In this episode of the Tea Time Podcast, Sharissa Bradley continues the Journey Back to Health series with Chapter Five: Find Your Why.

Sharissa shares why this chapter may be the most foundational part of the entire healing journey. While habit formation, elimination diets, detox, and lifestyle shifts all matter, none of them sustain without a deeply rooted reason for change.

Drawing from her personal experience growing up with a chronically ill mother and later becoming a sick mom herself, Sharissa explains how her "why" became anchored in not wanting her children to experience the same absence she felt. She reflects on navigating autoimmune disease, adrenal fatigue, brain fog, inflammation, and years of extreme dietary changes — including two years without coffee, caffeine, sugar, dairy, or chocolate.

This episode moves into practical action steps from the book, including writing out what your healthiest self would be able to do, rebuilding physical goals, reclaiming activities that were lost to illness, and building a support team that can help you stay anchored when things feel hard.

Sharissa also vulnerably shares that her own healing journey feels like it has backslid recently, with increased nausea and fear-based thoughts resurfacing — reminding listeners that healing is rarely linear.

***This episode is lived experience, not medical advice.

⏱ Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome & Chapter 5 introduction
01:00 – Why this chapter is foundational
02:00 – Growing up with a chronically ill mother
03:00 – Becoming a sick mom & finding her why
04:00 – Elimination diets & extreme change
05:00 – Why willpower isn't enough
06:00 – Writing your healthiest-self list
07:00 – What illness stole
08:00 – Inflammation, joint pain & flare-ups
09:00 – Two-year healing timeline
10:00 – Reclaiming reading & daily activities
11:00 – Building your support team
12:00 – Paid support & outside help
13:00 – Reaching out & asking for support
14:00 – Current nausea setbacks
15:00 – Fear spirals & mental chatter
16:00 – Multiple habits & rewiring stories
17:00 – Grace, gentleness & encouragement

🔗 Links & Resources

Download the free Journey Back to Health Workbook:
https://sharissabradley.com/extras

Join the Tea Time Podcast Facebook Community:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2034745363989749/