Maria Mayes: [00:00:00] I'd love to introduce you to Jessica ArteagaArteaga. And Jessica is also a resident of, uh, the county that I'm in here, central Valley and Madera County.

She's actually a homeschool liaison in Fresno County, and so she connects the, uh, parents that are homeschooling their children with the resources that they need to make that journey better for themselves as parents, as well as the children. And she's got a health journey that she's excited to share a little bit with us and some tips.

And so I'm so grateful to have you on today, Jessica.

Jessica Arteaga: Thank you. Thank you for having me here. My name's Jessica Arteaga, like you had mentioned. Um, I'm married and I have one son. , His name's Isaac and he's seven years old. Mm-hmm. And my husband and I, I both work for Fresno Unified School District.

We love what we do. We love to serve our community and, you know, work with our, with our parents, our students. 

Maria Mayes: And Jessica, we [00:01:00] had met at a, breath work workshop that I did here locally. And, you shared a little bit about a healing journey.

Jessica Arteaga: Yeah. So when you came and I joined that class. It was very nice. I came out like, oh my gosh, this is something I could really apply in my life and my daily basis. Um, like I was mentioning to you, little things like that that other people can be like, well, what is that gonna do?

You know, what changes can it make? Well, I've learned, you know, throughout the years that little things like that could make a big difference. Like, you know, learning how to breathe, um, it just relaxes your body. It makes you get into a stable, um, position where you just calm yourself down and you just take a moment to breathe and reflect and it just reminds you of, you know, everything's gonna be okay, you know, um, let's get things together, what can we do?

And you can only do so much and take [00:02:00] it day by day. So, um, that's something that I really like to use and it really does work. And, you know, it doesn't cost anything. It's, it just takes a few minutes to do it. Anybody can make time, you know, to do it even as you wake up in the morning to have a good start.

Um, even my son does it, you know, he's only seven years old and mm-hmm. He's always saying, well, you know, let me get into my little meditation, yoga position. And, you know, he tries to do all these things and, and, um, even when he's having a hard day or he comes home, you know, overwhelmed from school. Um, I tell him, well, remember take a deep breath and he already knows what to do.

So, um, it's something that we really enjoy doing. 

Maria Mayes: Beautiful. That's so beautiful to start that young because it's gonna build such a beautifully resilient nervous system to stresses. So tell me a little bit more about your health journey in particular.

Jessica Arteaga: So the reason why I wanted to share my story was, um.

When I came, went to your [00:03:00] class mm-hmm. Um, I realized that some, that, you know, everybody goes through something but not everybody's willing to share it. 'cause sometimes we're scared, we're afraid of what others might think. And, um, my story when I got pregnant from my son mm-hmm.

I wasn't eating, I guess that the, the way you're supposed to. Okay. I was, I didn't really know how to be like on a healthy journey exercising. So, you know, after I had my son, I got postpartum depression. Okay. Um, it was very hard for me. Pregnancy wasn't hard for me, but after I had my son, that was very hard for me.

Um, it was really affecting me that I couldn't sleep. I was tired. You know, I, I was, I was a mother, you know, it was something new to me having a child, you know, I wasn't used to that, so I started to get sick a [00:04:00] lot. I would break out and have all these rashes in my face. And I didn't know what was going on.

And I was like going to one doctor and another and nobody could figure out what was wrong. Like, they would always say, everything's fine, you don't have anything. Um, you know, it came to the point where the doctor kind of seemed overwhelmed, like she was giving up on me. Mm-hmm. Like saying, Jessica, I don't know what else to do to help you.

Um, you know, I keep giving you one medication, I give you a, you know, um, antibiotic. Nothing helps you. And you know, at that point I didn't know a lot. I wasn't informed, I wasn't educated. Um, and then she ended up sending me to a dermatologist. And then from there, that's when they said, oh, you know, you have an autoimmune disease.

Mm-hmm. So I said, oh my goodness. You know, well, what is an autoimmune disease? Like, I had never heard of an autoimmune disease. I was not informed of what it was. And they said, well, it looks like you might have lupus. And, um, you know, that was very hard [00:05:00] for me. I was a pa, a new parent with a baby, and they give me the news that I have lupus on my husband's birthday.

I'll never forget that. Oh, it was his birthday. And they tell me, you know, your, your blood work came back and you have, I'm sorry, you have lupus. Mm-hmm. And I said, oh my gosh. Well, I started crying and I said, you know, what is lupus? Am I gonna die? You know, can you cure it? What happens? And you know, I had all these questions and concerns.

Um, so that's when I said to myself at that moment, I have to do something. I have to make a change. I can't just leave it all to the doctors. And I started to change my eating habits. I started to work out and it was just little things, you know, little things that I started to change, like. Little things simple as, you know, no more juice today or no more sodas, no more fast foods.

Little things like that. But it's not only what you eat, it's [00:06:00] also how, how you maintain your stress levels. You know? 'cause the more I started to learn, the more I realize that it's not just about eating healthy, being healthy, , your body also needs to be, you know. Mentally there, like you just can't think, oh, I'm gonna be, I'm gonna eat healthy, but you're still stressed out all the time or worried about things that can also make you sick.

So, you know, those were little things that I learned with time and I start, like I said, I started to make changes how I would eat, how I would, I started to implement exercising and I started to see those changes my face. Was so bad. I had rashes everywhere. When I started to do natural things, my face cleared up and now I see myself and I'm like, oh my goodness, I have such beautiful skin.

I don't wear any glowing. Thank you. I don't wear any makeup. I don't like to put anything on my face. Um, you know, I just wash it and I [00:07:00] don't put anything on it. Um, and I just like to keep it natural and I'm just so happy. And this is where. I, I come in and I like to share to others. If you're going through something similar that I went through, you're not alone, you know?

And there is a solution to everything. I felt lost at one point. You know, I felt like I was in a dark place where no one could help me. Where I. I was alone, but you know, it just took one. I like, I, I always say things happen for a reason. Mm-hmm. And if this wouldn't have happened, maybe I wouldn't have made these changes in my life that now I feel much better.

I lost a lot of weight. I'm still not where I'm supposed to, but, you know, I keep working hard. And, you know, I believe a lot in natural stuff. I think natural stuff is the best thing you could do. Mm-hmm. And I implement that with my son, with my husband, you know, my family, how we eat, and just little [00:08:00] things like that, you know, that I learned throughout these years that has benefit me as a wife, as a parent, and, you know, just, and as myself, you know, just in general.

It, it's really helped me a lot. 

Maria Mayes: That is so beautiful. So first of all, thank you for being so vulnerable and sharing your story. And, uh, it's really a story of you transitioning from, you know, the traditional way of outsourcing our health, right, to the medical yes system, to really taking your power back and saying, you know what?

I'm gonna insource, I'm gonna look at ways where I can, uh, start to pivot through lifestyle. So when you, um. But with your lupus, is it considered in a state of resolve now, or tell me a little bit more. 

Jessica Arteaga: So I see, uh, a natural doctor. 

Maria Mayes: Mm-hmm. 

Jessica Arteaga: Um, I stopped going to like the regular doctors that we always go to.

Mm-hmm. Um, because I feel like I wouldn't get anywhere, you know? [00:09:00] And thankfully I was never taking any medication. Okay. But they would always say it's there, it's there. But I did not like hearing. You can eat anything you want. You could do whatever you want. Nothing hurts you. I'm like, wait, I am, I'm pretty sure I can't eat everything I want.

There has to be a certain diet that I have to follow, you know? So that's when I started to, you know, learn, you know, research, do my own thing. And now it's something that I love and that had never gotten my interest that I would wanna be researching and learning about health and meditation and all these healthy stuff, natural things that was never like in my head, like you would think, oh, you know, it's something I wanna do.

Sure. Like that would not grab my attention. And now like I love to learn, I love to read books. You know, the more I know, the more I wanna know. So I'm always like looking at different videos. I love listening to podcasts and um, you know, it's, it's just something that, that I love to do. 'cause I see that [00:10:00] the benefits of it, for sure.

And, and like I said, I, I see this natural doctor and he says it's there, but it's controlled. Okay. And it's like very minimal. Like to the point where like, I don't know how to explain it. It's more like. He says, you barely got it. And it's like, it's not like it's managed. 

Maria Mayes: It sounds like it's really managed well, right?

Yes. And 

Jessica Arteaga: like he keeps checking and I get like, um, IVs, okay. I get like natural IVs with all these vitamins. Um, so that has really helped me. And everything he prescribes is like natural stuff. Like he prescribes me like dim. You know, all these natural inflamm um, pills for inflammation. Okay. Uh, magnesium Omega-3.

Um, he, um, he also believes in fasting. You know, the benefits of fasting. Um, we're working out and like he says, always, you know, staying in a positive mindset, you know. Taking a deep breath. So I, I [00:11:00] love my doctor and, you know, I've been doing really good. I don't, I, I can't lie, you know, I cheat here and there on weekends.

Like, I mean, like any person, you know, will have special occasions where you might have like, you know, something to eat that you're not supposed to. But, you know, we also have to remember that once in a while, we have to treat ourselves. Right. Because we do, you know, work really hard to get to where we wanna be.

Maria Mayes: Right. And you know, I was having a conversation earlier today about kind of the 80 20 rule that I follow and that I, um, offer, um, to those that I mentor and coach. And that is, you know, if we become so constrictive and so restrictive to the point where we're restricting our ability to have joyful moments and to be part of a collective celebration, sometimes that can actually impact our health.

By creating stress. Right? So it's really right. Um, really cool that you're honoring that. As you were starting to transition with your diet.

So [00:12:00] you first noticed, you first started with the diet and then added exercise. Were there specific things that you did? Is it just looking at more, uh, natural, less processed foods, or tell me a little bit more about the type of diet that you follow. That's been really helpful with your lupus. 

Jessica Arteaga: Yeah. So I started to, um, avoid like sugar, okay, dairy, gluten-free.

Maria Mayes: Mm-hmm. 

Jessica Arteaga: Um, you know, so I started to, um, cook more foods that contain more vegetables, more greens, juicing, um, you know, things like that. And, you know, like I said, I've learned it by watching videos, getting informed reading books. And I've been applying that and my son also suffers from asthma. Okay? So, you know, I said I'm not only gonna make a change in my eating habits, I'm also gonna make it for my whole family.

'cause why not make the change for everybody, you know, it's gonna benefit all of us and it's something good for us. So, you know, he still gets [00:13:00] sick. But I could see the changes. He used to end up in the ER every time he would get sick. 

Maria Mayes: Oh, wow. Okay. 

Jessica Arteaga: Yeah. He would get his asthma so bad that it was a for sure thing.

He would end up in the hospital and now he still gets sick. But I can see the difference. And, you know, I try to stay calm and positive and I say, you know, one day it will get even better. It was worse before. So things like that is, that motivates me to keep going, you know? Mm-hmm. So the same thing with me.

I say, I know it's still there, I still have it, but it's controlled. Right? It hasn't gotten worse. And I'm thankful and I'm blessed that I'm not taking any medication for it. Um, and you know, just making those changes. But I have never felt so much satisfaction to be working out and feel like your heart's racing and sweating.

And it makes me feel good. 'cause I'm like, all this, this feeling of feeling tired and sweaty and hot [00:14:00] is a feeling like, yes, I did it again. You know? Mm-hmm. And it's like changes. And like, I would always say like, oh my goodness, I do so many things and I can't lose weight. And when I started to make these changes, it's not like you're starving yourself, you're still eating, but you learn to eat the right way.

Sure, 

Maria Mayes: yeah. You're learning to intuitively tap into what your body needs, which is things that are less inflammatory. Right. So, yes. Um, that's so beautiful and I think it's really just such a key point for our listeners to hone into. The fact that you took your ownership back, you took the power back over your health, and you put these small practices that you.

That you mentioned, you know, into play, and it didn't happen overnight. You added one thing and then went to another thing and another thing. So that's such amazing tips for our listeners. Um, if you had to point to one particular part of. The, um, well, I have two questions. One, [00:15:00] regarding the postpartum and then one regarding the stress management.

And they kind of go hand in hand. So let me backtrack and look at the, those postpartum first as you were going through that, because a lot of us have gone through that, but it was never really diagnosed. Right. And we didn't realize what was going on. So at what point were you able to get help for that?

Was that intertwined with the lupus or how did that play out? 

Jessica Arteaga: So when I had my son, that's when I started to break out with all these rashes. 

Maria Mayes: Okay. And I 

Jessica Arteaga: didn't know why. Um, later on the doctor told me, you know, it's so much stress that you have, you're going through postpartum depression. Okay. And I felt depressed.

Like I could feel it. I just didn't feel like I was myself. Mm-hmm. Um, you know, I was sleep deprived 'cause I couldn't sleep. Mm-hmm. I was tired, I was overwhelmed. It was a big change for me. Like I still couldn't believe myself and I kept questioning myself like, oh my gosh, I'm a parent now. Like I have a child.

I have a [00:16:00] baby. And it was just a big change for me and it really hit me. So I didn't feel like I was getting the help or the support that I needed. They just told me that that's what I had, but it was kind of like, Hey, you have this. You're on your own. You know, 

Maria Mayes: I see. I, 

Jessica Arteaga: I feel like I had to take the, um, like I had to do it myself mm-hmm.

To realize, Hey, Jessica, get up. You can do it. Figure something out. You now, you're now a parent. You have to be strong and you know, you have to move on. And I, I started to think, wow, the things that I, it was just unbelievable, like I said. The things that a human body can do. Like, if you don't know how to control yourself, you'll probably die.

You'll go crazy, you know, just with you'll, you're so stressed, you're so overwhelmed. You have so much on you, um, that you create these illnesses [00:17:00] yourself. Like that was something that I learned like. I could have been fine if I would've learned how to cope with it, but since I didn't know, I wasn't informed, you know, I, I went that far.

You know, I, I was going through all these, all these stuff with all these rashes in my face mm-hmm. Going from one doctor to another, and I wouldn't find, you know, an answer or resolution to it. And I, I started to realize these medications are not helping me. They're not doing any good to me. And, um, actually they're just doing something worse.

You know, they're making me feel worse. They're, they might fix one thing and then they end up messing something up. So that's when I said, no more. I'm gonna go all natural. And you know, natural stuff does take time, but it works. That was something I learned. It takes time. It won't work like a magic pill overnight, you know?

But it works even if it takes time. And I would just, you know, I would be patient. I started to be patient and I would pray about it and I would say, you know, [00:18:00] everything's gonna be okay. And like I would look at my face and I would cry and I would say, am I, I ever gonna get to see my face the way it was before?

'cause it was just so bad. Like, I stopped going to work for a, a while because I was embarrassed to people to see me with my face 'cause there was so many rashes. And as soon as I stopped putting all those creams and stuff that they were prescribing me, my face started to clear up and I realized that I just needed to.

Learn how to remain calm, positive, let it heal. That was something that I, it was like a healing process, like I had to let my face heal. Not only my face, my body, my mind, you know, I had to reset and realize what I was doing wrong. 

Maria Mayes: Right. So the body really cannot heal if we're in a constant state of chronic stress.

Right. So, yes. Um, so how did you, or what is your, you know, you mentioned the breath work being very [00:19:00] helpful, which is something that we worked on. Um, what are some other tools that you've used to reduce stress to help you with your lupus and just overall just the daily stresses of being a working parent.

Jessica Arteaga: Well, I am very busy all the time. I, you know, I work full time. I'm a mother and I wake up in the mornings and it's like getting ready for work, getting my son ready. Mm-hmm. Taking him to school, going to work. I have all meet meetings all day at work. Sometimes, you know, for one thing in another, and my lunchtime, I don't use it to eat.

I use it to pick up my son from school, so. During my lunch break, I rush to school, pick him up, then I go drop 'em off at my mom's. I come back to work. So it's like I am constantly moving. It's like a nonstop routine every day, but every day when I wake up, I, I like to always pray and, you know, be thankful for another day.

You know, I get to see the light. I, I say Thank you, God, for another day. [00:20:00] And you know, I think just. I think just being in that positive mindset. Mm-hmm. It's either if you wake up in a bad mood and you're negative, your day is not gonna be good. And if you wake up, no matter how much you have to do, even if I'm tired, even if my back hurts, even if I'm a little bit worried or stressed about something, if I say to myself, today's gonna be a good day, everything's gonna be good.

You know, I'll, I'll drink my favorite tea. I'll put on some music while I'm working. That gets me in that good mood. And little things like that, just like how, you know, you mentioned. Those breathing techniques, little things like that, that you apply in your life will make you get through the day and, you know, will, will make us have a good day at work.

And not just the work, but anywhere you are. 

Maria Mayes: Sure. Well that's beautiful. I mean, I think it's such a beautiful story, Jessica, that you shared a really empowerment, one of self-empowerment, of taking ownership of your health when you weren't getting the [00:21:00] answers that you wanted. Tapping into your intuition, knowing that you have the power to heal when you get back to the basics of nature.

So all such beautiful things and, and it's such a beautiful gift that you're able to share that story with others to inspire them. So thank you so much, Jessica. I do have one more question for you, and that is, is there, uh, is there any, um, type of wine that you like to mindfully enjoy? 

Jessica Arteaga: I do, um, I don't drink wine a lot, but when I do have it, like on special occasions.

I do like something that's like sweet and not so strong. 

Maria Mayes: Mm-hmm. Um, 

Jessica Arteaga: something that I can enjoy. And there was a few wines that I did try when I went to your class. Mm-hmm. And they were so delicious. Um, you know, you can just, like you said, I, it was, it's, it's just amazing. Like you can already taste it just by smelling it.

Like when you were teaching us how to smell it, um, by [00:22:00] looking at it, you can already like. Picture it, or you can already feel how it's gonna taste if it's something strong, if it's something sweet, you know, it's just, it, there's just so many ways of enjoying a wine. 

Maria Mayes: Yeah. Well, beautiful. Well thank you for that.

And um, for folks who wanna reach out to you that you've inspired, how would you like them to get ahold of you? 

Jessica Arteaga: Um, well, they can reach out to my email. Okay. They can always reach out to my email if they have any questions or concerns and, um, again, I'm just very thankful that you gave me this opportunity.

I have been looking forward. Since a long time. I know it was a while back that, that I was in one of your classes. Mm-hmm. 

Maria Mayes: So I'm just 

Jessica Arteaga: very happy that, you know, we were able to make it and that I'm here with you and I really appreciate your time. 

Maria Mayes: Oh, absolutely. Well, thank you so much, Jessica. Your story is very.

Um, so for our guests out there [00:23:00] listening, um, I will include Jessica's contact information, her email in the show notes so you can reach out if this inspired you. You know, she's offering, um, you know, her hand here in terms of inspiration, but also being there as a resource if you have questions on her journey with, um, taking her power back from.

Stress from postpartum depression and from lupus. So it's been such a pleasure. Jessica, thank you so much again for being here with uh, me and the listeners. 

Jessica Artaega: Hi. I am back, yes, two years later. Um, I think this gap in between needed to happen because a lot has changed and I would really like to share those changes in my life.

Maria Mayes: Well, we appreciate you coming back, Jessica, and I know you've got a lot of, uh, insight and inspiration to share with our listeners.

So let's get into it. Tell us what's occurred in the last few years.

Jessica Artaega: Yeah, so thankfully they are good positive changes. Um, they did come in with a lot of personal growth and that sometimes can be hard. Um, my son is actually turning nine today.

It's his birthday today. Oh, birthday boy. Yes. Thank you. So, you know, it's a special day for me because today is the first day of fall as well.

So I just feel like he was born on a special day because. You know of when you think about fall, it's a new season that we begin. Mm-hmm. So when [00:01:00] I had my son, I thought about it as a new season in my life. You know, I was becoming a mother, so now I can't believe that, you know, it's been nine years that my son came into our life.

So yesterday's his birthday and I can't believe, can't believe how old he's gotten. Oh, well, happy birthday to him. That's such a blessing to have a sweet 9-year-old. Yes, thank you. Um, as I had mentioned before, I am happily married and my husband and I continue to work for Fresno Unified. Um, now why I say that this is an update, um, I needed, I needed this in my life because I think God's timing is perfect.

Um, and like you had mentioned, I think it was important for this. Gap in this time to that we waited because there was so much for me to share that others needed to hear. Mm. And I think it was important for me to [00:02:00] share this other season of my life that I'm currently living. And if I can rephrase it in one word, all this that I have lived recently, it was just God teaching me to know how to have faith and to believe.

And that has been very me meaningful to me. Hmm.

Um, I think that if there's anything I can relate to you in all of this, it's just, you know, God's teaching me to trust the process and being patient. And that's something that's really hard for me. You know, knowing how to be patient, um, trusting that even though you can't see the results, um, you still have to believe.

And sometimes it's so hard. But I think it all comes with, you know. Um, a growth learning, you know, um, that you just have to have faith and believe that everything's gonna be okay. Right? Well, I mean, patience and [00:03:00] trust, those are probably two of the biggest spiritual lessons, right? If we can get to that space of just really trusting God's plans for us and really having that patience, because a lot of times it doesn't go as fast as we'd like it, right?

Maria Mayes: So, yes. That is beautiful. Yes. So actually this past March I was diagnosed with early signs of breast cancer. Now I had felt like I had gone through the worst of the worst in my life. Like it couldn't get any worse. Mm-hmm. When they gave me the news, I was really scared. Um, I think the process of just waiting and trusting God was so hard for me.

Jessica Artaega: I would say like, why me? I'm only 30 years old. My son needs me. Am I gonna die? You know, you get all these negative thoughts in your head, you question God, why you're the one going through this. Um, so it was really hard for me and um, I was already eating healthy. [00:04:00] Um, previous to what the other health issues that I had in the past, you know, I was already working out, but I just started implementing even more stuff like eating organic stuff, um, staying away from the carbohydrates, um, even pushing more into working out.

But where the big change came in this time was just really. Trusting God completely. Mm-hmm. And like people would always tell me, you know, if you doubt yourself, if you question yourself, it's like you're, you're lacking faith. Like you're not trusting God. And I'm like, but it's so hard, you know? And I would cry and, you know, it's so hard because I want an answer now.

And they're like, you know, that's not how it works. You know? So during this time, it wasn't even a long time, it was just a couple of months. It felt like years to me. I felt like I lived so much during those months. Mm-hmm. Um, and I just [00:05:00] learned so much. And I honestly think that God came in to teach me, you know, a lesson to remind me.

That I need him in my life, not just when I'm going through hard times, but even in the good times. Right. And to have him present in my life and that I always put him first. And ever since I started doing that, you know, there's just so many blessings in our life that I just get emotional because I realize how big God is.

Hmm. And that he's, he's always there listening and. It is just the best thing that, you know, that I can have in my life. And that you we're able to keep pushing further. Right. And so I'm hearing Jessica, that beyond, you know, we talked a lot about last time, about your lifestyle, about, um, changes that you made to really tune into what your body needed and really eating clean and moving your [00:06:00] body.

Maria Mayes: Yeah. And this time, even though you amplified that the key piece you see as being that healing. Quotient or that healing formula is trust in God and patience and his timing. Yes. I think that that was like the missing piece of this puzzle. Mm-hmm. Like, it's like God said, I'm not done with you. There's still more to go.

Jessica Artaega: Mm-hmm. And it, it hurts and it's, you know, it's not easy. Um, but I would tell him, you know, if you don't like the person that I am. Change me to be that person that you want me to be, even if it hurts, even if the process is not easy. And I honestly have seen that, but it has been so rewarding and so worth it as in, you know, being the mother that I have to be, being the wife that I have to be, and being that person to myself, you know?

So I think it's just, it's so [00:07:00] important. Um, going back to when I was diagnosed with early signs of breast cancer, um, this past June, I had an appointment, a follow-up appointment. 'cause I was like on a treatment and they tell me, you know, there's no more signs of breast cancer. It's gone. I had chills in my body.

I immediately said it was God, you know, as they were telling me this, it's like I just muted everything around me. And I was just me and God, and I was like, thank you. 'cause I know it was you. You know you listened to me. I had like so many people praying for me from my church, family and friends, and I could feel the love, I could feel, you know, how much they cared and they were worried about my health.

But you know, during that process I just felt like I learned and I grew so much, and as I had mentioned before, it was just a few months that God [00:08:00] wanted to teach me something, but literally, it felt like years, right? It felt like, like I was going through a battle for so long. Mm-hmm. Wow. That is, you know, I can feel.

Maria Mayes: Everything you're sharing so deeply in my heart right now, it's so deeply impactful to me, and I know it is to our listeners too. Um, when you're speaking just so, so vulnerably from your heart. So thank you for being so vulnerable with us and sharing that, especially in a world where, um, right now there's a lot of, you know, politicization of faith and of, you know, speaking Yeah.

The word God, even in public. I am just, you're super courageous and brave and I appreciate you sharing that. I'm wondering, you know, I'm, as I'm thinking, our audience might be wondering, did you do any of the traditional treatment means with your cancer? Did you have to go through chemo or radiation or anything of that nature?

Or was it purely the [00:09:00] focusing on the health and surrendering to God? So I see a holistic doctor. Okay. Um, so they started me off with like a natural treatment. Um, kind of like supplements, like natural things, um, eating a lot of stuff that, um. Like blueberries, berries, a lot of things that can help, like with detoxing your body.

Jessica Artaega: Mm-hmm. But it wasn't anything like actual, like chemo or actual medication that doctors give you. Okay. It was all natural and in my mind, in my head, I was like, that's not gonna work. I need actual medication. And again, you know, I was just very. Scared and overwhelmed, and I just felt like as the days would pass, you know, the cancer could spread or, you know, get worse.

And they're like, no, let's try this. It, it's been very efficient. We've been doing this for so many years. It has worked in a lot of women. You know, just, just trust me. [00:10:00] I know what I'm telling you. So I did it. And you know, it has really helped me. I still continue to do it, even though they said there was no more signs of breast cancer, um, because they said it won't hurt me since it is natural things.

Maria Mayes: Is it, I'm just curious on the, um, with the, the antioxidant rich foods like the blueberries and the detoxification foods and the supplements, is there anything particular that. A particular ingredient that's kind of unique or is it a particular protocol or, so I would take like supplements, like mushroom tail, um, uh, Turkey tail.

Jessica Artaega: They're like different, um, supplements that, um, kill cancer cells. Okay. I would also take, um, something called Broco Protect. So it kind of like has different, um. Herbs and like, I believe it has like broccoli, different extracts from natural things and they all help in a way to detox your [00:11:00] body to kill cancer cells.

Um, another thing that also helps a lot is um, the natural IVs that are like vitamin C. Oh, okay. So you got some IV infusions. Yes. Those also help a lot. For like when you have, um, cancer or any early signs of, of any type of cancer, the vitamin C also helps with killing, um, the, um, cancer cells. Oh, interesting.

Maria Mayes: Amazing. And I'm sure you know, in the, with show notes, we'll include an email address so people can reach out to you if they wanna learn more. Yes. Yes. 

Jessica Artaega: Like if they had any questions about the doctor that I see, I'm more than happy to share. You know that information? He is here locally in Fresno.

Okay. And, um, he's amazing. He's a great doctor and I've been seeing him for a couple of years already. 

Maria Mayes: Beautiful. And now tell me how this added to, you know, your [00:12:00] existing diagnosis of lupus. Like, kind of take us through what you went through with that and how the, how this then new protocol for this new diagnosis ended up impacting.

The lupus as well. So 

Jessica Artaega: it was very interesting because, um, once they told me this, they kind of were, they were just kind of focusing on the cancer that they had seen. 

Maria Mayes: Mm-hmm. So 

Jessica Artaega: after I started doing this diet and all these supplements, you know, this treatment that I was doing when I went back for blood work that they said it was, they didn't see anything else.

Even the lupus was gone. 

Maria Mayes: Wow. 

Jessica Artaega: So in my previous interview I did mention that it was still there, but it was controlled. Mm-hmm. Which was a good thing, but I still didn't like the feeling knowing it was there. But when I made, you know, even more changes, I did lose like 14 more pounds. Okay. And, and I feel great.

Um, I think that helped a lot. So when I went [00:13:00] back to the doctor, he said, you know, even your lupus is gone. There's no more signs of an autoimmune disease in your body. And I was just so happy and thankful because I honestly thought, oh, I'm still gonna keep showing on my blood work, you know, the lupus, but it's controlled.

Like, you know, I kind of felt like, you know, it's gonna be there. But no, they said it was gone as well. Wow. Yes. 

Maria Mayes: That's amazing. I mean, yes. And do you, do you attribute that to also the surrender and the trust in God? 

Jessica Artaega: Oh yes, definitely. I think before any treatment, before anything, he's, first, I believe that God has healed me.

He continues to heal me, and you know, he's my priority. Hmm. And he's always first in my life, you know, in my home and my family as a parent and my marriage. And I think that's what helps us to succeed [00:14:00] in life, you know? And especially in the world that we live in. So many things are always happening, and it's heavy in my heart to see all the things that are always happening.

But the best that we can do is, you know, keep, keep God in our lives and also teach that to our children. The little ones that are barely growing up, you know, to know that, you know, there is a God that exists and that they're not alone. And that's what I wanna teach my son. You know, I want him to be, uh, a man of faith.

I want him to be a man that knows that there is a God, and that if he's ever going through a hard time, you know he's not alone. 

Maria Mayes: Mm. I mean, just that, those words, I mean, I'm sure there's so many people out there. Right now that just needed to hear that alone, that you're not alone. Just that reminder. 

Jessica Artaega: Yes, yes.

It, it's so important. You know, sometimes we feel lonely. [00:15:00] We feel like even though we're around so many people, and we might have, you know, our spouse, our kids, our, our parents, we might feel lonely, like in a dark place. But, you know, just knowing that God's love is so amazing and that he's always there, you know, it, it can really help somebody.

Make their day, put a smile on their face, brighten their day, know that, you know, they will see the light eventually. 

Maria Mayes: Hmm. I love that. I love that. 

Jessica Artaega: Yes. And you know how I was sharing about like all these things that I had gone through, um, I think in the process I also learned to value myself. 

Maria Mayes: Mm-hmm. And 

Jessica Artaega: I think that was something that I still hadn't.

Been able to like, I guess accept because I never felt like I was a pretty girl. I would never dress up. [00:16:00] And after I went through this, it's like God reminded me, you know, you only have one life. You know, you know you're a beautiful person. See who you are. And I had never worn a dress in my life and 

Maria Mayes: ever in your life.

Jessica Artaega: Well, I'm sorry I take that back. Maybe when you 

Maria Mayes: were like a little tiny girl or something, or, 

Jessica Artaega: yes, when I was little, but I think even my husband would always tell me. Why don't you buy a dress? I know you'll look beautiful in it. And he would even pick out dresses when we would go to the store and mm-hmm.

I would be like, no, no, it's okay. I just didn't feel like I had the body to wear a dress. Mm-hmm. And ever since I went through all this one day, I just said like, you know what? I'm gonna buy a dress, you know, I'm gonna go to the store. And it was the most amazing feeling. I. I remember I said, it's like a, a day for me, myself.

Mm-hmm. I went, I [00:17:00] bought a dress and I was so happy. I tried it on, I did feel very nervous and I felt a little insecure because I had never, you know, really worn a dress. Mm-hmm. And um, I remember some of my friends were like, you just need to find the right dress. You know, every girl can wear a dress. It doesn't matter what body type they have.

Every woman looks beautiful in a dress. And they kept telling me that all the time, but I was just like, I don't know. Maybe later, and they would even tell me, we'll take you dress shopping. Like they, they were trying to find ways for me to buy a dress, but I just kept putting it to the side and eventually I made that move on my own and I was very nervous.

But after I bought that dress, I just. Something changed in me. I just saw the beauty in me that I had never seen. Oh, I felt so happy. I felt like a princess. I, I was twirling in that dress, like when you see [00:18:00] those, you know, Disney movies, these princess with their dresses, I just felt so pretty and it. And my husband was like, you look beautiful.

I told you you could always wear a dress. And you know, I bought my second dress now and it's like a fall dress and I'm excited to, to wear it now. And I'm just so happy that maybe to other people it's like, oh, it's just a dress. But to me it was a big deal. Right, because I would never wear dresses, and I think it was because of that insecurity in me that I didn't look good or that dresses weren't for me.

But I just wanna share that if anybody is having that, those insecurities or those thoughts. Every woman is beautiful, no matter what body type they have, and you know there is a dress for everybody. You just have to find the right dress and you know, we can all look amazing in them. 

Maria Mayes: I love that. So I'm hearing that [00:19:00] through this surrender process and truly putting your trust in God in a way that you've never had before.

You also found self-worth. 

Jessica Artaega: Yes, I think, I think, and I know that God was like, that's something that she hasn't taken care of. And he's like, and no other thing works. I'm gonna have to do this so that she can change. And you know, like I said, sometimes growth comes with pain and at the moment you don't understand and you question yourself, you know, why do I have to go through this?

But. It has been so rewarding, so worth it. And it has really helped me. And I think that was like the missing piece as I had shared, you know, of this puzzle, that God was like, you're still, you still need this to complete, you know, that beautiful image of you and I didn't see it. 

Maria Mayes: Right? So there's a, a, it's, I'm [00:20:00] just feeling like this beautiful like holding of.

You have trust over here. On one hand you have patience over here in the other hand. And then in between them, this beautiful self-worth and self-love and self-compassion flowers and that that itself is healing. And that is, I think, you know, at least from, I do work with one-on-one clients, you know, in coaching.

And that is something that almost every single human struggles with at one point. So what a beautiful flower of. Of that learning, you're so, uh, self-aware and wise that you were able to discover that through this process, and it's so yes that you're sharing it with others now. Thank you. I 

Jessica Artaega: thank you. No, thank you.

I, I honestly felt like, you know, a caterpillar when it turns into a butterfly and it's just ready to spread its wings, if I can relate it to something, it would be [00:21:00] something like that, because. I think for years, even as growing up, you know, um, when I was in middle school, high school mm-hmm. I never had like that perfect body.

So I always had like that insecurity in me. Mm-hmm. And I didn't feel like, oh, you know, I can't wear that 'cause I'm not gonna look good. And I just can't believe that it took this long, you know, for me to realize. And now I put on dresses and I feel so pretty, like I don't feel that insecurity anymore. Or like that fear of like, oh, what if others think I don't look good?

Or what if others say something about how I'm dressed? Like I don't, I don't have those thoughts anymore. So like you said, I think it was something that I had to. Heal inside like my inner child, you know? 

Maria Mayes: Mm-hmm. 

Jessica Artaega: Things that sometimes we carry with us. 

Maria Mayes: Right. Well, how liberating to be on the other side of that.

Jessica Artaega: Yes, yes. Mm-hmm. So, [00:22:00] I, I think it's just, you know, it's very special. It's, it's something very, um, meaningful for me to be able to share with others. 'cause to me it's some, it's a big deal. 

Maria Mayes: Absolutely. Well, that's beautiful and thank you for sharing all that. Jessica, is there anything else you wanna get across to or share with our listeners today?

Jessica Artaega: Yeah, so I think lastly, you know, I would just like to share, you know, how my faith and my relationship with God just grew stronger because he has taught me the power to trust and believe, and it comes with being patient like we had mentioned, and just trusting that it can be hard when you want an answer now.

You don't get it when you want it, but when he wants. I think it was important to share this other part of my life that I have currently lived and I also think God wanted to remind me, Hey, I'm here. Don't forget about me and like try I, you know, I [00:23:00] try to attend church, you know, more frequently now on, on Sundays.

I used to always make up excuses like, oh, we can't go. We have this to do. But then I said, it's just an hour of my time. Once a week. And you know, ever since I started making that change, so many blessings have came into our life. So I'm just very thankful for that. And I know God is the answer. 

Maria Mayes: Hmm. Well, I don't think there's anything I can add to other than saying Amen.

Yes, yes. Thank you so much, Jessica. It's been such a pleasure and. Um, I know we're gonna share your email address if that's still okay in the, um, show notes. So for anyone who's listening right now, if you're inspired by Jessica's story, if you're curious, um, in terms of more details of her protocol or the doctor she's seeing, she's happy to connect with you on that.

So, um, thank you so much Jessica. Such an inspiration. 

Jessica Artaega: [00:24:00] Thank you. Thank you for having me here again. It was a pleasure being here and I'm just so thankful. 

Maria Mayes: Me too.