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Summary:

Imagine struggling with your health for over a decade, visiting doctor after doctor, only to be dismissed as dramatic or told that it’s all in your head. That was Kenzie Vath’s reality before she finally received a diagnosis of Lyme disease at the age of 18—after suffering for 10 years. In today’s episode, Kenzie shares her powerful story of navigating chronic illness, enduring years of misdiagnosis, and how she found her voice through the struggle.

As an advocate for those living with Lyme disease, Kenzie has turned her pain into purpose. She talks about the importance of self-advocacy in the face of medical roadblocks and why trusting yourself—even when experts don’t—is key to survival. Through her journey, she learned that finding purpose, connecting with others, and sharing her story was essential not only to her healing but to supporting others.

We also dive into her book, The Ignored Pandemic: Real Stories of Lyme Disease, where she highlights the real-life struggles of people across the globe who are fighting the same battle. Through storytelling and vulnerability, Kenzie is on a mission to raise awareness and end the stigma surrounding Lyme disease and other invisible conditions.

If you’ve ever felt dismissed, ignored, or alone in your health journey, this episode is a must-listen. Kenzie’s story is a powerful reminder that your voice matters and that resilience, compassion, and community are at the heart of healing. Tune in to hear how Kenzie turned her diagnosis into a force for change and how you can, too.

Takeaways:

• The Importance of Self-Advocacy
• Finding Purpose Through Suffering
• The Role of Community in Healing
• Resilience in the Face of Medical Challenges
• The Power of Vulnerability and Storytelling
• Holistic Health and Lifestyle Choices

Contact Links:

• Website – Holistic Umbrella
• Book – The Ignored Pandemic
• Instagram – Holistic Umbrella
• LinkedIn

Kenzie Vath is the Vice President of Strategic Innovation at Pacific Hospitality Group, where she leads Growth-driven strategies for the hospitality industry. She is also the President of Impact 100 OC, supporting collective Philanthropy, and serves on the board of the Global Lyme Alliance, advocating for Lyme disease awareness. As the owner of Holistic Umbrella, she promotes holistic health, and she is the author of The Ignored Pandemic, highlighting the struggles of those affected by Lyme disease.

“You are the expert in yourself, and sometimes the hardest step in self-advocacy is trusting your instincts and pushing for the answers you know you need.”

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Tim Reitsma Disability Inclusion Advocate, Founder at Invisible Condition

Tim helps individuals with non-apparent illnesses become better self-advocates through podcasts, articles, mentoring and coaching. He also supports organizations in creating accessible workplaces where everyone feels safe to share through workshops, advising and project work.

Aside from working on Invisible Condition, Tim is a Podcast Host and Advisor with a leading HR and Leadership digital publication and is a Master of Arts in Leadership Student.

With over 15 years of experience in strategy, operations, HR, and content creation, Tim brings a blend of coaching, mentoring, leadership, and process improvement to every organization he partners with.