Episode 6

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Published on:

18th Feb 2025

Lyme Disease Stole My 20's—Here’s How I Got My Life Back

My 22-Year Lyme Journey: Lessons, Hope & Healing

For 22 years, I’ve been on a journey with Lyme disease—one filled with struggles, lessons, and ultimately, resilience. I truly believe that sharing our stories has the power to impact others in ways we can’t always imagine. If you’re battling Lyme or any chronic illness, I want you to know: you are not alone.

So many of us have been dismissed, told it’s "all in our heads," and left searching for answers. I’ve been there. In this episode, I take you deep into my journey—yes, into the weeds—because every detail matters when you’re trying to find your way back to health. Along the way, I earned my Master’s in Herbalism and Integrative Nutrition from the Maryland University of Integrative Health, and I used that knowledge to pull myself out of a life where I felt 80 years old in my 20s.

This episode isn’t about giving medical advice—it’s about sharing hope and resources so you can find the support you need, work with a Lyme-literate practitioner, and reclaim your life.

💚 My heart goes out to anyone struggling with Lyme or autoimmune disease. I hope this episode offers you validation, encouragement, and a reminder that healing is possible.

🔗 Below are links to the resources I mention in this episode.

Dr. Marty Ross:

www.treatlyme.com

www.martyrossmd.com

Stephen Buhner's Book:

https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Lyme-Prevention-Borreliosis-Coinfections/dp/0970869630

Find 'Lyme Literate' doctors here:

https://www.lymedisease.org/find-lyme-literate-doctors/

Ashwagandha - the Gaia brand:

https://shorturl.at/FMj8e

Artemisinin - from Allergy Research Group

https://shorturl.at/peBs9

More stories of Lyme recovery:

https://youtu.be/pKepPzuAo9I

https://youtu.be/3iUZ7o70e2o

I hope you find something that helps you no matter where you are on your journey.

From my heart to yours,

Greta

IG: @thought_experiment_called_life / @altarviolet

TikTok: @thoughtexperimentcalled / @altarvioletmusic

Song: 'Under the Moon' by yours truly 'aka' ALTARVIOLET

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About the Podcast

Thought Experiment Called Life

A podcast for multi-passionate creatives forging nontraditional life paths.

This is a podcast for multi-passionate creatives forging nontraditional life paths.
I’ve never neatly fit into any niche, neither do many people, and neither does this podcast. This is a space for the multi-passionate person—the individual who looks at the world with glittering eyes despite the challenges of a multifaceted life. It’s for those seeking inspiration from positive, unconventional lives and hoping to glean lessons to guide their own path. It’s for those who trust that the right message will find them at the right time, no matter how unrelated it may seem.
This is a space for the existential mind and the open heart—those who understand the power of sharing stories to remind others they’re not alone.

I’ve lived many lives in my time here on Earth, and this podcast dives into a plethora of topics, including (but not limited to):
- Living and thriving with Lyme disease (and autoimmune disease).
- Pursuing your purpose in a world that celebrates conformity.
- Staying mentally healthy as a neurodivergent person in an insane world.
- The power and beauty of plant medicine and nourishing nutrition.
- Why learning self-defense is the ultimate self-care (especially for women)
- The magic of jiu-jitsu: a roadmap to growth and success in every area of life.
- Building healthy relationships—romantic and platonic.
- And perhaps most exciting of all, hearing real stories from multi-passionate individuals living fulfilling, unconventional lives.

This space exists to bring you inspiration, tools, resources, and proof that the call in your heart is there for a reason. I’m excited to walk this path with you.

The wild heart in me bows to the wild heart in you.

About your host

Greta Hotmer