Episode 77: Living With Crohn's Disease: What Doctors Don't Tell You About Managing IBD Long-Term, with Justin Brown

Send us Fan MailIf you've been living with Crohn's disease or IBD and feel like you've tried everything — only to still be struggling with unpredictable symptoms, fatigue, and a life that feels smaller than it should — this episode is for you.My guest today is Justin Brown, founder of Rhino Skin Solutions and a Crohn's disease warrior since the age of 12. Justin's story is raw, honest, and deeply relatable. We talk about what it's really like to grow up managing a chronic gut condition, how Crohn's disease reshaped his career and his identity, and — most surprisingly — how starting an antidepressant dramatically improved his GI symptoms.Whether you have Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, IBS-D, or any form of inflammatory bowel disease, you'll walk away from this episode with a new lens on your symptoms — and real hope.In this episode we cover:• What it's like to be diagnosed with Crohn's disease as a child — and how symptoms are often missed• The social isolation and shame that comes with living with an invisible illness• How chronic gut conditions like IBD force unexpected career and life pivots• Why stress management isn't optional when you have a gut condition — it's medicine• The gut-serotonin connection: why 90% of your serotonin is made in your gut and what that means for your mental health• How sertraline (an SSRI antidepressant) unexpectedly improved Justin's Crohn's disease symptoms — and what this might mean for the gut-brain axis• Adapting your life, travel, and outdoor activities when you have IBD — without letting fear run the show• Finding small wins and non-linear progress when living with a chronic digestive conditionThis episode is especially helpful if you're experiencing:– Chronic diarrhea or loose stools from Crohn's disease or IBS-D– Anxiety and depression caused by gut symptoms– Fatigue and brain fog from IBD– Social anxiety around eating, leaving home, or traveling– Frustration that conventional medicine isn't giving you answers– The feeling that your gut condition is running your lifeKey takeaway: Living with IBD doesn't mean your quality of life has to suffer. Whether it's adapting your career, finding the right combination of medication and lifestyle support, or finally understanding the gut-brain connection — healing is non-linear, and progress is still progress.About Justin Brown:Justin Brown is the founder of Rhino Skin Solutions, a natural skincare line created for athletes dealing with conditions like psoriasis, joint pain, and skin inflammation. He has lived with Crohn's disease since age 12 and is passionate about the intersection of active living, chronic illness management, and community.To check out Rhino Skin Solutions:https://rhinoskinsolutions.com/collections/allLearn more about working with me:If you're ready to stop managing your IBS-D or IBD symptoms one flare-up at a time and finally get to the root cause, I'd love to connect. The Tame Your Gut Program helps goal-oriented women identify their food triggers, run targeted root cause testing, and build a sustainable plan to reclaim their energy, confidence, and quality of life.Link to my free training “The Root Cause Approach to Gut Healing”—my step-by-step framework to stop guessing and start healingLink to a free 30 minute Gut Check CallLink to my websiteDisclaimer: None of the content discussed is meant to be taken as medical advice. All information presented is for educational purposes only and listeners and viewers assume all responsibility around implementing any changes to their health and medical regimen.