Holistic Health Journey and Letting Go of Old Beliefs with Sarah Dawkins

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In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Sarah Dawkins about moving from traditional nursing to a career in holistic healing. Dawkins is based in Spain. Sarah shares the powerful story of how questioning established medical norms led her to an identity transformation and inspired her to help others heal naturally. Listeners will learn about the inner conflict of leaving a medical system she once cherished and the personal healing journey that changed her perspective.

Sarah Dawkins is a Holistic Health and Healing Coach, International Speaker, the Author of HEAL YOURSELF and the host of the popular health-focused podcast Heal Yourself with Sarah Dawkins. As a former Registered Nurse with over twenty years of medical experience, Sarah brings a unique, integrative perspective to her work. Sarah’s expertise spans from self-healing multiple chronic health issues to supporting clients in uncovering and addressing the root causes of their symptoms, empowering them to achieve vibrant, lasting health and transformative wellness.

Main Topics Covered:

1. How questioning professional norms in nursing led to a profound personal and professional transformation.
2. The influence of geographic moves (UK to US to Spain) on worldview and healing philosophy.
3. The emotional toll and identity crisis that arises when your values no longer align with your profession.
4. Differentiating traditional Western medicine from holistic and natural healing approaches.
5. The role of diet, lifestyle, and mindfulness in managing and healing chronic physical and mental health conditions.
6. Strategies for helping others tune into their own "innate wisdom" and address root causes instead of only treating symptoms.
7. Building a business around holistic health—transitioning from nurse, to entrepreneur, to holistic health coach.
8. Combining, complementing, and sometimes rejecting aspects of Western medicine for more integrated self-care.

Quote from the Episode: "I just wanted to help people, to have the knowledge to help themselves. …And for me, once I'd learned that, that truly is helping people to help themselves rather than helping them to stay in that medical model, in that western medicine." — Sarah Dawkins

Timestamps:

[00:00:05] Introduction & welcome—Sarah calls Spain home, discusses loving its tranquility

[00:01:20] Why Sarah became a nurse and the UK nursing education process

[00:04:02] Early nursing career and the first major challenge to professional beliefs

[00:05:22] The pivotal coworker conversation about vaccines that sparked months of research

[00:09:22] Expanding research beyond vaccines into pharmaceuticals, nutrition, and natural healing

[00:13:44] Applying new knowledge to personal health: overcoming chronic illnesses through lifestyle changes

[00:16:32] Living two lives: Integrating holistic habits at home and following protocols at work

[00:18:00] Attempt to practice Reiki in nursing, and the professional limitations encountered

[00:20:27] Specific patient interactions that deepened the conflict between values and job role

[00:24:13] The inner struggle: Reported for holistic advice, facing ridicule, and mounting anxiety

[00:27:17] The mental health crisis: Depression, suicidal thoughts, and the necessity of a "timeout"

[00:30:49] Leaving nursing: Exploring entrepreneurship and using transferable skills

[00:34:55] Earning new professional validation and certifications; becoming a coach, surrendering the nursing license

[00:37:30] Reconciling Western and holistic medicine—when each is appropriate

[00:40:20] Today’s work: Helping others get to the root cause of their symptoms

[00:42:49] Free eBook offer for listeners and podcast details

[00:43:38] Fun closer: favorite childhood TV show, book recommendation, and recent online purchase

ABOUT THE SHOW: The Art of Imperfect Adulting elevates the voices of experience by sharing real stories from real people figuring out adult life. Every episode features honest conversations about life's choices, changes, and challenges—interviews with individuals (not celebrities) who share their personal experiences and insights. Through these authentic stories, listeners find validation, motivation, and inspiration for navigating their own path through modern life. Because there's a big difference between expert advice and shared experience, and hearing another person's lived experience helps us feel less alone in our own situations.

CONNECT WITH THE GUEST: https://www.sarahdawkins.com

GET SARAH'S SPECIAL OFFER: Understanding Your Core Beliefs https://mailchi.mp/7a6d66bbb5e1/core-beliefs

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