Written by: Nicole Liammari, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Are you identifying as your diagnosis and not by your name? Too often, people who suffer from autoimmune-related diseases or other types of ailments begin to lose their identity and become enmeshed in the disease they are suffering from. Who would you be if a disease or ailment didn’t define you?
I will tell you, a powerful, peaceful, thriving human being. That’s who!
Here is the good news. You are not alone. I hear you, I see you, I feel you, and I want you to know, you do NOT have to live with that feeling or in that reality. Take this lifehack with you wherever you go or through any circumstance. Ready? You get to choose the life you want to live, and that includes being disease-free. I know, because I did!
This is a topic that hits deep for many people suffering from autoimmune challenges and for me. Well, really anyone with a Chronic Illness.
Did you know that 50 million Americans live with an autoimmune disease? And for my fellow lady warriors, 75% of those Americans are women. It's time for us to heal and resurrect the power that lies inside our bodies. Our bodies deserve to be free. As a woman who has suffered from an Autoimmune disease and chronic illnesses, I wanted to share my side. Take your power back now. As a Prisoner of disease, I found the strength, power, and commitment to break free. You can too.
Before I go further, for anyone reading this now that does not have an autoimmune disease or chronic illness, please don’t stop reading. This is good insight for you too. I know that after you have read this, you will gain a greater understanding and compassion for that friend, spouse, or family member who needs your support.
I speak with many people daily, and there is a common feeling they practically all express. A feeling that is completely normal and to be expected. I felt this same very feeling.
The feeling I was referring to is helplessness. That helplessness leads us to conform to our disease. In most cases, we become that disease. That stops here and now!
"You are not your diagnosis, nor do you need to feel like a prisoner of your diagnosis."
If you may have been diagnosed with Endometriosis, PCOS, RA, Celiac, Crohn’s, Fibro, IBS, or one or more of the many autoimmune and not, THAT is NOT your name!
Say your God-given name out loud right now... 😊 It's the first step to freedom. Here’s why I can say this.
I remember when I was diagnosed with EBV, Epstein Barr Virus- it was weird, but I kept going. Eventually, I learned to keep saying my true God-given name. When I was diagnosed first, I didn’t treat my body how it deserved to be treated, and I paid for it. My car accident didn’t help matters as it made me spiral downhill, yet I still lived my life as best as I could. Yes, there were times I would be so fatigued, I would be bedridden. I suffered from brain fog, memory loss, hair loss, and weird random aches and pains. Just when I thought things couldn't get any worse, I was diagnosed with my second disorder- CRPS, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, which took a team of doctors over a year to properly diagnose me. For those of you that are not aware of or have never had exposure to CRPS- it is known as the suicide disease because the pain is off the charts. My left arm was affected the most. I suffered from stabbing, burning, swelling, hot/cold, pink/blue colors, and nerve shock pain. That diagnosis is the one that really made me lose it.
Actually, I did lose it. Day after day, I would come home from work, take my pills, plop on my couch in the same spot, watch TV and drink until I passed out. Yep, that was my reality- yuck, now that I look back. I felt like I didn’t have much to live for. It became my reality at the time. It began to take over who I was. I was prescribed so many pills, pain killers, muscle relaxers, antidepressants, and blood pressure pills because the pain level was so high, it was driving up my blood pressure. You name it; I was on it. The doctor said I needed them, so I took them, and the fact of the matter was, I needed to function, so I believed that this was my only option. As you can see, I was not an informed patient. Not just yet anyway. In reality, who can really think clearly, let alone function on so many freaking pills!?!?!
Did I ever think I would ever tell the world that part of my life? NO way, BUT I knew I had to share the real, the raw, the yuck because so many people suffer and struggle daily, and really, they don’t have to. There is hope. Eventually, I got a grip and was able to find a life of strength, comfort, and resiliency. I was able to say my true God-given name.
When we are going through all the testing and waiting and then finally become diagnosed. It is as if our lives stop. Our life as we know it comes to a screeching halt, and we think we have to change who we are.
Well, here is the part you need to hear. That does not have to happen.
I am here to help show you there IS light and hope. Do NOT let what you have been diagnosed with takeover. At this point, you are probably thinking, “Okay, yeah, Nicole... whatever... there is nothing I can do. it is what it is, and this is my life now.”
And I am saying, "hmm, nope, nope, it is not..." Well, it doesn’t have to be. That is ultimately your choice.
With that being said, is it getting better, healthier, and keeping it altogether easy? Heck NO! Is it possible? HELL YES!! I am living proof of that.
That is where I come in. I have been down, out, lost, confused, angry, and that’s just a few of the emotions I felt. After having my life turned upside down by my diagnosis — EBV, CFS, CRPS/RSD, anxiety, depression, thyroid, and other random things, I decided to take my health into my own hands and kick the illnesses to the curb. I created a life that I knew I deserved.
It is not some snake oil or magic pill—no such thing. HOWEVER, everyone has the power to heal.
"Healing is in every one of us."
One just needs the right tools, some education, and good support to get there.
You can hang up the handcuffs and walk out that door saying your name loud and proud and start healing today. You can create the life you want and deserve. I got your back and are here for you during this time when you feel you have nowhere to turn because of what you have been told and taught.
You are a warrior, and I am here to help you find your sense of peace, happiness, health, and creativity again. I can’t wait to share my full story with you. Trust me. It will inspire you and get you on your way to the life you have always dreamed of. No attachments. I want to just share it with you. Want to know more?
Not sure where to start on your journey, I can help there too. Send an email to me at nicole@myguthut.com.
YOU are amazing and loved!
Sending love, light, strength, and hugs always!
Nicole Liammari, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Nicole Liammari, Founder + CEO of My Gut Hut, is a leader in the mind + gut + body + soul connection.
From a young age, Nicole struggled with severe asthma and allergies. Being on multiple medications,
missing out on fun childhood activities and never knowing when an asthma attack would strike left her uneasy and vulnerable. Fast forward to adulthood, she survived a major car accident, diagnosed with autoimmune disorders, depression, anxiety, and prescribed multiple prescription drugs, putting her once again fighting for her life.
After conventional medicine failed her and hitting rock bottom, Nicole decided to take matters into her own hands because she knew life wasn’t meant to be lived in such pain and angst. She became her own advocate and avid researcher, leading her to heal completely, defying all the odds. She quickly realized how the body is so magnificently interconnected and how past trauma, thoughts, food, and more play a vital role in wellness.
With that, Nicole made it her mission to help inspire and empower others as she saw so many missing links in how illness is addressed and how it does not have to be a life sentence. She can connect on a deep level with others, mentoring them through their journey via her tailor-made Protocol that encompasses the true pillars of wellness, focusing on the gut + mind coherence leading to healing themselves and living a life they deserve.
Nicole’s motto is “ Heal your Gut, Heal your Mind – Heal your Mind, Heal your Gut.”
