Today I’m delighted to welcome my friend and colleague Dr. Tom Moorcroft, osteopathic doctor, who has become America’s leading Lyme recovery expert and the creator of the innovative Samara Method. Dr. Tom recovered from Lyme disease himself, but not through the conventional medical system. He shares his health journey and the remarkable insights he gained through the process in this interview. 

Tom’s journey began during his college years while studying landscape ecology and wildlife management. His initial passion was environmental protection, driven by a deep desire to preserve our planet for future generations. What struck him during his studies was a notable disconnect between research and action – while adults would conduct studies and have discussions, there was often a lack of concrete steps toward meaningful change.

This observation led Tom to a crucial insight: Children were the most effective agents of change. He noticed that when you get a child excited about something, they not only take action themselves but also inspire their parents to do the same. 

This realization prompted him to take an AmeriCorps internship at what is now called the Carey Institute, formerly known as the Institute of Ecosystem Studies, in Millbrook, NY. This prestigious institution, founded by the scientist who discovered acid rain, provided the perfect environment for Tom to pursue his passion for environmental education.

Dr. Tom’s Recovery from Lyme Disease

What began as an inspiring career took a dramatic turn when Tom’s supervisor noticed something was seriously wrong. During a routine workday, she found him sitting at his computer, completely unresponsive. The cursor hadn’t moved for an hour, and to his embarrassment, he had been unconsciously drooling on himself. 

This concerning episode was accompanied by severe brain fog, debilitating joint pain, and intense muscle aches. The next day, the situation escalated when he developed an alarming rash that covered one-fifth of his body.

The initial medical response was swift and seemingly straightforward. Within just 30 seconds of examining him, his doctor diagnosed classic Lyme disease and prescribed a ten-day course of doxycycline. The first few days of treatment were incredibly challenging; Tom, then in his early twenties, was so incapacitated that his parents had to carry him to the bathroom – a humbling experience he recalls with candor. 

Though he experienced improvement after about a week and a half, this relief proved to be temporary. Over the following years, the brain fog and fatigue gradually crept back, accompanied by persistent and increasingly severe joint pain.

The Struggle Dr. Tom Experienced in Conventional Medical System

As Tom’s symptoms returned and intensified, he embarked on what would become a frustrating journey through the conventional medical system. He visited doctor after doctor, only to receive a series of unsatisfying diagnoses. First came depression, with one physician suggesting it was hereditary, similar to his father’s condition. 

When Tom explained that he wasn’t depressed but rather frustrated by his declining health and lack of adequate medical support, the diagnosis shifted to bipolar type 2, which the doctor casually dismissed as is common among “all the good doctors and lawyers.”

The prescribed medications came with significant side effects but offered little relief. Eventually, after six years of suffering, his primary care physician labeled his condition as fibromyalgia syndrome. This diagnosis particularly frustrated Tom because it merely repackaged his reported symptoms – joint pain, brain fog, and fatigue – without addressing their underlying cause or offering hope for recovery. 

As he puts it, they simply took his words and put a label on them, providing no pathway to healing or understanding of the root cause.

A Shift in Healing Perspective

The turning point in Tom’s journey came through a moment of clarity in his apartment. Recently married and in medical school, he found himself staring at the wall yet again, contemplating his future. He realized that if he continued following the conventional medical advice that had failed him for six years, he knew exactly where that path would lead – and it wasn’t where he wanted to go.

He had just married Jill, his partner of over twenty years now, and dreamed of building a life together. He envisioned having a family, owning dogs, and enjoying outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, and mountain biking in the woods and mountains. But in his current state, none of that seemed possible. Standing there, he made a crucial decision: if doubling down on the conventional approach would only bring more suffering, he needed to try something different.

This moment of recognition marked a fundamental shift. As soon as he focused on what he really wanted and gave himself permission to get better, everything changed. People started sharing yoga DVDs with him, and he discovered new pathways to healing through diet and nutrition. 

Over the next two years, he experienced significant improvement, though it would take an additional four years to achieve complete recovery. Today, he has been symptom-free from both Lyme and babesiosis for over twelve years.

Understanding the Mind-Body Connection

Tom shares that he discovered that the mind-body connection plays a far more significant role in recovery than commonly acknowledged in mainstream medicine.

While traditional medical literature suggests the placebo effect accounts for about one-third of medical outcomes, the research indicates it influences closer to three-quarters or more of healing responses. This realization led Tom to embrace a comprehensive body-mind-spirit approach to healing.

He found inspiration in the work of Andrew Taylor Still, the founder of osteopathic medicine, who in the mid-1800s promoted the revolutionary concept of integrating body, mind, and spirit as one totality. Still’s approach was radical for his time – he rejected harmful treatments like arsenic and strychnine in favor of hands-on manipulation and supporting the body’s natural healing abilities.

This philosophy resonated deeply with Tom, who began to see himself not as the doer of healing but as a catalyst and supporter of the body’s innate healing wisdom. He draws an analogy to a simple cut – 99.99% of the time, it heals on its own. 

This natural healing ability is far more intelligent than our conscious mind that tells us we need to take a pill. The key is to harness this innate healing power and view healthcare practitioners as supporters of self-healing rather than the source of healing itself.

The Development of the Samara Method

The Samara Method, named after the helicopter-like seeds of maple and oak trees that Tom remembers playing with as a child, emerged from his deep understanding of how infections like Lyme disease affect brain function. 

The name carries special significance – just as these seeds represent new growth and potential, the method embodies the seeds of health and healing that exist within each person.

Tom observed that infections can fundamentally alter how the brain processes safety cues, affecting patients’ ability to interpret gestures, facial expressions, and vocal intonation. This understanding was crucial because many people talk about the fight, flight, and freeze responses, but few understand how infections like Lyme can physically change brain metabolism and function, as shown in SPECT scan studies.

The method acknowledges that when someone is ill, their physiology may prevent them from making eye contact or engaging socially – not because they’re unwilling, but because their nervous system is in a protective state. 

This insight helped Tom develop an approach that helps people shift from a victim mentality to feeling empowered while cultivating self-compassion and acceptance.

Nervous System Regulation and Heart Rate Variability

A crucial component of the healing process involves understanding how Lyme disease affects the vagus nerve and autonomic nervous system. 

Research has shown that Lyme can disrupt respiratory modulation of cardiac vagus tone, affecting heart rate variability and the body’s ability to achieve a calm state. This disruption often manifests as dysautonomia, with patients experiencing heart rate problems, blood pressure issues, and difficulty taking deep, calming breaths.

To address these challenges, we can incorporate specific techniques to improve heart rate variability. One simple but effective practice involves using devices like WHOOP, Oura Ring, Fitbit, Garmin, or HeartMath to monitor progress while practicing the Quick Coherence Technique. 

This involves sitting or lying down, focusing on breathing while feeling its movement in and around the heart center, and then thinking about someone or something you love – whether it’s a future goal, current joy, or cherished memory.

This practice has been shown to increase heart rate variability, boost immune function, and improve resilience to stress. Higher heart rate variability indicates improved self-regulatory function, allowing people to handle social stressors better and feel safer in public settings, simply because they’re more in touch with themselves.

Community and Connection in Healing

The power of community plays a vital role in the healing journey. We can see this in the work of Dr. Joe Dispenza.

When people come together with shared intentions, whether in person or virtually, the healing effect can be amplified. Studies have shown that groups practicing healing intentions together can create measurable changes not only in individuals but in geographic areas.

However, many people need simpler, more accessible approaches that can fit into busy lives. Tom shared that The Samara Method provides tools that can be integrated into daily life without requiring hours of practice or retreat attendance. However, the method still harnesses the power of community, whether through virtual or in-person connections, to amplify healing effects.

This collective energy creates a supportive environment that makes it easier for individuals to maintain their personal healing practices. The experience of group healing can help anchor positive states, making it easier for people to access these states when practicing on their own. 

This community aspect becomes particularly powerful when people share their healing journeys and support each other’s progress.

Transforming Thought Patterns and Self-Talk

One of the most powerful aspects of healing involves transforming our internal dialogue. It is very important to monitor the self-talk as approximately 90-95% of our thoughts about ourselves tend to be negative and repetitive. 

A good exercise is to spend just 15-20 minutes noting our self-talk – most people will quickly recognize the pattern of negativity and realize they could stop there, as the pattern would merely repeat.

This insight into thought patterns led Tom to study with Bob Proctor, one of the key figures featured in “The Secret.” Proctor taught that the unconscious mind, which controls 90% of our automated processes, can only say “yes” – it doesn’t have the ability to say “no” like our conscious mind. This understanding is crucial in developing techniques to reprogram negative thought patterns.

There are two primary ways to reprogram the unconscious mind: Through a major event (usually negative, like trauma) or through repetition. Since negative events aren’t desirable, the Samara Method focuses on creating positive repetition in a way that builds momentum and creates lasting change. 

This includes practices like starting each day by consciously choosing who you want to be, rather than automatically continuing as the person you were yesterday.

The Role of Mindful Progress

A key component of the healing journey involves what we call “mindful progress.” This involves not just being mindful of current symptoms or challenges but also acknowledging and celebrating the progress made. 

Tom shares an example of a patient who achieved a 70% improvement in just two months – a remarkable achievement for someone with chronic Lyme – yet focused only on the remaining symptoms rather than celebrating this significant progress.

Mindful progress emphasizes the importance of tracking progress while maintaining perspective. When asked about their “current percent of normal,” patients are encouraged to consider where they started, where they are now, and how much room they still have to improve. This approach helps prevent the common tendency to focus solely on remaining symptoms while overlooking significant improvements.

This mindful approach to progress also involves understanding that healing isn’t always linear. Sometimes, what appears to be a setback can actually be an opportunity for deeper healing and learning. The key is to maintain awareness of the overall journey while practicing self-compassion during challenging periods.

Physical Practices and Yoga Integration

One of the powerful tools Tom discovered in his healing journey was yoga, specifically the Ashtanga tradition. His introduction to yoga came through a DVD someone handed him shortly after he decided to pursue healing. Initially, he could barely touch his kneecaps due to stiffness and pain. However, he discovered that the key wasn’t in achieving perfect poses but in proper breathing.

Following the traditional practice of 90 minutes a day, six days a week (with rest days on full and new moons), Tom started with just 90 seconds of practice followed by 88.5 minutes of breathing. It took him almost six months to build up to a full 90-minute practice, but through this process, his body began to transform. The breathing techniques helped release fascia, detoxify the body, improve energy flow, and enhance sleep quality.

Interestingly, his body naturally began rejecting processed foods before he had any formal nutrition training. This exemplified how listening to the body’s wisdom could guide healing even without conscious knowledge of what was “right” or “wrong” in terms of diet and lifestyle.

Living Your Purpose Through Healing

The healing journey often reveals itself as a path to discovering and living one’s purpose. What might initially seem like lost years to illness can transform into valuable experience and wisdom that allows us to help others. 

While Tom could say he lost 13 years of his life to Lyme disease, he views those years differently now. Without that experience, he wouldn’t be able to help others in the way he does today.

Initially, after recovering, Tom planned to focus solely on osteopathic manipulation and teaching meditation. However, when he began working with patients, he found himself able to intuitively identify infections. 

His second patient recovered from wheelchair dependence within months, setting him on a path he hadn’t anticipated. Though Lyme disease treatment wasn’t his planned focus, he realized he had gained profound insights about what it means to be alive and what true health and healing entail.

While many people often seek to be “cured,” the goal should be healing – becoming whole, reconnecting with yourself, and allowing your inner light to radiate. Many “cured” people remain miserable because they haven’t addressed the deeper aspects of healing, while others might still have some symptoms but live rich, fulfilling lives because they’ve achieved true healing on multiple levels.

Dr. Doni’s Impression and How She Uses Mind-Body Medicine and Community in Her Work

The principles of the Samara Method can be applied to various health challenges, from Lyme disease to other chronic conditions. Through practices like biofeedback, nervous system regulation, and community support, patients can create the conditions necessary for true healing to occur. 

I, Dr. Doni, review the research on these methods in my book, Master Your Stress Reset Your Health. I agree with the importance of accepting where you are with compassion and grace while maintaining a vision of where you want to be.

This applies particularly well to cases I see in my practice, such as HPV and other chronic conditions. These principles help patients understand that being stuck in a stress response actually makes them more susceptible to infections, creating a cycle that needs to be broken through conscious intervention. By helping patients shift out of stress mode and reconnect with their bodies, we can support the immune system in doing its natural job.

Tom’s approach aligns perfectly with what I’ve observed – the transformation often extends far beyond physical symptoms, encompassing changes in how patients relate to themselves, their bodies, and their life purpose. 

The key is helping people understand that they can recover from stress and trauma, that they’re not stuck with their diagnosis or past experiences.

The Future of Healing

Looking ahead, we emphasize the importance of making these healing approaches more accessible to everyone. For example, the Samara Method is being developed into educational programs that can reach people beyond individual clinical practice. This includes both in-person and virtual options, recognizing that healing can happen effectively in both formats when properly supported.

The comprehensive approach to healing acknowledges that healing occurs on multiple levels – physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual – and that true healing requires addressing all these aspects.

Everyone deserves and is worthy of healing. Whatever challenges come into our lives can serve as teachers, offering opportunities to reconnect with ourselves and potentially inspire others. The goal isn’t just to help individuals heal but to create a ripple effect of healing throughout communities and the world.

This approach represents a paradigm shift in how we think about health and recovery. By addressing both the physical and psychological aspects of illness while fostering connection and purpose, we create the optimal conditions for true healing to occur. As healthcare practitioners, our role is to support and catalyze this natural healing process while helping patients reconnect with their innate wisdom and healing capacity.

If you would like to learn more about Dr. Tom Moorcroft you can check out his website here. You can also find him on Instagram @drtommoorcroft and Facebook @Origins Of Health. Tom is also hosting a Masterclass called Stress Less, Live More: Energize Your Life with Purpose, Passion, and Balance on December 2nd. You can learn more about it here.

I’m so glad to be able to connect with Tom and be able to bring a natural and holistic solution to my patients and listeners who are wanting to improve their overall health with natural holistic approaches. 

It is important to know that it is possible to recover from stress and trauma and truly heal, because you’re not likely to hear that from your standard doctor’s office. Keep in mind, they are not educated about diet, exercise, supplements, or stress recovery. 

I am living proof that it is possible to heal holistically and naturally. It’s possible to heal from migraines, not to feel pain while having hypermobility, clear HPV and reverse abnormal cells, and eliminate the effects of stress, trauma, anxiety and depression. 

It’s possible to reset our stress hormones, detoxify, and help our body and mind to recover. I help patients with to do this in my practice every day – by phone and zoom, anywhere in the world. You can set up a one-on-one appointment with me.

To learn more about my approach to healing from all of this using my Stress Recovery Protocol which involves optimizing cortisol and adrenaline levels to heal the adrenals, as well as neurotransmitters, using nutrients, herbs and C.A.R.E.™ – my proprietary program to support clean eating, adequate sleep, stress recovery and exercise – I encourage you to read all about it in my latest book Master Your Stress Reset Your Health.

If you would like to learn how to do a detox to improve your overall health and wellness I definitely encourage you to check out my New 14-Day Detox Program.

Register Now

This program includes two protein shakes per day with 18 grams of protein, and two meals per day with a meal plan that I created based on making sure you get at least 20 grams of protein in each meal.

It also includes antioxidants, and videos from me to teach you to use mindfulness, as well as to replace toxins in your food and home. In this way, you can reset your diet, lifestyle and cell health all carrying on with your daily activities and routine.

Thank you all for joining me for this fascinating discussion with Dr. Tom Moorcroft. If you found this information helpful, please make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes of How Humans Heal. 

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