Hello, beautiful souls!
This week on the Hard Beautiful Journey podcast, I had the honor of sitting down with Sheila Sousa. Sheila's story is one of resilience, hope, and transformation—full of twists, turns, and an unshakable faith that carried her through some truly life-altering experiences. Sheila and I connected about four years ago, and though it took a little while to finally meet face-to-face, I’m so grateful we did. Her journey is truly something special, and I’m thrilled to share it with you today.
We spent over three hours talking during our first dinner together, and my jaw was on the floor for most of it! Sheila’s story took me through moments of hardship that no one would want to experience, but more importantly, it showed me how beautifully she’s used those challenges to help others. Let’s dive in, because trust me—you don’t want to miss this!
2021: A Year That Changed Everything
In 2021, COVID-19 was still in full force, and like so many, Sheila contracted the virus. What she thought was a mild case quickly escalated into something far more dangerous. Sheila ended up in the ICU, facing the B.1.1.7 variant—a serious strain. She shared that terrifying moment when a nurse asked her to call her family and say goodbye. It’s hard to even imagine hearing those words. But Sheila, being the strong woman she is, refused to accept that this was her end.
With faith, grit, and the incredible support of her family, Sheila made it through 15 days of being intubated and a total of 35 days in the hospital. Her journey was not without its challenges—kidney failure, dialysis, and a battle with long COVID followed her release. But she didn't give up. Sheila embraced her health journey, diving into holistic healing, natural supplements, and reducing toxins in her everyday life. Her strength, faith, and commitment to healing have made her healthier today than she ever imagined.
The Wild Dreams During Intubation
Sheila’s experience while being intubated was nothing short of surreal. From vivid dreams of being rescued by her sister in full PPE (who is not, by the way, a nurse!) to being trapped in a sushi restaurant with trolls—her dreamworld was as wild as you’d expect. These dreams, likely a result of the medication, felt so real to her that when she woke up, she was asking everyone if her sister had secretly become a nurse!
Her dreams brought a mix of humor and insight into how our minds work when we’re in such vulnerable states. It was mind-blowing to hear, and we both had a good laugh recounting the stories. Despite the surreal moments, Sheila's spirit stayed unbroken, and she found beauty and humor even in the midst of darkness.
Healing Through Purpose
What really stands out about Sheila’s journey is how she’s used her experience to help others. From sharing her knowledge about reducing toxins in everyday products to finding natural supplements that have drastically improved her life—Sheila is on a mission to make sure others don’t just survive but thrive.
Her wisdom on holistic wellness and how we can take control of our health is inspiring. I’ve even started using some of the products she recommended, and I can already feel the difference. Sheila truly embodies the spirit of turning pain into purpose, and her story reminds us all to find beauty in our hardest moments.
Gratitude and Moving Forward
In this episode, we talked about how gratitude has shaped Sheila’s journey. She’s grateful for her family, her health, and her unwavering faith. For me, I’m grateful for the chance to share her story with all of you. Sheila’s journey isn’t just about surviving a virus; it’s about thriving after unimaginable hardship and continuing to find light, even when it feels like the world is falling apart.
What We Learned
1. Health is a Journey: Sheila’s transformation didn’t happen overnight. From learning about toxins to finding the right supplements, her journey to healing took time, effort, and patience.
2. Faith Over Fear: Even when faced with the scariest moments, Sheila chose faith. Her story is a powerful reminder that, sometimes, staying calm in the storm is what saves us.
3. Find the Humor: Life can be hard, but Sheila showed us the importance of finding humor, even in difficult moments—like when your dream-self gets stuck in a sushi restaurant with trolls!
4. Turn Pain Into Purpose: Sheila didn’t let her hardships define her. Instead, she turned them into a way to help others and live a more meaningful, purpose-driven life.
Stay Connected!
If you’re interested in learning more about Sheila’s wellness journey or the products she’s using, feel free to reach out to her directly at SheilaSousa@Shaw.ca. Sheila is more than happy to guide you on your own path to healing.
I hope this episode leaves you feeling inspired, hopeful, and a little more connected to the beauty that can come from even the hardest moments. Sheila's story reminds us that no matter what we face, there’s always a way to find light, hope, and—most importantly—gratitude.
Until next time, remember to breathe deeply, find your joy, and keep dancing in the rain.
With love,
Tiff
