, suffered from severe depression, and weighed over 300 pounds. Then one day he woke up and decided he was ready to make change.  So he checked into rehab in August of 2012, where he was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes.  Shortly after that he made the decision that would change the course of his life, switching to a plant based diet.  Within 6 months, he reversed his Type 2 Diabetes and lost over 100 pounds in the first year.  Now he's happy, and helping others as a holistic lifestyle coach, teaching nutrition as a tool for recover and relapse prevention to recovering addicts.

Growing up Adam always had an unhealthy relationship with food and a poor self image.  By the age of 30, he was a drug addict, suffered from severe depression, and weighed over 300 pounds. Then one day he woke up and decided he was ready to make change.  So he checked into rehab in August of 2012, where he was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. Shortly after that he made the decision that would change the course of his life, switching to a plant based diet.  Within 6 months, he reversed his Type 2 Diabetes and lost over 100 pounds in the first year. Now he's happy, and helping others as a holistic lifestyle coach, teaching nutrition as a tool for recover and relapse prevention to recovering addicts.

SOSH9: Adam Sud

In 2010, Melissa had a number of health problems she was dealing with. She was taking 5 different medications for acid reflux, allergies, depression, her thyroid, and an estrogen pill. She was prediabetic, had hypertension, high cholesterol, was diagnosed with fatty liver disease and weighed in at over 300 pounds and had failed lap-band surgery. Today, Melissa is off all of her medications, she has lost over 80 pounds, grows her own greens, and is enjoying living an active lifestyle.

In 2010, Melissa had a number of health problems she was dealing with. She was taking 5 different medications for acid reflux, allergies, depression, her thyroid, and an estrogen pill. She was prediabetic, had hypertension, high cholesterol, was diagnosed with fatty liver disease and weighed in at over 300 pounds and had failed lap-band surgery. Today, Melissa is off all of her medications, she has lost over 80 pounds, grows her own greens, and is enjoying living an active lifestyle.

SOSH8: Melissa Dodd-Ruesing

Caryn Dugan

After watching her father die of Prostate Cancer, Caryn was also diagnosed with cancer. Caryn likes to say that she was "brushed with cancer" as she was able to have it surgically removed. The removal was successful but Caryn was afraid it would come back and knew her immune system wasn't strong enough to fight it. She researched the best diet for cancer and natural ways to heal from cancer and found article after article about plant based nutrition. She went from a low carb all natural frozen meal diet to shopping the produce aisle over night. At first, She was afraid to cook plants because she didn't know how. Cooking food that didn't come with instructions was new to Caryn but, she stuck with it and 10 years later, her cancer hasn't come back. Caryn is dedicating her life to teaching others how to heal their bodies with and achieve optimal health by teaching plant based cooking classes in St. Louis Missouri.

After watching her father die of Prostate Cancer, Caryn was also diagnosed with cancer. Caryn likes to say that she was "brushed with cancer" as she was able to have it surgically removed. The removal was successful but Caryn was afraid it would come back and knew her immune system wasn't strong enough to fight it. She researched the best diet for cancer and natural ways to heal from cancer and found article after article about plant based nutrition. She went from a low carb all natural frozen meal diet to shopping the produce aisle over night. At first, She was afraid to cook plants because she didn't know how. Cooking food that didn't come with instructions was new to Caryn but, she stuck with it and 10 years later, her cancer hasn't come back. Caryn is dedicating her life to teaching others how to heal their bodies with and achieve optimal health by teaching plant based cooking classes in St. Louis Missouri.

SOSH7: Caryn Dugan

Amy Johnson

"Diabetes is a condition, not a disease. It can be manipulated by how you live." - Amy Johnson AKA Mrs. Plant.  Just a couple of years ago, Amy was struggling with Type 2 Diabetes, Osteopenia, and was severely Obese. Then one day, after some education and motivation, Amy cleaned out her entire kitchen, switched her way of eating, and now, Amy is no longer taking medications. She has learned how to manage her diabetes with diet and lifestyle changes.

"Diabetes is a condition, not a disease. It can be manipulated by how you live." - Amy Johnson AKA Mrs. Plant.  Just a couple of years ago, Amy was struggling with Type 2 Diabetes, Osteopenia, and was severely Obese. Then one day, after some education and motivation, Amy cleaned out her entire kitchen, switched her way of eating, and now, Amy is no longer taking medications. She has learned how to manage her diabetes with diet and lifestyle changes.

SOSH6: Amy Johnson

Ryan Luelf

Listen to the incredible story of Now-Cancer-Free Ryan Luelf. Hear how we went from being diagnosed with State IV Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, having tumors all over his body, and being told by his doctors that he could either choose their traditional treatment to possibly extend his life, or do nothing and die... To rejecting his doctors advice, choosing his OWN PATH to health, and getting his health back.

Listen to the incredible story of Now-Cancer-Free Ryan Luelf. Hear how we went from being diagnosed with State IV Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, having tumors all over his body, and being told by his doctors that he could either choose their traditional treatment to possibly extend his life, or do nothing and die... To rejecting his doctors advice, choosing his OWN PATH to health, and getting his health back.

SOSH5: Ryan Luelf

Carb Hannah

Hannah has a story like many of us do. She struggled with weight loss for years and was having a hard time finding the best diet and routine to lose weight and maintain that weight loss.  In 2014, Hannah decided to commit to a high carb low fat plant based diet. She started a YouTube channel to share her journey and to keep herself accontable. Today, Hannah has over 240,000 YouTube subscribers, 137,000 followers on Instagram, and over 20,000 fans on Facebook. Since 2014, Hannah has lost over 60 pounds, has kept that weight off, and is continuing to lose weight and get fit, all while helping others achieve the same results.

Hannah has a story like many of us do. She struggled with weight loss for years and was having a hard time finding the best diet and routine to lose weight and maintain that weight loss.  In 2014, Hannah decided to commit to a high carb low fat plant based diet. She started a YouTube channel to share her journey and to keep herself accontable. Today, Hannah has over 240,000 YouTube subscribers, 137,000 followers on Instagram, and over 20,000 fans on Facebook. Since 2014, Hannah has lost over 60 pounds, has kept that weight off, and is continuing to lose weight and get fit, all while helping others achieve the same results.

SOSH4: High Carb Hannah

I was so happy to find a podcast with a plant based nutrition focus and real life stories. People need to hear this information and Nurse Kristin is just the person to deliver. These are such inspiring interviews. Thank you for all of the work you do to shine a light on what a plant Based diet can do for our health, Kristin!

I finally found my people!

Informative and knowledgeable show. Look forward to more.

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