Ep.31- Life in the Gray Zone (feat. Brittany Curry)

Ep.31- Life in the Gray Zone (feat. Brittany Curry)

Nine years. That is how long Brittany Curry lived in medical limbo, navigating three different misdiagnoses before a kidney biopsy finally revealed she was battling IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) and Minimal Change Disease (MCD). In this episode of The Chronic Brew, things get incredibly close to home. As a stage 4 Chronic Kidney Disease warrior myself, Brittany and I dive deep into what we call "The Gray Zone"—that heavy, exhausting space where you aren’t on dialysis or a transplant list, but you are locked in a daily battle with symptoms, fatigue, and the physical limitations of your own body. Brittany opens up about the reality of being an active-duty Army wife, a mom, and a civilian vet assistant, holding onto massive dreams of vet school while learning to take life entirely day by day. This conversation is a masterclass in resilience, balancing ambition with physical boundaries, and redefining what it means to live a truly "full and rich life." Grab your favorite brew, settle in, and let's get into it. In This Episode, We Discuss: * The 9-Year Search: The psychological toll of being unseen by the medical system and the relief of a final diagnosis. * Living in the Gray Zone: Navigating life with high-stage kidney disease before end-stage interventions. * The Identity Tug-of-War: Managing big career ambitions when your body pulls the emergency brake. * The Military & Motherhood Layer: How chronic illness reshapes the dynamic of a military household and parenting. * A Full Life Regardless: Brittany’s refreshing perspective on why her current circumstances are only temporary. Connect with The Guest: * Follow Brittany on Instagram: @chronicallydeterminedjourney Support The Chronic Brew: If this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend or a fellow chronic illness warrior. Don't forget to hit subscribe, leave us a review, and go back to check out our previous pours! Disclaimer: Mr. Cool Beans and the guest of The Chronic Brew are sharing personal experiences and perspectives on living with chronic illness. This content is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional regarding your own medical condition and treatment plan.

Ep. 30- Rewriting Your Health Narrative (feat. Terri Chrisman)

When life throws you a catastrophic curveball, how do you handle the aftershocks? In this episode of The Chronic Brew, we are joined by Terri Chrisman, a Master of Human Nutrition and Board-Certified Lifestyle Medicine professional. Terri’s path into the world of clinical health was forged through a profound personal tragedy—the sudden, public loss of her father to a massive heart attack at just 51 years old. Faced with her own subsequent health battles, including high blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight management, Terri chose to look beyond the standard medical playbook. Today, she is on a mission to advocate for patients and help individuals drastically reduce their risk of non-communicable diseases through tailored lifestyle modifications. In this episode, we dive into: * The First Sip: We play a fun, rapid-fire round of "Sweet or Bitter" to get Terri’s hot takes on common wellness trends (including her surprising view on kale smoothies). * Tragedy as a Catalyst: How losing her father redefined her relationship with preventative health. * The Metabolic Fingerprint: Why standard clinical guidelines often fail to account for individual metabolic variability—and how to find what works for your unique body. * The 6 Pillars of Lifestyle Medicine: Shifting the narrative from "a pill for every ill" to true, sustainable daily advocacy. * The Espresso Shot: A high-energy, rapid-fire segment breaking down the worst nutrition myths and uncovering a 60-second habit you can start today. Whether you feel trapped by your family health history or completely overwhelmed by your latest lab results, Terri’s story is a powerful reminder that your genetics do not have to be your final destination. Grab a brew, pull up a chair, and let’s get into it. Connect with Terri: * Website: https://fabuloushealth.net/ * Social Media: Instagram: @fabuloushealthtlc Connect with The Chronic Brew: * Instagram: @mrcoolbeans2889 [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.instagram.com/TheChronicBrew] * Substack: Check out my brand new newsletter, The Afterbrew, for personal reflections, behind-the-scenes thoughts, and deeper deep-dives into our episodes: [Insert Substack Link] Disclaimer: The information provided in this podcast episode is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your diet, lifestyle, or medical treatment.

Ep.29- System Overload: Redefining Migraines (Feat. Dr. Jonothan Taves)

Have you ever felt like your body was completely failing you? If you’ve spent years dealing with chronic headaches or migraines—cycling through endless medications, injections, and dead-end scans—it is easy to internalize the idea that your system is just broken. Today on The Chronic Brew, we are sitting down for a deep, fireside-style conversation with Dr. Jonothan Taves, a Mayo Clinic–trained Doctor of Physical Therapy and the founder of Novera: Headache Center. Jono is here to completely flip the script on how we view chronic symptoms. Instead of viewing pain as a defect, he explains why it’s actually a safety signal from a system that is simply overloaded. In this episode, we trace his journey from traditional medicine to root-cause healing, breaking down: * The "Overloaded, Not Broken" Philosophy: Why chronic symptoms are often the result of cumulative load (physical, neurological, and environmental) rather than a defective body. * The Three-Spoke Process: Novera’s structured framework for evaluating the interconnected drivers of chronic headaches. * The Silent Driver: Why the upper cervical spine and neck mechanics are so frequently overlooked in traditional migraine care. * Moving from Fear to Strategy: How to tune into your body's signals, reclaim your confidence, and step out of the loop of endless symptom-chasing. Whether you are currently dealing with chronic pain or supporting someone who is, this episode offers a practical, hopeful roadmap to help you understand your system better. Connect with Dr. Jonathan Taves & Novera: * Website: https://www.theheadachedoctor.com [https://www.theheadachedoctor.com] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noveraheadachecenter [https://www.instagram.com/noveraheadachecenter] * Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1343245 [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1343245] Connect with The Chronic Brew Podcast: * Subscribe & Follow: https://www.youtube.com/@Thechronicbrewpodcast * Instagram: @mrcoolbeans2889 Disclaimer: The thoughts, opinions, and healing frameworks expressed in this episode are for educational and informational purposes only. This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with your own physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding any chronic pain or medical routines.

Ep. 28- The Fight of a Lifetime (feat. Marc Coronel)

In this episode of The Chronic Brew, we are sitting down with Marc Coronel—a former boxer, TEDx speaker, and healthcare consultant who has taken his fight from the ring to the dialysis chair, and ultimately, to a life-saving transplant. Marc isn’t just sharing a story of survival; he’s sharing a blueprint for sustainable advocacy. We go deep into the "unfiltered" side of chronic illness that doctors don't always talk about: the identity crisis of leaving a career, the financial strain of long-term treatment, and the heavy lifting required to be influential while battling kidney disease. In this episode, we discuss: * The Fighter’s Mindset: How boxing prepared Marc for the relentless rounds of CKD and dialysis. * The EKG Metaphor: A deep dive into Marc’s powerful TED Talk imagery regarding the highs and lows of the patient journey. * Turning Strain into Strategy: How to pivot from "public vulnerability" to professional advocacy that actually sustains your life. * The "Brass Knuckle" Message: What policymakers and the healthcare system need to hear from those of us on the front lines. * Fatherhood & FSGS: Navigating the emotional toll of illness while showing up for your family. Whether you are currently on dialysis, navigating a transplant, or just trying to find your voice in a system that often feels deaf, Marc’s "raw and unfiltered" perspective is the shot of caffeine (and courage) you need today. Connect with Marc Coronel: * Watch the TEDx Talk: How I found an organ donor through digital storytelling [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOiEdUv2Y0g] * Listen to the Nephluence Project: Nephluence on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nephluence-project/id1493193109] * Follow on Social: @KidneyFighter [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.instagram.com/kidneyfighter/] * Official Website: MarcCoronel.com [https://tedxlogancircle.com/marc-coronel/] Join The Chronic Brew Community: * Subscribe: Never miss an episode of the brew. * Share your story: Use the link in our bio to apply to be a guest. * Support the Show: [buymeacoffee.com/mrcoolbean2] #CKD #KidneyWarrior #PatientAdvocacy #Dialysis #TransplantLife #TheChronicBrew #ChronicIllnessSupport

Ep.27- The Art of Subtraction (feat. Carlijn Krijger)

Flight 27 is now boarding. Today, we are crossing the Atlantic to the Netherlands to sit down with Carlijn Krijger—a former medical student who seemingly had it all: the grades, the look, and a bright future in traditional medicine. But beneath the surface, her body was sounding the alarm. In this "coffee talk" chronicle, Carlijn opens up about the terrifying year she lost her health, her identity, and her joy. We discuss why the "kindergarten" phase of self-help isn't always enough and why true healing often comes from removing the things that aren't yours, rather than just adding more to your to-do list. ☕ What’s Brewing in this Episode: * The "Superwoman" Crash: How high-achievers mask chronic symptoms until the body forces a shutdown. * Beyond Kindergarten Wellness: Why journaling and basic routines are great starters, but deep evolution requires a "quantum leap." * The Power of Subtraction: Learning to let go of the lies and false ideas we hold onto about our health. * Bridging Science & Spirit: How Carlijn used her medical background to navigate unorthodox health protocols and authentic spirituality. * The Espresso Shot: A high-energy "This or That" round where we see the "un-Superwoman" side of Carlijn. ✈️ Connect with our Guest: Ready to dive deeper into Carlijn’s world and her "Superwoman" community? * Website: Superwoman.cc [https://superwoman.cc] * Instagram: @carlijnkrijger [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.instagram.com/carlijn.krijger] 🎙️ Join the Flight Crew: If this episode spoke to your journey, don't let the conversation end here! * Support the Brew: Loving the show? You can help keep the beans grinding and the episodes flowing by buying me a coffee! Every cup helps support the production of these conversations: [buymeacoffee.com/mrcoolbean2 [https://buymeacoffee.com/mrcoolbean2]] * Follow the Host: Catch behind-the-scenes content and chronic health tips on Instagram @MrCoolBeans2889 [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.instagram.com/MrCoolBeans2889]. * Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed Flight 27, please Like, Comment, and Subscribe on your favorite platform. Your reviews help other "passengers" find us! Disclaimer: The views and protocols discussed in this episode are based on personal experience and do not constitute medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare professional before making significant changes to your health routine. Thanks for flying Chronic Brew Airlines. See you on the next flight!