This week's episode is a happy accident.
I interviewed Elizabeth Bell in order to record a testimonial for WellStart Health, and ended up having a conversation so compelling and instructive and inspiring that I decided – with Elizabeth's blessing – to share the whole thing.
When Elizabeth first joined the WellStart program, she was more or less house-bound. A mysterious malady had taken her balance, her energy, and much of her eyesight. She was in danger of having to go on full disability, give up her professorship in astrophysics, and lose the apartment she had worked so long and hard to afford.
Her beloved pastimes – reading and playing cello and piano – were also out of reach due to her dizziness, fatigue, and blurred vision.
It's easy to see how Elizabeth could have felt like a victim at that point.
As a highly trained and accomplished scientist, she always looked to data for direction. But here, there was none. One specialist after another proclaimed themselves clueless. Without a diagnosis, there was no treatment plan.
I was nervous when Josh and I first met Elizabeth on a WellStart coaching call. We're confident that we can help people with obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune problems – since they're typically caused or exacerbated by lifestyle, they're typically responsive to lifestyle improvement.
But a set of symptoms like Elizabeth's? We had no idea if our approach would help, and we told her so.
After a few months, something clicked. We could see it in her forum posts, in her text threads with coaches, and in her mood and energy on the group calls.
Elizabeth decided that she wasn't going to wait until she was feeling better to take decisive action toward healing.
She was going to take action first.
And it started small small small, as you'll hear in our conversation.
With a daily walk to the mailbox.
As one of the most active members of the Sick to Fit Facebook group, Elizabeth is now inspiring others on a daily basis. And as a certified WellStart Coach, she's expanded her toolkit and is working with clients to help them see what's possible when they take the first step.
Oh – and this is important – Elizabeth isn't “healed.” Or “cured.” She still doesn't know what happened, or why, or if the condition is ever going away.
She knows only that she can live a full, joyful, active life on her terms, even if the mystery disease never resolves.
And she relishes – and passionately preaches – the freedom that mindset affords.
I couldn't be prouder of Elizabeth, or more delighted at her progress, or more excited for the growing impact her coaching and advocacy are having on the world.
Just for fun, here's a before and after montage:
Enjoy, add your voice to the conversation via the comment box below, and please share – that's how we spread our message and spread our roots.
Links
Elizabeth's Health Coaching Email: we*********@gm***.com (website coming soon)
Elizabeth on Instagram and Twitter
WellStart Health Coach Training
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This podcast is not underwritten by advertising, so I can experience complete editorial autonomy without worrying about pissing off the person paying the bills. Instead, I pay the bills, with your help. It's free for those who can't afford to pay, and supported by those who can. You can contribute to the growth and improvement of the podcast by . Click the “Support on Patreon” or “Donate” buttons on the right to help out.
Announcements
WellStart Coach Training – You know you want to become a great health coach, right? Here's your ticket: WellStartCoach.com.
Ready for a Sick to Fit Health Scavenger Hunt in New Orleans in March? Read all about it here.
Ready to embark on your Big Change journey?
Are you tired of knowing what to do, and still not doing it consistently? The WellStart Health Big Change Program, led by Josh LaJaunie and myself, will help you take the steps to finally live according to your knowledge and values.
Go to WellStartHealth.com/program to learn more, and to get notified about the next program.
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Music
The Plant Yourself Podcast theme music, “Dance of Peace (Sabali Don),” is generously provided by Will Ridenour, a kora player from North Carolina who has trained with top Senegalese musicians.
It can be found on his first CD, titled Will Ridenour.
You can learn about Will, listen to more tracks, and buy music on his website, WillRidenour.com.
Gratitudes
Thanks to Plant Yourself podcast patrons – Kim Harrison – Lynn McLellan – Anthony Dissen – Brittany Porter – Dominic Marro – Barbara Whitney – Tammy Black – Amy Good – Amanda Hatherly – Mary Jane Wheeler – Ellen Kennelly – Melissa Cobb – Rachel Behrens – Christine Nielsen – Tina Scharf – Tina Ahern – Jen Vilkinofsky – David Byczek – Michele X – Elspeth Feldman – Viktoriya Dolomanova – Leah Stolar – Allan Kristensen – Colleen Peck – Michele Landry – Jozina – Julianne Rowland – Stu Dolnick – Sara Durkacs – Kelly Cameron – Wayne Pedersen – Leanne Peterson – Janet Selby – Claire Adams – Tom Fronczak – Jeannette Benham – Gila Lacerte – David Donohue – Blair Seibert – Doron Avizov – Gio and Carolyn Argentati – Jodi Friesner – RuthAnn Funderburk – Mischa Rosen – Michael Worobiec – Alicia Lemus – Val Linnemann – Nick Harper – Stephanie Halmes – Bandana Chawla – Martha Bergner – Nikole Ramsay – Susan Ahmad – Molly Levine – The Inscrutable Harry R – Susan Laverty the Panda Vegan – Craig Covic – Adam Scharf – Karen Bury – Heather Morgan – Ashley Corcoran – Kelly Michiya – DeAnne Norton – Bonnie Lynch of Plant Happy Oregon – Sabine Kurtzhals – Nigel Davies – Marian Blum – Teresa Kopel – Shell Routledge – Julian Watkins – Brid O'Connell – Brian Sheridan – Shannon Herschman – Cate Rolls – Linda Ayotte – Julie Lang – Holm Hedegaard – Isa Tousignant – Connie Haneline – Erin Greer – Alicia Davis – AvIvA Lael – Heather O'Connor – Carollynne Jensen – Sheri Orlekoski of Plant Powered for Health – Karen Smith – Scott Mirani – Karen and Joe Crabtree – Tanya Lewis – Kirby Burton – Theresa Carrell – Kevin Macaulay – Elizabeth Rothschild – Kelly Baker Miracle – Ann Jesse – Sheryl Dwyer – Jenny Hazelton – Valerie Pelletier – Peter W Evans – Colleen Harrison – Justine Divett – Joshua Sommermeyer – Dennis Bird – Darby Kelly – Lori Fanney – Linnea Lundquist – Valarie Hummel – Deb Coscia – Emily Iaconelli – Levi Wallach – Rosamonde McAtee – Dan Pokorney – Stephen Leinin – Patty DeMartino – Mike and Donna Kartz – Deanne Bishop – Bilberry Elf – Günter Schmid – Marjorie Lewis – Kelly Moulden – Tricia Adams – Ian Cramer – Nancy Sheldon – Lindsey Bashore – Gunn Marit Hagen – Tracey Gulledge – Lara Hedin – Meg from Mamasezz – Rachelle Kennedy – Joan Bornstein – Diana Goldman – Stacey Stokes – Ben Savage – Michael K – Hollie Butler – David Hughes -Coni Rodgers – Claire England – for your generous support of the podcast.
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