In this episode of Sofia Unfiltered, Riley Rees talks with health blogger Rachael Green about how she began managing chronic illness naturally after years of pain, misdiagnoses, and failed treatments. Diagnosed with conditions like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, chronic Lyme, dysautonomia, and gastroparesis, Rachael turned to brain retraining, animal-based diet, and nervous system regulation to support her recovery. She shares the tools that helped her rebuild her health—daily visualizations and mindset shifts—and offers hope for anyone looking to manage chronic illness with a more holistic, empowering approach.
Living with Chronic Illness
Rachael’s health began to decline while she was in college. What started as dizziness, migraines, and fatigue quickly escalated into more severe symptoms, eventually requiring a wheelchair and leading to non-epileptic seizures and five neurosurgeries. She was diagnosed with a range of complex conditions, but despite dozens of specialists and endless treatments, nothing seemed to help long-term.
The more she searched for answers, the more discouraged she became. Like many living with chronic illness, Rachael was stuck in a cycle of appointments, prescriptions, and crash after crash. It wasn’t until she hit a breaking point—malnourished, bed-bound, and told by doctors that chronic pain would be her lifelong reality—that she began to ask a different question: What if my body could heal?
Managing Chronic Illness Naturally
That one question marked a shift. Rather than continuing down the same medical path, Rachael began exploring brain-based healing approaches. She started with the Dynamic Neural Retraining System (DNRS), a program that uses neuroplasticity to retrain the brain and regulate the nervous system. Visualization became a core part of her daily routine—helping her rewire thought patterns, shift her emotional state, and imagine a healthy, vibrant version of herself.
As she progressed, she incorporated other tools like GUTA (a program focused on rewiring trauma and emotional patterns) and Primal Trust, which helped her understand the body’s stress response and how to guide it out of survival mode safely. These programs also emphasized mindset work, teaching her how to shift from fear and self-doubt to curiosity and hope.
Alongside her brain retraining, Rachael made lifestyle changes—adopting new habits and letting go of patterns that were keeping her stuck. It wasn’t about quick fixes. It was about consistency, patience, and building trust with her body again.
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Tools That Help Support Recovery from Chronic Illness
As Rachael explains, healing didn’t come from one miracle solution—it came from layering supportive practices that worked together over time. Some of the key tools she used include:
- Brain retraining & Visualization:
Using GUTA and Primal Trust, Rachael practiced daily visualizations to retrain her brain for safety and healing, building belief, calm, and emotional regulation. - Nervous system regulation: Through breathwork, somatic practices, and trauma processing, Rachael helped her body shift out of chronic stress and into a state where healing could actually happen.
- Animal-based nutrition: After trying many dietary approaches, switching to a carnivore-style diet helped reduce inflammation, ease digestion, and stabilize her energy levels.
- Nature and Light exposure: Regular time outside and consistent sunlight helped reset her circadian rhythm, support sleep, and boost her overall mood and resilience.
- Mindset shifts: Letting go of fear-based thinking and leaning into curiosity and self-compassion became a foundation of her healing process. Instead of asking “What’s wrong with me?” she began asking “What does my body need right now?”
Can You Really Heal from Chronic Illness?
Rachael’s experience offers a compelling perspective on what it means to heal from chronic illness. Her recovery did not follow a conventional medical timeline, nor did it rely on a singular intervention. Instead, it unfolded gradually through intentional practices that prioritized safety, consistency, and nervous system regulation.
This episode is not intended to present a one-size-fits-all solution. Rather, it invites a broader understanding of healing—one that honors complexity, embraces neuroplasticity, and respects the mind-body connection. For individuals who feel disillusioned by traditional care models or who have been told that improvement is unlikely, Rachael’s story serves as a reminder: healing may be possible, but it often requires a shift in perspective, a deepening of self-trust, and a willingness to explore new approaches.
More from Sofia Health
Check out the full episode of the Sofia Unfiltered podcast, " Living Well with Chronic Illness: Tools That Support Strength and Healing", available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
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Disclaimer: The Sofia Unfiltered Podcast by Sofia Health is for general informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing, or other professional healthcare services, including the giving of medical advice. No doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have. For any health concerns, users should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals.
