124: A Brain Tumor, Faith, and the Shift to Functional Healing with Taylor Dukes

In this powerful episode of Keeping Abreast, Dr. Jenn Simmons sits down with Taylor Dukes, former ICU nurse, functional health advocate, and founder of Taylor Dukes Wellness, to explore what happens when conventional medicine stops asking deeper questions.

Taylor shares her journey from the ICU to facing her own brain tumor diagnosis, an experience that reshaped her understanding of health, healing, and the healthcare system. Together, she and Dr. Jenn discuss the emotional and spiritual toll carried by front line providers, the limitations of modern medical education, and why chronic and childhood illness have become increasingly normalized.

This conversation highlights the role of nutrition, detoxification, stress management, and faith in healing, while emphasizing personal responsibility and advocacy in a toxic world. Taylor also shares how her family became part of her mission, creating accessible wellness solutions rooted in foundational health.

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In This Episode, You Will Learn:

• Why many providers leave conventional medicine seeking root cause answers
• The emotional and spiritual impact of ICU nursing
• How a brain tumor diagnosis changed Taylor’s approach to healing
• Why functional medicine focuses on cause, not symptom management
• How faith and mindfulness support recovery
• Why childhood conditions like fatty liver disease are increasing
• The foundational role of nutrition and detoxification
• Why “normal” labs do not always mean optimal health
• How to advocate for yourself within the healthcare system
• Why healing can be accessible and practical

Episode Timeline Highlights:

00:00 From conventional medicine to functional healing
03:12 Life inside the ICU
05:50 Personal health crisis and awakening
09:13 Discovering functional medicine
11:54 A brain tumor diagnosis
14:59 Integrative treatment decisions
18:01 Faith and mindfulness in healing
20:47 Life after surgery
23:59 From patient to provider
26:51 Education and prevention
37:06 Childhood health concerns
39:59 Nutrition and detoxification
44:33 Stress and healing
49:14 Building wellness products
56:05 Integrative medicine in practice

Where to find Taylor Dukes:

Instagram: @taylordukeswellness
 Website: https://shop.taylordukeswellness.com

To talk to a member of Dr. Jenn's team and learn more about working privately with Dr. Jenn visit: https://calendly.com/stephanie-1031/clarity-call

To get your copy of Dr. Jenn's book, The Smart Woman's Guide to Breast Cancer, visit: https://tinyurl.com/SmartWomansBreastCancerGuide

To purchase the auria breast cancer screening test go here https://auria.care/ and use the code DRJENN20 for 20% Off.

Connect with Dr. Jenn:
Website: https://www.jennsimmonsmd.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrJennSimmons
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjennsimmons/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.jennsimmons