Today I’m excited to introduce you to Dr. Brandy Cummings, who holds a doctorate in Clinical Nutrition. She’s the host of the Resilient Motherhood Summit, which I’m particularly enthusiastic about because she’s created this wonderful opportunity to support women who’ve been dealing with chronic health issues during and after pregnancy. 

Pregnancy and motherhood is a beautiful and amazing time of women’s life, and it can be extremely stressful and depleting for women. Nutrients can become deficient, and hormones can become imbalanced. This leaves women at risk of many different health issues, making it harder for them to take care of themselves and their children. 

Women have been taught that they “should” be a “super mom” – to take care of everyone without feeling overwhelmed or exhausted. But the fact is, most moms do experience fatigue, anxiety, and burnout, let alone many other health issues. And women feel their health issues aren’t being adequately addressed by the standard medical system. 

Dr. Brandy has created the Resilient Motherhood Summit as a platform for women to learn more about the possibilities for healing, even if they’ve been told that healing is not possible.

I’m deeply grateful to be part of the Resilient Motherhood Summit to discuss HPV and abnormal pap smears, which many mom’s face without adequate help. Plus, as a stress expert, I see that when women are burned out due to not having enough support during motherhood, they become more susceptible to HPV and other health issues. 

As healthcare practitioners, Dr. Brandy and I both believe that women deserve and need more support – with diet, lifestyle, and overall wellness – during and after pregnancy in order to prevent health issues. 

Dr. Brandy’s Personal Journey

Dr. Brandy’s journey began when she first made the connection between food and how she felt during her teenage years. She was experiencing terrible chest pain periodically and couldn’t get a full breath. Her mother would take her to the doctor, where they would draw blood and do chest X-rays, ultimately prescribing her Vicodin as a teenager. 

Even at that young age, she knew this couldn’t be the answer. She went gluten-free, well before it became mainstream, and her chest pain stopped. This was her first “aha moment” about food as medicine.

Dr. Doni shares – This experience mirrors my own journey when I was at Oregon State University. I was experiencing heartburn while studying nutrition, and like most college students, I was drinking coffee and eating a lot of gluten. When I decided to eliminate gluten and coffee from my diet, my heartburn completely disappeared, despite having been prescribed medications for it. This realization that food could be both the cause of illness and a path to healing inspired me to pursue further studies in naturopathic medicine at Bastyr University.

Dr. Brandy’s went from studying business management in her undergraduate years to becoming interested in nutrition while planning to grow her family. However, her path took an unexpected turn when she experienced a severe two-year battle with mold and mycotoxin illness from exposure in her workplace. 

During this time, she experienced anxiety, depersonalization, vertigo, erythema nodosum on her shins, rapid weight gain, and such severe dizziness that she couldn’t even shower and had to quit her job. After suffering a miscarriage during this period, she found the right practitioners and returned to school, uncovering aspects of health that weren’t covered in her initial nutrition education.

Dr. Brandy completed her master’s degree at the University of Western States in human nutrition and functional medicine, which introduced her to the principles of functional medicine. This approach looks at the body as a whole and searches upstream for root causes, understanding the web-like interconnections happening within our bodies. The goal is to prolong organ reserve and vitality rather than just applying Band-Aid solutions.

Understanding Women’s Postpartum Health Challenges

One of the most common phrases Dr. Brandy hears is “Things were never the same since I gave birth.” This catalytic event often triggers various health issues, and she’s dedicated her practice to supporting mothers in this situation. She emphasizes that while our children are little for what feels like just moments, we don’t want to miss it, and more importantly, we don’t have to – we just need to find the right answers.

During the immediate postpartum phase, which Dr. Brandy defines as the first 12 to 18 months, women often experience various symptoms that are frequently dismissed or inadequately addressed. These include anxiety, resistant weight loss, constipation, GI distress, skin issues, and hair loss. Too often, women are told, “That’s just how motherhood is” or “Your labs look fine”.

The standard six-week postpartum checkup often falls short of addressing real concerns. These appointments typically focus on birth control and clearing women for sexual activity, while overlooking important issues like increased anxiety, worry, and other significant symptoms that new mothers experience. 

For example, Dr. Brandy recalls her own six-week appointment after her first daughter, where the focus was solely on birth control and resuming sexual activity, while her concerns about increased anxiety and worry went unaddressed.

The Impact of Pregnancy on Women’s Health

A critical aspect that’s often overlooked in standard medical care is postpartum autoimmunity. This condition can occur due to several factors: the significant rebound of hormones, increased prolactin levels, and feto-maternal microchimerism (the mixing of blood between mother and baby), which can trigger an immune response and autoimmunity. 

This is particularly common in cesarean births compared to vaginal deliveries. However, most mothers aren’t informed about these possibilities, nor are they being proactively screened for antibodies in their blood panels.

The challenges often compound when women go through multiple pregnancies in quick succession, often with breastfeeding in between. This can lead to nutrient deficiencies and adrenal issues due to the combined demands of motherhood, including sleep deprivation and increased stress levels. 

Even women who had an easy first pregnancy might struggle with subsequent pregnancies or experience difficulty conceiving, often due to underlying issues such as toxicity and changes in the microbiome.

When microbes are present in our body – and we all have trillions of them – they might not cause problems before pregnancy. However, after pregnancy, with all the shifts in daily life, stress levels, and hormones, these microbes can undergo polymorphism, changing shape and causing problems they didn’t cause before. This can lead to symptoms of mycotoxin illness and a loss of resilience that wasn’t present before.

Another significant concern is the risk of HPV and abnormal pap smears, which can occur during pregnancy or postpartum periods. The combination of mold toxicity, microbiome changes, hormone fluctuations, nutrient deficiencies, and adrenal deficiencies can create an environment where HPV is more likely to cause problems due to a compromised immune system.

The R.E.S.I.L.I.E.N.T. Protocol

Instead of expecting ourselves to be “super moms”, there is a way for moms to be resilient!

Dr. Brandy has developed the R.E.S.I.L.I.E.N.T. protocol to help mothers to navigate their health journey:

• R – Reconnection (to self, purpose, community, nature, and food sources)
• E – Environment (creating supportive conditions for healing)
• S – Sleep and Stress Recovery
• I – Inflammation management
• L – Lab Testing (strategic and timely)
• I – Improved Digestion
• E – Energy and Mitochondrial function
• N – Nervous System Support
• T – Toxins (supporting drainage and detoxification pathways)

Each component of this protocol is carefully designed to address specific aspects of maternal health. 

The Reconnection phase is particularly crucial as it helps mothers remember who they were before having children, what they want to accomplish, and what legacy they want to leave. This reconnection serves as an accelerant for healing and makes the journey easier and faster.

The Environment component focuses on creating conditions that support healing, recognizing that nothing heals the body better than the body itself when given the right input. 

Sleep and Stress Recovery are essential foundations for health, while Inflammation management addresses what Dr. Tom O’Brien calls the “root mechanism” rather than just the root cause.

Lab Testing ensures we’re being strategic about getting the right answers in the right order. Improved Digestion focuses on gut health and intestinal permeability. 

The Energy and Mitochondria component ensures mothers have enough energy to make memories with their kids by getting biochemical pathways back online.

Nervous System Support is crucial because we need to feel calm and safe in our bodies to close the healing loop. Without this, we can get stuck in what’s called the cell danger response. 

Finally, the Toxins component focuses on supporting the body’s natural drainage and detoxification pathways.

The Resilient Motherhood Summit

The summit brings together approximately 42 expert speakers covering various crucial topics. Dr. Brandy strategically selected speakers who could offer three types of content: unexplored areas that mothers might not have considered, quick wins to build momentum, and longer-term strategies for sustained health. 

Topics include microbiome health, hormones, environmental toxicity, EMF (Electromagnetic Fields), quantum biology, mitochondrial function, and children’s health.

Dr. Brandy created this event because she doesn’t want mothers to miss their children’s childhood or have to plan their days around how they feel. She doesn’t want them to be on the sidelines, dealing with the guilt of motherhood not meeting their expectations. 

The summit empowers mothers to understand that they don’t have to settle – just because they haven’t found answers doesn’t mean there aren’t any.

The summit’s fourth day is dedicated entirely to children’s health, recognizing that a mother’s resilience is closely tied to her children’s wellbeing. This “Kids Day” features speakers who work specifically with children, acknowledging that when your kids are doing well, it significantly impacts maternal wellbeing. 

The seven-day event is packed with valuable information, and Dr. Brandy has poured her heart and soul into it, thinking about helping even just one mom get the answers she needs.

Breaking Through Overwhelm and Taking Action

For mothers feeling overwhelmed, Dr. Brandy recommends starting with something that feels both exciting and doable. She introduces the concept of “ceiling and floor” – identifying what you would do on your best day (ceiling) versus what you can do no matter what (floor). 

The floor should be something that takes two minutes or less, like taking three deep breaths before eating. These small actions create momentum and lead to more positive changes.

Overwhelm can often lead to decision paralysis, where we end up doing nothing and letting years pass by. Even these seemingly tiny actions that might appear insignificant can have a profound impact on overall health. One small action leads to another, like refilling your water bottle at work, and the momentum builds from there.

When working with people one-on-one through her Resilient Mother protocol, Dr. Brandy focuses heavily on the reconnection aspect. This involves reconnecting with yourself, your purpose, your community, nature, and understanding where our food comes from. 

In our disconnected world, this reconnection piece can be a complete game-changer, helping women remember who they were before having children and what legacy they want to leave.

As mothers, we often have very little time for ourselves. Even when we have teenagers, finding time for self-care can be challenging. We might be thinking in the back of our minds about wanting to figure out why we have fatigue, or maybe address that rash or digestive issue, but we put it off until after we take care of everyone else. Then we’re too tired, fall asleep, and the cycle continues the next day.

The beauty of the summit is that it’s accessible within your daily life. You can listen while driving your kids back and forth to their activities. It can provide sparks of inspiration and clarity about what next steps might be right for you, all while fitting into your existing routine.

Redefining Motherhood and Self-Care

We have an opportunity to redefine motherhood, learning from past generations while creating new, healthier patterns. It’s essential to shift the mindset and culture of parenthood so it doesn’t have to be depleting.

Instead of turning to substances like alcohol, excessive caffeine, or medications to cope with stress, the focus should be on listening to our bodies and providing them with proper nutrition, sleep, and support. 

Many women turn to these substances to get through their stress, but these often have side effects that end up causing more health issues rather than providing true healing and resilience.

The body has infinite wisdom and doesn’t make mistakes – it’s always sending messages and signals. With the right support team to help interpret these messages and take appropriate action, even small steps can lead to significant improvements. 

Sometimes when the goal feels far away, and you’ve been sick for so long, it can be hard to see the possibility of improvement. However, there is always a way forward – you just need to know what the next best step is.

Dr. Brandy particularly emphasizes the importance of toxin awareness without becoming overly fearful. The goal isn’t to live in a bubble or achieve a completely sterilized environment – that’s neither possible nor desirable. Instead, the focus is on increasing resilience so that we can interact with our world robustly without being negatively impacted.

When it comes to making changes, it’s important to set aside perfectionism. It’s not about being perfect or following someone else’s path exactly. Instead, it’s about making diet and lifestyle changes little by little in a way that matches your body and life circumstances. 

We’re often used to looking outside ourselves for guidance, whether from TV or social media, about what diet we’re supposed to follow, but the key is learning to listen to our own bodies.

Remember, putting yourself first benefits everyone. As mothers, we naturally want to nurture and take care of everybody, but everyone is better taken care of when we prioritize our own health. Health is paramount, and while the goal might sometimes feel far away, especially when dealing with chronic issues, there is always a path forward. 

There are a lot of mothers reaching the point where their kids are out of the house, and they realize theymissed it all due to health issues.

Even what seems impossible can be achieved when we take the right approach. I, Dr. Doni have helped thousands of women who had abnormal pap smears and were told their condition will never improve, yet after following my HPV Protocol they completely reverse HPV and abnormal cells.

The same is true for autoimmunity – it can go into remission when we address the root causes rather than just treating symptoms with medications.

Conclusion and Next Steps

The journey of motherhood is both beautiful and challenging. While we wouldn’t change having our children for anything, we also need to acknowledge that pregnancy and motherhood can be physically demanding. However, with the right support and understanding, we can navigate these challenges while maintaining our health and vitality.

Dr. Brandy reminds us that our health journey isn’t just about us – it’s about being present and energetic for our children, creating memories, and fully participating in their lives. Through resources like the Resilient Motherhood Summit and the R.E.S.I.L.I.E.N.T. protocol, mothers can find their path to healing and thriving, not just surviving, through the journey of motherhood.

The key message remains clear: you don’t have to settle for feeling unwell, regardless of where you are in your motherhood journey. There are always steps you can take toward better health, and with the right support and guidance, you can create the vibrant, energetic life you and your family deserve.

Remember, the journey to health isn’t about perfection – it’s about progress. Starting with small, manageable steps and gradually building on those successes can lead to significant improvements in your health and wellbeing. Your body has infinite wisdom, and when given the right support, it knows how to heal.

If you would like to learn more about how Dr. Brandy can help you make sure to check out her website here.You can also find her on Instagram @resilientmotherhood.health or Facebook @ Resilient Motherhood with Dr. B.

If you would like to sign up for the Resilient Motherhood Summit you can do it here. It’s a FREE 7-day virtual event (starting on Friday, Feb 28^th) that will teach you how to overcome chronic symptoms, build resilience, and be fully present for the moments that matter most. 

If you’re dealing with persistent HPV, even before or after pregnancy, or you are trying to get pregnant, I can help you.

You can begin your journey with me in several ways. 

I offer free online workshops periodically, typically running for five days, where you can learn more about my approach and start developing your plan. If you don’t want to wait for a live workshop, you can watch my HPV Masterclass immediately – it’s about an hour long and available right away. 

Sign Up Now (Free!)

From there, you might choose to join the Heal HPV Kickstart Program, for the initial steps of my protocol, including diet changes and supplements, over the first 30 days. Find the HPV Support Bundle here.

Or you can begin with the comprehensive Say Goodbye to HPV Program, which is 3 months and supports you to implement my full protocol.

Register Now

See Program Options

For those needing one-on-one support, I offer consultations via Zoom or phone from anywhere in the world. I’ve worked with patients from Australia, Hong Kong, India, Europe, Bermuda, Canada, and throughout the United States. My team can help coordinate supplement shipping worldwide, and we can work within your budget to find the right starting point.

Don’t let circumstances prevent you from getting the help you need. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been dealing with HPV for years, make yourself a priority. Write out or type up a clear plan of action – having a defined plan makes you more likely to achieve your goals. 

Imagine going to your next exam and receiving negative results. Don’t procrastinate or delay treatment; bring yourself to the top of your to-do list and commit to addressing this issue. Take action today, and let us help guide you toward optimal health and HPV clearance.

If you’d like to learn more about my protocol to help you heal HPV naturally, visit clearhpvnow.com. There, you’ll find lots of resources and stories from women I’ve worked with and helped clear HPV for good. It worked for them, and it can work for you too.

I welcome you to reach out to learn more about becoming a patient or joining one of my group programs. My team is happy to talk it through with you and see what meets your needs best. You can reach us at office@doctordoni.com. 

Thanks so much for joining me in this video, and please subscribe to How Humans Heal so you don’t miss the next episode!

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