A Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine practising Holistic Health Care in the Woodbridge, Vaughan, Brampton, Caledon, Mississauga, and Toronto areas since 2001.

Mind – Body – Spirit Approach for Breast Health with Dr. Linda Brown

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Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine Linda Brown joins holistic health talk for women radio host Irina Wardas.

Listen: Health Talk for Women Radio and Podcast Topic: Mind – Body – Spirit Approach for Breast Health with Dr. Linda Brown

Linda L. Brown, B.A., ND, CBP, RhA is a Naturopathic Doctor practising for the last 10 years in Woodbridge, ON. She has an eclectic practice, focusing on allergy elimination, food sensitivity testing, BodyTalk, Emotional Freedom Technique, and the Soul-Mind-Body connection. Throughout her life, she has studied extensively with teachers, masters and native elders throughout the world.

Linda-95x150In addition, she has worked collaboratively with volunteer organization Natural Doctors International (NDI), leading and teaching interns in a rural community in Nicaragua, providing Naturopathic treatment to the local population. Over the years, Dr. Linda has given a variety of public and corporate talks, written numerous newspaper and magazine articles, and appeared on local and national television. She is a member of both the Canadian and Ontario Associations of Naturopathic Doctors.

Dr. Linda Brown, ND has been in private practice for 10 years. 3 ½ years ago, she was diagnosed with triple negative invasive ductal breast cancer, which is a very aggressive form of the disease. Against the advice of her doctors, she chose to keep her breast and have a lumpectomy, but refused chemo and radiation treatments. She has been thriving with a regimen of holistic treatments ever since.

The Healer Leaps

When I spoke with Linda Brown, she had recently returned from a trip to Nicaragua. She is well-travelled and fluent in Spanish among other languages, but Nicaragua struck me as being well off the beaten path, even for her. Linda has always preferred to be a participant rather than a mere observer or a distant tourist during her travels. Her command of languages has given her the ability to engage the local population and immerse herself in their culture and traditions. This is one of the best ways to learn about a new culture and its people.

“Tell me about your trip to Nicaragua?” I asked.
“It was an amazing and eye-opening experience for me. Even though I have travelled around the world, this was a completely new adventure,” she said. The team that she travelled with to Nicaragua was comprised of highly-skilled Naturopathic Doctors, nurses and student volunteers who all share the goal of wanting to help the local farming communities in this Central American country. What has always been a driving force for Linda, is her unbridled passion for helping people. You can’t help but think that the people of Ometepe were as lucky to have her as she was fortunate to have been chosen by the team.

“Everyone in North America should have the experience of volunteering in a developing country, even just once. It can’t help but change you – how you see the world, how you see yourself and even how you see the person standing next to you.” The people of Ometepe, an Island in Lake Nicaragua, were also changed by the presence of Linda and her team. The team consisted of three Naturopathic Doctors, Students and Support Staff, totalling 13 people. Linda was altered by the experience through her focus on impacting the lives of those she encountered. The broader lesson here is that in North America we often define wealth by our materialistic possessions. In places like Ometepe, wealth is measured by love, family and giving of yourself in order to help others. People might not have a lot, however, they will always give you what they have.

This spirit of caring for others has been with Linda for much longer than the years she has been a Naturopathic Doctor. She enriches her own spirit by giving her patients the tools of healing: physically, emotionally and psychologically. It is no wonder, then, that when the healer needed healing after being diagnosed with cancer, she was able to use her own spiritual strength as the pillars upon which she could build a path to recovery and healing. “It takes a lot of emotional and mental strength to deal with cancer,” Linda says with the calmness that comes only from her self-confidence. “I’m doing extremely well. I’ve been working very hard on myself and I feel great – even better than I felt before the diagnosis. To date, my Doctors have not found anything else of concern, so I continue to live my life positively. ”

Now, I have always been an advocate of people who strive to become exceptional – to live a life that is more than just mediocre, more than just dollars and cents. Linda Brown is such a person.

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When asked, “Who have been your biggest LeapAgents?” Linda responds, “I would say it is a tie between my Dad and my Mum – Dad might have a slight edge. Sadly, he passed away in 2009. He was always the most supportive Father a person could ever have. He provided me with love and guidance, and gave me the foundation I needed to follow my dreams.” So, as it often does, it comes down to what we dream about – where do our passions and focus lie? Linda’s Mum and Dad were her advocates when she was younger and their lessons and support continue to guide her today. They encouraged her to always be exceptional.

“Linda, what is your message to those who want to become LeapAgents themselves?” I asked her.
Her answer was classic Linda Brown: She replied, “I would say, you need to care about people, care about our world and our society, and learn to appreciate the people around you. Make an effort to create positive change, volunteer and resolve to do at least ONE ACTION to make your world a better place.”

With all that she does, playing drums with her band members, attending patients, Volunteering, being a source of positive change and inspiration, I ask her, “How do you want to be identified by others?”
Linda says it best: “…I would like to be identified simply as ….someone who cares a great deal for people, who has worked hard and has made a positive difference in the world.”

Maintaining Boundaries and Accepting Help During Breast Cancer Treatment

I can remember the sinking feeling in my stomach when I received a diagnosis of breast cancer several years ago. My world was turned upside down. Quickly, however, my naturopathic training kicked in and I found myself sitting on my living room floor considering the resources I had at my disposal to address this diagnosis. I felt powerful and confident in my ability to deal with this.

Then I entered the world of allopathic medicine where it felt like an assault, the intent of which was to disempower and make me feel small, frightened and powerless. At times, for brief moments, there was a temptation to turn off my brain and succumb to doing what I was told, despite the fact I am a health care professional. So, for me, the most important lesson I learned and the first one I want to share with you is this…You are in charge.,,of your health care and most importantly your body. So many times as women in this society we are fed messages that are in opposition to this. Please accept responsibility for being in charge of your own health. Certainly, as I did, gather up your resources, including people like me. 

That leads me to my second point…Trust yourself…trust your body. Your body knows what is best for you. You may not have previously practiced this but listen to your body and it will be your guide. 

Believe in your intuition…Tune into your inner wisdom. This requires stillness. Take a moment from the busy-ness of your day to reflect and just be…and Trust your gut… 

Don’t allow illness, life, or any person invade your space. Set your boundaries…And live by them. You need to take your place in the world, with a clear sense of what is acceptable to you and what is not. Make it clear and unmistakable. 

Far too often as women, we have grown up with the edicts “Be seen and not heard”, or “don’t rock the boat”, as if what we have to say has no importance… Well, I’m here to tell you that bottled-up, suppressed emotions simmer until they come to a rolling boil, and then blow, manifesting mentally or physically. Express your emotions…for your own health and sanity, and that of those around you. 

Accept love, accept help…You don’t have to be a super woman, doing it all single-handedly. If there are people around you, they can lend a hand. If someone offers help, accept it. Accepting help is not a sign of weakness. Giving and receiving love can change the world. 

And last…Embrace illness with love, for the lessons it teaches. Don’t think of sickness as the enemy against which you must battle, for you strengthen what you oppose. Shift gears, and see illness as the guide that it is. Thank it. Be open to its messages. Live in balance and harmony with all life and nature, and strive to see the oneness of all. Sometimes it takes great tragedy to come to these realizations…or you can choose to learn from those who have already been there. 

Are you ready to transform your health?

Download this free ebook and watch my introductory video. Then contact me for your initial appointment or a free consult to discuss your healthcare needs.

Dr. Linda L. Brown, BA, ND is a registered Naturopathic Doctor, BodyTalk and EFT Practitioner, and Registered BioEnergetics Practitioner. Her mission is to teach and inspire people to live in a healthier, more balanced way, so they can enjoy the life of their dreams.

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