Sarah’s Journey: A Bee Guided Wellness Success Story
By Brook & David Richie – Founders, Bee Guided Wellness
Sarah’s Journey: A Bee Guided Wellness Success Story
When Sarah first came to us, we saw what we see so often—a strong, determined woman quietly battling invisible pain. At just 27, she was already living in the shadow of a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) diagnosis. Daily fatigue, aching joints, and relentless inflammation made even simple tasks feel monumental. Like so many others, she had been given a label—but no real path to healing.
Her bloodwork confirmed what we often uncover in clients struggling with autoimmune conditions: a cascade of metabolic dysfunction. Insulin resistance, gut dysbiosis, and a nervous system locked in survival mode. These are often the true root causes of autoimmune flare-ups—and they’re frequently overlooked.
We didn’t offer a generic protocol. We took time to listen, educate, and co-create a practical, science-backed plan. Our first priorities: ease the pain, stabilize her blood sugar, calm her nervous system, and support her gut. Sarah committed wholeheartedly. Within days, the shift was evident—less pain, more energy, and improved mental clarity.
Her healing journey wasn’t linear. At one point, her weight dropped to 105 pounds, and concern set in. We reassured her: this was a sign of metabolic recalibration. We guided her through the next phase, adjusting healthy fats and proteins to stabilize her weight while continuing progress.
Personalized wellness isn’t rigid—it evolves. When her body started reacting negatively to certain foods, we quickly adjusted with a targeted 30-day gut protocol. Her follow-up labs told the story we already knew:
- Stable blood sugar
- Low inflammation
- RA in remission
We’re still monitoring a few markers, like absolute eosinophils—a common residual from past allergies and autoimmune dysfunction—but overall, Sarah’s health trajectory is strong.
Today, her weight is back to a healthy 112 pounds and gaining. But even more importantly, Sarah reclaimed her life. She tracks her journey meticulously, journaling consistently and contributing insights that are now refining our RA and autoimmune protocols. She was determined not to be defined by her diagnosis—and she succeeded. Now, just 8 months later, Sarah is thriving: body, mind, and spirit.
She did all the work. We were just here to BEE GUIDING her WELLNESS journey.
And now, in her own words, Sarah shares her transformation below.
My Healing Journey: From Rheumatoid Arthritis to Holistic Wellness Advocate
By Sarah Alvey – Wellness Associate, Bee’s Wellness Café
By Sarah Alvey – Wellness Associate, Bee’s Wellness Café
Eight months ago, I couldn’t imagine the life I live now. At the time, I was navigating an overwhelming RA diagnosis, spending most of my days in pain and exhaustion. My joints—especially my hands—were constantly swollen and stiff. A “good day” meant a pain level of 7 out of 10.
I discovered Bee’s Wellness Café by chance at a local market, where I was offered a juice sample and a conversation that shifted my life. That’s how I met Brook and David Richie, the founders of Bee’s Wellness Café and Bee Guided Wellness. They listened. They saw me. And they offered something no one else had: a real plan grounded in education, data, and support.
The Bloodwork That Explained Everything
We began with bloodwork. It revealed that I wasn’t just dealing with RA:
- Rheumatoid Factor: 28 (normal <14)
- CCP IgG: >300 (normal <3.0)
- Vitamin D: 27 ng/mL (low)
- Folic Acid: 3.8 µg/L (low)
- Glucose: 108 mg/dL (prediabetic)
I was shocked. I’m thin—how could I be insulin resistant/prediabetic? But insulin resistance doesn’t care about your weight. And that insight opened the door to everything that followed.
A Science-Backed Wellness Plan
Brook and David didn’t overwhelm me. They taught me. We started with internal and topical CBD, which significantly reduced my daily pain. Bee’s Wellness Water-Soluble CBD worked quickly and effectively. Their Pain Salve gave me daily relief on my aching and swollen joints.
Next, we tackled my metabolism. I began a ketogenic protocol, carefully designed to restore insulin sensitivity. I added medicinal mushrooms like Reishi and Lion’s Mane to my routine—both in capsule form and blended into my “bulletproof” coffee with heavy cream (which doesn’t spike insulin). My energy, digestion, and mental clarity all improved.
Gut Health: A Core Focus
We rebuilt my gut microbiome with:
- Daily Sea Moss (for digestion and mineral support)
- Shilajit (for fulvic acid and inflammation reduction)
- Prebiotic and probiotic foods (like cooled overnight rice, sauerkraut, and kimchi)
This was part of a comprehensive 30-day gut protocol tailored specifically for me. The difference in my digestion, skin, and energy was profound.
Learning to Breathe Again
One of the most transformative shifts came from a surprising place: my breath. David introduced me to Restorative Functional Breathing™. I learned that mouth breathing was triggering stress responses and insulin spikes—even without food.
By retraining myself to breathe through my nose, especially during sleep, I started sleeping more deeply, thinking more clearly, and healing more rapidly. I no longer suffer from chronic sinus issues, despite a history of multiple sinus surgeries. Breathing, it turns out, was foundational.
The Power of Fasting
Fasting became another critical tool. I began intermittent fasting, narrowing my eating window to help stabilize blood sugar, reduce inflammation, and sharpen focus. Fasting helped me reconnect with my body’s natural rhythms and support my immune system.
Today: A New Chapter
- My pain is consistently under a 3
- I no longer rely on pain relief just to function
- My energy is restored
- My RA is in remission
And perhaps the most meaningful transformation of all—I now work at Bee’s Wellness Café. I get to help others walk the same path I once did. Every day, I speak to people living in pain, feeling dismissed or hopeless. I’m proof that healing is possible with the right guidance.
What I’ve Learned
Autoimmune recovery requires a whole-body approach:
- Reduce inflammation with CBD and minerals
- Heal the gut with nourishing, probiotic-rich foods
- Reverse insulin resistance with low-carb nutrition and medicinal mushrooms
- Recalibrate your nervous system through breathwork
- Empower metabolic healing through fasting
If you’re struggling with autoimmune symptoms, know this: you are not broken. Your body is asking for help. With the right plan and a supportive team, you can thrive again.
I’m here. We’re here. Let Bee Guided Wellness walk that journey with you.
Let us guide your healing journey. Schedule your personalized wellness consultation today.