I could never have imagined the healing journey I was soon to embark on. The initiation to my transformation began with the nagging sense that something was chronically wrong with me while in Byron Bay, Australia at the end of 2015 (only one short year after I started developing the business). This internal knowing led me to walk into a natural medicine store in town—which was a decision that would ultimately change the course of my life.
I was intuitively guided to take Pau D’arco, a powerful anti-fungal and immune booster. I suspected I had Candida, and it was only once back in Canada that I had a naturopath confirm what I already knew. I also knew there was much more going on than just that and that I was soon to find out about it.
From there on forward, I decided to trust my ability to discern what I needed, to learn how to listen to what my body was saying. For far too long I had been pushing away my feelings, in denial, until I could no longer quiet the noise.
I went deep into detox mode.
For 2 months I went through the depths of hell, questioning if I was capable of pulling myself together to be human enough to actually get my body to another country… and to represent Bambuddha, for the first time ever, as a sponsor of a festival.
From vending a few events straight to partnering with Envision Festival in 2016 was a transformation in and of itself. I was blown away, it literally was a dream come true, and one that seemed to manifest overnight. Now, I had to show up to be a part of it, for the business and for myself.
At this point, my passion and excitement for what was unfolding is what gave me the energy to sustain this experience because otherwise, I felt like utter crap. I was inflamed in my entire body, stomach distended like I was 7 months pregnant and with sharp pains—which sadly, was normal at this point as I had lived with for too many years after destroying my internals with Accutane. I had a ton of water retention and edema, my hips and knees were locking up and preventing me from walking properly, and my brain was in a fog so thick that I lost my mind.
Along with my extensive amount of luggage, I had brought my large collection of supplements to make sure I had some support to withstand the demands that were to ensue.
I managed to get there; however, the first challenge I faced had me turning right around on a 4-5 hour bus back to San José. The inventory was late to arrive into Costa Rica and I was required to go to the city after just having arrived at the beach on site in Uvita. It was stressful, inconvenient, but absolutely necessary. I took a friend with me who was there to help, we picked up the packages and stayed the night in the city. We were wondering how we were going to get our hands on some cannabis, this was an essential aspect of my ‘medical’ regime and I needed the help of reconnection to my higher self. Manifestation worked once again, because in the hostel that we stayed, there were some people heading home to the states and they were rehoming their vape pen and 3 full cartridges. I mean, come on.. what a gift. The reason we had to go to the city? Well, part of it for sure.
Now, with inventory and medicine, we were set.
During our quick stint to the city, another friend was left to set up the booth at the festival and sales were already blowing up. We arrived back on the evening of the first night, emotions running high for what was to come.
Connections were being made and collaborations were developing. A particularly special connection with a lovely family at a food vending stall, the serendipitous nature of it too was very special.
Not long before attending, I was speaking with a friend about a test she had done for her health called a ‘Bio-energetic Feedback Test’. As it happens, it was the friend in the photo above—the very reason I had gone to Australia in the first place. From the moment she told me about it, I had been putting it out to the Universe to find someone who could do such a test as it is so comprehensive, reading everything that is going on in your body down to the cellular level, including what vitamins and minerals are deficient, what emotions are causing troubles, and more. I was so intrigued.
I was guided to only eat at a few food stalls available which were the ones that served either vegetarian, vegan or raw options. I frequented one in particular not only for the amazing high vibe smoothies and snacks they provided but for their friendly and sweet nature. It was a pretty instantaneous befriending of the whole family and when I had casually mentioned about wanting to find someone to do this test for me, my new friend said, "my husband does that! You should come and stay with us after the festival.” Once again, blown away by the connection, she was the only person I had mentioned this test to, and it happened to be that exact person that I needed to tell. I felt even more hope for my dire situation, I was filled with so much gratitude for being in the exact place I needed to be. It was so generous—I was truly honoured.
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We were already doing an exchange, sunglasses for food credit, and that was extended towards the service as well. I was over the moon! It was just one more way I was truly bringing together business and health.
The trading expanded to other food vendors, clothing vendors, and some massages. This is when I realized that Bambuddha would now become a form of currency for some of the essentials of life. I had imagined a world where trading was once again a part of society and I was not only beginning to see it but having a part in creating it.
Over the duration of the 4 day event, everything I wanted and needed appeared almost immediately. It was pure magic. My mind, body, and spirit were cracked open and recalibrated. It was the reassurance I needed to remind me that anything is possible—that I could heal myself and be a business owner, however ‘unconventional’ that turned out to be.
I was flying. I still have a hard time processing the alignment of all of this coming to be. It is one of those periods in a lifetime where EVERYTHING changes in an instant.
Although I was suffering, I felt so blessed.
Read Part 1?
Business and Chronic Illness Chronicles | Part 1: The Realization