Today, we introduce Josette Tkacik, a professional dancer
with an illustrious career that includes stints at Juilliard, the Joffrey New York, Alvin Ailey, and the Metropolitan Ballet of St. Louis.
In 2011, Josette faced a sudden and severe diagnosis of
advanced rheumatoid arthritis, a debilitating autoimmune condition that defied conventional medical treatment. Despite being told there was no cure and only palliative options available, Josette embarked on her own healing journey.
Through sheer determination and unconventional methods, she achieved what many deemed impossible – she self-healed her RA without Western medicine.
Josette's remarkable recovery led to her being hailed as a
medical miracle in 2016 when no evidence of disease could be found in her bloodwork. But her journey didn't stop there. She transitioned into becoming the world's most successful Zumba instructor, spreading joy and vitality through movement.
Her accolades extend beyond the dance floor, as she's
recognized as a Santa Barbara Hero, recipient of congressional awards, and ranked as a top three author on DailyOM. Join us as we delve into Josette's inspiring story of overcoming adversity and forging her own path to wellness
and success.
Contact Info
Website: https://www.josettetkacik.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/Josettetkacik/
Find Josette on DailyOm
Show Notes:
3:00 - Journey before and after diagnosis – focus on dance and not on overall health
3:55 - Waking with excruciating pain while caring for a 12
month old child; multiple ER visits
6:10 - formal diagnosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis, list of medical interventions
8:00 - Inspiration from mom who had stage 4 breast cancer, who turned down radiation/chemo and is now 87 without a trace
9:32 – place of darkness turned out to a be a beautiful
place to start healing
11:45 – Individuality of diet for each person and detox from environmental and emotional toxins
15:00 – avoiding Herxheimer reactions and balancing healing process with biohacks
17:20 – deciding on the road to stay on and understanding
the dips
20:28 – Healing through Zumba, both physical and emotional healing
23:50 – Pain even in movement, but improvement noticeable over time.
25:47 – regaining control and taking the power back into our own hands after diagnosis
26:50 – There is little funding for studies on lifestyle and
diet changes compared to pharmaceutical research
30:20 – Zumba is for everyone, every age range. 97 year old has not missed a class since pre-pandemic
33:03 – Even with limited mobility, we can go inside and
create the sanctuary inside us.
34:30 – conjuring up the raw emotion of joy - a big part of recovery
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