Tick Boot Camp

Episode 357: Regenerative Medicine - an interview with Doctor Morgan Lucas

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Morgan Lucas, a 31-year-old naturopathic doctor from San Diego, CA, about her journey with Lyme disease. Morgan shares her story of overcoming the challenges of Lyme, how her life changed because of it, and her passion for helping others navigate their own health challenges.

Key Points:

  • Dr. Lucas' life before Lyme disease: a high-achieving student, Miss New Hampshire Teen USA, and working in digital marketing analytics
  • She first got sick at 24 years old, experiencing flu-like symptoms after an insect bite, along with chronic fatigue, chemical sensitivities, insomnia, muscle weakness, brain fog, and digestive issues
  • Dr. Lucas received her Lyme disease diagnosis at age 27 after seeing between 8-10 doctors and being misdiagnosed with multiple conditions
  • Her treatment for Lyme disease included detoxification, ozone therapy, infrared sauna, herbal medicine, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, frequency therapy, and more
  • Although Dr. Lucas is 90% back to her old self, she still experiences flares, recently from mold exposure
  • Her life is now focused on self-care and helping others as a naturopathic doctor
  • Advice for those struggling with Lyme disease: be patient, prioritize yourself, and ensure you're not being exposed to mold or other toxins while treating

Dr. Lucas' background:

  • Graduated with honors from Johns Hopkins University in Economics and Applied Math & Statistics
  • Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University
  • Licensed Naturopathic Doctor in California
  • 2 years of experience in digital marketing analytics prior to pursuing naturopathic medical school

Connect with Dr. Morgan Lucas:

Episode 356: Vagus Clinic - an interview with Stephanie Canestraro

In this podcast, we explore Dr. Stephanie Canestraro's personal journey with Lyme disease, her diagnosis and treatment experiences, and her advice for others dealing with the condition or looking to protect their families from tick-borne illnesses.

Introduction to Dr. Stephanie Canestraro

  • Profession: Institute for Functional Medicine practitioner at Vagus Clinic, Chiropractor, Functional Medicine University practitioner
  • Location: Toronto, Canada, with occasional stays in the Dominican Republic and the United States

Life Before Lyme Disease

  • Healthy and resilient
  • Saw over 20 patients a day as a chiropractor

First Experience with Lyme Disease

  • First symptoms at age 27 in 2009
  • Neurological symptoms, muscle fasciculations, joint pain, night terror, and more
  • Misdiagnosed with celiac disease, benign fasciculation syndrome, and a tentative diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS)

Lyme Disease Diagnosis

  • Diagnosed at age 39 after seeing over 20 doctors
  • Diagnosis made through a blood test and clinical evaluation
  • The doctor that owns CellCore helped with the diagnosis

Treatment for Lyme Disease

  • Ongoing treatment since November 2021
  • Utilizes various treatments such as frequency therapy, neural therapy, ozone therapy, herbs, homeopathics, antibiotics, immune and nervous system regulation, and more
  • Currently around 70-90% back to her old self

Life After Lyme Disease

  • Now working as a medical professional treating many chronic Lyme patients
  • Resuming social life
  • Travels with various supplements and tinctures to manage symptoms

Advice for Those Battling Lyme Disease

  • Try alternative treatments and therapies not covered by mainstream medicine
  • Focus on clearing lymph and maintaining a healthy gut
  • Eliminate toxic relationships and trust that there are answers

Tips for Protecting Families from Tick Diseases

  • Educate on stealth pathogens, toxicities, and the importance of gut health
  • Be aware that Lyme can be transmitted through various means, not just ticks
  • Keep treatments and preventative measures on hand

Dr. Stephanie Canestraro's Education and Professional Experience

  • Degree in Health Science with a major in Biochemistry
  • Completed courses by Dr. Kharrazian and read numerous books on Lyme disease and functional medicine

Join us in this enlightening podcast episode as we dive deep into Dr. Stephanie Canestraro's journey with Lyme disease, her path to recovery, and her valuable insights for those dealing with the condition or looking to protect their loved ones from tick-borne illnesses.

Episode 355: Tick Report - an interview with Professor Stephen Rich

In this episode of the Tick Boot Camp Podcast, we welcome Professor Stephen Rich, a well-respected scientist in the chronic Lyme disease community from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Join us as Professor Rich shares insights into his research on tick-borne diseases and practical applications, focusing on Lyme disease transmission, deer's role in the spread of Lyme, and various preventive measures.

Discussion Points

  • His team's groundbreaking discovery last month that the blood of the white-tailed deer kills Lyme bacteria
  • Professor Rich's background and the Laboratory of Medical Zoology at UMass Amherst
  • Practical applications of Lyme research and training other scientists
  • Understanding the tick feeding process and Lyme disease transmission
  • The debate on Lyme disease transmission through other vectors (mosquitoes, bed bugs)
  • Spatial protection tools for preventing tick bites
  • Attachment times for Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses
  • The mystery behind the Lone Star tick-borne illness Alpga-Gal Syndrome (AGS)
  • The role of mice in Lyme disease transmission
  • Strains of Borrelia burgdorferi and their impact on humans
  • CDC's stance on tick testing and available testing options through Tick Report
  • The importance of tick checks and using multiple senses

In this informative episode, Professor Stephen Rich offers valuable knowledge about the transmission and prevention of Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. By understanding these complex processes, we can develop better preventive measures and treatment strategies. Stay tuned for future episodes featuring more insights from experts in the field.

Episode 354: Hacking Lyme Disease - an interview with Doctor Marty Ross

Dr. Marty Ross is a Lyme disease specialist and ILADS member who runs the Marty Ross MD Healing Arts Medical Facility in Seattle, Washington.

Dr. Ross combines the best of natural medicines, prescription medicines, and lifestyle medicine to find answers and health solutions for people with complex and chronic illnesses.

He uses cutting-edge science mixed with modern and ancient healing methods to help people recover from complex and misunderstood illnesses.

In this episode, we will discuss Dr. Ross's background, including his training in Georgetown's Family Medicine program treating the urban poor, and how he opened his first clinic in 2000 to help people with complex chronic illnesses.

We will also explore how he became an expert in treating chronic Lyme disease, and how he discovered that people living with chronic Lyme disease are often medically under-served due to policies of the medical establishment.

Dr. Marty Ross provides many resources for those with Lyme disease, including:

  • A comprehensive treatment protocol
  • A detailed online Lyme guide
  • Lyme Q&A webinars
  • A book titled Hacking Lyme Disease
  • Handpicked supplements
  • LymePeople, an online Lyme community

Check out our profile of Dr. Ross to learn more about each of these items.

If you'd like to learn how to supercharge your Lyme disease healing journey from a leading Lyme doctor, then tune in now!

Episode 353: The Lyme Rebel - an interview with Professor Eva Sapi

This week on Tick Boot Camp, we're thrilled to welcome Dr. Eva Sapi, an internationally recognized Lyme disease expert. Join us as we discuss her groundbreaking work, her personal journey with Lyme disease, and her unwavering commitment to finding better treatments for this debilitating illness.

Dr. Sapi is the Coordinator of M.S. Cellular & Molecular Biology and a professor at the University of New Haven. After contracting Lyme disease herself, she shifted her research focus from breast cancer to Lyme disease. As the director of the university's Lyme Disease Research Program, Dr. Sapi has trained over 100 graduate students and authored 70 peer-reviewed scientific papers. She was the first to discover the presence of Borrelia biofilm in human-infected skin tissue, a finding that has shaped our understanding of Lyme disease.

In this interview, we discuss:

  • Dr. Sapi's personal battle with Lyme disease
  • The significance of Borrelia biofilm in Lyme disease treatment
  • The ongoing collaboration with Dr. James Goldman from Columbia University on a case of a woman who received 16 years of antibiotic therapy but still succumbed to Lyme disease
  • Her recent breakthrough on the potential of liquid, whole-leaf stevia extract in reducing biofilm mass
  • The ultimate goal of identifying novel antibacterial agents effective against all forms of Borrelia
  • Dr. Sapi's recognition as a research trailblazer by LymeDisease.org and her Courage Award from Lyme Connection of Ridgefield

If you'd like to learn more about Dr. Sapi's remarkable journey, her passion for Lyme disease research, and her unwavering commitment to finding a cure, tune in now!

Episode 352: Love, Hope, Lyme - an interview with Fred Diamond

This week on Tick Book Camp, we're excited to have special guest co-host Khalil "Two Monies" Fuller joining us for an illuminating discussion with Fred Diamond, the empathetic author of the indispensable guide "Love, Hope, Lyme." As Fred shares his personal experiences with a loved one affected by Lyme disease, he offers valuable insights on providing genuine and compassionate support for those with chronic illnesses.

In this episode, Fred delves into crucial topics such as neurological concerns, family dynamics, and the healing process. The book's foreword, penned by Dr. Richard Horowitz, has received acclaim from both experts and survivors, making it an essential read for those seeking to better understand and assist their loved ones with Lyme disease.

Explore the journey that led Fred to write "Love, Hope, Lyme" and learn how his book has positively impacted countless families. Listen in to gain a deeper understanding of the significance of love, hope, and empathy in supporting those living with chronic conditions.

If you would like to learn more about how to fortify your support network and enhance your relationships with those affected by Lyme disease, then tune in now!

Episode 351: Lyme Healthinar - an interview with Dr. Christine Arseneau

Healthinar

The Healing Framework

  • Using a functional medicine approach, which is comprehensive and individualized
  • Natural and effective supplements, avoiding OTCs and pharmaceuticals
  • Habit hacks using an ancestral approach, focusing on sleep quality, stress management, nutrition, movement, and gut health
  • Mindset and subconscious mind play a vital role in healing

Addressing the Controversy over the Word "Cure"

  • Understanding the impact of words on our reality and the healing process
  • How the belief in a "cure" can affect one's healing journey

Additional Healing Tools

  • The use of psychedelics and hypnotism in healing
  • The importance of being in a parasympathetic state for healing to occur
  • Alternative options for those unable to do rigorous programs

The Number One Thing Doctors Aren't Talking About

  • Importance of addressing all aspects of one's life, not just physical symptoms
  • Taking responsibility for one's own health and not solely relying on doctors

Working with Dr. Christine Arseneau

Episode 350: Silent Majority - an interview with Sarah Terlaga Bergquist

In this milestone 350th episode of the Tick Boot Camp Podcast, we welcome special guest Sarah Terlaga Bergquist, a Lyme disease survivor, who joins Rich Johannesen and guest co-host Julia Feygelman. In this heartfelt conversation, Sarah shares her inspiring journey from the first symptoms and diagnosis to overcoming the challenges of Lyme disease and her ultimate recovery.

Athletic Childhood to Lyme Disease Sarah, a lifelong resident of Massachusetts, grew up as a competitive figure skater. After college, she began to experience unexplained health issues that escalated until a swollen knee led to a quick diagnosis of Lyme disease by a perceptive orthopedic surgeon.

A Long Journey of Treatment and Recovery Over the years, Sarah tried various treatments, including oral and IV antibiotics, with her symptoms worsening at times. Eventually, she sought hyperthermia treatment at Klinik St. Georg in Germany, where she met Julia.

Hyperthermia Treatment and Klinik St. Georg in Germany Sarah and her husband Zach, also a Lyme disease patient, traveled to Germany for hyperthermia treatment. They met Julia and other Lyme patients, creating a support system that helped them through the process. The treatment marked a turning point in their lives.

Life after Lyme Disease Since returning from Germany, Sarah has become a mother and has focused on rebuilding her life. She shares her journey to help others realize that recovery is possible.

Advocating for Lyme Disease Awareness After recovering from Lyme disease Sarah joined the "silent majority" of Lyme disease survivors but agreed to revisit her painful journey to inspire hope in others facing similar challenges.

Key Takeaways

  • Early diagnosis is crucial for successful Lyme disease treatment.
  • Hyperthermia treatment at Klinik St. Georg in Germany helped Sarah and her husband find relief from their symptoms.
  • Support from family, friends, and fellow Lyme patients can make a huge difference in the recovery process.
  • It's possible to regain a normal life after Lyme disease, and sharing success stories can inspire hope in others.

Don't miss this enlightening conversation between Julia and Sarah on episode 350 of the Tick Boot Camp Podcast as they delve into the challenges, triumphs, and hope that comes with overcoming Lyme disease.

Episode 349: The Quiet Epidemic - an interview with Lindsay Keys and Winslow Crane-Murdoch

Welcome to this episode of our podcast, where we interview Lindsay Keys and Winslow Crane-Murdoch, the filmmakers behind the acclaimed Lyme disease documentary "The Quiet Epidemic" coming out on May 16 on Amazon, iTunes, and Vimeo-On-Demand. Both Lindsay and Winslow are Lyme disease patients themselves, and they first met while undergoing treatment at a Lyme disease center. During this time, they were urged to incorporate a pursuit of purpose into their treatment plan, which eventually led them on a 7-year journey to make a film that uncovers the broader issues surrounding Lyme disease and its impact on millions of people worldwide.

In this episode, the filmmakers share the story of a young girl from Brooklyn and a Duke University scientist who were both diagnosed with Chronic Lyme disease, a condition that many medical professionals still deny exists. The film follows their journey to find answers, which leads them into the middle of a heated medical debate. As the filmmakers dig deeper, they uncover a history of Lyme disease dating back to its discovery in 1975. The paper trail of suppressed scientific research and buried documents shed light on why ticks and the diseases they carry have been allowed to quietly spread around the globe.

Joining us as a special co-host is Phyllis Bedford, the Executive Director of the LymeLight Foundation. Together, we delve into this thought-provoking film and explore the issues surrounding Lyme disease. We discuss the challenges of making the documentary, the controversy surrounding Lyme disease, and the impact of this quiet epidemic on millions of people around the world.

If you want to learn more about how Lindsay Keys and Winslow Crane-Murdoch utilized the pursuit of purpose on their healing journeys, and how it led them to create a powerful and informative film that sheds light on the quiet epidemic of Lyme disease, then tune in now. This is an episode you won't want to miss.

Episode 348: Re-Origin of Neuroplasticity - an interview with Ben Ahrens

In this episode, we chat with Ben Ahrens, the founder of Re-Origin, about his inspiring journey to recover from Chronic Neurological Lyme Disease using neuroplasticity. At the age of 25, Ben found himself bedridden for over 3 years, despite conventional medical treatment. It was then that he discovered neuroplasticity, the brain's ability to reorganize itself and form new neural connections.

Ben attended an online class in neuroanatomy at UC Berkeley and learned about the incredible results that applied neuroscience or "neuroplasticity training" had achieved with chronic pain, physical rehab, and even immune-related conditions. He realized that the brain is the "chief orchestrator" of all mental, physical, and emotional processes and decided to heal himself with this approach.

Over the years, Ben consulted with top neuroscientists and doctors from around the world, eventually developing a program and process called The Brain Trustâ„¢ that could replicate his success at scale for a wide range of debilitating conditions. This program serves as the cornerstone of Re-Origin.

Through the power of neuroplasticity, Ben healed himself from Lyme, CFS, and Hypersensitivity disorder. He joined forces with Innovative Medicine, earning advanced certifications in biological medicine and becoming an AADP Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner in the state of New York. Together, they work on untangling some of the world's most complex chronic conditions.

If you're interested in learning more about how the power of neuroplasticity could provide hope for a new path to recovery, tune in now!

The goal of the Tick Boot Camp Podcast is to help people liberate themselves and others from suffering caused by Lyme disease through validation, community building, belief that healing is possible, and modeling success. Listen to our Tick Boot Camp podcast using all major podcast streaming services such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts. Our podcast is also integrated with smart home devices, such as Amazon Alexa and Apple TV. Ask your device to "play the Tick Boot Camp Podcast!"