Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Oker.
Hi Jessica, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I know firsthand what chronic illness takes. It takes away joy, patience, energy, focus, hope, and finances.
Chronic illness is a thief that steals beauty, time, and love from oneself, our relationships, and our families. In return, we are blessed with pain, regret, and a limited life that does not meet our potential, nor align with our unique gifts.
Ayurveda found me at a point in my life when physicians advised I had years, if not weeks left to live. In a relatively short period, I was forced to learn how to heal myself. In return, I have dedicated my future to helping others discover Ayurveda.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Diagnosed with my first autoimmune in my teens. Medication and surgery followed. Before my high school graduation, I was hospitalized for a fever that was so high I temporarily lost sight and hearing. While successful in college, Overwhelmed with fatigue that I can only describe as an element beyond exhaustion. By my 30s, I struggled with pain and had a hard time eating without significant allergies.
With painful hives on my scalp, chunks of hair would fall out by the fistful and my cheeks were bright red from Rosacea. My pregnancies were challenging and I struggled to stay conscious. My driver’s license was briefly put on hold. I would lose consciousness for about 1 hour a day and found that my body struggled with the most basic of functions. As a teen, I played soccer and loved running up to 10 miles a day. By my 40s, walking to the mailbox meant the possibility of coughing up blood. The brain fog was so deep, I would use the alarm on my key fab to help me remember what kind of car I drove.
Lists early in the morning were used to remind me of how many kids I had with me each day so that I could make sure I never left anyone behind. If chronic illness doesn’t crush you, the financial burden to stay alive and function certainly will. My issues culminated about 8 years ago at a park, I went down a kiddy slide with my daughter and when I struck the bottom, I crushed T12 blew out numerous disks, and damaged my tailbone. Being allergic to pain meds, I was lucky enough to find pain management with Yoga. Scans performed for this incident revealed that I had Stage 2 Sarcoidosis with findings in my lungs and my lymph.
By grace, one of my doctors advised that he didn’t want to treat me because he felt the medication would kill me faster Sarcoidosis. I remember him looking at me with such empathy and kindness. He was genuinely worried about me. Before my biopsy, he told me that I would not be his patient as he suspected the biopsy would be clean. Once the surgery was completed, he touched my shoulder ever so gently and whispered. “I am so sorry, you are my patient now,” I remember smiling and letting him know that everything was going to be okay and I had no intention of dying. For whatever reason, I knew there was a purpose to my struggles, the universe was going to hit me over the head until I learned from my struggles.
These challenges led me to the discovery of Ayurveda. I wholeheartedly believe that Ayurveda saved my life. Many doctors helped me along the way to get me to a point where I was almost surviving, but not living and not fully healing. Not fully comfortable healing myself without learning how to help others overcome their struggles, I agreed to take the leap and study. I became an Ayurvedic Practitioner so that I can help others navigate their journey and have opened my practice to help others discover the beauty that rests within this ancient science.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Ayurveda is an ancient, complete science that translates to the study (ayur) of life (veda). It is a holistic system of wellness designed to teach us how to live our lives without disease or suffering. Ayurveda is a system that was written down over 5000 years ago, legend to be derived from the divine. Ayurveda is a blueprint for wellness that guides individuals to honor their unique constitution through diet and lifestyle.
My practice helps individuals seeking a balanced, more connected, productive, and fulfilling life. I specialize in delivering guidance without judgment. My goal is to provide balance without labels. Wildcraft Ayurveda provides a space to experience organic facials, massage, and the ancient practice of Shirodhara. Shirodhara is a relaxing ancient therapeutic head massage experience that involves pouring warm herbal oils or water over one’s forehead. In Ayurveda, Shirodhara is practiced to help purge toxins, reduce mental fatigue, and to improve brain function. Shirodhara is believed to open the “third eye” resulting in a heightened sense of mindfulness.
One-on-one Ayurvedic consultations are offered in English or French. We are launching monthly wellness workshops and our blue house in Clearwater offers a unique welcoming space with a healing spirit. We have a wide selection of Ayurvedic herbs and oils. The venue is available for booking unique hands-on herbal immersion experiences for groups of up to 12. Hoping to find a kindred spirit interested in developing an onsite healing garden.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
The spirit of our community is vibrant. We have a culmination of individuals coming from all over the world blending, and supporting each other. The bike trail is one of my favorite places.
As a family, we can ride to Tarpon Springs for Greek food and then come back to Downtown Dunedin for food truck delights while playing cards at a local pub. I love that no matter where I go, I can find a friend. The city attracts people who are open-minded and generous in spirit.
I appreciate the support the community provides to nourish and develop entrepreneurship.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.wildcraftayurveda.com
- Instagram: @wildcraftayurveda
