In this episode we dive into what life is like living with a chronic illness, from diagnosis, through treatment, all the way to recovery and beyond with Brandi Dean. Brandi is a Holistic Wellness Coach who is passionate about helping women heal, thrive and live a life of happiness by nourishing their body, mind and spirit. She is a surviver of Lyme disease, and is also the founder of Harvard-affiliated, The Dean Center for Tick Borne Illness at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. Her personal experience as a young mother with Lyme disease led her to identify a need for a multidisciplinary center to treat, rehabilitate, and recover individuals suffering from persistent tick borne illness. Acting as an advisor and advocate, she joined hands with both physicians and leadership at Spaulding Rehab to help open the first center imbedded in a major academic medical institution focused on treating patients with chronic tick-borne illnesses. Brandi continues to serve as an active Advisory Board member for the Dean Center for Tick Borne Illness. Her story has been featured in the Boston Globe, DoctorOz.com, Fox News Boston, WCVB Boston, NPR, Good Housekeeping, and Wellesley Weston Magazine.  Brandi has been a passionate advocate for patients with Lyme disease since 2011. She founded and was co-president of the Massachusetts Lyme Association, whose mission was to support and educate local patients, caregivers, and physicians by offering bi-weekly support groups and educational presentations by doctors, authors, herbalists, and nutritionists from all over the country. Her determination to make a positive difference in the lives of patients with Lyme disease is additionally demonstrated in her leadership of Ride Out Lyme, a charity event she designed and that raises financial grants for adults with the illness. The event is held annually at SoulCycle in Boston, NYC and Los Angeles with expansion into other cities.  We touch on:   〰️Brandi’s journey with chronic illness, and more specifically lyme disease 〰️The power of becoming your own health advocate and standing up for your health  〰️How Brandi has coped not only with having lyme herself, but also how she has been able to help her son heal from the same illness  〰️The power of community when dealing with a chronic illness, and especially a community of those who are suffering from the same health issues.  〰️What a flare of lyme looks like and how she is able to get back on track with her health after a flare up  〰️And we also talk about many, many resources that are available to those who are living with lyme and/or tick borne illness  You can connect with Brandi on www.brandidean.com and on Instagram at @brandi.j.dean.  RESOURCES:  rideoutlyme.org  Bay Area Lyme Foundation  Generation Lyme  Lymedisease.org  ___  PS: Have you grabbed a copy of my Healthy Gut Reset yet? This 3-day meal plan + guide will help you to give your body a break from all the processed, high sugar food that can be irritating to the gut without sacrificing flavor. It’s filled with tons of nutrient-dense foods that will aid in the restoration of the gut.  What’s included?  🌱A full 3-day plan of recommended meals + snacks  🌱A complete grocery list for ingredients needed  🌱A list of suggested supplements + why they’re suggested (however, you must consult with your doctor before taking any supplements)  🌱Mindfulness practices to help mitigate the stress component that can influence digestion and gut health  ---  Podcast art by Hannah Bellich. Music by Anchor.