Could your nervous system be playing a bigger role in chronic illness than you realize? In this episode of SHE MD, Mary Alice Haney is joined by founder of The Tick Chicks, Alicia White, and Primal Trust founder, Cathleen King, to discuss the connection between Lyme disease, mold exposure, autoimmune conditions, trauma, and nervous system dysregulation. Alicia shares her 12-year journey to recovery after years of debilitating symptoms and misdiagnoses, while Cathleen explains how brain retraining, breathwork, and nervous system regulation can help the body heal.

They also explore why so many women are told their symptoms are “just anxiety,” how chronic stress impacts the immune system, and the small daily practices that can help shift the body out of survival mode. Whether you’re navigating chronic illness, burnout, or anxiety, this episode offers hopeful insights and practical tools for healing.

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What You’ll Learn

What Alpha-Gal syndrome is and why it’s rapidly increasing
The early signs and symptoms of Lyme disease
Why chronic illness is often misdiagnosed in women
How mold exposure can impact autoimmune symptoms
The connection between trauma, stress, and physical illness
What nervous system dysregulation actually means
How “survival mode” affects healing and inflammation
Simple nervous system “pattern interrupts” to reduce stress
What vagus nerve regulation and brain retraining are
Why chronic illness often requires a holistic approach to healing
How breathwork can calm the body’s stress response
The emotional toll of living with invisible illness
Why prevention is critical when it comes to tick-borne illnesses

Key Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

01:39 Alicia White’s Lyme Disease Journey Begins

03:05 Why Lyme Disease Cases Are Exploding

05:51 The Most Common Lyme Disease Symptoms

06:35 How To Properly Test for Lyme Disease

08:52 Dangerous Tick Co Infections Explained

09:24 What Is Alpha-Gal Syndrome?

10:29 What To Do Immediately After a Tick Bite

13:19 What Causes Chronic Lyme Disease?

14:54 Alicia’s Holistic Lyme Recovery Journey

21:24 How Fear Blocks Chronic Illness Recovery

27:52 Lyme Disease and Nervous System Dysregulation

32:18 How To Hack Your Nervous System

34:08 The “Pattern Interrupt” Technique Explained

39:01 The Physiological Sigh Breathing Exercise

41:17 Dr. Cat’s Recovery From Being Bedbound

46:05 How Brain Retraining Actually Works

50:52 Trauma Processing and Somatic Healing

59:53 What Is Alpha Gal Syndrome?

01:13:24 How To Prevent Lyme Disease and Alpha Gal Syndrome

01:16:32 Final Thoughts on Tick Prevention and Awareness

Key Takeaways

Chronic illness often affects both the body and nervous system
Lyme disease and tick-borne illnesses are becoming more common
Women with chronic symptoms are frequently dismissed or misdiagnosed
Nervous system regulation can play a major role in healing
Chronic stress and trauma can worsen physical symptoms
Breathwork and nervous system “resets” can help calm the body
Mold exposure may contribute to chronic inflammatory symptoms
Healing often requires both physical and emotional support
Small daily habits can create meaningful changes in health
Hope and recovery are possible, even after years of illness

Guest Bio: Alicia White

Alicia White is the founder of The Tick Chicks, a platform dedicated to educating and supporting people living with Lyme disease and tick-borne illnesses. After suffering through a 12-year battle with chronic Lyme disease and multiple co-infections, Alicia became an advocate for awareness, prevention, and holistic healing approaches. Through her podcast, resources, and online community, she shares expert insights and practical tools to help others navigate chronic illness and recovery.

Guest Bio: Dr. Cathleen King

Dr. Cathleen King is a physical therapist, nervous system expert, and founder of Primal Trust, a brain retraining and nervous system regulation program designed to help people recover from chronic illness, trauma, and nervous system dysregulation. After overcoming her own debilitating health challenges, Dr. King developed a holistic approach that combines neuroscience, vagus nerve regulation, trauma processing, and mind-body healing practices to support long-term recovery and resilience.

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