Chronically Driven

The Universe is always sending us signs, offering us support, and letting us know we are not alone. I sit down with Janette Martens for a spirited conversation on noticing and connecting with the seen and unseen in this world and beyond.

Connect with Janette and check out her incredible photos.

https://www.sacredlightphotographyandhealing.com/ 

https://www.instagram.com/janettemartensphotograpy/?hl=en

As our planet goes through upgrades, so do we. I sit down with galactic channeler Gail Scott for an introductory conversation on the increased awareness we are experiencing during this time and why many are having a spiritual awakening.

Connect with Gail: Website and Subscribe: https://bosieinternational.com/contact/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gailscottchanneler/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gailscott4

What does it feel like to show up as your true authentic self and in alignment with your heart and soul's purpose? In this episode, Shannon Ryan of Heart Centred Space and I have a conversation on following joy, listening to our intuition, releasing expectations, and living a high vibrational life.

Shannon is passionate about showing up for and connecting with others through yoga, movement, mindfulness, and creative expression. She lives on Vancouver Island and from May to October offers Yoga by the Sea at Neck Point in Nanaimo among the eagles, otters, and waves. See below for how to connect with Shannon and sign up for any of her offerings.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heart.centred.space/

Website: https://heartcentred.space/

Learn about the services at Nanaimo Community Hospice, how to become a volunteer, and, why I call the Nanaimo Hospice Thrift Shoppe the BEST department store in town. 

Nanaimo Community Hospice is a non-profit charitable organization, whose vision is that the dying experience dignity and peace; their caregivers receive the help they need; and their family and friends are supported in their grief. They provide free support services helping individuals at end of life and for aftercare for loved ones, friends, and family. They have programs for adults, and children and specialized programs for those who have lost someone due to traumatic circumstances. 

Get in touch with Hospice:

https://www.nanaimohospice.com/

The Hospice Thrift Shoppe:

https://www.facebook.com/NanaimoThrift

Creating teachable moments with our kids on the topic of justice and personal freedom. Susan Standfield is an advocate for natural health rights and freedom. Creating content to inspire and empower women and Moms, Susan provides resources, tips, and hacks that everyone can use.

Her recent series Ready Set be In Alienable is designed to help parents and caregivers create teachable moments and conversations around human rights.

Follow Sue on Instagram: @healthandjustice

Website: https://healthjusticetees.com/kids

In this episode, I share the 4 ways essential oils bless my life every day. 

Want to learn more about oils? Check out the next episode as it's an essential oils class where I go through tips and uses for the top 10 oils.

Have a question about essential oils or ready to get started? I'm here to help and would love to support you on your wellness journey. If signing up on your own, please include my doTERRA ID so I can send you a welcome package with some gifts and your access to exclusive perks.

Connect with me:

Email: asksandra22@gmail.com

doTERRA ID: 3903766 sandra sova

Podcast: https://anchor.fm/chronicallydriven

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chronicallydriven/

Welcome to Oil Class! In this episode, I go over 10 of the most popular essential oils and give tips and usage for each one.

Have a question about essential oils or ready to get started? I'm here to help and would love to support you on your wellness journey. If signing up on your own, please include my doTERRA ID so I can send you a welcome package with some gifts and your access to exclusive perks.  

Connect with me:

Email: asksandra22@gmail.com

doTERRA ID: 3903766 sandra sova

Podcast: https://anchor.fm/chronicallydriven 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chronicallydriven/

For two years I hosted the Arthritis Wellness Conversations with a research scientist from Arthritis Research Canada and, members of the Arthritis Patient Advisory Board. Our purpose was to have engaging conversations with individuals living with arthritis to help to get a glimpse of a day in the life when living with a chronic condition. All previous conversations can be found on the Arthritis Research Canada website. www.arthritisresearch.ca

In recognition of brain injury awareness, I sat down with Anie Boudreau from the School of Reverence for a super fun chat. Anie is passionate about learning and teaching awareness and understanding of our body's nervous system. We talk about the practice of 'Glimmer Hunting' and how it can be used as a resource to build resilience.

If you find this content during March of 2022, be sure to check out Anie's pages to find out how to hunt for glimmers and have a chance to win a beautiful card deck, The Gentle Tarot by @mariinthesky  

Connect with and follow Anie here:

https://www.instagram.com/schoolofreverence/ 

https://schoolofreverence.com/facilitator-training

What if your home could make you feel as if you were on vacation all the time? Learn from Sara Fletcher, an Intuitive Home & Lifestyle Mentor, Certified Feng Shui Practitioner, and Founder of Love Home Life.  Sara works with individuals and families who feel overwhelmed and ashamed in their home environments and helps them develop healthier, more peaceful and empowering relationships with their homes and STUFF resulting in a stronger ability to live up to their true potential in life.

Learn more from Sara: https://www.lovehomelifecenter.com/

Natural health and wellness is what I've been talking about for years. Not going to stop now.

Slow down and watch what happens. A fun and engaging conversation with Transformation Coach Josette Diaz from Guidance to Wellness.

Learn how going slow can be the key to finding your inner rhythm and bliss.

Connect with Josette: 

Website: https://guidancetowellness.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/guidancetowellness/

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 Intro/Outro Music: https://www.bensound.com/

A great conversation with Paula Yolles on understanding Emotional Eating. 

Paula Yolles is the owner of Body-Mind-Food Freedom and founder of the End Emotional Eating with Ease Method. Paula helps women release emotional eating and negative mind-chatter about their body, health and food so they can consistently eat healthy, be energized, and enjoy their bodies.

Connect with Paula: Email: paula@paulayolles.com

Facebook Group: End Emotional Eating Sisterhood https://www.facebook.com/groups/hellotohealthsisterhood/ 

MealGarden Recipes & Meal Planning Expert: https://www.mealgarden.com/expert/paulayolles/  

Chocolate Chip Mookie Recipe: https://www.mealgarden.com/recipe/chocolate-chip-power-protein-mookies/?shr=5332&mg=0 

GIFT: Best Next Step to End Emotional Eating Complimentary Call with Paula Yolles:  https://paulayolles.as.me/onetoonebestnextstep

Stand up and speak up for health choice and health freedom. 

Setting intentions with purpose for the new year.  You write the script.

Hear how a group of women in Nanaimo is organizing ways to support at-risk women in our community. This is a heartfelt episode and you'll learn what they've been able to do so far and, the many ways you can support women in need right here in Nanaimo.

These are the fundraisers mentioned on today's show.

Sound Healing Dec 12, 10 AM, $25 suggested donation monasteriosoundhealing@gmail.com

Nanaimo Women Helping Women Hoodie sizes S - XXL $40 jenn_gowans@hotmail.com

Other Ways to Support:  a. Country Grocer - Every $1000 in grocery receipts produces a $10 grocery gift card. Receipts can be dropped off in groups of $1000 to 512 Martina Way 

b.   Quality Foods - Points can be transferred to our account. The account is Nan Women Helping Women. #40026197193

c.    Bottles - Recyclables can be taken to either depot. Account Nanaimo Women Supporting Women (we are trying to get the name changed) 

d.   Cobb’s Bread – Mention Nanaimo Women Helping Women 

e.   Thrifty’s stickers - Drop off stickers to 512 Martina Way 

f.    Once Upon a Child – Donate Children's Clothes Under - Nanaimo Women Helping Women 

g.   Soap Exchange – Mention Nanaimo Women Helping Women 

h.     $10 per month etransfer to nanaimowomenhelpingwomen@gmail.com to Coastal Community  Credit Union - inter member transfer (contact bank to set-up)  1-888-741-1010 

i.     Donate Canadian Tire money - Drop off at 512 Martina Way

Two easy things to watch for.

Here is the link to the full video.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd3u0yav_bU&t=1093s

Awareness is the theme of today's podcast. I share the awareness I have of recently having gained some weight and how I'm using that as a resource.

Then, special guest Shamanic Practitioner Angela Faith joins me in a conversation around awareness.

I close with bringing awareness to the importance of increased vigilance for breast self-examination for women taking biologic medications and, identifying why someone with an auto-immune condition may be deemed 'clinically extremely vulnerable'.

My conversation with Anie Boudreau founder of School of Reverence. You'll hear about the Embodied Wonderment Method which is part of the Psychedelic Integration Facilitator Training Program at the School of Reverence. Anie and I talk about a healing journey that includes adding a compassion-centered Lense that is often missing when working with people with pain, trauma, and addiction. 

https://schoolofreverence.com/

Hi, I'm Sandra a voice and advocate for living your best life. I also speak up on the topic of living well with chronic conditions and specifically in my case, Rheumatoid Arthritis. Today I share my guest appearance on the Cure Chronic podcast celebrating Arthritis Awareness Month. Who would have ever thought I'd be a Covergirl on an Arthritis publication? Talk about a thrill, I share the story of how that came to be. 

I'm also sharing a new companion piece to the Spoon Theory. I call it the Petal Theory and unlike the analogy of running out of spoons, it's a replenishable resource that we refill with healthy habits and self-care and I think it's a fun idea. 

Have a story to tell? A long-awaited book to birth? Poetry or songs longing to be penned? They all begin with the ability to quiet the thinking mind, be fully present in our bodies, and open to flow! 

My guest Pamela Jay is a natural voice guide and feminine leadership mentor. I share two amazing breakthrough moments I experienced during one of her workshops and you'll hear how you can join an exciting, immersive virtual group workshop to experience the same. 

Book a discovery call with Pamela now: www.pamelajay.com

Trafficking of humans is a global issue. On today's podcast, we take a look at the world of sex trafficking, what it is, what it isn't and, how rebuilding the lives of survivors of trafficking is being done with the amazing work at Shyne Sandiego.

You'll hear about a non-profit that is breaking through the stigma and providing women with the skills and development they need to reimagine and embrace a life of self-love and fulfillment through entrepreneurial opportunities. You'll also hear from a survivor of trafficking who has gone through a healing journey and is now providing inspiration and guidance for other survivors of sex trafficking.

Connect with and show support for Cynthia and Monica here:

https://www.shynesd.org/

https://members.survivorbusinessnetwork.com/

https://www.instagram.com/shynesandiego/

https://www.instagram.com/molifemostyle/

TikToK: @molifemostyle

What does it mean to be healthy and how can we ensure we are doing our part?

Spoiler alert - being 'vaccinated' against something does not make you a healthy person. 

Many of us find that we get to a certain stage in our lives and we realize we’re not pursuing our dreams or following a path of our choosing but instead, we’re operating on automatic and perhaps following a path not that we have chosen but perhaps one that we’ve stumbled into and – stayed there. Meet Josette Diaz a Transformation Coach who works with women who are looking to make a change and basically live their best life.  Get in touch with Josette and uncover your next chapter.

Schedule a free 30 min coffee chat: https://calendly.com/guidancetowellness

Website: http://www.guidancetowellness.com/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/

GuidanceToWellnessPrivate Facebook Group - Seasons of the Soul Sisterhood: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1517119475294617

Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the most beneficial things you can do to preserve and improve your health and wellness. Making yourself a priority and doing what is necessary to achieve and maintain a healthy weight is an investment you make in yourself that benefits everyone around you.  . If you are someone living with a chronic condition such as Arthritis, carrying excess weight is not only hard on your joints it can shorten the quality and quantity of your years. Hear what the latest research says when it comes to exercise and mental health and why being overweight may make medications less effective and ways to incorporate movement into your life.

The more I learn about our fascia, the more I want to learn. Fascia covers our entire body and until recently was ignored. We now know that fascia is an important body system and that working it through guided stretch can benefit your health in so many ways.

.  FST practitioner Alenna Langhorst offers Fascial Stretch sessions at Island Optimal in Nanaimo, BC. You can contact her here to book a session or if you have any questions.

. Island Optimal: http://islandoptimal.com/alennafst

.Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/stretch_westcoast/

. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stretchwestcoast

We all know the importance of self-care yet it is something that many struggle with. Becky Gale and I are both passionate about self-care and discuss the value of developing a self-care mindset and making it a daily practice - even when we're feeling good.

Follow Becky on her social media channels and, if you have a chronic story to share, you could be a guest on her podcast.

Email info@curechronic.ca 

Becky Gale Cure Chronic Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/show/5YWlXCXrGKu3b2GptCn9rl

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/curechronic/

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=cure%20chronic

Do you know what your purpose is? Has it changed over time......our purpose is less about what we do and more about who we are. When we are able to identify what it is that truly fulfills us and brings us joy it can lead to applying that into our lives.  Hear from coaches Pemelia Parham and Barb Ashcroft as we take a look at what it means to have your top 4 fulfillment needs met and, how to identify them.

Register for the complimentary info session June 15th, 7PM, PST https://www.barbashcroft.ca/workshops/

Contact Barb: 250-951-2544

Contact Permelia: 250-240-2656 https://vibrationalhealing.ca/contact/

I welcome Becky Gale back to the podcast this week. Becky shares what she's been up to the past few months which includes a very close call when it comes to her health. We talk about the importance of self-care, listening to the messages our bodies are sending us and, navigating a health crisis in a pandemic.

The Divided Mind: https://www.amazon.ca/Divided-Mind-Epidemic-Mindbody-Disorders/dp/0061174300

https://drgabormate.com/book/when-the-body-says-no/

A conversation with Angela Faith, a Shamanic Practitioner, and Mentor. Through her work and way of being, she inspires others to create wholeness, wellness, and harmony through spiritual work and guidance.  . Shamanism is the oldest spiritual practice known to humankind and this way of Healing and Mentoring, supports others in learning to live in a more natural way, moving past trauma and illness, and stepping into a purposeful life. 

Connect with Angela: www.angelafaith.love

Nicole Monasterio is a Sound Healer and the founder of Monasterio Sound Healing. She works with individuals and groups creating a soulful sound experience that can create soul healing experiences. 

https://www.instagram.com/monasteriosound/

https://www.facebook.com/monasteriosoundhealing

Plus, a preview of our next episode with Shamanic Practitioner Angela Faith.

Why are more people not talking about this? In this episode, I share some of the easiest ways to boost your immune system that also happen to be basic building blocks for overall health. It's actually really easy and is something we should all be doing. Wellness is not manufactured in a lab it is created by the daily choices we make. 

I also share an update on how it's going 4 weeks post-op from a total knee replacement and, give a shout out to the value and importance of physiotherapists. 

I did something I've wanted to do for about a decade or so and that is to 'run away from home', to a secluded cabin where I could have time to write, dream, create and unwind. I did that this year for my birthday and I just have to share with you the incredible spot I found nestled by the sea in Sooke, British Columbia. It was exactly what I needed and was a perfect getaway before my knee replacement surgery which took place two days after I got home. Here is how to check out this amazing property and book your own getaway. 

VRBO Property # 1537158 Sweetgrass Cottage

https://www.vrbo.com/en-ca/cottage-rental/p1537158vb?adultsCount=1&arrival=2021-05-13&departure=2021-05-16

Westburn Seaside Cottages http://www.sookevacationhomes.ca/index.html

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This in a way is an episode of re-birth, a new chapter a new phase of this amazing journey of life.

I do share some tips and insights on how I prepared myself mentally for this procedure and, some practical tips for navigating these early days. 

There is often a stigma associated with having a visible or invisible illness, using mobility aids or, asking for help. 

Hear from a panel of individuls as they describe real life experiences on navigating through stigma to empowerment. 

I also share how perfectly timed this is as I prepare for a major surgery that will have me using visible mobility aids. I love it how things work out like that.

Registered Psychologist Dr. Paloa Lake and I take an in-depth look at creating a value system that supports long-term sustainable weight loss goals.  

Did you know that you're not supposed to simply add essential oils to your bathwater? It's true, doing so can cause painful irritations to your skin. In this short video, I walk you through how to safely use oils with Epsom salts and what are some of the ways that oils can enhance your bathing ritual.   #selfcare #selfcareritual #selfcarebath #essentialoils #oilylife #bathoils #essentialoilsafety #manifest #beautifulbath

Taking a look at the three levels of engagement for taking on responsibility and decision making when it comes to our health & wellbeing.

Prompted by an episode on how to prepare for medical appointments, I take it back a step and ask the question....do you really need to go to the doctor for everything that comes up?

Preparedness is the name of the game and in this episode, we listen to a panel of patient experts when it comes to preparing for and making the most of your medical appointments. Then.........let's go a bit deeper and ask the question - who is in charge of our health and is going to the doctor the first thing you should do?

Learn about Fascial Stretch Therapy in this conversation with Alenna Langhorst from Stretch Westcoast. 

Contact Alenna

Email: alennalang@gmail.com

Instagram: stretch_westcoast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stretchwestcoast

Fascial Stretch Therapy can be beneficial for anyone who has a body and can provide relief for those that have auto-immune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia, issues with chronic pain, and for anyone who is carrying a lot of tension in their bodies.

This gentle healing modality is known to:

Increase Range of Motion & Optimal Flexibility
Provide Muscular Balance and Symmetry
Improved Movement
Reduced Pain
Reduced Risk of Injury
Improved Posture
Improved Muscle Function
Improved Circulation

---------PART TWO-----------

How to raise our vibration during times of stress or changes in our world.

Here is a portion of a previous conversation I had with Kassandra Hamilton and Permelia Pharham. Originally aired in April 2020 these two ladies bring a calming peaceful vibe that encourages us to live in the moment with ease. 

If you'd like to get in touch with Permelia or Kassandra check out their pages here:

Permelia: permelia@vibrationalhealing.ca

Kassandra: www.whconsult.online

In this episode, I share portions of a talk given by Stephen Covey author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

We examine habit #1, being proactive vs. reactive. This is an exceptional skill to develop and as you'll hear can have a positive benefit to your health and wellbeing. 

Here is the full Stephen Covey talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaTmv67WpRM

I team up with Teresa Ostman fellow on-air personality for Wellness Wednesday's on community radio. A few of the highlights and lowlights of the past year and our thoughts on 2021.

Sharing our best tips and strategies to help you go into your holiday meal preparations with more ease and less burnout.

I'm finding myself in full Caregiver mode and share how I'll be navigating this season in order to not become exhausted or compromising my own health in the process. Wish me luck, it's easier said than done. 

We also have an excellent conversation on how we can improve the functionality of an Osteoarthritic joint with targeted movement. 

A conversation with Registered Psychologist Dr. Paola Lake on the topic of 'Thriving Amidst Adversity'. How making inner changes can empower you to lead the life you want.

Hear from Dr. Mary De Vera on her research and findings on the impact of biological medications for moms and babies. Our panel, individuals living with arthritis share their experiences. 

I've been advocating for my own health for most of my life. I've also taken on this role for my parents. In this episode, I talk about how to effectively communicate with medical professionals in order to ensure the best outcomes. 

Yes, it's true. I actually really appreciate some of the things that are in place during our current 'virus season' as I'm calling it. From distancing and more I share my thoughts on the current situation and how I'm loving it.