Seek examples of those who have achieved what you want to achieve and read or listen to their stories. Ask for their support!
1. Describe the moment when you knew you had to tap into your inner courage and make changes in your life.
I was lying on the single bed in my cramped Air B&B bedroom, distressed because my hostess wanted me to leave because of the smell of the essential oils I was using to minimize pathogenic spread. This was during COVID and I was very immunocompromised, and because I hadn't been able to work for so long, I had to find the cheapest Air B&Bs, which meant I was sharing a living space with several other guests. For the previous 8 months, I'd moved from Air B&B to Air B&B because I couldn't predict when my home would be safe for reoccupation. The relentless terrifying symptoms I was having, and extreme sensitivities were making it nearly impossible to do what I needed to do to get home again. I realized the stress of trying to please my hosts when I was so sick and not being able to manage my surroundings was causing more stress than the idea of moving back to the home that started my terrifying symptoms in the first place! I had to find a way to make my home safe, and return home as quickly as possible.
2. Walk us through the pivotal moment when you decided to act courageously. What was going through your mind? How did you feel at that moment?
I had to figure out how to make my home safe. I knew what areas of my home still needed renovation, and I had to find help to either complete the renovations or secure the areas until I could afford to renovate. I was feeling distressed because I was out of money, and I had so many symptoms with my phone and computer that I couldn't use them to look for help. My friends were disappearing fast because I'd already asked for too many favors, and my family lives too far away, nor do they have much money. I was feeling desperate and anxious and worried. I had to get out of this endless loop of running from Air B&B to AirB&B, and I had a 15 day deadline. I didn't know if I was going to be able to make it. Especially since my symptoms often curtailed my plans! And I HATED asking for more favors. I knew that the more I asked for help, the less friends I'd have. I had to ask friends to interact with the things and areas of my home that I couldn't interact with safely. I knew that 75% of the population can handle short term exposures to toxic mold without incident. As a medical intuitive, I knew which of my friends were a part of that 75%, but not all of them trusted my intuition. They knew enough of my story to be worried. I knew I was asking for too much, but I didn't feel like I had a choice.
3. What inspired or motivated you to take the courageous step you did? What were a few of the first steps you took? What major actions did you have to take?
I was out of money and all the stress of living with others during COVID and trying to please my hosts was keeping me sick! I knew I could never get well this way, and at least if I moved home, I'd be spending less money on housing! A friend of mine is a home inspector and is renovating his own home. He helped me check for mold in a wall that I was afraid of, mold in my kitchen and carpets, and closed the flue to my fireplace. Much of the toxic mold had originally come from the fireplace, so I was terrified of my chimney! He was so helpful during this experience, and I'm infinitely grateful for his help! The hyperbaric oxygen treatment center that I regularly went to told me that I could get plastic to cover my carpets. which had been exposed to the toxic mold, so I had to ask a couple of friends to help me cover my carpets from wall to wall. I also asked a well connected friend if she knew anyone I could hire affordably to help with renovations. I knew I had to find someone that was willing to work with my intuition, and thank goodness she found a woman I'll refer to as my renovation angel! She helped make my kitchen safe.
4. Paint a picture of what your life was like before you encountered the challenge that called for you to summon your courage.
In Jan of 2022, my cat and I escaped my rented home due to mold toxicity. She got very sick, and died from it, and shortly after, I started getting very sick too. I then bought my first home, and had to escape 2 weeks later due to mold coming from the attic and chimney. I couldn’t live in my condo for 8 months due to issues with remediations, and I developed sick building syndrome, non-stop symptoms, and couldn’t work or use my computer or phone for 6 months. There is a longer more detailed version of my story here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-me-write-my-posttraumatic-success-story
5. Were there any doubts or fears you had to overcome before taking action? How did you manage them?
I was very worried about over burdening my friends and losing their friendship. I had to put aside these worries as I didn't feel like I had a choice. I had to just hope that my friends would understand, and that I could be there for them when they needed help!
6. What were some of the challenges or obstacles you faced during your journey to overcome this particular challenge?
I was terrified of my place! My body was retracting in fear to bags, and touching things with a lot of cellulose often triggered painful electric sparks in my hands! I had already thrown so much away that had been infected, and I was terrified of finding more! It felt like walking on landmines! One week after I moved home, a new mold patch showed up on my ceiling! Two weeks after I moved in, I was in the bath when I got the intuitive hit that my hot water heater was full of parasites, and that it played a major role in my environmental sensitivities! I realized that every time the hot water heater ran out of hot water, that I was being exposed to them! I couldn't bathe or use hot water for a week until I replaced it. Luckily my mom helped me pay for it! I had to overcome all the trauma that had my home had caused from my original exposure, as well as the ongoing trauma!
7. Tell us about a memorable anecdote or turning point in your courageous journey.
As a healer, I worked hard to get myself as grounded as possible, to heal my vagus nerve, adrenals, and limbic system, and to release all the trauma caused by the relentless stress due to my environmental sensitivities, the crazy symptoms I was having, my inability to interact with my computer and phone ( and thus manage my business or my finances). I remember how much more empowered I felt when I could finally interact with my computer enough to manage my finances and apply for help. I filled out applications to pay off my Ambulance bill, to complete the remaining renovations needed in my home, to get help with my utilities, get a cheaper phone and applied for a forbearance plan for my mortgage. I felt like a part of me was coming back. I hated having to endlessly apply for help, but at least I felt like I was doing something about to mitigate my losses!
8. What role models or sources of support helped you stay strong and resilient?
My friend who was a home inspector put up with a ton of questions and brainstormed with me quite a bit. He also came to my home a couple of times to help make my home safe. I was so grateful for his support! My renovation angel refused to accept payment for securing my fireplace and ceiling with plastic after the mold patch showed up. She was patient and understanding when I was very stressed out due to new mold patch! My mom helped me get new floors, replace my hot water heater and helped me pay for my mortgage. My friend Jenna never left me as a friend and reminded me that I was strong and capable of handling anything!
9. How did this experience impact your life and your perception of courage?
I now know how people can become homeless due to environmental sensitivities, and why so many with toxic mold issues commit suicide. I wasn't able to work for 2 years, and I'm trying to rebuild my business as quickly as possible so that I don't lose my home. I don't see myself as a courageous person. But when I see what I've overcome and how hard I fought to survive despite the relentless terrifying symptoms so that I could help others, I know it took a lot of bravery to not give up. Believe me, I wanted to many times!
10. What lessons or wisdom have you gained from this experience that you'd like to share with others?
Never let anyone convince you to forgo inspection before you buy your home, regardless of how competitive the market is. I'm also reminded of lessons I've learned from other tragedies in my life. That we humans were not built to survive on our own. When faced with disaster, it's vital to be a part of a community. Together we are stronger. Nurture your relationships, cherish and be there for your friends and loved ones. And finally, there is no disaster relief for victims of mold. Given that we have to often renovate our homes, throw a ton of things away, move, and can get extremely sick from it, we need more support. Plus the only doctors that can treat people with mold toxicity are not covered by insurance. They are VERY expensive and have long waiting lists! Also in Germany, it's illegal to sell someone a home that makes them sick. There is a field of study there called Building Biology. Experts in the field show others how to build safe homes. We need building biologists in the US. There aren't enough! I'm hoping that by telling my story, I can help inspire more support for the prevention and mitigation of lives torn apart due to toxic mold.
11. What unexpected or positive outcomes emerged from your courageous actions?
My research was in Alzheimer's disease in the fields of neuroscience and epidemiology. I've known for a long time that undetected pathogens and toxins contribute to the inflammation and detoxification problems that cause Alzheimer's as well as most psychiatric, neurological and chronic conditions. While I had powerful methods to help clients address root causes, there were clients where my methods weren't sufficient to give them complete relief. Plus standard detoxification protocols ruined my colon and I became so sensitive that I had to find safer ways to detox. Because almost all of my organs, glands and bones were badly infected getting healthy has been a full time job. Luckily I've found some incredible products developed by scientists who lightyears ahead of their fields, and I'm grateful that I'll have them to help my clients heal more quickly and safely!
12. How do you define courage, and how has your definition evolved through your own experiences?
I used to associate courage with being fearless. But now I think it's about taking action even if you are terrified!
13. Is there a particular message or advice you'd like to convey to other women who may be facing similar challenges?
You don't have to live with extreme environmental sensitivities or chronic health conditions! You can feel safe in your surroundings and most chronic health conditions do not have to be chronic with the right methods!
14. In retrospect, do you have any regrets or things you would have done differently?
I wouldn't have bought this condo, and I would have tried to return home sooner.
15. How has this experience shaped your identity or sense of self?
I see myself as a survivor. I hope to be an inspiration for others. I plan to do a lot of advocacy and public speaking on behalf of those struggling with toxic mold. I am a fighter!
16. What would you say to someone who is hesitant or afraid to take a courageous step in their life.
Seek examples of those who have achieved what you want to achieve and read or listen to their stories. Ask for their support!
Dr. Tina has a Ph.D. in Neuroscience, did postdoctoral fellowships in psychiatric and nutritional epidemiology, and is a Holistic Brain Health Practitioner. She has helped hundreds of clients alleviate symptoms that couldn't be addressed via conventional methods. Her hobbies include hiking, kayaking, mushroom hunting and dancing.