I speak from first-hand experience when I say I understand how intimidating dealing with a serious health condition can be. Getting diagnosed with cancer 25 years ago was one of the most frightening moments of my life. I went to a total of three different doctors after my initial diagnosis. The first two scribbled their treatment plan on a prescription pad with the stereotypical attitude. They rattled off their expert opinion almost at me rather than to me. It was not quite with indignation but with almost no attentiveness. I don’t hold it against them, this is par for the course in mainstream medicine. Being a doctor within our current system has to be incredibly challenging and demanding. All I knew at the time was that this didn’t feel quite good enough for me.
The third doctor I went to was a different story. He sat down with me, looked me in the eye, and asked me what was going on in my world. He asked me questions about parts of my life and past that I never thought could be linked to my condition. Rather than shoving a prognosis and chemo in my face, he really dug deep. He was present the entire time and you could feel how much he genuinely cared about me as a human being. It was the first time in my life I felt truly seen by someone who bore the title of healthcare professional.
The connection I experienced with this doctor sparked a deep realization within me. It became very clear just how interdependent our emotions, trauma, and stress can be with our physical health. Had that doctor not given me the space to approach my own healing process with this attitude, I wouldn’t be in the place I am now.
I now carry this quality into my work with one on one clients. I see how desperately important it is for people to feel seen and cared for in order to heal. More often than not, clients will tell me their conversation with me is the first time anyone has really listened to them. For me, it’s not just about nutrition plans, diet, and cleanses. It’s about feeding someone’s soul with heartfelt understanding and food that has been prepared with the utmost care. It’s about truly seeing my clients as a whole person made up of all their experiences, and helping them cleanse emotionally. It’s about honoring them and giving them kind, attentive, and loving space. When someone comes to me with high cholesterol, my main concern isn’t just their labs and numbers. I want to know who they are and what they might be experiencing in their life, past and present. I’ve learned that understanding this is key to helping their physical symptoms. I know now that this is the first step of a true healing process.
When I think back to those other two doctors, and hear stories from friends and family with similar experiences, it saddens me. Far too many people accept mediocre, unattentive, and disconnected healthcare because they feel that’s the only option. I know now that in order to find real guidance in health and healing, you need someone who will truly listen to you. These are the qualities I continue to look for in practitioners and healers when it comes to my own health. If I don’t feel like their heart is in the right place, I don’t hesitate to walk away and find someone different.
I want my readers and clients to know that they too have the right to do the same. YOU deserve compassionate, heartfelt, and connected treatment from healers and providers. If you go to someone, doctor, chiropractor, alternative or otherwise and you don’t feel seen, don’t be afraid to seek other options.
It’s not all about how much knowledge we have in vitamins and minerals or about fancy tests and technology. At the end of the day, it’s the heart of the healer that makes the real difference. I urge you to seek that heart when it comes to your health journey and be that heart if you are helping others on theirs. I want you all to know that I’m committed to continuing to do my absolute best to serve you with the utmost heart and genuine care while working from a place of love.
