The Honey Lemon Podcast
The Honey Lemon Podcast
|27| Freshly Squeezed Perspectives With Skylar Helm
Welcome back to the pod! New guest episodes are coming your way! This week my lovely guest was Skylar Helm. Skylar has been in the health and fitness industry for almost 10 years and has had many progressions and variations within it over the course of her career. She is currently a coach and Fascial Stretch Specialist in Toronto and working towards getting her Kinesiology degree and becoming a Chiropractor. Skylar is very open and vulnerable about her journey with Cystic Fibrosis and since being diagnosed, she’s continued to raise awareness through her own personal story.
This conversation was really characterized by the idea of changing perspectives. What if you lived one way your whole life and all of a sudden that future you were always comfortable with drastically changed? Well that's what happened to Skylar and she was so honest in discussing the new norms she's been dealing with. Hope you enjoy!
For more from Skylar, you can follow her on instagram here.
Learn more about Fascial Stretch Therapy and The Reset Method here.
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Freshley Squeezed Perspectives With Skylar Helm
Skylar: [00:00:00] I accepted that I was going to not live as long as others. Like, I just, I told myself, like, this is what it is. Like, yeah, it was a, a really weird thing to work through that you're feeling anxious about living longer.
Angie: So, I wanted to start off by, telling you a little story about you and me, like, the first time I met you, because I don't know if you remember the first time that I met you, so for the listeners here, Skylar and Len used to work together.
They used to work for All Day Fit at the same, personal training company, so I think when Len was, like, Being interviewed or like pretty much he had it, but they I guess they wanted to see the vibes or whatever. You guys had a pizza outdoors situation something so we all met up at the gym and He was like, do you want to come with me?
And I was like, not really like I'm not a really like social Person I don't like meeting people. He's like, please just come and I was like, okay fine. [00:01:00] So he's already there I walk in and like as you probably could understand or can empathize like walking into a gym where like there's all these like good looking people You're all like super like confident looking and like whatever.
I was like I don't know what to do with myself. And then I saw you and I think this was like sort of at the end of COVID, so you had a mask on, but I was like, Oh my God, that girl is so pretty. And then I was like, Oh, like, I just feel like so intimidated. And then you were the first person that came up to me and you were like, Hi, I'm Skylar.
What's your name? And I was like, Oh, hi, I'm Angie. I didn't know I
Skylar: was the
Angie: first person. You're the first person that like came and like introduced yourself and like said hi. And you were, so warm and welcoming. And at first I was like, Oh my God, that's. That girl's so pretty, I'm like, not even gonna look her way.
I don't like meeting new people or, like, being in new situations where I don't know anybody.
And you were just like, hi, I'm Skylar. [00:02:00] What's your name? And I was like, oh, hi, I'm Angie. And then after that, I felt, like, super comfortable. So, for the people listening, like, that's the type of person Skylar is. That's what it was. That's what it was.
Thank you. That was great.
I'm glad I got to meet you. So I know I gave a little I would have given an intro at the beginning of this episode But do you just want to give the listeners a little tiny intro of like who you are what you've been up to?
Skylar: Sure So my name is skylar. I am a coach and a fascial stretch therapist I've been in the health and wellness industry for just under 10 years now Kind of evolves through my strength coach training into more of a Niche of working on mobility and recovery
Angie: And Skylar has a really Beautiful and inspiring story so we're gonna get into it But first thing I just want to ask you so you listen to the podcast from time to time I know so this podcast is all about like how our [00:03:00] Younger experiences or, or any experiences really in our life have like formed the person we are today, and part of that is like, who were we when we were younger and like, who are we now?
So I just want to ask you, thinking back to your younger years, who do you think little Skylar was? what did she feel about herself?
Skylar: Yeah, I like that Question. it's weird. I feel like I don't have a great memory of when I was a kid. There's snippets and sometimes I look at pictures and I'm like, do I remember because of photos or do I actually remember?
So, I mean, I did cross reference with my mom, and I was like, how would you describe me? And I guess she was like, kind of going, I, I understand what she was saying, but it just helped draw out my memory. I was very much a deep thinker, and I do remember being that kid, just kind of standing back and observing.
Especially when it [00:04:00] came to dance class, like, I was very quiet, kind of. It's not that I kept to myself because I had a lot of friends, I was social that way, but when it came down to work, like dance exams or school or, or anything like that where there was like big groups of participation stuff, I was always one to like stand back, observe, take all the notes I could, and just like internalize that.
And that's kind of how I took a lot of things seriously. It's a very serious kid. Often people told me I was an old soul.
Angie: Yeah, I get that. Yeah, I could totally see that. Deep thinker. Old soul. Do you think you were, would you say you're like an introvert or an extrovert or kind of both?
Skylar: I would say a mixture. I'm probably naturally more introverted.
But I
can be extroverted when I'm older. Yeah. Me too.
Angie: That's me too. Yeah. Why [00:05:00] do you think you gravitated towards the fitness space? Cause you've been in the fitness space for a really long time. Right? Like how long have you been overall in the fitness space?
Skylar: It's been nine and a half years.
Angie: Yeah. So almost 10 years.
Skylar: Yeah. So I didn't know this is what I wanted to do. Flashback to 18 year old me not knowing what What I wanted to do.
Angie: Yeah.
Skylar: We'll get into this, I was was just diagnosed with cystic fibrosis and, constantly having those like stressful conversations with adults, particularly my mom being like, I don't know what I want to do, what I want to study.
I don't know what I like, like that awkward transition of trying to figure out life. And you feel like you have to figure it out right then and there. Yeah, I didn't know what I wanted to do, but I felt this, like, pressure to do something and choose, choose a subject. And my mom actually said, you know, you like fitness, you like going [00:06:00] to the gym with your cousins, why do you not study that?
It's two years of your life. If you don't like it, then, you You have a skill, and it's only two years of your life, like you're still so young. That's okay. You're right. Like, let me do something. Let me do that. And luckily enough, I loved it, and I stayed with it. And there's things that happen every year, every couple years, that really just draw me deeper into the health and wellness industry.
Angie: Wow. Mom always knows best, eh? Always. We can't argue with that. They just know you deep and true and they're like, yeah, this is what you're supposed to do. Touching on your, diagnosis with cystic fibrosis, can you talk about, like, the time before that because I know you went through a lot of first for the people who don't know.
Could you tell us what cystic fibrosis is and like some of the symptoms and how it affects a person's daily life?
Skylar: so cystic fibrosis is a genetic [00:07:00] disease, so you're born with it. It primarily affects your lungs and your digestive system. It does depend on your genetic makeup. You get one gene from your mom, one gene from your dad, depending how that goes, depending how that mix happens.
Some people can have their lungs fill up with mucus. So you may hear them cough, you're trying to get production moving, you're trying to get the mucus out so you can breathe better. Some people don't have that as much as maybe digestive problems. So then the mucus gets stuck in your intestines and you can't digest food properly.
I had a mixture of both. Fun. Fun, right? However, I am on the milder side of both.
Angie: Okay.
Skylar: There is that.
Angie: And so, what were some of the symptoms, like, before you were actually diagnosed? And how did you finally come to a diagnosis? I'm assuming it was a very long process, your entire life. Like, trying to figure out what's wrong.
Skylar: For sure. So I [00:08:00] want to preface back then they didn't do when they, when you're born, you get testing done at the baby to see if there's any genetic things happening. They didn't screen for CF back then when we started doing that in 2007.
My mom brought me to the doctor as a newborn because my stool was, didn't look normal to her.
Yeah,
and she brought it up a few times, I believe, and the doctors kind of just brushed it off being like, well, she's a newborn. It'll get better. You know, it's whatever they said at that time and then okay, it's weird, but you know, doctors know best.
Yeah.
So, new mom, she did what she was told. I always cried a lot for food and as soon as I was fed, I was happy.
She did take note that I ate a lot. Whatever, like, all babies are different. That could just [00:09:00] be who I am. I like to eat. So again, didn't really think much of it. As a young kid, I would complain about like stomach issues a lot. Like I was always kind of uncomfortable, pain, discomfort. Okay. That's just who I am.
Like things definitely weren't moving properly. I had actually like a little bit of a swollen belly, so I had really tiny limbs and the swollen belly. And I was always a little bit self conscious about it because I was in dance and always had to be in a leotard. And you know, as like a seven, eight, nine year old, you start to notice those things and how they're different.
And I always thought that was different. And I always was like, why do I look like this?
And I even remember like faking sick sometimes, so I wouldn't. I have to go to dance class and there was only one times when I would like eat a little bit more and I was a bit more swollen. I said, I'm not feeling well.
I just didn't want to get an leotard. Yeah, that's totally fair too. Right? And then in grade six, I think you're like 11 and 12 at that [00:10:00] age. I got a cold but those symptoms just never went away. Yeah. I, the cough just persisted and yeah, it just never went away.
We were going to emerge, we were going to see a family doctor, any doctor. They gave me puffers, I was tested for allergies and asthma. So that went from grade six to grade ten. Just constant. So you had a lingering cough for
Angie: like
Skylar: four years. Four years. Oh my gosh. Like I would fall asleep sitting up, I would fall asleep with like crackers in my mouth to dry my throat, there was all these things.
And actually in grade, I don't know, maybe grade eight or grade nine, we were in eMERGE one night because it just was so bad, not normal. And the eMERGE doctor came in and looked at my fingernails and said, that's a sign of illness. And then walked out. He didn't say a thing. And this was like 3, [00:11:00] 4 in the morning.
My mom and I are tired. We look at each other and we're like, That's weird. All right, time to go.
Angie: That's it? He just said that's a sign of illness and then just was like, okay. Bye bye.
Skylar: Bye. Yeah Didn't explain anything else just kind of went on with it and we're like, well, it can't be that bad so We left and I think I was on some puffers and then fast forward to grade 10 So I had probably just turned 16 I was seeing a doctor at oshawa for Allergy is an asthma and he looked at my nails again and he said, well, I'm going to send you for a different test.
I don't think I'm the right doctor for this. He sent me for a sweat test in Kingston to see if I did have cystic fibrosis and they knew instantly from that sweat test. They did do blood tests after just to confirm, but they knew right away [00:12:00] that the sweat chloride in my, in this, in the sweat was just off the chart.
So they knew right away. So yeah, that was kind of like the journey. Years of like not really knowing but kind of feeling like there's something not right.
Angie: Yeah, something was off. And I know you've talked about this before in like other interviews you've done and stuff and pieces that you've done on cystic but how much do you think racial bias played a part in You not getting diagnosed for so long.
Skylar: So CF is known as a Caucasian Disease. It's been a Western European drive. You don't really see Cystic Fibrosis in the Black community. So God forbid they look at that. Yeah. Since all of the signs were there. And the nails, going back to that they are clubbed. I have acrylics on right now, so it's not like you can see, but they're clubbed.
So they do have a [00:13:00] bit of a roundness to it. So they were right. The signs were there. I've had them ever since I was a kid. That's not new. All of the signs were there ever since I was born when my mom asked questions right away. So I think that does play a factor. I think it's, and yeah, they don't, they don't even care.
They didn't even say anything when we went back years later to be like, Oh, actually She does have cystic fibrosis and they were like, oh,
Angie: okay. They're like, oh, that's weird. Glad you figured it out on your own . How do you think, so it sounds like, like the symptoms weren't like so bad that it was like stopping you from living life per se, but they were like just a constant reminder, like something is wrong for a really long time.
Mm-Hmm. , is that right?
Skylar: Yeah, I mean closer to my diagnosis, I was in grade 9 and 10, school was a little bit harder [00:14:00] just because I wasn't sleeping as much and the stomach pains were getting more extreme just because now that I know I needed digestive enzymes, which I wasn't taking. So , the , the symptoms definitely progressed.
Right up until I was 16. So yeah, definitely pushed through. I, I didn't stop dancing or doing track. Everything just felt really hard.
Angie: Yeah. . You were still active and you're still a very active person, like to the state, but even before you will get into like the treatments you're doing now and stuff, but you've always been like very active. is that something. That's kind of helped you throughout this process because I can understand people going the opposite way, even in being like, I, it's too hard. I can't do it. So I'm just going to stop for as you're like, I got to do this. can you talk about that?
Skylar: I think one of the reasons why I didn't stop was because I just thought this was my normal and I loved what I did.
Like I love dance. That wasn't going to [00:15:00] change. I love track and it was just. It drove me to work harder because I was like, I want to win. I want to do well. I just, I saw myself Continually and that's what I wanted to do.
Angie: What it what did it feel like when you finally got the diagnosis and like what was your understanding of it at that time?
Skylar: Yeah, my 16 year old self thought the world was ending. I remember sitting in the Hospital room with this doctor who I just met in front of me, and I was thinking oh my god I'm not going to prom.
Oh my god. I'm never gonna drive. Oh my god like all of these like Kind of small milestones that I was looking forward to. Yeah, I was like, it's all over. It's done That's what I remember But I remember him looking at me. He was so wonderful. He it was so great to my mom and I He looked at me and he was like, I'm gonna get you to be a little old lady You have this but [00:16:00] you're gonna be healthy and he did say like You've been so active all your life.
That's probably what kept you so healthy for so long. So I do, I mean, my mom also like pushed me a little bit to keep dancing and all that as much as I loved it, but it is, it's what kept me out of the hospital for 16 years.
Angie: Wow. That is a big, that's like really inspiring too. Cause like, like I said, people could go the opposite way.
They have something wrong with them and they're like, Oh, it's too hard for me. I can't do this. Versus This is just the way it is, so I'm just gonna do it anyways, right? Right. You've talked about this before . So, there's like a certain life expectancy for people with cystic fibrosis.
What is that life expectancy?
Skylar: So when I was diagnosed at 16, I believe the life expectancy was like, 37.
Angie: And did they tell you that information or you just kind of like found out on your own? Like what? [00:17:00]
Skylar: So one of the first things they said was don't go home and google it. And what do I do? I go home and google it.
Obviously. Yeah. You just laid this on me. I'm gonna go search that. That's probably one of the first things I thought. Now today it's much further. I honestly can't. Name off the number, but I want to say it's like high 40s early 50s. Mm hmm. I believe in Canada
Angie: Yeah, that's what my research showed me too.
How do you think that? affected the way you like formed relationships or made future plans, I'm sure it was like a daily thing that you had to do every single day and deal with whether it was medications or like treatments or just like physical practices that you would have to do in order to just get yourself ready to like be a functioning human being whereas like some people just wake up and they're ready to go so like Just that alone can affect someone so much but like in the [00:18:00] more holistic view of things How did it affect the way you like formed relationships and saw the future for yourself?
Skylar: So back then I was definitely reminded every day that I had CF with doing treatments to three times a day Or if I was sick, I was in the hospital doing hospital stays Treatments a day. So it was definitely, like you said, I was reminded every single day that I have this underlying disease that is gonna affect every, every way I move in life.
One of those things was kind of, it's gonna sound, I know it's gonna sound kind of morbid, but I was so, I accepted that I was going to not live as long as others. Like, I just, I told myself, like, this is what it is. And I think it was also just like a, a protective mechanism for myself for when it does happen.
Well, I'm, I'm going to be ready. I know. I've been, I've [00:19:00] been talking up myself this whole time, you know, living life day by day, living my best life. I didn't plan. Let me say it. Like, I did not plan. I, I kind of already made those decisions as a young, probably like 18, 20. Like, I probably won't have kids because I either won't be able to carry or I won't be healthy enough to have kids. To raise them and why would I want to put my kids in that position?
That doesn't sound lovely. Would I get married? Probably not because what person would want to know that their partner is going to die in a few years? So it's just like those types of things that I would constantly think about.
I'll just, I'll just make those decisions now.
Angie: Was almost like you could focus your time on, like, the things that you could control versus, the things that are, it's too far in the future for you to even think about. Absolutely. Exactly. That makes [00:20:00] sense. Can you talk about, like, finding the right treatments even or like, like, cause I'm assuming CF for everyone looks a little bit different and the treatments are going to be a little bit different and it's.
Pretty unique to each person with similarities. Can you talk about the difficulties, like, even finding the right treatments in Canada? What was that like? Like, what were you doing every day prior to, we'll talk about, like, the treatments you're doing now, but, what were you doing before every day?
Like, what was your, what was Skylar's routine to just be ready for the day?
Skylar: Yeah, so, When you're diagnosed, you get followed by a CF team. Mine was in Kingston, so closer to home back then. And they set you up with everything that they think. And again, it's just trial and error for the first few years to see what your body responds to.
But I would wake up, take all my vitamins, chronically low in everything. My body doesn't absorb. The average way, so I have [00:21:00] to triple up on everything. I would do a treatment in the morning, it's usually kind of, it's like saline water. Salt water really helps dry up the lungs. And then I would do, I would get one or two more nebulized treatments.
So you have a little compressor in a mouthpiece and you put the liquid medication in the mouthpiece and then it nebulizes in. And basically that medication just helps break down the mucus that. It's stuck in the lungs, and it's easier to cough out, and we do airway clearance that way. You can also do manual percussions, where you just kind of cup your hands and hit your chest.
When I lived at home, somebody would also do my back. In the States, they actually have vests, vibrating vests for kids they get that covered, but we also get our medication covered, so there's a bit of a we do it manually here. And then every once in a while, I would have to do a hospital stay, and that's [00:22:00] either IV or a PICC line, and you continue with your breathing treatments multiple times a day to make sure you're better.
Angie: And then, so now, today, you've like, really turned things around in your, chronic illness journey.
Can you talk about the treatments that you're doing now, and like, how that has drastically changed your life?
Skylar: So, Canada was approved for this drug called Trikafta. And they call it a miracle drug, it truly is. So December 2021, I was approved based on my health and where I was. My doctor definitely signed off and they thought, okay, I'm, I'm in a good position to start Trikafta.
So now my medication, my day to day looks like completely different. I've gotten so much hours back in my life. It literally looks like taking three pills a day.
Angie: Wow. [00:23:00] Some food. And that's it. And before you were taking, like, vitamins, you were taking, like, all these things, like, doing the puffers, doing the nebulizers.
Yeah.
Skylar: Yeah. It's completely different. I am even just, you know, thinking I probably spent an hour, hour and a half doing treatment every day between cleaning them, getting them ready, all that stuff. And now I don't have to do any of that.
Angie: Wow. And is this a drug that you have, you'll basically have to be taking?
Forever? And in terms of like your symptoms and stuff, how has that changed? And I know we were talking before this podcast, now, life just looks different. And you were saying, like, I didn't plan before and I didn't think about the future before. And you were saying a lot of people with CF struggle with this that have now been taking this drug and now just seem to have way more possibilities.
Can you talk [00:24:00] about The surprising feelings that you've had being like, oh, wait, I like didn't think about this at all. Yeah,
Skylar: it was probably eight, nine months after I started taking Trikafta. I started feeling like I started getting really bad anxiety and I didn't really know where it was stemming from.
And then it started to hit me. I kept thinking about the future and What does that look like? Because like I said, I didn't plan it for anything. I was like, Yeah, ready to leave by 40. Like, I don't know. So I felt like I really had to. To rejig everything and, this new reality felt overwhelming and scary and just unprepared and I didn't realize that.
And I reached out to a friend who started Trikafta a month or two before me and I was like, listen, I know this might sound odd, but this is what I feel like. And he said, no, I, [00:25:00] I know exactly what you, what you mean. I know exactly what you're feeling. So am I. It's just. This new norm, we just need to get used to it and you almost, I feel like a little bit like guilty and like, there's a bit of shame having those feelings because I'm so grateful.
I'm so lucky. I'm so like blessed to, to be in this like time where there is this medication to help us live longer. Like, yeah, it was a, a really weird thing to work through that you're feeling anxious about living longer.
Angie: Yeah But it makes sense because you're pretty much since you've been diagnosed and you obviously went and googled right away like all about cystic fibrosis and you said okay , I'm just, I'm gonna be gone by 40, so no need to plan for all of these other things that normal people, people who don't have to think about this do [00:26:00] have to plan for, and then all of a sudden, eight months later, after you started taking this new drug, you're like, oh wait,, I have hours, hours and hours back from my day, first of all, that that's the whole thing, , even just that is, Oh, I have so much time to myself to do other things.
Skylar: You're almost like lost. You're like, well, do I need this? Like, what do I do? This is my time to sit and eat.
Angie: But then it makes sense that you were just feeling anxious about the future, much like how all of us are feeling anxious about the future and, what's my life going to be? And like, now you're like, Oh, shit, I actually have to think about all these things. Have your, like, perspectives changed about, what your life is looking like in the future, are you like, I need to make maybe different decisions about how I thought my life was gonna go, are there some new realizations [00:27:00] since?
Skylar: Oh, absolutely. I think the biggest one is just the option now to maybe have kids. I never thought about that. That was always an easy, hard no. And now the option is, is more realistic and. That's scary. And I just, yeah, it was never, never an option. So now exploring that and retirement, like what's that? I didn't think about that before.
There's all these things. But yeah, and, and more traveling and getting to experience. Other places, living other places. I never thought that would be an option.
Angie: Mm, like not even living here, like just living somewhere completely different, because now you can.
Skylar: Now I don't have to worry about getting sick somewhere.
Am I stuck? Am I, you know, do they have,
Angie: like, the facilities for you? Yeah, exactly. Even, I didn't even think about the [00:28:00] travel part. That must have been just, you A lot of anxiety just traveling and be like, Oh my God, am I going to be okay?
Skylar: Oh my gosh. Yeah. Traveled with a lot.
My bags are a lot lighter now.
Angie: Oh, that's so good. I also researched like, it's like 62 roses, or is it? Is that what the community is? Yeah, 65 roses. 65, 65 roses. Yeah. Can you talk about what that means?
Skylar: So, back in the day, there was two sisters that were diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, and they couldn't say it, so they said 65 roses.
Angie: And now it's called 65 roses, just like as a homage and like a nice
Skylar: Yeah, a lot of people get tattoos.
Angie: Yeah, exactly. Right?
Skylar: A little bit prettier. Yeah. Easier to say.
Angie: And kind of forms a community because I know you've done a lot of charity work with cystic fibrosis and you've like created a little community for yourself as well, right?
Do you think some of that is like a silver lining to this bad [00:29:00] thing that you had to go through
Skylar: There are so many wonderful groups on social media that you're able to connect with people in the same shared living situation. And people all over the world were easy to connect with and, Better understanding. What
Angie: other silver linings do you think, came out of this experience? Like, do you think you're more compassionate? Like, just like how I said, like, Skylar was the first person to come up to me and, like, say hi. And, like, do you think you're more, like, empathetic? Like, what are some qualities do you think came out of this experience with you?
Skylar: Because I looked so healthy, average before. Knowing that my insides were just screaming in pain. I do stop and think, you know, is there somebody in front of me? You know, it's different behavior. Yeah. I'm always like, well, what's going [00:30:00] on in the inside? That's always my first question. Just because I've been in so many situations where I'm in so much pain and I've gotten yelled at about like hurry up or like walk faster or like, like I can't.
I know I look fine, but like, I'm struggling. So yeah, I think I'm, I, my first question is always what's going on, what's going on on the inside.
Angie: Rather than being like, why is that person this way? It's like, The same question, but , in the different tone, like, oh, I wonder why that person is acting that way.
Are they okay? Instead of like, oh my god, why are they like that?
Skylar: Exactly, yeah.
Angie: Today, Skylar, today, you are like, Doing so many things. You are, are you still in school for kinesiology? Yes, she just made like this sad face.
Skylar: One more year. One more year.
Angie: One more year. So it's been for three years so far? How [00:31:00] long is the program?
Skylar: So I had my diploma. They were accepting those two years. So I've been in the program. So I just had to do two, two and a half years. Okay.
Angie: So while you've been in school, you've been studying kinesiology to hopefully become a chiropractor. Is that still the dream?
Skylar: I think so. I mean, I'm still kind of up in the air.
I'm loving what I'm doing right now. Yeah. And I would love to put more time and effort and energy into my business. Yeah. And take a little brain break from school. Yeah. So, but yes, it is still on the table.
Angie: You're right. Okay. So you're doing a lot of things. You're in school. You have your own business called the reset method.
Right. Can you tell us a little bit about the reset method? What is the reset method, Skylar?
Skylar: I'm glad you asked. So my background is in fascial stretch therapy. So I was,
Angie: for those of us who have no idea what you're talking about, what [00:32:00] is, what the heck is fascial stretch therapy?
Skylar: So fascia is right under your skin.
It engulfs the bones, the tendons, the ligaments, your organs, everything. It keeps everything in this case. And we often hold more tension in the fascia than our muscles themselves. So I know oftentimes you feel stiff or achy, and you're like, Oh, my muscles are tight. It could be tight, but it also could be the fascia as well.
So what I do is I work one on one with people, and I manually stretch them as they lay on the massage table. So I'm just putting their bodies and manipulating the joints. For better movement, better blood flow, better circulation, and in turn, that helps with better mobility, flexibility, release that tension and stress that builds up.
When I was thinking of the reset method, well first of all, I trapped my friend in a room and I said, we need to figure out a name for my business. And we're not [00:33:00] leaving this room until we do . And we did . So it works.
Thank you, Lisa. But I was thinking like when it came to be, I was thinking like, I want people to feel like they're rejuvenated and rested and they feel like reset. Yeah. They're resetting their body after they come see me. And then I created this method of like, they come in, we do a full assessment, we test and we retest and see if things are working and if their body responds well to it, there's nothing worse than like, you get this treatment and you're like, no, did it work?
So I want to make sure that you're actually benefiting from what we're doing. I think of that as like, you're resetting your body and you're just like getting back to normal. The positions it should be sitting in and feeling good.
Angie: What are some like, Skylar's like, top three things for people what are some things we can do at home to like, [00:34:00] Make sure our fascia is loosey goosey, or like, just doing what it's supposed to do, and then we can come to Skylar and she can do all the, heavy lifting, but like, what can we do to, like, kind of keep things going?
Skylar: So walking is medicine, and I remember doing this course, one of the instructors said, you need a happy walk. What's happy walk? Think of those commercials where you see someone walking down the street and they're just having the best day of their life. Every limb is moving, like your shoulders, like your arms are just swinging.
That's happy walking.
Oh, you're
actually moving every direction of the fascia and that's how you keep that blood flow going. So if you just. Think of your having like the best day of your life. Walk down the street. Do your little happy walk. Honestly, that's the best medicine because you're moving all your joints.
Angie: Oh my gosh. I'm totally gonna do that. Happy walk. No, I'm actually gonna do it. Okay, [00:35:00] happy walk. What else?
Skylar: I know a lot of us sit at desk, sit at the computer most of the day, stretching out those hips, the front of the hips, so doing some frogs, even just doing like a cobra. You want to stretch out the muscles in the opposite way.
So oftentimes when we're sitting, we're, we're leaning forward, our hips are in a short and tight position. Yes, as I lean forward right now. I know, me too, me too. So you want to just stretch out the opposite way. Yeah.
Angie: Oh, okay, good tip. I'm sure Len has told me all of this, but it just goes one ear and out the other, but when you tell me, I'm like, oh, yeah, that makes sense.
Skylar: It's always different when it comes from somebody else. Yeah. How about you not tell me what to do? Yeah.
Angie: I'm like, yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever. I
Skylar: hear you.
Angie: Okay, so we got to go on happy walks. We got to stretch the opposite way. So if we're sitting, [00:36:00] we got to do a lot of like the opposite movements. So cobras, frogs, all that stuff.
What else?
Skylar: And now I know people are going to roll their eyes as I said, it's okay. Cause I would too, if I was listening, but drink your water. Yeah. No,
Angie: I always
Skylar: say that to people. Our fascia will get dehydrated and that's what restricts the movement. I know.
Simple enough. I know I have my bubbly here. Yeah, those would be my top three.
Angie: And how does it feel when you like, see someone, they come to you and they're like, oh, Skylar, I'm not really feeling great. And then they leave and they feel reset and rejuvenated. How does that make you feel?
Skylar: Okay, I'm doing something right.
No, it's, it's very rewarding. I love what I do. I love that I can help people alleviate pain and discomfort and, and just educate them on mobility and better movement and. You know, [00:37:00] sometimes things are just overlooked, like if we're having pain or discomfort, it's, sometimes it's an easy fix. We just, if we're seeing it every day, we don't realize like, what can we do?
What little changes can we do to make that feel better and relieve the pain? And sometimes you just need someone to tell you and that's okay. Just to remind you. But yeah, it's very rewarding and it's, it's fun as much as it is a science, you can be pretty creative. And I like the aspect of it as well.
Angie: If you could talk to like your younger self, the girl that was kind of like standing in the back, more observing, what would you tell her?
Skylar: Thank you, by the way. I probably tell her to just, like, jump in a little bit more. Like, take the lead. There's no need to be scared. I think I was definitely, because I was an over thinker, I was like, well, what are they thinking? What are they thinking? Like, cut that out. Yeah. Cut that out and just do it for [00:38:00] you.
Apply yourself for you.
Angie: Simple. Straight to the point. Just cut out the BS. Yeah. Right. And it is hard to do. It's hard to like, if you're someone who's an overthinker or who really is afraid of what people are thinking about you . And I say this to people all the time. I'm like, everyone is worried about themselves.
I was talking to someone recently and they were like, Oh yeah, I want to go to yoga more, but I feel like I don't do it. Properly and I feel like people are looking at me. I'm like, nobody is looking at you. Everyone is looking at themselves and looking at what they look like and what their bodies look like.
And if they're doing it correctly, no one's looking at you. And they're like, are you sure? And I'm like, yes, like I do not. When I'm at the gym or when I'm like in a class, I am staring at myself and at the instructor. I don't look at anybody else. And that kind of, philosophy can be applied to anything, everyone is more worried about how they're [00:39:00] moving through the world, yeah, sure, we might notice, a thing here and there, if it's, like, really outlandish, but, for the most part, everyone's more concerned about themselves, so.
If you keep that in mind, it's like, okay, everyone's just worried about themselves. We're all just kind of worried about how we look and how we're presenting to the world. Let's just take that out and just, just focus on what we need to do. And maybe that'll be a lot better use of our time.
Absolutely. Absolutely. Well said. Skylar, what are you like dreaming about? What are your dreams for yourself?
Skylar: These questions give me anxiety because I'm like, I'm sorry! Now, life feels like so many possibilities, it could go anywhere.
Angie: And the answer could literally be like, I'm figuring it out. It's true.
Skylar: Girl. I'm still getting used [00:40:00] to this, this life of endless possibilities. I mean, this year, I mean, early next year, I'm going to be graduating, so that, I'm just trying to keep up. Get through. Check off. Yeah. Check off.
Hopefully lots of travel. I don't know. I'm still figuring it out. That's good. I'm using your answer. Sorry. Yeah. I don't know. I think, you know, because it feels new, like it feels like I'm reborn with, I always knew like before pre trikafta, I always knew the answers because it was kind of like a safe answer.
And I was like, Oh my gosh, like I can do absolutely anything I could go anywhere. It's very overwhelming, very, very exciting, but very like, I, I can't keep my head straight with these thoughts. I don't know what I want to do because there's so many options. [00:41:00] But
Angie: honestly, I love that because it's like kind of refreshing for you to be like, you know what?
I'm like figuring it out and it could change next year. I could change the year after I could change the year after that So it's like I love that answer actually
but you talking about how you're feeling born again and like you've never had to talk about or like think about these types of questions you were living, Day by day, month by month, year by year, where now it's like, oh, I actually can think about what's 10 years from now, 5 years from now, 20 years from now, potentially, you know?
And the little decisions you make now can, like, affect the long run decisions. I feel for you. It is a lot to think about.
Skylar: It is scary. I think I almost had the easy way out before, you know? Like, I see everyone else having to Do the retirement plan and all this thing at like my age and like Like not me
And now look who's laughing now, I gotta think about it [00:42:00]
Angie: a chump having to think about the future
What advice do you have for people in the cf community other people who are wanting to get into the fitness industry what advice do you have for people who are kind of like in your position before but Are now switching over or who are a lot of people are still struggling and don't have the treat access to the treatments that they need, right?
Like what advice do you have for your cf? Family,
Skylar: there are still a lot of places in the world that do not have access to Trikafta. They're still trying They're still putting that effort out there. So hopefully everyone can be on some sort of treatment that is Actually working and not just kind of a band aid fix like our Nebulizers and all that so that is a work in progress So there is still a lot of people out there that [00:43:00] are waiting But I think as much as I very much accepted, like, this is life and it is what it is, I did feel like there was this underlying pressure of hitting certain milestones, especially in the early 20s, keeping up with a certain crowd and, and kind of not putting my health first.
I definitely went through phases of that, just to keep up like an image or like, it's not a priority or any of that. But I wish I would have told myself, that I need to go at your own pace, that, you know, at the end of the day, your health is all you have, and that needs to be priority number one.
Everything else is a bonus in the day, because it can be hard to just get up and use your energy to make a treatment and go sit down. Like that took a lot out of me sometimes, and that's okay. And to give yourself grace, if that's all you did today. [00:44:00] That's a win. You put your health first and you did that.
I definitely, I definitely didn't care. I cared about like, what I didn't do. That was where my mind went. And I didn't celebrate those like, those little wins of just doing what I had to do to make it to the next day.
Angie: Yeah. Yeah. So focus on Focus on the little wins. If you chose yourself that day, that was enough for that day.
And if that's all you had, that's okay, right? I love that, yeah. Skylar, thank you so much for joining me. I have one more little question that I ask all my guests at the end of our chat. So, it's called what's in your cup? And you're going to tell me what is something that is bringing sweetness?
To your life. What is something that's a little sour? You're working through it. And then what is something that is bringing you balance? What is grounding you? So you can go in any order [00:45:00] that you like.
Skylar: I'll start with this. I'll do the order that you did. The sweetness. We finally started taking salsa lessons once a week and it's fun, right?
Like learning a new skill brings in that dance background that I do love and miss. I never did salsa before, so it is new and it's been fun and just like having something to work towards every week has been, it's been fun as an adult having like a weekly activity.
The sour is that I have midterms this week. Oof. So it's like short term sour, extra Sour. but we're getting through it. And something that's keeping me grounded is that I'm really staying on top of my workouts through this sour patch of a time.
Skylar: And I think, as long as I, I get my workouts in, I prioritize. I feel like I can't accomplish the day, and I've been really good at, like, this not always happens, it [00:46:00] doesn't always happen, but I feel like I've been pretty good at keeping that as a, as a priority.
Angie: As a non negotiable for yourself. Exactly, yes.
Yeah, I need to do that. I feel like I always, am good for three weeks, I feel is my, like, maximum. And then Something just always, it's, it's always the first thing to go, like, when life gets hard, it's always the first thing to go, so I'm trying to be like, no, regardless, if it's 20 minutes, half an hour, or an hour, just do something, so that you're still in the, the rhythm of it, so, I don't know about you, but I've always had a very, Len tells me all the time, he's like, you're the most all or nothing person I've ever met in Because it's true, I am, I'm either, always drinking water, always on top of it, or I'm just, Dehydrated.
Dehydrated. Like, I'm either, really hydrated, or just a prune, or I'm, like, really good about [00:47:00] walking every day, or then I'm not, like, So I've been really focused on just like doing small things every day or like building one habit at a time. So last year I was like, you know what, I'm, I'm just going to walk, I'm just going to walk and have that be enough.
And I did. I walked every single day. Now I'm like, okay, I'm ready. I'm ready to take it up a notch. So now I've been like strength training. Yeah. I'm trying. I love that.
Skylar: That's awesome. And I mean, I think that's how you have to do it. You have to build up to it. Yeah. It's muscle that you have to, to work, work on and practice.
Angie: Yeah, and just like building those good habits every day, like you said, the doctor told you the reason why your symptoms maybe weren't as bad as other people in your community was because you were so active and you were really taking care of yourself for the most part, right? So [00:48:00] activity can do wonders for The body just moving things around even just the vibrations and getting things moving right just and I feel that even just energetically it helps us move stuff out of our bodies the anger the frustration the anxiety it really just shakes it up shakes it all out and then we just It comes back and then we have to do it again
Skylar: Exactly like a little reset
Angie: The reset method hashtag the reset method Skylar thank you so much for joining me on the honey lemon pod and being so vulnerable and so sweet as always Where can people find you if they want to? follow you get Support from you for facial stretching. Where can they find you? Yeah, so
Skylar: my personal page is coach dot sky And then my business page [00:49:00] is the reset method underscore.
Angie: Alright, well, thank you for listening don't forget to review and follow Skylar on all of her platforms.. Be well, be loved, see you later, thank you so much!