56: Surviving Mental Illness with Erin Kerry
Struggling with anxiety? PTSD? Depression? Bipolar disorder? Listen in to this week’s interview with Erin Kerry, nutrition health coach and mental illness survivor, who shares how she overcame a debilitating diagnosis using a holistic Spirit, Mind, Body approach. She’s a preacher’s daughter, preacher’s wife and homeschooling mom of 3 who shares her struggle and solution to help other women overcome mental health issues.
EPISODE 56: Surviving Mental Illness with Erin Kerry
SHOW NOTES
(0:00) Intro
(0:44) Welcome back to the club!
Introducing today’s topic and welcoming today’s guest: Surviving Mental Illness with Erin Kerry
Her Podcast: Sparking Wholeness
(3:13) Erin’s Backstory:
Preacher’s daughter
Tragedy struck when she was 9-years-old.
Suffered PTSD and severe depression as a result.
Epigenetics
Tried alternative remedies for depression
Ended up taking antidepressants
Bipolar disorder
Bouts of hypomania
Senior year of college she became pregnant with her first-born Isabelle.
Feared the church would see her as a sinner.
She received so much grace.
Wonderful time period of healing and restoration.
Went off of her medication while pregnant.
Her health journey continued with exercise and nutrition.
Gut/brain connection
Stigmatization around bipolar
(12:30) Preacher’s Daughter Pressure
“Wearing masks” - the darker side
Feeling the call to share His story
Parental observation:
Noticing unusual symptoms
Knowing your kids
(18:29) How did you address it as a possible spiritual issue?
Situational depression vs. depression that is created by a chemical imbalance in the body.
Depression creating guilt.
Psalms: David has bouts of feeling far from God.
Spirit, mind, body approach
(22:30) More on Epigentics:
Genes load the gun, lifestyle pulls the trigger.
Learning what you are predisposed to.
Lifestyle factors that contribute and influence our genetics
The gene expression can shift
Deficiencies
YOUR GENETICS DON’T DEFINE YOU!
Achieving homeostasis
Stress is a big factor in epigentics
Accumulative effect of lifestyle
Genesis Prescription:
Covering the basics: light, fresh air, water, real food, rest, movement.
(29:30) Discernment about antibiotics
Gut wrecking history from childhood
Gut healing protocol
Kerry’s experience with her son’s chronic ear infections.
Trusting the “Mom gut”
(34:35) Various affects of prescription medications:
Weight gain
Zoloft
Adding to the stressors
Inflammation (puffiness)
Hunger signals
Cortisol, metabolism, & long-term affects
(38:50) Body image
Kerry’s childhood body image experience/influence.
Toxic thoughts & gut health
Importance of taking captive your thoughts
Breaking negative thought patterns
Simply doing the best that you can do
Showing yourself grace
Turning to scripture
(43:09) Overcoming resentment with God
Counseling
Restoring mindset in the right direction
God doesn’t waste a hurt
He always has a plan to restore and redeem
Checking in with the heart
Growth of compassion
(48:23) Biohacking and honoring the body:
Physical movement: yoga, running, strength training
Being outdoors & sunshine
Healthy sleep:
Blue light blocking glasses
Circadian rhythm
Unprocessed foods:
If it’s from the ground or has a mom 😂
Variety, colorful vegetables
Focusing on what you CAN have
Addition not restriction
Targeted supplementation
(52:39) Kerry’s Anchor Questions! ⚓️
Anchor meal:
Build your own bowl
Roasted red peppers
Egg scrambles
Anchor bible verse:
Philippians 4:11
Where to find Kelly
Website: Sparking Wholeness
IG: sparkingwholeness
Podcast: Sparking Wholeness
(57:37) Outro & Disclaimer
Thanks for listening! Have a healthy and blessed week!