The Nurse Who Stopped Following Orders: Stepping Outside the System with Host Bethany Shipley #175

This podcast episode features a powerful role reversal as host Sarah Dawkins, author of Heal Yourself and a registered nurse, steps into the interviewee seat. Guest host Bethany Shipley explores Sarah’s journey from the front lines of cardiothoracic nursing to becoming a global advocate for natural self-healing.

Episode Overview

Sarah spent years on the front lines of surgery, surrounded by the best medicine money could buy. But while she was saving lives, her own body was falling apart. Psoriasis, depression, PTSD and chronic pain.

Sarah didn't just find a new prescription, she found a new path. Meet Sarah Dawkins: The nurse who stopped following orders, defied her training and healed herself. We’re diving into the "crisis of conscience" that changed everything.

Why Listen?

If you have ever felt "sick and tired of being sick and tired," this episode offers a roadmap of hope. Sarah’s story proves that healing isn't just for a "special" few, it is a possibility for anyone willing to listen to their body and step outside their comfort zone.

Key Topics & Timestamps

02:10 The specific 2005 encounter in a Florida hospital that challenged Sarah’s beliefs about pharmaceuticals.

02:54 Navigating a deep depression and the "crisis of conscience" while working in cardiothoracic surgery.

03:53 Why Sarah hid her book for 5 years and how she eventually gathered 74 contributors to provide "social proof" that healing happens.

07:01 The moment Sarah was reported to the nursing board for sharing her natural thyroid healing journey.

09:42 A list of the physical conditions Sarah healed, from psoriasis and acid reflux to chronic joint pain and PTSD.

12:06 An honest look at bulimia, emotional eating, and how "disgust" became a catalyst for change.

18:05 Sarah’s simple rule: "If I don't buy it, I can't eat it."

20:34 The "Single-Ingredient Food" strategy for feeding picky kids and busy families.

24:29 Why Sarah chose to bypass traditional publishing to get the message to the public faster.

28:02 Understanding the metaphysical link between "frozen shoulders" and carrying the weight of the world.

29:51 How spinal pain often correlates to feelings of financial or personal insecurity.

31:41 Using short meditations to stop "checking out" via food, alcohol, or scrolling.

33:45 Why we are afraid to trust our own feelings and how to stop seeking external approval.

Bethany's Bio

Bethany Shipley is a writer, speaker, and philosophical guide for people who are ready to live a life that is true to them.

Her work centers around a powerful idea: Being influences Doing. When you understand who you are at your core and have the courage to live from that place, your actions naturally align and your life begins to reflect something deeply authentic.

Bethany is known for blending grounded insight with spiritual depth, helping people reconnect to their instinct, expression, and internal compass. She moves beyond hype and surface-level encouragement, guiding people into a lived experience of alignment.

Through her podcast, Market Your Personal Brand and upcoming book, she empowers and inspires people to live an authentic life.

Connect with Bethany

https://www.bethanyshipley.com/

Who am I?

Sarah Dawkins is a passionate Holistic Health and Healing Coach, international speaker and author of Heal Yourself. She’s also a multi-award-winning entrepreneur and the award-winning host of the uplifting podcast Mind Body Medicine for Self Healers with Sarah Dawkins.

With over 20 years’ experience as a Registered Nurse, Sarah combines her deep understanding of conventional medicine with her own powerful self-healing journey to create a truly integrative approach. Having overcome multiple chronic health challenges herself, she now supports others in uncovering and addressing the root causes of their symptoms, helping them restore balance, reclaim their energy and create lasting, vibrant wellness.

www.sarahdawkins.com