18. THE EARTH IS YOUR ALLY with ALAYNA BELLQUIST | Navigating Lyme Recovery with Nature as Your Guide

Since being diagnosed with lyme or watching a loved one struggle with this difficult disease, have you developed a fear of going outside? Do ticks scare you into staying indoors when you'd rather be soaking up some sunshine?

Join herbalist Kelsey Conger and marine scientist Alayna Bellquist on PLANET SPOONIE, the podcast for lymies and spoonies healing themselves and the world.

On this week's episode, I am so honored to welcome Alayna, a marine scientist turned lyme thriver and author! She shares her own experiences of growing up on Vancouver Island, spending plenty of time outdoors and eventually turning her love of nature into a career. When she was diagnosed with lyme disease (after contracting it here in Southern California), she applied her scientific background to the process of healing and found that her connection to nature was both an anchor and guide throughout her recovery.

We talk about the important role ticks play in our ecosystems and why they're NOT the enemy. We also explore how you can shift from feeling disempowered about chronic illness to reclaiming your life and autonomy, even when it feels impossible. Today Alayna is sharing pearls of wisdom she's learned along the way, and discusses her book that will be coming out next year. If you're looking to feel inspired about heading outdoors as we move from late spring into summer, then tune in!

Remember, our bodies are a direct reflection of the ecosystems we inhabit, and just like this earth, our bodies know how to heal.

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Alayna Bellquist is a marine scientist, lyme thriver, speaker, and author. She is a fact-driven, nature-based scientist, who guides people back to the natural world as a means to reclaim their innate health and to solve the environmental crisis.

Find Alayna on:
Website
Instagram

This episode is meant to be empowering and educational, but it is not medical advice. Please seek the support of your primary care provider or a qualified healthcare practitioner before making any changes.

As you navigate life with chronic health conditions, my goal is always to provide you with foundational tools to support you and help you feel your best. In addition to these educational episodes, working with clients 1:1 is one of the most powerful ways to initiate change - ensuring that you receive deeply personalized, compassionate, and inclusive care.

If you’re living with lyme disease or complex chronic illness and you feel ready to take your power back, begin healing, reconnect to yourself + nature, and find your *SHINE* again…

Book a FREE Q+A call with me to learn about working with me in 1:1 herbal consultations! And to stay tuned with upcoming offers, sign up for my newsletter and find me @kelseytheherbalist 🌼

Thanks for tuning into the PLANET SPOONIE podcast 🌎

Acknowledging that this podcast was recorded on the unceded land of the Kumeyaay (Iipai-Tipai-Diegueño) people, who have called this land home for 600 generations. This is now commonly called San Diego County in Southern California.