TLDR: In this Healing Journeys episode of The Care We Need Podcast, host Tenay Benes sits down with complex illness overcomer Erin Kleopa to explore her 18-year chronic pain healing journey — and what holistic, whole-person healing can look like when people take lead on their own health. Health, wellness, and human services professionals: don’t miss the end-of-episode conversation about reimagining how to better launch a complex illness healing journey.
What does it take to heal when medical injury precipitates a chronic illness and you become unable to do anything because of chronic back pain?
That’s the question at the heart of this episode of The Care We Need Podcast.
This week, I’m joined by Erin Kleopa, a complex illness overcomer with a story that will stop you in your tracks. Erin spent years as a full-time Higher Education professional, who was living on the standard American diet and salsa dancing five nights a week. Then medical injury changed everything. She couldn’t sit, she couldn’t stand, she couldn’t do anything. That’s when she found a new doctor.
Over the course of 18 years, Erin transformed her entire life — becoming a full-time mother of four, a devoted wife, a self-described “crunchy homemaker,” a fitness enthusiast, and now a global wellness consultant helping others add more holistic health to their lives. Her journey is a masterclass in persistence, self-advocacy, and discovering what real healing can look like outside of conventional care.
In our conversation, we dig into:
- How Erin navigated a complex, multi-year illness without a clear roadmap
- The lifestyle shifts that moved the needle when traditional approaches were harmful
- What holistic, integrative healing actually looks like in daily life
- Why patient empowerment is central to better health outcomes
This is exactly the kind of conversation The Care We Need was built for: real stories, honest challenges, and a shared vision for streamlining systems and improving outcomes for the people who need it most.
Resources
Erin Kleopa
- You can consult with Erin for your health and wellness needs by messaging her at https://erinkleopa.arbonne.com
- Her helpful chiropractor:
- Dr. Lindsey Heaton
- Ellicott City Wellness Chiropractic
- 9025 Chevrolet Dr, Ellicott City, MD 21042
- +14107502540
- Her health coaching certification
- Institute for Integrative Nutrition
- https://www.integrativenutrition.com/the-health-coach-training-program
- Her brain rewiring program for food sensitivities
- Lymbic System Rewire
- https://limbicsystemrewire.com
Tenay Benes
- Books. We offer several health and wellness education books, including “Heal or Die” by Tenay Benes, for sale on our Amazon storefront here: https://amzn.to/4bH7vHH
- Keynote Speeches. Tenay is offering two dynamic keynote speeches for your next conference or community event. Go to https://tenaybenes.com/speaker to learn more or book Tenay for your next event:
- ‘Winning The War On Complex Illness‘ geared to help health, wellness, and human services organizations ask the right questions to optimize their teams’ cohesion and clients’ health outcomes.
- ‘Heal or Die’ geared to empower complex illness sufferers with the mindset and lessons Tenay used to go from bedridden to thriving in family and business.
- Consulting. Tenay and team provide consulting services to help health, wellness, and human services organizations, corporations, and practices optimize their systems to improve client and team outcomes without spending a ton of money or rebuilding from scratch. Go to https://benescompanies.com/consulting learn more and submit your request for proposals.
- Health Technology. The Care We Need website is a new platform designed to streamline the matching and intake process for clients and professionals alike. Think “Thumbtack for healthcare”. Go to https://benescompanies.myflodesk.com/newsletter to sign up for our health technology newsletter, be the first to know about user testing opportunities, product launch, patient and provider signups, and hear about investment opportunities.
Donations
To support our cause to end the complex illness epidemic in the U.S. or pay it forward to support our next podcast, donate $10 here: https://buy.stripe.com/dRm3cvflvfiE14UdbmaR200
Disclaimers
We receive a small kickback if you use these links to purchase these products. The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host or of Benes Companies and does not constitute personalized health advice. To obtain personalized health advice, consult a professional (or three) directly.
🎧 You can also listen to this episode now wherever you get your podcasts.
The Care We Need Podcast is produced by Benes Companies. Learn more at https://benescompanies.com.
Keywords: complex illness, chronic pain, holistic healing, patient advocacy, health and wellness podcast, integrative health, food sensitivities, healthcare collaboration, care coordination, healing prayer
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