Episodes

  • Episode 573: From Hypervigilance to Healing — Ben Ahrens on Neuroplasticity and Recovering from Chronic Lyme Disease

    Episode 573: From Hypervigilance to Healing — Ben Ahrens on Neuroplasticity and Recovering from Chronic Lyme Disease
    Aug 1 2026
    At Amy Kurtz's But You Look Fine book launch and signing event in New York City, Tick Boot Camp co-founder Matt Sabatello caught up with former guest Ben Ahrens, founder of Re-Origin, for an insightful conversation about neuroplasticity, hypervigilance, chronic Lyme disease recovery, and the emerging science connecting the brain, nervous system, and chronic illness. Since his first appearance on the Tick Boot Camp Podcast, Ben has continued expanding Re-Origin's reach around the world while deepening his research into how chronic stress, trauma, and nervous system dysregulation can perpetuate illness long after the initial trigger has passed. This conversation explores why some patients remain trapped in cycles of symptoms, why many become increasingly sensitive to treatments, and how retraining the brain may help create conditions that support healing and recovery. Meet Ben Ahrens Ben Ahrens is the founder of Re-Origin, a neuroplasticity-based brain retraining program designed to help individuals struggling with chronic conditions including: Lyme diseaseChronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)Chronic painCentral sensitizationNervous system dysregulationComplex chronic inflammatory illnesses What began as Ben's personal journey out of severe neurological Lyme disease has evolved into a global movement. Today, Re-Origin serves members in more than 50 countries and has helped over 12,000 participants navigate recovery through nervous system regulation and neuroplasticity-based approaches. Why the Brain Matters in Chronic Lyme Disease Ben explains that chronic illness is not "all in your head." Instead, he argues that the brain serves as the body's master regulator, coordinating immune, hormonal, emotional, and physiological responses. When the nervous system becomes chronically overwhelmed, it can become trapped in a state of persistent threat detection. According to Ben, even when infections are being addressed and the body begins healing, the brain may continue operating as if danger is still present. This ongoing state of alarm can: Increase inflammationSuppress immune functionHeighten symptom perceptionAmplify treatment reactionsProlong illness cyclesMake recovery more difficult The result is a nervous system that remains stuck in survival mode long after the original threat has diminished. Understanding Hypervigilance One of the central themes of this interview is hypervigilance. Ben describes hypervigilance as a state in which the brain becomes excessively focused on detecting potential threats. Over time, the nervous system can become conditioned to interpret everyday sensations, stressors, and even beneficial treatments as danger signals. He explains that hypervigilance often develops gradually through a cumulative process rather than a single traumatic event. Potential contributors include: Chronic infectionsMedical uncertaintyFinancial stressRelationship challengesPhysical injuriesRepeated setbacksLong-term caregiving demandsOngoing emotional strain Eventually, the nervous system may reach a tipping point where seemingly minor stressors trigger major physiological responses. Why Some Lyme Patients Become Extremely Treatment Sensitive Many Lyme patients report becoming increasingly reactive to medications, supplements, detoxification protocols, and other therapies. Ben believes hypervigilance may help explain why. When the brain is operating from a persistent fight-or-flight state, it often interprets change itself as a threat. Even interventions intended to help may trigger exaggerated physiological responses because the nervous system is already overloaded. This can contribute to: Heightened treatment reactionsIncreased symptom flaresDifficulty tolerating protocolsFear surrounding new therapiesReduced resilience to stress Understanding the role of the nervous system may provide an additional layer of insight for patients who feel stuck despite pursuing multiple treatment strategies. The Connection Between Medical Trauma and Chronic Illness Inspired by Amy Kurtz's new book, Matt and Rich ask Ben about the concept of Medical Trauma Brain. Ben sees significant overlap between medical trauma and hypervigilance. He explains that one of the most difficult aspects of chronic illness is uncertainty: Not knowing what is wrongNot receiving answersFeeling dismissed by providersNavigating conflicting medical opinionsWatching symptoms worsen without explanation When patients spend months or years searching for answers, the brain can become increasingly conditioned to expect danger, uncertainty, and disappointment. This experience can create a powerful neurological imprint that persists long after diagnosis and treatment begin. How to Recognize Hypervigilance Many people living with chronic illness don't realize they are operating from a hypervigilant state because it has become their normal. Ben shares several common signs: Constant worry or ruminationFeeling unable to relaxPersistent fight-or-flight ...
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    14 mins
  • Episode 572: Born with Lyme Disease — How American Ninja Warrior Talan Yorn Turned Adversity into Purpose

    Episode 572: Born with Lyme Disease — How American Ninja Warrior Talan Yorn Turned Adversity into Purpose
    Jul 25 2026
    What if the greatest obstacle you ever faced became the very thing that inspired thousands of others? In this inspiring episode of the Tick Boot Camp Podcast, Matt Sabatello sits down with Talan Yorn, an 18-year-old American Ninja Warrior competitor, Lyme disease advocate, public speaker, author, and founder of Lyme Ninja. Born with congenital Lyme disease, Talan has never known life without chronic illness. His journey has included years of debilitating symptoms, neurological complications, mold illness, multiple tick-borne co-infections, extensive treatment, and even spending years bedridden. Today, Talan is proving that healing is possible. Through determination, perseverance, and a relentless refusal to give up, he transformed his life from being too sick to attend school into competing on national television as an American Ninja Warrior while using his platform to inspire hope throughout the Lyme community. This episode is a powerful reminder that recovery is rarely linear—but with the right support, persistence, and belief, extraordinary things are possible. Meet Talan Yorn Talan Yorn is an American Ninja Warrior competitor, Lyme disease advocate, author, public speaker, stunt performer, ninja coach, and founder of Lyme Ninja. Diagnosed with congenital Lyme disease at just seven years old after years of unexplained illness, Talan has dedicated his life to raising awareness for Lyme disease while encouraging others facing chronic illness to never lose hope. Learn more at Lyme Ninja. Read his inspiring memoir, Overcome: A Lyme Patient's Journey to American Ninja Warrior. In This Episode Matt and Talan discuss: Growing up with congenital Lyme diseaseReceiving a childhood Lyme, Babesia, and Bartonella diagnosis after years of unanswered questionsLiving with PANS, neurological symptoms, and immune dysfunctionThe impact of mold illness on Lyme recoveryIVIG, functional medicine, antibiotics, and long-term treatmentGoing from bedridden to competing on American Ninja WarriorBecoming "Lyme Ninja"Advocating for Lyme disease awareness nationwideFinding purpose through adversity Growing Up with Congenital Lyme Disease Because Talan contracted Lyme disease from his mother before birth, he never knew what it felt like to be healthy. Throughout his childhood he struggled with fatigue, joint pain, fevers, headaches, insomnia, vomiting, and difficulty walking while doctors repeatedly dismissed his symptoms as "growing pains." Everything changed after his mother was diagnosed by Lyme-literate physician Dr. Steven Harris, leading to Talan's own diagnosis at age seven. Finally having answers allowed his family to begin the long journey toward recovery. Talan reflects on what it was like growing up believing his symptoms were normal simply because he had never experienced life without Lyme disease. Watching other children run, play, and participate in sports while constantly battling pain and exhaustion shaped much of his childhood and fueled his determination to one day overcome the disease. Navigating Complex Lyme Disease Beyond physical symptoms, Talan discusses the profound neurological effects Lyme disease had on his life. Along with Lyme disease and multiple co-infections, he developed PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome), OCD, anxiety, insomnia, emotional dysregulation, and episodes of overwhelming rage that were later understood to be driven by neuroinflammation. His story offers an important reminder that Lyme disease can affect far more than the joints or muscles. In children especially, behavioral and psychiatric symptoms may be signs of underlying infection rather than isolated mental health conditions. To learn more about pediatric Lyme disease and PANS/PANDAS, listen to Dr. Somer DelSignore. Treatment, Remission, and Mold Illness Over the course of more than a decade, Talan pursued a comprehensive treatment approach that included antibiotics, herbal medicine, functional medicine, IVIG, immune support, nutritional therapies, mold detoxification, and more recently peptide therapy. After years of treatment, he experienced approximately six months of remission and finally enjoyed the active childhood he had always dreamed about. He played competitive baseball, built friendships, and discovered what life felt like without constant symptoms. Unfortunately, that progress came to a sudden halt after repeated exposure to mold-contaminated homes. The mold triggered a severe relapse, leaving Talan bedridden for nearly three years and forcing him to stop attending school. During this difficult period, IVIG became an important part of his recovery after doctors discovered significant immune dysfunction and extremely low white blood cell counts. Combined with removing mold exposure and continuing treatment, Talan slowly began rebuilding his health once again. For more discussions about mold illness and chronic Lyme disease, explore Tick Boot Camp's interview with Dr. Jill Carnahan. From Bedridden ...
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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • Episode 570: Medical Trauma Brain, Emotional Healing After Lyme Disease & Reclaiming Life Beyond Chronic Illness | Amy Kurtz

    Episode 570: Medical Trauma Brain, Emotional Healing After Lyme Disease & Reclaiming Life Beyond Chronic Illness | Amy Kurtz
    Jul 11 2026
    What happens after Lyme disease treatment ends—but you still don't feel like yourself? In this powerful in-person Tick Boot Camp studio interview, bestselling author, certified health coach, and Lyme disease advocate Amy Kurtz returns to discuss her groundbreaking new book, But You Look Fine: Trapped in the Hell Between Sick and Well and How To Break Free. Following the overwhelming response to her first Tick Boot Camp interview in Episode 449: Kicking Sick: Your Go-To Guide for Thriving with Chronic Health Conditions, Amy joins Matt Sabatello and Rich Johannesen for an unforgettable conversation about the emotional, neurological, and psychological aftermath of chronic illness. Together, they explore why healing doesn't always end when symptoms improve—and why many Lyme disease patients remain trapped between being physically better and emotionally free. Amy introduces the concept of Medical Trauma Brain, a framework that helps explain the fear, hypervigilance, anxiety, identity loss, and nervous system dysregulation experienced by so many people recovering from Lyme disease, tick-borne illness, mold illness, autoimmune disease, Long COVID, and other chronic conditions. If you've ever wondered why recovery still feels incomplete after treatment, this episode is one you won't want to miss. Listen or Watch 🎧 You're viewing the show notes for the Tick Boot Camp audio podcast, available on TickBootCamp.com, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. 🎥 Prefer video? Watch the complete in-studio interview with Amy Kurtz on the Tick Boot Camp YouTube channel. Recorded in person at the Tick Boot Camp Studio, this deeply personal conversation combines Amy's lived experience, insights from leading trauma experts, and practical tools that can help patients move beyond survival mode and reclaim their lives. In This Episode What Is Medical Trauma Brain? Amy introduces her groundbreaking concept of Medical Trauma Brain (MTB)—the lingering emotional, neurological, and psychological effects that can persist long after physical symptoms improve. Years spent battling Lyme disease, searching for answers, enduring medical dismissal, and living in survival mode can fundamentally change how the brain responds to the world. Medical Trauma Brain helps explain why many patients continue experiencing: Fear of relapseHealth anxietyHypervigilanceDifficulty trusting their bodiesLoss of identityEmotional exhaustion Why Healing Doesn't End When Treatment Ends Amy shares how finally receiving a diagnosis of late-stage neurological Lyme disease and co-infections brought tremendous relief—but not complete healing. Although her body began recovering, her nervous system continued living as if danger was everywhere. She explains how years spent fighting for answers rewired her brain into survival mode, leaving her emotionally stuck despite significant physical progress. The conversation explores why emotional recovery often lags behind physical recovery and why this overlooked phase of healing deserves far greater attention. Chronic Resilience Can Become Chronic Survival For years, Amy relied on resilience simply to survive. But she explains how constantly pushing forward can eventually create a nervous system that's unable to relax—even after the crisis has passed. Matt and Rich discuss how resilience, while essential during illness, can eventually become another obstacle that requires healing, as the brain remains hypervigilant long after the physical danger has subsided. Rewiring the Brain After Chronic Illness Amy explains how true recovery required learning to retrain her brain and regulate her nervous system. She discusses the therapies that helped her rebuild emotional safety, including: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)Somatic ExperiencingNervous system regulationMind-body healingTrauma-informed therapy Rich and Matt expand on the science of brain rewiring, discussing how the subconscious mind, nervous system, beliefs, and emotional responses interact throughout recovery. Restoring Trust in Your Body One of the most powerful moments in the conversation centers around learning to trust the body again. After years of illness, many patients begin questioning every symptom and every sensation. Amy explains how reconnecting with her body's signals, honoring intuition, and rebuilding confidence became some of the most important steps toward recovery. The Missing Piece of Lyme Disease Recovery The discussion challenges the traditional medical model by emphasizing that healing must include more than eliminating infection. Amy argues that complete recovery involves healing the: BodyBrainNervous systemEmotionsSpirit Together, Matt, Rich, and Amy discuss why treating only the physical illness often leaves patients feeling trapped between sickness and wellness. The Power of Agency One of the central themes of the interview is reclaiming agency. Amy shares how ...
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    1 hr and 30 mins
  • Episode 569: Air Force Major Trent Vonich on Lyme Disease, Military Service, and Finding a New Mission

    Episode 569: Air Force Major Trent Vonich on Lyme Disease, Military Service, and Finding a New Mission
    Jul 4 2026
    What happens when an active-duty Air Force officer, elite athlete, and aspiring astronaut suddenly finds his health slipping away—and no one can explain why? In this episode of the Tick Boot Camp Podcast, we sit down with Major Trent Vonich, a United States Air Force officer whose relentless pursuit of answers led him through years of unexplained symptoms, medical uncertainty, and ultimately a diagnosis of Lyme disease and multiple tick-borne infections. Trent shares his remarkable journey from military service and elite physical performance to chronic illness, recovery, and a renewed mission focused on research, education, and helping others navigate the challenges of tick-borne disease. His story is one of resilience, perseverance, and discovering that purpose can evolve even when life takes an unexpected turn. Meet Major Trent Vonich Major Trent Vonich is an active-duty United States Air Force officer, former Combat Rescue Officer, endurance athlete, researcher, and PhD candidate whose life changed dramatically after developing a complex chronic illness linked to tick-borne infections. Throughout his military career, Trent pursued some of the Air Force's most demanding opportunities while maintaining a passion for endurance sports, leadership, and scientific inquiry. When mysterious symptoms began impacting his health and performance, he embarked on a years-long search for answers that would ultimately reshape both his personal and professional life. Today, he continues serving his country while advancing research, education, and awareness surrounding complex chronic illnesses. A Life Built Around Performance Before illness entered the picture, Trent's life revolved around excellence. As a Combat Rescue Officer, he trained and operated in one of the military's most physically and mentally demanding environments. Outside of his military duties, he pushed himself through endurance athletics and maintained an unwavering commitment to peak performance. Fitness, resilience, discipline, and service were central to his identity. Then everything began to change. When Symptoms Started to Appear What began as subtle health concerns gradually developed into a constellation of symptoms that became increasingly difficult to ignore. Trent experienced: Severe fatigueBrain fogSleep disturbancesCognitive challengesChronic painExercise intoleranceNeurological symptomsAutonomic dysfunctionReduced athletic performanceUnexplained declines in overall health As symptoms progressed, activities that once felt routine became increasingly difficult. Like many Lyme disease patients, he found himself knowing something was wrong long before he had an explanation. The Long Search for Answers Despite extensive medical evaluations, Trent struggled to find a diagnosis that fully explained what he was experiencing. He consulted numerous healthcare providers, underwent extensive testing, and explored a variety of possible explanations for his symptoms. Yet many of the answers fell short. The experience highlighted a challenge familiar to many in the Lyme community: living with very real symptoms while struggling to obtain clear answers from the medical system. As his condition continued to impact both his health and career, the search became increasingly urgent. Discovering Lyme Disease and Co-Infections Eventually, Trent's investigation led him to the possibility of tick-borne disease. Further evaluation revealed Lyme disease along with associated co-infections, helping explain the complex and multisystem nature of his symptoms. For the first time, many of the seemingly unrelated health issues began to fit together. The diagnosis provided validation, clarity, and a path forward. But as many patients discover, receiving a diagnosis is often only the beginning of the journey. Treatment, Recovery, and Rebuilding Health Trent discusses the comprehensive approach he used to address his illness and begin rebuilding his health. His recovery journey included: Treating Lyme disease and co-infectionsAddressing inflammation and immune dysfunctionImproving sleep qualityOptimizing nutritionModifying exercise and training strategiesManaging stress and recovery capacityLong-term health monitoring Rather than relying on a single intervention, Trent learned that recovery required addressing multiple aspects of health simultaneously. His experience reinforces an important lesson for many chronic illness patients: healing often requires persistence, patience, and a willingness to adapt. The Mental and Emotional Impact of Chronic Illness For someone whose identity was deeply connected to physical performance, the emotional impact of chronic illness was profound. Trent reflects on the challenges of watching his capabilities change while confronting uncertainty about his future. The experience forced him to reconsider long-held assumptions about success, achievement, and self-worth. Through that process, he developed a deeper understanding of ...
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    1 hr and 42 mins
  • Episode 568: Lyme Disease Testing Is Failing Patients: Dr. Liz Horn Explains Why (And What Comes Next)

    Episode 568: Lyme Disease Testing Is Failing Patients: Dr. Liz Horn Explains Why (And What Comes Next)
    Jun 27 2026
    🎙️ Episode Summary: Lyme Testing Is Failing Early Patients In this critical episode with special guest co-host Ali Moresco, we sit down with Dr. Liz Horn, Principal Investigator of the Lyme Disease Biobank, to break down her latest research: 👉 Evaluation of standard and modified two-tiered testing algorithms using well-characterized early Lyme disease samples This study takes a hard look at the current FDA-cleared Lyme testing system — and the findings are clear: 👉 Most early Lyme disease cases are being missed Dr. Horn explains why this is happening, what it means for patients, and why clinical judgment — not just testing — must guide early diagnosis and treatment. 🔬 The Study at the Center of This Episode 📄 View Dr. Liz Horn’s Research Publications 📊 Study Focus: Compared Standard Two-Tier Testing (STTT) vs Modified Two-Tier Testing (MTTT)Used real-world patient samples from early Lyme casesEvaluated four FDA-cleared diagnostic algorithmsFocused primarily on patients within the first ~3 weeks of symptoms 🚨 Key Finding: Early Lyme Testing Is Deeply Flawed Only 22–36% of early Lyme cases tested positiveThat means 64–78% of cases were missedMost people with early Lyme disease will test negative 📌 Easy-to-share summary for doctors and patients: New Bay Area Lyme Foundation Study Shows Common FDA-Cleared Lyme Tests Miss 64–78% of Early Cases 🧠 Why These Tests Fail Current tests detect antibodies, not the bacteria itselfThe immune system needs time to produce detectable antibodiesEarly infections often test negative because the immune response has not developed yetThe two-tier system adds additional opportunities for false negatives 👉 Core issue: Testing measures the body’s response, not the infection ⏱️ The Critical Timing Problem Within 1 week of symptoms, tests are almost always negativeAround 2 weeks, detection improves slightlyAfter 3–4 weeks, sensitivity increases but is still unreliableTesting does not become fully accurate at any point 👉 Key insight: Testing remains inconsistent even after the early window 🎯 Even “Classic” Lyme Cases Are Missed Patients with erythema migrans (EM rash) often tested negativeVery few patients present with a classic bullseye rashA visible rash does not guarantee a positive test result 👉 Key takeaway: You can have Lyme and still test negative ⚠️ Major Issue: Test Inconsistency The same patient can receive different results depending on the test usedOne algorithm may detect Lyme while another misses itResults depend on timing, immune response, and test design 👉 Result: Testing cannot reliably confirm or rule out Lyme disease 🧍‍♂️ Who Actually Tests Positive? Patients with more symptoms were more likely to test positiveLonger duration of illness increased likelihood of detectionStronger immune responses improved test sensitivity 👉 Translation: Testing tends to detect later-stage immune response, not early infection 💊 After Treatment: Testing Becomes Even Less Useful This study focused on early Lyme within the first ~3 weeks, where testing already performed poorlyAt approximately 3 months post-treatment, less than 5% of patients who still had an active infection tested positiveThese patients were originally diagnosed with early Lyme and many continued to have symptoms consistent with active or ongoing infection 👉 Why this happens: Antibiotics can suppress antibody productionThe immune response may no longer be detectableThe bacteria may persist in tissues rather than circulating in blood 👉 Critical takeaway: Patients may still have an active infection or ongoing disease process and test negative 👉 Bottom line: Testing is unreliable early in infectionTesting remains unreliable after treatmentA negative test does not rule out Lyme disease at any stage 🧬 Another Challenge: Lyme Leaves the Blood Borrelia bacteria can move into tissuesBlood-based tests may miss active infectionDirect detection becomes more difficult over time 👉 This is why antibody testing is used, despite its limitations 🧩 Bigger Insight From This Study Current Lyme testing cannot reliably diagnose early infectionDiagnosis must include symptoms, exposure history, and clinical judgmentOver-reliance on testing leads to missed diagnoses and delayed care 🚀 What Comes Next (Hope from the Research) Development of direct detection tests that identify the bacteriaCell-free DNA testing approachesAI and machine learning diagnosticsMultiplex testing targeting multiple markersUrine-based diagnostic innovations 👉 These advances aim to replace outdated antibody-based testing 🧑‍⚕️ Education Gap (Major Takeaway) Many clinicians are not trained on the limitations of Lyme testingNegative tests are often incorrectly used to rule out diseaseThis contributes to delayed diagnosis and treatment 📚 Resource for clinicians and patients: VectorWise CME – Lyme Disease Education 💡 What This Means for You A ...
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    1 hr and 21 mins
  • Episode 567: From Alpha-Gal to Lyme: Erin Oprea on Elite Fitness, Military Leadership, and Advanced Healing with Peptides & Integrative Medicine

    Episode 567: From Alpha-Gal to Lyme: Erin Oprea on Elite Fitness, Military Leadership, and Advanced Healing with Peptides & Integrative Medicine
    Jun 20 2026

    In this powerful episode of the Tick Boot Camp Podcast, we sit down with Erin Oprea—elite fitness trainer, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and Lyme disease warrior. Known for training celebrities like Carrie Underwood, Erin shares her journey from peak physical performance to battling chronic illness—and how she fought her way back using cutting-edge therapies, peptides, and integrative medicine.

    Erin also reflects on her groundbreaking military career, including making history as the leader of the first all-female platoon attached to the infantry in a war zone, and how that same resilience now fuels her healing journey.

    Erin Oprea’s Background
    • U.S. Marine Corps veteran with two tours in Iraq
    • Led the first female platoon attached to infantry in a combat zone
    • Elite celebrity trainer, including Carrie Underwood
    • Built a career around peak physical performance and discipline
    Lyme Disease & Alpha-Gal Journey
    • Experienced unexplained symptoms despite elite fitness level
    • Faced delayed recognition and diagnosis
    • Developed Alpha-Gal syndrome, a tick-borne allergy to mammalian meat
    • Shifted toward functional and integrative medicine approaches
    • Combined performance mindset with advanced healing protocols
    Advanced Treatments & Therapies
    • HBOT (Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy) for oxygenation, inflammation reduction, and tissue healing
    • EBOO₂ (Extracorporeal Blood Oxygenation and Ozonation) for pathogen reduction and blood detoxification
    • HOCATT (Hyperthermic Ozone and Carbonic Acid Transdermal Technology) for full-body detox and immune support
    • Hydrogen Therapy to reduce oxidative stress and support mitochondrial health
    • SAAT (Soliman Auricular Allergy Treatment) to help reset immune response related to Alpha-Gal
    • Herbal protocols for antimicrobial support, detoxification, and immune modulation
    Peptide Therapy Protocol

    Guided by experts like Dr. Joe Phiakhamta and informed by The Complete Guide to Peptides: Unlocking the Secrets to Health, Healing, and Longevity, Erin incorporated advanced peptide therapy:

    • LL-37 to target bacteria, viruses, and biofilms including Lyme pathogens
    • Thymosin Alpha-1 (TA-1) to regulate and strengthen immune response
    • BPC-157 to repair gut lining, reduce inflammation, and accelerate tissue healing
    • TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4) to promote recovery, reduce inflammation, and support cellular repair
    • SS-31 (Elamipretide) to improve mitochondrial function and energy production
    • KPV to reduce inflammation and support gut and immune balance
    Key Practitioner
    • Dr. Joe Phiakhamta specializing in peptide therapy and integrative Lyme disease treatment
    • Focus on immune restoration, pathogen reduction, and performance recovery
    Fitness Meets Chronic Illness Recovery
    • Transitioned from elite performance to chronic illness management
    • Applied discipline and training mindset to healing process
    • Leveraged advanced therapies to rebuild strength and energy
    • Represents the intersection of fitness optimization and medical innovation
    Key Takeaways
    • Tick-borne illnesses can impact even the most elite performers
    • Alpha-Gal syndrome is a serious and often overlooked tick-borne condition
    • Healing requires a multi-layered approach including immune, detox, and mitochondrial support
    • Peptides are an emerging and powerful tool in Lyme disease recovery
    • Mental resilience plays a critical role in long-term healing
    Final Thoughts

    Erin Oprea’s journey is a powerful example of resilience, innovation, and determination. From combat leadership to chronic illness recovery, she continues to push boundaries—showing what’s possible when elite discipline meets cutting-edge medicine.
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    1 hr and 49 mins
  • Episode 566: When Lyme Disease Steals Your Identity: How Poetry Helped Jasmin Perdomo Heal

    Episode 566: When Lyme Disease Steals Your Identity: How Poetry Helped Jasmin Perdomo Heal
    Jun 13 2026

    What happens when chronic Lyme disease takes away your health, your confidence, and even your sense of self?

    In this deeply emotional and inspiring episode of the Tick Boot Camp Podcast, Jasmin Perdomo shares her powerful 12-year journey through chronic Lyme disease, Bartonella, Babesia, debilitating neurological symptoms, medical gaslighting, emotional trauma, and ultimately — rediscovering herself through poetry, faith, and healing.

    Raised in New Jersey and once a hyper-athletic young woman, Jasmin never imagined she would one day become bedridden, unable to walk without holding onto walls, crawling from her bed to the bathroom, and searching desperately for answers no doctor seemed able to provide.

    But through unimaginable suffering came transformation.

    Jasmin opens up about:

    • Living years undiagnosed with Lyme disease
    • Severe neurological Lyme symptoms including vertigo, memory loss, facial paralysis, and heart complications
    • The emotional toll of chronic illness and divorce
    • Her experience with aggressive antibiotic protocols and Herxheimer reactions
    • Why detoxification, nervous system healing, spirituality, and creativity became essential parts of her recovery
    • How poetry became her lifeline during the darkest moments of her journey

    This conversation is raw, validating, and hopeful for anyone navigating Lyme disease, chronic illness, trauma, or identity loss.

    In This Episode You’ll Learn Jasmin’s Early Lyme Disease Symptoms

    Jasmin describes how unexplained fatigue, tachycardia, heart palpitations, vertigo, ringing in the ears, slurred speech, and neurological symptoms slowly overtook her life while living in Puerto Rico.

    The Reality of Medical Gaslighting

    Like many Lyme patients, Jasmin spent years searching for answers while being misdiagnosed, dismissed, and prescribed medications that failed to address the root cause of her illness.

    Chronic Lyme Disease and Emotional Trauma

    The episode explores the connection between stress, trauma, emotional suppression, nervous system dysregulation, and chronic illness progression.

    How Poetry Became a Healing Tool

    While bedridden, Jasmin returned to writing poetry — something she loved as a child — and discovered that creative expression became a powerful emotional detox and survival mechanism. Buy Bittersweet Body: a Poetic Memoir, Jasmin's debut poetry book, inspired her life’s mission: to illuminate the invisible in a visible world.

    The Importance of Detoxification and Nervous System Healing

    Jasmin discusses the therapies that helped her most, including:

    • Sauna therapy
    • Binders
    • Meditation
    • Faith and prayer
    • Journaling
    • Acupuncture
    • Gentle movement
    • Emotional release through writing
    Learning to Receive Help

    One of the most moving parts of the interview centers around Jasmin’s struggle with independence, vulnerability, and learning how to accept support from loved ones during her healing journey.

    Key Takeaways From Jasmin Perdomo’s Lyme Journey
    • Healing from Lyme disease requires addressing the physical, emotional, and spiritual body.
    • Detoxification can be just as important as antimicrobial treatment.
    • Creativity and self-expression can become powerful healing tools.
    • Nervous system regulation matters in chronic illness recovery.
    • You are not weak for asking for help.
    • Healing is possible — even after years of suffering.
    Quotes From This Episode

    “Poetry saved my life. It gave me mouth-to-mouth resuscitation when I couldn’t breathe.”

    “When my body became a stranger, writing helped me remember who I was.”

    “You are not weak for asking for help.”

    “Healing isn’t just physical. It’s emotional, spiritual, and deeply personal.”

    About Tick Boot Camp

    Tick Boot Camp is a Lyme disease advocacy platform dedicated to helping people liberate themselves and others from Lyme disease through education, validation, community, and hope.

    Through powerful conversations with patients, doctors, researchers, and healers, Tick Boot Camp reminds listeners that they are not alone — and that healing is possible.

    🎧 Listen to more episodes
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    1 hr and 36 mins
  • Episode 565: Nicole O’Donnell on Resilient Hope, Chronic Lyme Disease & Healing Through Community

    Episode 565: Nicole O’Donnell on Resilient Hope, Chronic Lyme Disease & Healing Through Community
    Jun 6 2026

    In this powerful episode of the Tick Boot Camp Podcast, we sit down with Nicole O’Donnell—author of Resilient Hope: A Memoir of Life With Chronic Illness—to discuss her deeply personal Lyme disease journey, the emotional realities of chronic illness, and the transformative power of community, mindset, and hope.

    Nicole shares how her life changed after developing debilitating Lyme disease symptoms, the years of medical confusion that followed, and how COVID intensified her chronic illness experience. Through vulnerability and honesty, she opens up about navigating fear, identity loss, parenting while chronically ill, and ultimately discovering purpose through advocacy and storytelling.

    This conversation also explores the importance of patient-doctor relationships, nervous system regulation, healing mindset, and how Lyme disease impacts entire families—not just the patient.

    Most importantly, Nicole reminds listeners that healing is possible, and no one has to face Lyme disease alone.

    In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
    • Nicole O’Donnell’s personal chronic Lyme disease journey
    • How Lyme disease symptoms can become invisible and misunderstood
    • The emotional impact of medical dismissal and misdiagnosis
    • Why mindset and nervous system regulation matter in healing
    • How chronic illness affects marriage, parenting, and family dynamics
    • The role community plays in Lyme disease recovery
    • Why Nicole wrote Resilient Hope
    • How storytelling helps validate and empower Lyme patients
    • The importance of hope, advocacy, and finding purpose through adversity
    About Nicole O’Donnell

    Nicole O’Donnell is a Staten Island-based entrepreneur, mother, advocate, and author of Resilient Hope: A Memoir of Life With Chronic Illness. Through her writing and advocacy, Nicole seeks to help people living with Lyme disease and chronic illness feel seen, heard, and supported.

    Her book weaves together stories from members of the Lyme disease community to create a message of resilience, healing, and connection.

    Read More About Nicole’s Manhattan Book Launch

    Tick Boot Camp recently attended Nicole O’Donnell’s inspiring Manhattan book launch event, where nearly 1,000 people gathered in support of the Lyme disease community and the message behind Resilient Hope.

    Explore More Tick Boot Camp Resources

    🎙 Tick Boot Camp Podcast

    👩‍⚕️ Lyme Doctor Interviews

    🧠 Tick Bite Blueprint

    🧪 Lyme Testing Resources

    🔬 Learn Why Lyme Persists

    Final Thoughts

    Nicole O’Donnell’s story is a reminder that chronic Lyme disease affects every part of a person’s life—but it can also become a catalyst for transformation, deeper connection, and purpose.

    Through Resilient Hope, Nicole is helping build a stronger Lyme disease community rooted in validation, compassion, and healing.

    If you or someone you love is navigating Lyme disease, this episode offers encouragement, perspective, and a powerful reminder that resilient hope is possible.
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    1 hr and 4 mins