My Chronic Illness Journey: Learn how I healed my body and empowered my mind!
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While 2020 is a year none of us will ever forget, I skated through it with ease. It wasn’t until 2021 that life caught up with me. Everything seemed to happen all at once: a flood hit Detroit with a vengeance, flooding our basement, frying our power and water heater, with no air conditoner during a heat wave. My relationship was on the rocks, with arguments that would end in days of the silent treatment, and to top it all off, we were robbed, my husband, an avid marijuana grower, had all of his plants stolen not once but twice in our backyard. .
In response to the overwhelming stress, I began to feel "off." It started with a slight soreness in my back, which soon developed into swollen joints. Then, overnight, every muscle in my body was in excruciating pain. I blamed everything and everyone—was it the heat? The mattress? My pillow? My husband? I even started sleeping on the floor, using a yoga mat as my bed. For days, I lay there staring at the ceiling, praying for relief and racking my brain to figure out what I had done to my body.
I have always considered myself to be in great shape. Growing up as an athlete, gymnast, and dancer in ballet, jazz, and hip-hop, I took pride in my body’s incredible abilities. I’ve been a dedicated student of yoga and Pilates, consistently working to keep myself fit and healthy. I’ll admit, my ego sometimes made me feel a bit superior; I rarely got sick, and even at 35, I could still do a backbend with very little effort.
So, imagine my shock and dismay when, all of a sudden in 2021, I couldn’t get up.
Eventually, some of the pain subsided, and, unaware of what was truly happening, I continued with life, hobbling around and pretending that everything was somewhat normal. It wasn’t until I attended an event where my friend, a massage therapist, noticed my swollen lymph nodes that I began to take my illness seriously.
At that point in my life, I was already a student of spirituality, having experienced a significant awakening in 2020. I was on a journey to understand reality, but still felt inexperienced. I couldn’t help but blame myself for my pain, feeling guilty, angry, and ashamed. This prompted me to seek answers about what might be causing my issues.
One night, out of nowhere, I shot up in bed and woke my husband, exclaiming that I had figured it out: I had Lyme disease! A frantic body check partially confirmed my suspicions when I discovered a tick bite on my butt cheek. My actual confirmation came after a visit to the doctor, where my test results came back positive, and I was prescribed around 35 days of antibiotics.
The antibiotics wreaked havoc on my system, leaving me weak, with gut issues and diminished energy, all while failing to eliminate the Lyme disease. It remained firmly entrenched, manifesting as pain in my left hip that quickly traveled up the side of my body, causing joint pain and swelling. This did not sit well with me; I simply couldn’t imagine living a lifetime of pain and discomfort—it was completely against my nature.
This realization ignited a fire within me, empowering me to seek remedies that would reduce and ultimately eliminate my pain. What I initially thought was a fluke turned out to be my greatest awakening, leading me on a serious journey to recover and restore my health.
What I learned throughout this process changed my life. It prompted me to shift my focus from organic clean skincare to skin and holistic wellness. I slowed down and began seeking more joy, transformed my marriage by letting go of pettiness, bickering, and nitpicking, and learned to listen to my body with a newfound awareness.
This experience accelerated my spiritual learning and led to profound insights that I can no longer keep to myself. I began developing a company aimed at tackling chronic illness head-on. Chronic illness—whether it manifests as persistent pain, unrelenting flare-ups, or simply feeling trapped in a body that doesn’t feel like our own—can be incredibly disempowering.
I started to view illness through a new lens. Instead of relying on the false beliefs of modern medicine, I recognized the divine connection between our inner reality, ineffective thought patterns, and nutritional deficiencies, all of which contribute to the symptoms that dominate our outer world. We all deserve to live life in control of our bodies, and with the knowledge I’ve gained, I am determined to teach you the steps I took to reclaim my power.
I reintroduced myself to my body.
The first thing I learned about was the lymphatic system, which governs the water in the body. This intricate network wraps around every organ and intertwines with every tissue, delivering nutrients, fighting infections, and removing waste. When it becomes congested, it can cause inflammation and pain, preventing it from effectively activating the cells. My Lymphatic Massage course incorporates quantum healing along with gentle massage to reduce waste, ease inflammation, and alleviate pain. You can learn more about the course here.
Next, I embarked on a serious detox.
I started taking Spirulina each morning to energize my cells and rid my body of heavy metals and toxins—the culprits behind much of my pain. At night, I took Chlorella tablets to restore my sleep and detoxify my body overnight. Each week, I performed a green coffee enema to support my liver, clearing out excess waste that could recirculate through my system. This method paired well with lymphatic massage to ensure I eliminated the buildup effectively. You can purchase organic green coffee here, and learn how to perform an ename here.
To support my healing, I fueled my body with food and herbal remedies.
I became passionate about probiotics, enjoying vegan coconut yogurt (Coconut Cult is my absolute favorite), kimchi, and natural sauerkraut. I also returned to school at Cornell for a course in herbal remedies and began growing my own herbs. This journey started by chance when I discovered stinging nettle in my garden and began exploring its benefits. Now, I offer more than five herbal blends designed to support the endocrine system, cleanse the liver, improve lymphatic drainage, purify the blood, reduce period pain, and more.
This exploration led me to learn about the endocrine system and its seven major glands, which are connected to the chakras and regulate hormones, hunger, fertility, and more. Naturally, my skincare and body care products align with this holistic approach. They have always been organic, non-toxic, and restorative, designed to balance the skin without disrupting the body's natural rhythm. You can explore herbal remedies here.
I took charge of my mental health by deepening my commitment to spiritual healing.
I became a student of A Course in Miracles and redefined my connection to Source. Through this journey, I learned how inner traumas manifest as pain, lack, blame, and shame, and I sought to clear out the shadow aspects of myself.
I took control of my mind,
breaking free from the thought loops that overwhelmed my days. I realized I was like a hamster on a wheel, constantly worrying, complaining, and never truly satisfied with life. Self-care became a serious priority for me, no longer just a buzzword. I discovered my stillness through meditation, breathing exercises, and energetically clearing my chakras while protecting my energy.
I stopped playing the victim. I used to blame everyone else and see myself as supremely perfect, constantly asking, "Why me?" I viewed the world as a dangerous, scary, and unfulfilling place. But once I realized that I had chosen this life and that everything was happening for me, not to me, my perspective shifted. I discovered that I didn’t have to do anything; I got to do it.
This realization transformed me immensely. While I'm not a perfect student, I continually strive to live an empowered life filled with joy—one that feels like my own creation. It’s a wonderful adventure, full of twists and turns that work in my favor.
Louloudi means "bloom" in Greek, and it was initially created to help women discover their inner beauty. What could be more beautiful than a body that works with you instead of against you?
The most incredible part of this journey has been realizing that it was all meant to be. Skincare was always too small a dream for me. By farming my own herbal remedies, teaching about the body, and helping women find their inner light, I am fulfilling my true purpose on this earth.
Explore my many offerings designed to help you balance your endocrine system, detox your body, and restore your health from the inside out. If you need guidance, consider signing up for a service where I teach you how to harmonize your mind, body, and soul. Remember, you are not alone—the entire universe will conspire to help you regain your health.