Mind Body Medicine for Self Healers

This podcast episode features a powerful role reversal as host Sarah Dawkins, author of Heal Yourself and a registered nurse, steps into the interviewee seat. Guest host Bethany Shipley explores Sarah’s journey from the front lines of cardiothoracic nursing to becoming a global advocate for natural self-healing.Episode OverviewSarah spent years on the front lines of surgery, surrounded by the best medicine money could buy. But while she was saving lives, her own body was falling apart. Psoriasis, depression, PTSD and chronic pain.Sarah didn't just find a new prescription, she found a new path. Meet Sarah Dawkins: The nurse who stopped following orders, defied her training and healed herself. We’re diving into the "crisis of conscience" that changed everything.Why Listen?If you have ever felt "sick and tired of being sick and tired," this episode offers a roadmap of hope. Sarah’s story proves that healing isn't just for a "special" few, it is a possibility for anyone willing to listen to their body and step outside their comfort zone.Key Topics & Timestamps02:10 The specific 2005 encounter in a Florida hospital that challenged Sarah’s beliefs about pharmaceuticals.02:54 Navigating a deep depression and the "crisis of conscience" while working in cardiothoracic surgery.03:53 Why Sarah hid her book for 5 years and how she eventually gathered 74 contributors to provide "social proof" that healing happens.07:01 The moment Sarah was reported to the nursing board for sharing her natural thyroid healing journey.09:42 A list of the physical conditions Sarah healed, from psoriasis and acid reflux to chronic joint pain and PTSD.12:06 An honest look at bulimia, emotional eating, and how "disgust" became a catalyst for change.18:05 Sarah’s simple rule: "If I don't buy it, I can't eat it."20:34 The "Single-Ingredient Food" strategy for feeding picky kids and busy families.24:29 Why Sarah chose to bypass traditional publishing to get the message to the public faster.28:02 Understanding the metaphysical link between "frozen shoulders" and carrying the weight of the world.29:51 How spinal pain often correlates to feelings of financial or personal insecurity.31:41 Using short meditations to stop "checking out" via food, alcohol, or scrolling.33:45 Why we are afraid to trust our own feelings and how to stop seeking external approval.Bethany's Bio Bethany Shipley is a writer, speaker, and philosophical guide for people who are ready to live a life that is true to them.Her work centers around a powerful idea: Being influences Doing. When you understand who you are at your core and have the courage to live from that place, your actions naturally align and your life begins to reflect something deeply authentic.Bethany is known for blending grounded insight with spiritual depth, helping people reconnect to their instinct, expression, and internal compass. She moves beyond hype and surface-level encouragement, guiding people into a lived experience of alignment.Through her podcast, Market Your Personal Brand and upcoming book, she empowers and inspires people to live an authentic life.Connect with Bethany https://www.bethanyshipley.com/Who am I?Sarah Dawkins is a passionate Holistic Health and Healing Coach, international speaker and author of Heal Yourself. She’s also a multi-award-winning entrepreneur and the award-winning host of the uplifting podcast Mind Body Medicine for Self Healers with Sarah Dawkins.With over 20 years’ experience as a Registered Nurse, Sarah combines her deep understanding of conventional medicine with her own powerful self-healing journey to create a truly integrative approach. Having overcome multiple chronic health challenges herself, she now supports others in uncovering and addressing the root causes of their symptoms, helping them restore balance, reclaim their energy and create lasting, vibrant wellness.www.sarahdawkins.com

Is your body failing you, or is it trying to get your attention? In this episode, we challenge the frustrating cycle of "doing everything right", eating well, taking supplements and managing stress, only to find that your body still isn't healing. Drawing inspiration from the profound work of Caroline Myss, we explore the connection between your emotional life and physical health, diving deep into the concept of "Woundology" and how your biography becomes your biology. What We Cover:Healing isn’t just physical; your body is constantly responding to your thoughts, emotions and energy. We break down the Seven Graces to help you shift from a state of burnout to one of balance: Reverence: Shifting from speaking to your body like it’s broken to treating it like it’s wise. Gratitude: Moving beyond "toxic positivity" to create a subtle nervous system shift. Humility: Softening the grip of needing to control every outcome. Endurance: Learning to stay present with discomfort instead of numbing through distractions. Forgiveness: Releasing the stored resentment and emotional weight that manifests physically. Faith: Trusting the healing process even when the results aren't instant. Compassion: Silencing the inner critic that is dysregulating your nervous system. Experience the Shift. This episode includes a guided "Grace Check-In" practice. This short, experiential meditation is designed to help you stop pushing and start listening to what your body is truly asking of you. 00:52 Healing as "Being" vs. "Doing" : A fundamental shift in perspective where healing is defined not just by routines or protocols, but by who you are being while you perform them. 02:18 The Seven Graces Framework : Inspired by Caroline Myss, these seven internal shifts (Reverence, Gratitude, Humility, Endurance, Forgiveness, Faith, and Compassion) are introduced as tools for recovery 03:10 The Concept of Woundology : A syndrome where individuals may subconsciously use illness to manipulate their environment rather than pursuing true healing. 03:38 Biography Becomes Biology : The concept that life experiences, traumas, and stress physically alter the body's chemistry and immune function. 10:49 The Inner Critic and the Nervous System : Highlighting how self-judgment and internal pressure physically dysregulate the nervous system. 11:47 The Body as a Responsive System : The core message that the body isn't "broken" or failing, but is actively responding to physical, mental, and spiritual "food". 12:46 A short meditation to connect with your body. Stop fighting your body and start healing from the inside out. Ready to go deeper into the physical, mental, and spiritual sides of healing?Connect with Sarah: www.sarahdawkins.com Listen: Subscribe for more episodes on how to heal naturally and live fully.Who am I?Sarah Dawkins is a passionate Holistic Health and Healing Coach, international speaker and author of Heal Yourself. She’s also a multi-award-winning entrepreneur and the award-winning host of the uplifting podcast Mind Body Medicine for Self Healers with Sarah Dawkins.With over 20 years’ experience as a Registered Nurse, Sarah combines her deep understanding of conventional medicine with her own powerful self-healing journey to create a truly integrative approach. Having overcome multiple chronic health challenges herself, she now supports others in uncovering and addressing the root causes of their symptoms, helping them restore balance, reclaim their energy and create lasting, vibrant wellness.www.sarahdawkins.com#burnoutprevention #burnouttobalance #bodyconnection #reconnectwithyourself #calminthechaos

What do you do when the only treatment offered isn't working? Chris Joseph, author of Life is a Ride, discusses his remarkable recovery from inoperable stage III pancreatic cancer. After traditional chemotherapy failed and his tumor continued to grow, Chris made the pivotal decision to fire his oncologist and take full command of his health "terrain."Chris shares the multi-faceted approach that led to his survival nearly a decade after his diagnosis. We dive deep into the metabolic approach to cancer, the power of intuition and why healing is never a passive process.Key Information and Time Stamps01:34 Chris recounts his "jarring" diagnosis of stage III inoperable pancreatic cancer. A critical discussion follows on how a doctor’s suggestion to "go home and pray" can inadvertently rob a patient of hope07:24 The pivotal moment when Chris quit chemotherapy after his tumor continued to grow. The transition from a passive patient to an active participant and the profound peace that comes with taking responsibility for one's own healing path.12:18 Chris details his three-week intensive in Germany, highlighting integrative medicine, non-Western treatments including Vitamin C infusions, B17, ozone therapy, hyperthermia and dendritic stem cell therapy, to rebuild his immune system ravaged by chemo.16:19 A deep dive into why 90% of cancers are not hereditary. Chris and Sarah discuss environmental toxins, lifestyle choices and chronic stress as controllable factors that offer an opportunity for radical life changes.27:28 Chris shares his daily health stack: using a portable infrared sauna for 90 minutes, adopting a low-carb/keto-leaning diet and the simple but powerful mental filter of asking, "Is this food going to help me or hurt me?"32:49 A fascinating look at the nervous system's role in recovery. Sarah and Chris discuss why they both ditched the Television and how toxic news cycles agitate the body, preventing the relaxation response necessary for deep healing.40:11 Chris provides his top three tips: take charge, trust your intuition and embrace the work. He emphasizes that while healing requires immense effort, the result is a quality of life far superior to his pre-cancer years.Chris' Bio Chris Joseph is a certified Terrain Advocate in the Metabolic Approach to Cancer and a certified Radical Remission Coach. Diagnosed in 2016 with stage 3 inoperable pancreatic cancer, Chris chose to expand beyond conventional protocols and focus on transforming his internal terrain—metabolic, emotional, environmental, and spiritual. Nearly a decade later, he continues to thrive.Through one-on-one coaching, workshops, online communities, and retreats, Chris helps individuals and families take control of their health with clarity and confidence. His approach emphasizes informed choice, personal responsibility, and the understanding that healing is not passive—it requires participation.He is the author of Life is a Ride: My Unconventional Journey of Cancer Recovery.Connect with Chris https://terrainnavigators.com/https://www.facebook.com/chrisjosephInSantaMonicahttps://www.facebook.com/share/g/17GkZCy4ug/https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=terrain%20navigatorsWho am I?Sarah Dawkins is a passionate Holistic Health and Healing Coach, international speaker and author of Heal Yourself. She’s also a multi-award-winning entrepreneur and the award-winning host of the uplifting podcast Mind Body Medicine for Self Healers with Sarah Dawkins.With over 20 years’ experience as a Registered Nurse, Sarah combines her deep understanding of conventional medicine with her own powerful self-healing journey to create a truly integrative approach. Having overcome multiple chronic health challenges herself, she now supports others in uncovering and addressing the root causes of their symptoms, helping them restore balance, reclaim their energy and create lasting, vibrant wellness.www.sarahdawkins.com

In this episode of Mind Body Medicine for Self Healers, we dive into a topic that isn’t discussed nearly enough: the immense internal toll of being "the strong one". On the outside, you look reliable and composed, but underneath, the effort to keep going, no matter what, is becoming physically and emotionally exhausting. We explore:The "hidden cost" of maintaining a perfect exterior while feeling depleted inside. Why the pressure to be the reliable one is a silent contributor to chronic stress. How to start acknowledging the weight of "holding it together" so you can begin to truly heal. If you’re the woman everyone else leans on, this conversation is for you. It’s time to name the exhaustion and look at what it’s actually costing your body and mind. Key Information and time stamps00:50 The Appearance of "Handling It" : Sarah discusses how women often look like they have everything under control on the outside, even when they are internally exhausted.01:08 What "Holding It Together" Looks Like : This pattern often manifests as being the person everyone relies on and pushing through tasks even when the body is asking to stop.01:50 The Problem with "Functioning" : Sarah shares her personal experience of not realizing how much she was carrying because she was still able to cope and do what needed to be done.02:52 The "Wired but Tired" Cost : Constant internal holding can lead to low-level exhaustion and a body that never feels fully at ease or able to relax.04:15 Why Resting Feels Unsafe : For those used to being alert and in control, letting go can actually feel uncomfortable or unsafe rather than relieving.05:30 The Power of Awareness : Shifting the pattern begins with getting curious about what you are holding and using awareness to soften the automatic response.Listen now to start unburdening yourself. Who am I? Sarah Dawkins is a passionate Holistic Health and Healing Coach, international speaker and author of Heal Yourself. She’s also a multi-award-winning entrepreneur and the award-winning host of the uplifting podcast Mind Body Medicine for Self Healers with Sarah Dawkins.With over 20 years’ experience as a Registered Nurse, Sarah combines her deep understanding of conventional medicine with her own powerful self-healing journey to create a truly integrative approach. Having overcome multiple chronic health challenges herself, she now supports others in uncovering and addressing the root causes of their symptoms, helping them restore balance, reclaim their energy and create lasting, vibrant wellness.www.sarahdawkins.com#TheStrongOne #HoldingItTogether #HighFunctioningAnxiety #WiredButTired #BurnoutPrevention

Are you ready to stop being a victim of your diagnosis and become the master of your own body?In this powerful episode of Mind Body Medicine for Self-Healers, host Sarah Dawkins welcomes Karen Zuzu Armes, an international holistic health educator and founder of the School of Natural Medicine. Zuzu shares the science-backed, practical strategies she used to reverse "permanent" conditions: epilepsy, scoliosis and arthritis.We Explore:The GABA Connection: How Zuzu ended 34 years of seizures by repairing her nervous system with GABA-rich foods and healthy oils.The Truth About Topical Oils: Why coconut oil won't absorb into your skin and why Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the secret "humectant" for delivering minerals like magnesium into your body.Reversing Scoliosis: A deep dive into Myofascial Release, the "Angel of Pain" and how stretching and oxygenation can literally straighten the spine.Healing Arthritis with Alkalinity: Why arthritis only thrives in an acidic environment and how Zuzu used collagen and a pH-balanced diet (80/20 rule) to clear spinal inflammation.The Frequency of Emotion: The fascinating link between stuck emotions and physical organs, why anger lives in the liver and sorrow in the lungs.The "Master of Your Body" Mindset: Zuzu’s ultimate tip for anyone facing a health crisis and how to find your "inner pharmacy."Key Highlights & Timestamps:03:33 Why your nervous system is made of the oils you eat.11:10 Reversing scoliosis at age 55 through fascia manipulation.20:46 The ultimate list of GABA-rich foods (from almonds to shiitake mushrooms).25:50 Debunking the Coconut Oil Myth: Why it's not the best carrier for topical healing.28:55 The emotional roots of arthritis: How releasing trauma can heal the joints.30:40 Organ frequencies: Understanding how the liver, kidneys, and heart vibrational frequencies with specific emotions.33:10 "Where focus goes, energy flows"—Zuzu’s final message on self-belief.Karen's Bio Karen “ZuZu” Ziemer Armes is a holistic health educator, author and speaker known for her practical, science-backed approach to helping people restore and sustain vibrant health. After reversing her own epilepsy, scoliosis, and arthritis through holistic strategies, ZuZu has dedicated decades to empowering others to reclaim their health. She has presented more than 2,500 seminars, authored four health books and guided thousands through transformative, action-oriented education.ZuZu is the co-founder and co-owner of Holistic Health Educators (HHE) and Lilly Fields Retreat Center, where she leads a global holistic health education platform serving over 45,000 wellness seekers worldwide. Her work focuses on gut and cellular healing, sustainable energy and integrative longevity, blending lived experience with accessible science to inspire confidence, awareness, and lasting health transformation.Connect with Zuzu www.ZuZuUnleashed.comhttps://www.instagram.com/lillyfieldscenter/ https://www.facebook.com/LillyFieldsWC/Who am I? Sarah Dawkins is a passionate Holistic Health and Healing Coach, international speaker and author of Heal Yourself. She’s also a multi-award-winning entrepreneur and the award-winning host of the uplifting podcast Mind Body Medicine for Self Healers with Sarah Dawkins.With over 20 years’ experience as a Registered Nurse, Sarah combines her deep understanding of conventional medicine with her own powerful self-healing journey to create a truly integrative approach. Having overcome multiple chronic health challenges herself, she now supports others in uncovering and addressing the root causes of their symptoms, helping them restore balance, reclaim their energy and create lasting, vibrant wellness.www.sarahdawkins.com#epilepsytreatment #scoliosistreatment #arthritisrelief #naturalhealing