In episode 37 of the Heart Chamber Podcast, host Boots Knighton shares her personal journey of being diagnosed with a heart condition. She discusses the challenges she faced and the strategies she used to cope, including seeking support from friends and professionals, undergoing therapies like EMDR, acupuncture, and reiki, and embracing the power of community. Despite the initial shock and medical gaslighting, Boots emphasizes the importance of emotional processing, seeking help, and accepting the situation with radical positivity. She highlights the impact of her heart journey and how it has transformed her perspective, even leading her to start the podcast and speak at TEDx. The episode resonates with those facing health challenges, offering hope and inspiration.

If you are looking for something specific - here's where you'll find it:

04:56 Boots reflects on her head injury and the positive impact on her life through reframing. She compares the recovery to a deep soul excavation and finding forgotten items during spring cleaning.

09:00 She shares her journey dealing with trauma and seeking professional support for coping and managing heart diagnoses.

11:16 A heart diagnosis takes time, needs support.

15:04 Accepting birth defects, overcoming grief, and sobriety journey.

20:24 Boots is grateful for the support of various healthcare professionals and alternative healers during their health journey, and wishes she had a better understanding at the beginning. She recommends a podcast for others in similar situations.

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/af6e5d74-4767-4519-b339-496a97814d87

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/ad483bd7-269d-447a-918d-f8fac3aa8b78

23:56 Embrace challenges, listen to your soul, and please share this podcast.

25:38 Thanks for your time and support. Please subscribe, share, review, and provide feedback. Email me with your thoughts.

Boots Knighton has been an educator since the late 1990s in all facets of education including high school science, middle school mathematics, elementary reading, college level ecology, ski instruction, backpacking, and experiential education. Her greatest teacher has been her heart thanks to a surprise diagnosis in 2020 (during the pandemic) of three different congenital heart defects. She is now thriving after her open-heart surgery on January 15, 2021 and is on a mission to raise awareness through her podcast, The Heart Chamber: patient stories of open-heart surgery and recovery, that heart surgery can be an incredible opportunity to begin again in life and live life wide open.

Join the Newsletter for almost weekly content for this podcast and other heart related news.

Join the Patreon Community! The Joyful Beat zoom group is where you'll find connection and hope that you aren't alone in your journey.

If you just want to support the show as a one-time gift (thank you), go here.

**I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice. Be sure to check in with your care team about all the next right steps for you and your heart.**

How to connect with Boots

Email: Boots@theheartchamberpodcast.com

Instagram: @openheartsurgerywithboots or @boots.knighton

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/boots-knighton

Boots Knighton

If you enjoyed this episode, take a minute and share it with someone you know who will find value in it as well.