Written by Charlotte Phelps, Founder
Charlotte Phelps, Founder of The Alchemy of Being, transformed her life from a terminal prognosis into a mission to empower others. She offers tools and insights, born from her own journey, for personal growth and holistic health, helping individuals curate their unique 'Toolbelt for Life'.
For ten years, doctors told me I was fine, but I knew something was deeply wrong. Then, at 31, I was given six weeks to live. This is the story of my desperate search for answers, my disillusionment with mainstream medicine, and how I took control of my health, discovered the power of alternative medicine, and created my own path to wellness. Now, I want to empower you to do the same.
My decade of dismissals: The failures of mainstream medicine
Why did doctors keep telling me I was fine, even though I knew something was deeply wrong?
For years, I was told my symptoms were "just stress" or "all in my head." I visited countless doctors, underwent numerous tests, and was repeatedly assured that everything was normal. But I knew my body, and I knew something was deeply wrong. I didn’t know anyone else who had to do what I did just to get through the day. Yet, every test came back "normal," and I was sent home with just ibuprofen, never getting to the root cause.
The symptoms were confusing. I was an insomniac, yet at times (without any real pattern), the fatigue would suddenly be debilitating. I'd find myself falling asleep in loud clubs or even on the tube during my commute. It wasn't normal tiredness; it was a complete shutdown of my system. At one stage, the doctor thought I had narcolepsy, but when those tests were negative, they decided it was an allergy.
In 2003, I was told to stop eating wheat (and therefore gluten). When that didn’t help, they decided to do allergy tests regularly and remove whatever was at the top of the list. This, for example, meant that for one six-month period, I ate only white rice and lettuce.
I exercised every day with groups and a physical therapist (PT) but saw no change in my physique or in my desire to sleep. It was so frustrating to see everyone around me toning up and getting stronger while I remained the same. Even the PTs were confused; some even took training courses to see if they could find a path that worked for me.
It was clear my bowel was a huge source of the issues I had. I used to take a change of clothes in a larger size with me to work to change into at lunchtime for comfort but also so no one noticed. By 2006, my bowel had almost completely stopped working. By that, I mean no peristalsis, so I started doing daily enemas up to 3 a day to keep things moving and keep my life “normal”. Even having to go to that extreme didn’t seem to change the view of the GP or specialists.
The limitations of conventional diagnostic methods
Looking back, I realise that the conventional diagnostic methods used at the time simply weren't equipped to detect the underlying issues that were causing my symptoms. The focus was on treating symptoms rather than identifying and addressing the root causes of my illness. This is how I was told I had IBS for over a decade, a label that, in hindsight, felt like a convenient way of saying, "We don't know what's wrong, but here's a syndrome to explain your symptoms."
And then there were my feet, so painful I couldn't wear shoes (or walk normally if I had to wear them).
For nine months, hives appeared in different forms on different parts of my body. It took me four months to get a referral to a dermatologist who, after taking biopsies from all over my body and testing them for six weeks, told me, "Yes, they are hives." When I asked what was causing them, they looked confused, "That's not what we do." I was flabbergasted! How could they take so many samples, test them, confirm what they were, but not be remotely interested in why?!
It was so hard just to exist. As a continuing insomniac, the long, painful days seemed to drag on. All the tests the doctors did returned within normal ranges. Even when my periods stopped, my hair and nails started falling out, and I expressed that no one I knew had to do what I had to do every day just to maintain normality. They suggested it may be in my head.
The only positive during this time was that I was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) by a specialist following a referral from a PT who was determined to find out why nothing she did made any difference to me. Whilst having a diagnosis was useful and explained a lot of things, the lack of knowledge about how to counter its effects meant I just had the tag but not real support or help.
The six-week shock: How my world collapsed
What was the terminal diagnosis that changed everything?
I walked into the office that day feeling completely defeated. The dermatologist had just confirmed that, yes, I had hives, but no, they had no idea what was causing them. "That's not what we do," they'd said, leaving me feeling more lost and hopeless than ever. I remember bemoaning everything to a colleague, pouring out my years of frustration and unanswered questions.
That's when she asked me a question that would change the course of my life: "Would you be willing to try something out there?" Desperate and out of options, I replied, "I'd do anything."
She sent me to see Sara Bayley, a Quantum Biofeedback practitioner. I was skeptical, to say the least. But during that bizarre session, something incredible happened. Sara discovered a canine parasite, one I'd picked up during my gap year teaching TEFL to Tibetan Refugees in Darjeeling over a decade before.
Armed with this information, I returned to my GP and demanded a test for this specific parasite, a test done by the Centre for Tropical Diseases. To my astonishment, it came back positive. After ten years of being told I was fine, after countless dismissals and dead ends, the answer was a single parasite. I was given a tablet to eradicate it, one tablet!
Finally, with confirmation of a parasite, the GP referred me to a gastroenterologist. A decade with a parasite is going to have an effect, right? Because I had no peristalsis, they couldn't perform a colonoscopy, so instead, they did X-rays. After the x-ray, the gastroenterologist came into the room, shaking his head. He said it was the first time he'd been able to see that level of damage on an x-ray.
Then came the words that would change everything: He said my bowel was so badly damaged it would likely perforate in the next six weeks and gave me a very low chance of survival. Oh, and no form of help was available.
I was livid. Six weeks to live? With no help available? It felt unreal. Yet part of me also felt vindicated. Finally, there was a reason for everything I'd been experiencing for so long. Knowing the level of damage to my gut finally connected the dots and explained so many issues the doctors had said were unrelated, like how hair loss caused by thyroid issues can, in fact, be linked to the gut, as that is where T3 and T4 are produced. A damaged gut means they aren't! The same applied to my menstruation; I had no female hormones because I had no gut function.
But six weeks when you're 31 is as scary as.
The power of complementary & alternative medicine (CAM)
Understanding CAM: A new path to healing
For years, I placed my trust in conventional medicine, only to be met with dismissals, dead ends, and, ultimately, a terminal prognosis. It wasn't until I was faced with a six-week deadline that I opened my mind and became willing to explore other options, options that fell outside the realm of traditional Western medicine. This led me to the world of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM).
So, what exactly is Complementary and Alternative Medicine? Unlike conventional medicine, which often focuses on treating symptoms and is closely tied to a narrow form of evidentiary support, CAM takes a more holistic approach. I would define it as holistic-focused methods that emphasise treating the whole person, mind, body, and spirit. It’s about exploring natural and integrative ways, using both ancient wisdom and the latest in neuroscience, to enhance well-being and address all types of health concerns.
But why is CAM growing in popularity? I believe it's because people are fed up! They're tired of feeling like just a set of symptoms to be managed, tired of the generic model that assumes we’re all the same, a model that prioritises pharmaceutical solutions first rather than as a last resort.
I believe people are increasingly seeking a more personalised, empowering, and holistic approach to their health. They want to be seen as whole individuals with unique needs and desires. They want to be active participants in their own healing journey. They want to understand what is going on and how they can be part of their solution, not just pop pills!
My "last" six weeks: A whirlwind of healing
With my diagnosis and prognosis, the doctor signed me off work for a month (why a month, I don't know).
I knew I needed to process what had happened, so the first thing I did was go to see a friend in Texas, sunshine and peace and quiet, to work out what on earth to do! While there, I was given a book to read: Conversations with God by Donald Neale Walsch. I'm not religious in the slightest, but I loved this book. It made being alive make sense, and it reconnected me to myself.
That was the start. It wasn't a medical or medicinal option, but it started my journey. Back in London, I was then introduced to a few modalities I had never heard of and people who were so different from the Western medical establishment.
I responded to a newsletter offering a last-minute massage from Ben Barnett. His massage was like nothing I'd ever experienced. He channels what your body tells him in the massage to create a guided meditation that feels like he's in your head. Therapy without talking, I'd call it!
Sara had already referred me to a functional medicine practitioner, David Hompes, who had done a full screening and told me the true extent of how much my body had shut down: adrenals at 4%, Thyroid at 7%, for example (how on earth was that “normal”?). David started me on a supplemental regime. As I wasn’t absorbing anything through my damaged gut, we did it transdermally (through the skin). He also gave me healing tea to drink to help manage the bacteria, yeast, and trauma in my gut.
Upon hearing my prognosis, David said he felt there was a spiritual aspect to my challenge that I'd lost the will to live, so I was just existing. This was based partly on how shallow my breath was and how little I slept. He referred me to a clairsentient healer called Adrienne.
Adrienne was something else; she was able to tell me everything that was or ever had been wrong with me, from the top of my head to the tips of my toes, scars, operations, etc. She told me that it all stemmed from 1 limiting belief that I was not enough and that if we healed that, I would heal. I told her I had been told I had 6 weeks. She said we'd better get started.
We did meditation at sunrise and sunset, we did ice therapy, more enemas, juice fast, and talking. It worked. Six weeks and 1 day later, at my gastro check-up (helpfully set after I should have died), he was shocked. Able to do a colonoscopy now, he did, and there was no damage to be found anywhere. He told me he didn't want to know what I'd done, or he wouldn’t be able to carry on his practice. I was sad about that but it felt wonderful for me!
The takeaway: A path towards a toolbelt for life
Looking back on that whirlwind of 6 weeks, I believe my healing was down to two key factors. First, I decided I wanted to live. I rediscovered my reason and my urge to live. I truly believe that the effect that had on my chemistry cannot be underestimated. This was thanks in part to the removal of limiting beliefs, the purging of trapped emotions in my body, and the profound effects of meditation. Secondly, I worked tirelessly to purge my physical body through massage, ice therapy, enemas, and other methods, purifying my energy fields, creating a blank sheet upon which I could create a new identity, approach to life, and health baseline.
It was this combination of factors, and of course, the wonderful practitioners and teachers I met that gave me my life back!
Charting my path to wellness: Modalities that transformed my life
Looking back on that incredible turnaround, I knew I couldn't simply return to my old way of life. The six weeks had opened my eyes to a whole new world of healing possibilities, and I was determined to explore them further. While removing the parasite was pivotal, it was only the beginning. It was the synergistic effects of the following modalities that have truly transformed my life, not only healing my body but also charting a course toward sustained wellness and a deeper understanding of myself.
Quantum biofeedback/biofeedback: Unveiling the body's energetic secrets
Remember Sara, the Quantum Biofeedback practitioner my colleague recommended when I felt completely lost and dismissed by conventional medicine? My first experience with her was mind-blowing and a pivotal moment for me. I sat in the chair, Sara attached electrodes to my ankles, wrists, and head, and then she sent electrical pulses through my body. It sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie, I know! But the way my body absorbed (or didn't absorb) that pulse enabled an accurate and specific interpretation of what was going on, a far more accurate diagnosis than I had experienced before! For the first time, it showed me how little I knew about how our bodies work and how limited standard GP approaches could be.
Not only did it find that pesky parasite that had been wreaking havoc on my system for a decade, but it also revealed imbalances around my hormones and other areas. It noted the extreme levels of inflammation in my body (related to EDS) and even picked up on my stress levels and emotions. It opened my mind to what was possible, and Sara explained everything so compassionately. When the parasite test ordered by the GP came back positive, I reflected on everything else that had come out during the session. It gave me a reason to pause and think. The concept of everything being energy and how my body reacted to different frequencies intrigued me, sparking the analytical side of my brain and creating an urge to learn more.
Intrigued? Why not find out more about Quantum Biofeedback and Biofeedback
Functional medicine: Empowering the body to heal itself
Remember Dave Hompes? The functional medicine practitioner Sara recommended when the GP tests kept coming back "normal," despite the chaos raging in my body. Functional medicine, as Dave explained, operates on a simple principle: Your body knows what it needs, and there are only ever two issues: not enough of something or too much. Unlike conventional medicine, which often focuses on suppressing symptoms, it's about figuring out the root cause, providing the source inputs (i.e., natural forms), and allowing the body to do its thing.
I love this modality; it makes so much sense to me. As I said, I appreciated the sophisticated nature of the chemical equations that make up our bodies. Finally, understanding what was going on and how core units like amino acids, minerals, and vitamins are used helped me understand the advice around nutrition. It was so much more sophisticated than just eating more greens, which, let's face it, is often the extent of advice you receive from a GP! Dave's tests were far more insightful than the GP's because they included a few extra markers, which made all the difference. Those markers enabled a full assessment of what was optimal, not just "normal"! This is so important and one of the key differences between Functional medicine and traditional approaches.
Not only this, but all the solutions were all-natural, prioritising sleep, herbs, supplements, and breathing. All the things that support the body in doing what it is designed to do felt right to me. Dave was always clear that it would take time, but it would be enduring and give me a new lease on life! Looking after myself became a real focus, and I also liked that it wasn't strict and didn't create judgment or blame if I didn't comply. It was my life, my choice, and I just did my best. This modality trusts the body and mind to know what to do. It's based on chemistry and works with the body, helping it do what it does naturally. And you know what, it wasn't a chore, it was an adventure!
Kinesiology: Communicating directly with the subconscious mind
After my experiences with Sara and Dave, I was keen to explore what else was out there. Around that time, I was introduced to kinesiology at a women's business owner group I was part of. We had a speaker each month, and Jacqui Taylor came one day. She taught us muscle testing and how we could use it to protect the flow of our energy.
What happened next was wild. She taught us all to do a ‘system reset, ’ and it had a profound effect. It literally floored me for 5 days! I had to call her and ask what on earth she'd done to me. What she said was: "You've been living in survival for so long your body got stuck, the reset then of course takes a lot longer." She invited me to go visit her so she could help me process it faster. In that first session, she explained Kinesiology and how it worked, and I was hooked.
Being able to communicate directly with my subconscious mind, to ask and get a response on what my body needed, was amazing. Jacqui is now my go-to! If something odd happens that I don't understand like when I moved out of London and suddenly started getting awful abdominal cramps muscle testing enabled her to learn it was a histamine reaction, and then we could adjust my nutrition accordingly (who knew avocado, spinach, and living in the countryside could create that issue?).
In that way, it's now a core part of my health maintenance plan, and checking in with myself in this way is life-changing. Also, having studied a lot about neuroscience, neuroplasticity, the subconscious mind, etc., I totally get how this modality works, and I love it. Jacqui is the most talented practitioner and has a multitude of other modalities that she can bring to bear to help address what comes up, but the basis of it all is kinesiology.
Physical manipulation (NST, emmett technique): Releasing tension and restoring balance
By this point in my journey, I had come to rely on Jacqui as my go-to practitioner! In addition to Kinesiology, she also practices physical manipulation modalities, the Neurostructural Integration Technique (NST), and the Emmett Technique. They share a common foundation in using gentle, non-invasive touch to promote physical well-being. Jacqui uses these modalities to help me manage the effects of having EDS.
Let me tell you, these modalities have been life-changing as they keep me mobile and pain-free(ish), and for that, I am incredibly grateful. With EDS, hypermobility means you put certain aspects of your physical structure under immense pressure, twisting and tightening things more than the average person. These modalities help them loosen and unravel, enabling them to go back into alignment, which reduces both the direct and the referred pain. They've helped me avoid ending up in a wheelchair.
Jacqui has taught me various things I can do at home that help me manage my pain on a daily basis. Once my bowel had healed and we’d rebalanced hormones, etc., my biggest challenge was my structural pain. Having tried many forms of PT, yoga, and Pilates, all of which only made it worse, it was amazing to finally find something that worked!
Jacqui is an expert who integrates these two modalities, adjusting to what is individually needed. She wasn’t fazed by my having EDS and didn’t try to suggest that I was “normal.” She met me where I was and continues to do so!
Sound healing: Vibrational harmony for body, mind, and spirit
Sometimes, you just need to be in nature. While I loved living in London, I often felt the need to get out of the city into the countryside. On one such occasion, I stumbled across the perfect place, a wonderful retreat called Breathing Space in Norfolk. Little did I know I'd be meeting someone who would change my life! In Norfolk, I met Paulina Jones, who explained the healing power of sound and how, unlike anything else, it can permeate through to every cell in our being. My journey with energy loved this new addition.
Paulina's gongs, drums, singing bowls, rain sticks, concha shells, and everything else she used just reached my soul and brought love and joy. We've been back year after year, taking more and more friends to experience her wonderful sound baths. The ability to shift energy with sound played a fundamental part in my healing. I even bought an inHarmony meditation cushion to heighten my meditation practice with the addition of not only hearing but really feeling the sound. A sub-woofer under the seat means the sounds reverberate up your spine and through your feet as you meditate! Using binaural beats and healing frequencies is a phenomenal, truly transformative experience that helps me connect with my inner self.
Sound healing takes on many forms, and I enjoy trying each and every one of them.
Belief change modalities: Rewriting the subconscious for lasting change
A few years into my healing journey, I realised something: I needed to address the underlying beliefs that were holding me back. Talking therapies had never worked for me, and I needed something different. That's when I discovered Psych-K ©. The premise of it was great! Using modalities that rewrite the subconscious felt like an amazing opportunity.
I found this modality hard to understand at first. I understood getting into a whole-brain state, and I understood the desire to rewrite neural pathways in the subconscious brain, but I was not prepared for the instantaneous effects. The first subject I covered was a deeply personal one: family dynamics. After just one session, my emotional responses to them, and my needs and thoughts about them, changed. I was stunned! It was subtle yet extremely effective, and I didn't have to unpack my suitcase of trauma over and over again.
During my wider studies, I came across Dr. Bruce Lipton, and once again, these belief change modalities were brought into stark reality and their true potential and scope with it. With 95% of our days run by our subconscious mind and 74% of our beliefs out of alignment with our conscious choices (i.e., life-limiting), the need and desire to align conscious and subconscious grows and grows. When you realise how they affect everything from our physical health to the manifestation of our dreams, this approach becomes integral. In 2018, I undertook a degree at Quantum University, where Dr. Lipton was a guest lecturer. The science we now know about how beliefs are created and how we can change them is, for most, beyond comprehension, but once you've experienced it, a whole new realm opens up.
The alchemy of being: Empowering others to create their own path
Discovering your unique path to wellness
Thirteen years after my six-week prognosis, I realised I wanted to share all that I’d learned in a way that made it easier for people to explore another way to health. In 2024, I started to create The Alchemy of Being, a platform designed to empower others to discover their unique paths to wellness.
The Alchemy of Being is more than just a website; it's a philosophy, a resource hub, and a community. We're elevating consciousness, promoting healing, and creating balanced lifestyles by integrating ancient wisdom with contemporary practices, empowering individuals to become their best selves, and enabling them to curate their unique path to wellness. Whether you're drawn to the healing power of nature, the insights of modern neuroscience, or the wisdom of traditional medicines, you'll find a wealth of information and inspiration here.
Crafting your ‘toolbelt for life’
At The Alchemy of Being, we believe that wellness is a lifelong journey, not a destination. That's why we encourage individuals to curate their own ‘Toolbelt for Life’, a personalised collection of modalities, tools, and resources that support their unique needs and preferences.
Our platform offers a comprehensive wellness wiki with over 220 CAM Modalities across the soul, mind, and body spectrum. From physical therapies to esoteric practices, we provide the resources you need to explore different approaches and discover what resonates with you. We also offer a Resource Centre with curated podcasts, apps, social media accounts, and playlists to support your journey.
Embracing individuality
We are all unique, from our genetic expression to our thoughts and desires. Therefore, a one-size-fits-all approach to healing simply cannot work. It is only when we accept our uniqueness and embrace it that we can truly find our own path and understand what tools we need to support us and guide us along that journey.
At The Alchemy of Being, we celebrate individuality and empower individuals to take control of their health and well-being. Whether you're seeking to manage a chronic condition, enhance your mental and emotional well-being, or simply live a more balanced and fulfilling life, we're here to support you every step of the way.
Conclusion: Embracing your unique healing journey
My journey has been a winding one, filled with unexpected turns and invaluable lessons. From navigating a challenging six-week prognosis to discovering the power of holistic healing, I've learned that wellness is not a one-size-fits-all solution. It's a deeply personal and transformative process that requires courage, curiosity, and a willingness to explore new possibilities.
The path of healing is not always easy, but it is always worth it. By embracing a holistic approach and listening to your inner wisdom, you can unlock your full potential and create a life filled with health, joy, and purpose.
Don't find yourself, curate yourself, and remember:
When and if you are ever ready or in need, The Alchemy of Being is there, ready and waiting to help you curate your toolbelt for the life of your dreams.
In the meantime, why not subscribe to our free weekly newsletter? Stay in the loop; you never know when something will resonate and the next step in your journey will begin.
Read more from Charlotte Phelps
Charlotte Phelps, Founder
Charlotte Phelps's life took a pivotal turn at 33 when she was given just six weeks to live due to a likely bowel perforation. This diagnosis came after a decade of being told she was fine by the medical world, making it both validating and shocking. Forced to explore unconventional options to survive, Charlotte not only regained her health but underwent a transformative journey of soul, mind, and body. She also developed a profound need to understand how she had lived, which sparked a decade-long exploration of holistic practices and alternative approaches. This journey ignited a deep passion to share what she’d discovered with others, leading to the creation of The Alchemy of Being.
