From the Bathroom Floor to Healing: My Supplement Story

Hi Growing Friend,

We're doing things slightly differently this month! I'm still sharing my journey, offering a first step, diving into the why and science behind the strategy, and highlighting a business. BUT I'm weaving it all through my personal story because this moment was such a turning point—I had to share it this way.

Quick note: A few of you asked if last month's issue was too long. I'm considering switching to weekly newsletters this fall to make everything more digestible. For now, we're sticking with this format while I prepare for the transition and gather more of your feedback. 😊

The Night That Changed Everything

I'm excited to share this part of my journey because it marked the beginning of feeling like maybe—just maybe—I could feel better and didn't have to live in pain anymore. We're diving into supplements.

Before you get that deflated feeling (I know you've probably tried everything and don't want to spend another dollar), let me tell you- this was truly what allowed my body to start healing.

The breaking point came after a trip to Freddy's. I came home with a burger and chocolate shake, and within hours, I was literally lying on my bathroom floor in the WORST stomach pain. The cramps, bloating, and pain were so intense I debated going to the hospital.

Instead, I cried, rolled into a ball, and stayed there for hours until I could finally crawl to bed.

That was the moment I decided I was buying those supplements I'd been researching. I was desperate and would have spent money on anything at that point.

My Silver Fern Discovery

When I started looking into what my body was trying to tell me—the inflammation, constant gut issues—I came across Silver Fern. I've recommended this company to almost everyone who wants to help their gut because it was SO incredibly helpful for me. (What works for me may not work for you, but they have options for different gut health needs.)

Here's what I learned: I was starting to change my diet, but let's be honest—when we start, we're doing one swap at a time, and it takes time. My gut couldn't handle even chicken without pain, let alone a meal from Freddy's.

My Protocol

I took their quiz (which asks specific questions about your issues and recommends a regimen- or you can email them directly to get assistance!), and started with:

• Gut cleanse

• Digestive enzymes

• Upper GI relief

• Acid reflux drink

You'll notice I don't mention probiotics. Here's why: The integrity of my gut lining was probably minimal—I had leaky gut, IBS, whatever you want to call it. I had to rebuild my gut lining first.

Why This Approach Worked

Disclaimer: I'm not a doctor, so I can't explain all the cellular-level science. But I can share what I learned and why it worked for me.

The Problem: When we eat processed foods, we consume chemicals that destroy our gut microbiome and gut lining. This is why so many people have leaky gut or IBS.

The Solution (for me):

Step 1: The Cleanse I needed to rid my body of chemicals, bad bacteria, and years of gut-destroying foods. This wasn't your typical "bathroom all day" cleanse—actually the opposite. I became more consistent and regular than I'd probably ever been.

Step 2: Digestive Support I was living on Tums with terrible acid reflux. The digestive enzymes help your stomach break down food, while the upper GI relief helps with acid issues, heartburn, and indigestion. Unlike Tums (which just masks symptoms), these ingredients work with your body to rebuild gut health over time.

Step 3: Acid Reflux Support As I mentioned, I had terrible acid reflux and drank this every single night. Here are my tried-and-true tips to make it actually enjoyable (vs dreading it!):

· Get the berry flavor - personally wasn't a fan of the peach mango

· Use 6-8oz of water instead of the recommended 12oz (way too much for us)

· Use a frother or blending tool - a spoon makes it super clumpy

· Alternative: shake in a shaker cup with very cold water

It's crazy how different it tasted when we skipped even one of these steps, but when we got the formula right, it was actually enjoyable!

The Key: I took digestive enzymes and upper GI relief with EVERY single meal. I took the gut cleanse & acid reflux drink EVERY single day. Consistency is crucial, but this is temporary—it literally helps rebuild your gut so you don't need it forever. Depending on your specific situation depends on which products you’ll need- just be consistent!

Where I Am Now

Today, if I'm eating out or having something I know my body needs extra help processing, I still take a digestive enzyme with upper GI relief. This completely eliminated my bloating and acid reflux after fatty foods, and now it's just preventative because I don’t want to feel crappy even after eating something that may not be best for me – because let’s be honest we’re not 100% over here!

After a few months on this regimen, once you notice changes, you can transition to pro/pre/postbiotic products.

Pro tip: I needed extra daily relief while transitioning off Tums, so I added Hilma acid reflux & bloating support. Silver Fern products heal long-term, but Hilma gave me immediate relief. I haven't used Tums since!

This Month's Challenge

If you're struggling with gut health and currently taking Tums, antacids, or acid reflux medications, try exploring supplements that help HEAL your issues and address root causes rather than just reducing symptoms.

Even if you don't use Silver Fern, consider what might help your body rebuild rather than just cope. Next time you reach for Tums, try Hilma or another healing-focused product instead!

Important supplement shopping tip: Most supplements have minimal regulation around what's actually in the product. Always look for brands that are 3rd party tested—this ensures you're getting what you pay for from a reputable company.

Special offer: I reached out to Silver Fern and got you a 10% discount! [Use this link for your discount]

What's Next?

There's so much more to explore in supplements and gut health, but I think we've covered enough for this issue! 😊

I want to hear from you:

• Email me your questions for our next issue later this month

• What topic should we tackle next? Back to food topics? Protein powders? The dreaded kitchen plastics?

I'll post a poll on Instagram, or you can email me your preference!

Rooted in wellness & rising together,
Erica