Ep. 36: The Autoimmune Awakening: Embracing Illness as a Teacher with Mandy Neill

from Sacred Illness™ · host Dr. Erin Hayford

Episode OverviewIn this episode of the Sacred Illness™ Podcast, Dr. Erin Hayford sits down with Mandy Neill from Seattle, Washington, who shares her compelling story of living with three autoimmune conditions focused in her gut.Mandy's multi-decade journey through chronic illness has brought her valuable insights and many shifts in perspective, particularly following her third diagnosis in the last year.Tune in as they delve into Mandy's health challenges, her explorations of alternative medicine, and her process of tuning into her body's wisdom. From naturopathy and Chinese medicine to somatic therapy and Qigong, Mandy opens up about the holistic practices that have significantly transformed her relationship with her body and illness.Don't miss this inspiring conversation packed with profound realizations and actionable insights for anyone navigating their own health journey. Enjoy! Timestamp Overview00:00 Welcome to the Sacred Illness Podcast02:12 Mandy's Early Health Struggles03:40 Navigating Multiple Autoimmune Diagnoses06:23 The Impact of Pregnancy and Parenting08:34 A Crisis Point and New Approaches10:37 The Third Autoimmune Diagnosis14:11 Exploring Alternative Healing Modalities22:40 The Role of Chinese Medicine and Qigong32:22 Living in the Mind: Ignoring the Body's Signals32:39 Discovering the Body's Intuition33:59 Integrating Mind and Body34:28 The Emotional Side of Healing35:54 Shifting Mindsets: From Broken to Responsive39:10 Daily Practices for Well-being42:15 Aligning with Your True Self52:34 Embracing Mystery and Possibility57:51 Final Thoughts and Reflections____About Our GuestFollow Mandy on Instagram to stay up to date with her journey!: @slow_down_to_savorResources:Book: "Brave New Medicine: A Doctor's Unconventional Path to Healing" by Cynthia Li, MD Reiki/ Qigong/ tai chi/ acupuncture as supportive healing modalitiesMandy's Qigong practitioner: Mimi Kuo-Deemer - check out Instagram, website, and YouTube for free and paid support____Join the MembershipAre you on a healing journey?Are you feeling suck, unsure of the next step, or wondering if a next step even exists?If so, you are invited to join the Sacred Illness™ Membership, a profound and transformative space that supports you in alchemizing your wounds into medicine.Inside, you'll find all the tools you need to reconnect with your deepest purpose, find all of the roadblocks standing between you and your most authentic health, and the confidence to exist in the world in your fullest, most vibrant expression.This is a space dedicated to transforming illness into a sacred path of growth, meaning, and connection.Join us today! Check out https://www.aurorasomatic.com/sacred-illness for more information.Use coupon code SACRED to save 20% off of the first month of your membership!____Be a Guest on the Sacred Illness™ Podcast!Are you someone who has or has had a chronic illness or chronic symptoms?Did you work with any type of mind-body medicine modality to lessen/ heal/ or alleviate your symptoms in any way?If so, we'd love to have you as a guest on the podcast!Click here to apply: https://www.aurorasomatic.com/podcast-guest ____Music used: Instructions for Living a Life by Savfk - www.youtube.com/@SavfkMusic #chronicillness #healingjourney #mindbodyconnection #naturalhealth #complementarymedicine #alternativemedicine #sacredillness #drerinhayford #polyvagaltheory #chronicpain #biofeedback #mindbodymedicine #somaticexperiencing #pots #mcas #autoimmunedisease #ibs #sibo #fibromyalgia #mysteryillness This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sacredillness.substack.com/subscribe

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Mar 17, 2025

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Ep. 36: The Autoimmune Awakening: Embracing Illness as a Teacher with Mandy Neill

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