Kristin Mills CNHP
Ten years ago, I was an unlikely candidate to become a Naturopath. I had moved to Boston after high school to study Education and Psychology, and later continued on with Marketing and Advertising. I lived in many places and had many interests, never committing to one, working as a model, school teacher, corporate trainer, model (again!), TV host, actor, cosmetic spokesperson, voice over artist, make up artist, actor (again!)....Good times.
They say there are no accidents...
In July 1999, I had a severe allergic reaction to an insect bite. I was taken to a "Top 10" LA hospital and given an OD of a drug cocktail in the ER, putting me in cardiac arrest. I flatlined, was intubated and revived. After coming out of the coma, my throat was very sore from the tube removal. I was unable to work (I was a voice over artist) and had lots of time to think about my life's course. I researched and learned there was only one allopathic treatment for anaphylaxis---and I was allergic to it. I began reading natural health books about body detoxing, diffusing essential oils, etc., but was still too focused on life as I knew it, rather than accepting or even recognizing the change that was in the way.
I was visiting NY on 9/11. I lost friends and childhood neighbors that day. It was heartbreaking to drive through suburban train station parking lots and see the many white chalk marks on car tires a week after the towers fell. I joined the local American Red Cross chapter and delivered gift baskets to families and took orders for homemade quilts for children's bedrooms. I met widows who showed me family and wedding photos and told me their stories, recalling fond and funny memories of their husbands, now lost. We laughed and cried together, as women do.
These women and children would come to be the catalyst that changed my life.
I remained back east and registered for an Aromatherapy program. I gave my essential oil blend homework assignments to Dave Carlson, a NYSLMT, to use on rescue workers at Ground Zero. After several weeks, he said he thought I was 'onto something' and, upon completion of my program, Blissentials™ Therapeutic Essential Oil Blends was born in 2002.
I wanted to take the next step. I continued my studies, starting with Nutrition. I really missed LA and wanted to return to Santa Monica. Years past. About the time I earned my CNHP credential, I got a call from a director I had previously worked with to do a film. You didn't have to ask me twice----I buttoned up my responsibilities and went back to LA!
When the film wrapped, I got a call that my Dad (who had never spent a day in the hospital since the day he was born) was battling unexplained and debilitating symptoms. It was serious. I spent that year on airplanes, making 13 cross-country flights.
My mother and I had many battles about his prognosis and treatment plan. She had never been a fan of pharmaceuticals when I was a kid. Rather, she would made one of her Swedish remedies to fix us up. So imagine my surprise when my naturopathic suggestions weren't taken seriously by my parents! They had completely bought into a myopic viewpoint after months of tests, procedures and office visits, bearing unsuccessful and inconclusive results. Sad to say that none of my Dad's medical team ever (to this day) gave him anything more than a vague explanation of possibilities regarding his condition. I thought the surgery decision was hasty and unfounded, but Dad's surgical team didn't hesitate to remove 1/3 of his lung.
Tragically, this handsome, strong, fit man who commuted with the young and hungry Wall Streeters every day for over 40 years---surviving those icy winters and oppressively hot and sticky summers, schlepping miles in the pitch dark during the seemingly annual power outages-- appeared to age 20 years overnight. Once a brilliant mind, quick wit and loving heart, my Dad was never the same. I returned to LA, heartbroken.
The fall out with my family did not derail me. I continued my studies and went on to earn 25+ advanced Natural Health certifications. There's always a lesson and clearing with tears, and I realized that my family's lack of/refusal of information was a reminder for me that Americans are still largely oriented to allopathy. And that's fine. We need people with that training. But why limit yourself when your health, well being and quality of life is at stake? It makes more sense to keep ALL options open.
The truth is that it's not about making a choice between allopathy and naturopathy, rather the integration of the two, is best for most. We don't need to have our lives saved every day (allopathy), but we do need to learn to live well and be well on a daily basis (naturopathy).
I relocated to South Orange County, California, where I work as a Traditional Naturopath. I am the Director of Laguna Natural Health, a general natural health practice specializing in Whole Food Based Nutrition and Detoxification. Find out more at LagunaNaturalHealth.com. I am in the planning stages to raise $50MM to build a fully-integrated health center. I know, it's lofty...thankfully there's a lot of interest. I have been approached to produce and host a TV show for a natural health network.
I enjoy hiking, swimming, yoga, turbo kick boxing, belly dancing and spending time with friends, enjoying the incredible beauty of Laguna Beach. I'm still a huge Red Sox fan...go Sawx!!
I am grateful for all of God's blessings.
