Lessons from Hillary: co-existing with modern medicine

In my work as a women's heath advocate, I meet men and women from all walks of life who handle chronic disease, like diabetes and fibromyalgia for example, as "best they can". This leaves me with a feeling that there are great compromises made. On the other hand, it could mean "acceptance" on a much deeper level that helps in creating a more positive mindset.

Many times, though, I sense a feeling a helplessness, futility and depression - and I have much empathy for this situation, one I can only imagine.

Now, I really hope I am not coming across as a Pollyanna here - but I am surprised by how a person with a serious chronic condition is capable of re-framing their entire life. Turning their life on its head, finding the crown jewel in the feet. That's how it was with Hillary..


Here's an excerpt from her Huffington Post blog:


Each day I am still amazed to see that my diagnosis of MS has offered me numerous gifts, teachings and blessings in every area of my life. Back in the doctor's office, where my life shifted when I roared NO, I learned a powerful teaching that I always have a choice. My choice to be involved with my process of healing was going to take more than doctors, medicine and relying on the world outside of me. What brought me even closer to myself were teachers that showed up in many forms -- self-help books, healers, yoga teachers, meditation and life itself being the greatest of them all.

I found my home in this "new" world that co-existed with modern medicine. And it never made much sense to me then why they functioned more like parallel universes. It was powerful for me to learn that our thoughts are food and that they have a direct effect on the state of our health. For me Health means more than the food we eat, it contains everything including our thoughts, environment, lifestyle, and relationships.

The list keeps growing and ultimately brings us back to the question, What are you working on? And the answer is still -- ME!

Hillary Rubin Speaks Out

Have you met Hillary Rubin yet? She is our featured "real woman" who has committed her professional and personal life to empowering others to be their own best health and wellness advocate.

It all started in in 1996, when she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis while working in the fashion industry.

Despite the odds, today she is symptom-free, medication-free and inspiring people around the world with her uplifting personal story and a progressive paradigm for wellness empowerment. Hillary changed her life by repositioning her diagnosis as a platform for transformation and growth.

She even has one of the top yoga podcasts -- and leads a movement teaching others how to turn their deepest challenges into opportunities to achieve optimal health and happiness.

Here is an excerpt from her recent blog that will give you a sneak preview as to her context.

The tingling started in her left foot. Then it continued to her left arm and left breastplate. This was followed by weakness in the legs and numbness in both feet. These physical symptoms turned the simple act of walking into a trial, the discomfort akin to moving on pins and needles. At the time, Hillary Rubin didn’t know what was happening to her.

Being diagnosed in 1996 with multiple sclerosis (MS) initially left Rubin feeling angry, as if she’d been “given a sentence.” But she had two choices—either to be proactive or let her illness control her life. She embraced the former.

Rubin says she “took the invitation” and made a choice to learn more about her diagnosis, explore treatment options and live healthier. She began frequenting health food stores and talking to the vitamin specialists there; they recommended books on nutritional healing. Rubin says this led to a more internal journey: “I organically listened and [decided], OK, now I get to dive in and educate myself.”

To read more, click here.