Unseen Illness: Understanding Ehlers-Danlos with Jena Seay part 1

In this heartfelt two-part conversation, Jena Seay shares her personal health journey, a story that began with chronic pain, allergies, and sensitivities as a child and grew into a lifelong pursuit of healing and understanding. Jena’s health challenges intensified in 2017, revealing deeper layers of an undiagnosed but suspected connective-tissue disorder, likely Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. With over 16,000 genetic markers suggesting a complex picture, she faces symptoms such as POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome), low blood sugar instability, seizures, fibromyalgia-type pain, and mast cell activation symptoms. Through it all, she has remained resilient, partnering with medical specialists while also leaning on her natural-health roots. Her story reflects what it means to live with chronic illness while still pursuing joy, purpose, and wellness. Part 1: The Long Road to Answers In this episode, Jena opens up about the decades-long mystery behind her symptoms. We trace the early signs that appeared when she was just 10 years old, her years working in health-food stores, and how her education in naturopathy deepened her understanding of the body. Jena shares candidly about the physical, emotional, and family challenges that come with invisible illness, and how faith and perseverance have kept her moving forward. Jena Seay grew up surrounded by natural health. Her grandparents owned a natural-health store, and her mother, Beth Hovis, introduced her to herbs, nutrition, and holistic wellness early on. She’s a Certified Health Specialist, Certified Natural Health Practitioner, and Doctor of Naturopathy. Today, Jena balances motherhood, homeschooling, and managing chronic illness while empowering others through her teaching, consulting, and online platforms. She’s one of the invited instructors for Brilliant Health Weekend Away events. Connect with Jena: 📺Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@busywithdogs 🔗Visible Link, save 20% off. - https://join.makevisible.com/7378489bc0d533 📘Children’s Book: Joy Lost Her Toy - https://a.co/d/3tA7t3v 📔Service Dog Training Journal — for busy owners working with their own dogs: https://shop.busywithdogs.com/collections/training-journals Learn with Beth: 🖥️Sweet Herbin’ Livin’ - Upcoming Events and Courses online and in person: 📌https://www.sweetherbinlivin.com/events 🌿https://www.sweetherbinlivin.com/education Connect with Beth: Instagram: @SweetHerbinLivin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SweetHerbinLivin Website: https://www.sweetherbinlivin.com/ Rate, Review & Follow: If you were encouraged by this episode, please consider rating and reviewing the show. Your feedback helps other wellness warriors and entrepreneurs find their way to this podcast. Each episode of The Healers’ Journey Series offers a glimpse into the personal experiences, practices, and perspectives of holistic wellness practitioners. These conversations are intended for educational and inspirational purposes only. Neither I nor any guests featured in this series are medical doctors, and the content of these podcasts or videos should not be interpreted as medical advice. We do not diagnose, treat, prescribe, or claim to cure any disease, illness, or injury. If you are experiencing symptoms or have health concerns, please consult a qualified healthcare professional. Any recommendations, testimonials, or natural approaches discussed are based on personal experiences, traditional wellness practices, or practitioner opinions. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to replace professional medical care. Please note: The views and stories shared by our guests are their own and may not necessarily reflect my personal beliefs or professional stance. That said, every voice here is shared with deep respect and care, as part of honoring the diverse paths that lead to healing and wholeness.