Mindful Chat with Yasemin Bee Trauma Survivor , PCOS Advocate to Bad Ass Successful Business Women

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Yasemin B
 






Dr. Damaris G. is an Integrative Doctor of Nurse Practice Family Nurse Practioner Mom, Veteran,. BC Family Nurse Practioner & Holistic Integrative health, Studies Functional Medicine
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Transcript

Damaris Grossmann: 0:55

Hi, how are you? This is Dr. Damaris, Maria Grossman and this is the mindfully integrated show. So today we have an amazing guest. She's a great friend and wonderful woman, her name is Yasmine B. She is a strong and business woman from health advocate PCs. survivor and educator, and savvy businesswoman. She has a lot to share and a great story and I can't wait for you guys to get to chat and learn more about her. Hey, Yasmin, how are you? It's America Samaritan. Good? How are you? Great. So I wanted to know, you know, I usually I start the show and kind of ask people, what's a little fun fact about you to just kind of get some info like a quick Fun fact.

Yasemin B: 1:41

Okay, um, I guess one that comes to mind now that I can see my background a little bit is that I live in the country now and actually see black bears every single day. Which if you told me that a year ago, when I lived in the city, I'd probably be freaking out. But we've come to the friend the black bears. So it's a it's always a fun morning or afternoon when I see them out by the apple tree.

Damaris Grossmann: 2:05

Oh my god, do you find like, do you give them extra apples? Or do they like or do you give them extra treats now?

Yasemin B: 2:12

No, no, gosh, I have a bunch of apple trees on my property. And there's plenty of food for them. So I don't need to feed them. And I don't want them coming around by giving them extra food. But it's fun to see them climbing the trees and their baby bears and the mom. It's really it's really nice.

Damaris Grossmann: 2:26

I love it. I mean, I was probably scared thinking of it. But I think your place is beautiful out in the country now. So like you've gone from being a city, you know, worker and being all in the hustle and bustle of things. And now you're in the country. And I mean, the show is about Integrative Health and changing your perspective on how you are with health. Let's just kind of go into like, what's your general story? Like? How did you get into thinking more about your overall Whole Health and, and where you're at, and now you're in the country. So let's dive in a little bit of that

Yasemin B: 3:02

is a big change. I grew up as you said, mostly in the city, mostly in apartments, I come from a lower income family. So I've never actually lived in a house. And my health journey kind of started when I was diagnosed with pcls. You know, at a young age, I think I was 13. And you know, with that comes a whole slew of symptoms and issues, you know, painful periods, ones that wouldn't come pimples.

Damaris Grossmann: 3:27

mpcs Oh, sorry. pcms is polycystic ovary syndrome, if anyone doesn't know, okay, continue.

Yasemin B: 3:33

Yes, exactly. So I get cysts on my ovaries, and I don't get my period regularly. And I was actually told I would have a lot of issues trying to conceive, you know, at the age of 14, and it's scary when they tell you that. And the what they did is they put me on pills whose birth control mostly. And after, I don't know, I think it was 10 or 12 years, you know, I'm still on these pills. And the guidance was kind of just you're kind of going to be on these forever. And I didn't feel good about it because I had been on them for so long. And I realized that they weren't actually helping me. Like if I had to stay on the pill forever, it wasn't really helping the underlying issues. And then, on top of that, I became pre diabetic, which is really common with pcls. You know, it is a hormone imbalance issue. But it made me upset because you know, I was doing everything I was told to do by the doctor, which was take these pills and you'll be fine and I was getting worse. So that's what really kind of jumped started my search to find something better than to be on these pills and I didn't want to mask the symptoms anymore. I really wanted to treat the underlying cause. So I actually got into bulletproof coffee, Dave Asprey. Oh my god, I drink some. Oh, yeah, I love it because it helps help me kickstart fasting in the morning, which is really incredible for your health. And then I heard about his wife, Lana Asprey. And they met, you know, in their late 30s, and she had the same issue pcls, and she was unable, you know, told to couldn't conceive for some time or be difficult. And at the age, she was like, in her late 30s, maybe 3839. And she was able to have two healthy kids. And she wrote a book about the better baby book, and I've read that book. And that's why I learned that the food you eat could drastically impact your health. And I never made that connection before. You know, I grew up Turkish immigrants and really poor there was no emphasis on health or eating vegetables. It was more just about surviving. So it was really interesting to hear how much just diet alone could impact your health. So from there, you know, I learned a little bit about what she did. I tried keto for a while, which actually really helped me and it got rid of my prediabetes. And I felt really good on it. But I realized that wasn't something I could do long term, it wasn't sustainable for, you know, years and years to come. So I started experimenting and did a bunch of research, I did a little bit of whole 30, which is, you know, the, the the detox diet where you get rid of certain things like dairy and soy and gluten, and then you reintroduce them. And I kind of found the route, right balance of things that work for me, you know, for my health, and I was eventually able to get off my birth control, my doctor did a lot of blood work, I found a new doctor, after all of this, I've had a functional doctor, and she's really good about testing my blood levels, every quarter. So we were able to track my progress and like seeing my blood work and my hormone levels balance was really encouraging inspired me to keep doing it. But what really made me stick to it, honestly, were the unforeseen benefits, I, I start to feel amazing, I would wake up and not have brain fog, I wouldn't need to have that cup of coffee first thing in the morning, I didn't have as much gas and bloating as I used to it was almost every week, few times a week, and sometimes it would be painful, that's, that's gone. I just feel a lot healthier, my skin started to look better, my hair started to look better. And that's really what made me sick to it. And I finally got to a point now where, you know, looking at my blood results, you almost couldn't tell that I have pcls and you know, my eggs are dropping, and my doctor tells me, you know, I'm perfectly capable of conceiving now. And it's almost like I don't have pcls as long as Of course, I stick to this diet and a lifestyle change to that was a big part of it.

Damaris Grossmann: 7:31

It's lifestyle change. I mean, it's what you put in and, and I talk to people and and for myself, I am included, I completely had to change the way I eat all the time. It's like, it's when people are like, Oh, you know, I'm like, it's majority of the time I like 80 to 90% of the time. That's the way we you know, that's, that's what we put in our body. And I think that you're right in our cultures, like we just weren't taught that. And in society, it's like the sad American diet, it's matter of whatever crap they decide to put in to food. They said, Okay, that's what you eat. And it's so so unfortunate. Um, but I'm just so glad that you kind of came to like a realization of that's important. And now you just do it on a regular.

Yasemin B: 8:11

Yeah, honestly, like, I've tried all these things in my life to lose weight. I never stuck to it and never really helped. But what what motivated me was, I felt like that's what helped me was diet. It was waking up about the brain fog, it was not being gassy not having pimples all over my face that actually really. And I realized that sometimes when I do eat bad stuff, I feel it. I feel it. The next day, I feel groggy, I feel bloated, and I don't want to do that. So it was it's a big motivator for sure.

Damaris Grossmann: 8:45

No, but it makes like so much sense. What's your go to? Or like, what's the couple things that you would have that you did? One you took away? And when you add it into your overall?

Yasemin B: 8:58

You know, there are a lot of things that actually changed. I would say before I answer that, I would say the biggest thing is just quality of ingredients thoroughly that I'm eating horribly, although there were some changes to make, but it was more about quality. So am I eating quality meat hormone free me. Antibiotic free meat, organic vegetables, was really clean foods, less processed stuff. And then I would say the thing that made the biggest change, because, you know, it took me a while to find the diet that worked for me and I hadn't really listened to my body. But you know, the same thing doesn't work for everybody. And that was something that took me time to learn and listening to and feeling my body after I ate things. And I would say the thing that made the last thing and the hardest thing, but the thing that made the biggest difference was getting a berry. I never thought I could do it. I love cheese. I love ice cream. But once I did it, it was really the last thing that that changed everything for me. So now I'm probably 95% dairy free, I'll have the occasional cookie or something that has some dairy in it may be but I do notice when I eat it that you know my face does break out. So it's again it's motivating to see how much red dye is really changing the way I feel. And then I would say the thing that I added in kind of sad there's so much misinformation when it comes to health and food out there. I really thought for a long time that a low fat diet was the best thing to write weight and that's how I did that for years not realizing Yeah, not realizing that the body your body needs healthy fats to survive. So the biggest thing I added in was just a super healthy fats and a lot of it so a lot more avocado, a lot more olive oil, a lot more salmon, a lot more nuts. That that was cutting out, you know, balancing carbs a little bit really Big difference for me.

Damaris Grossmann: 10:52

Yeah, no, I totally I love the fact that you talked about the healthier fats, it's, I have that conversation daily with patients and clients and it's like, putting that into your body is, you know, the good and understanding like the difference between a good fat and a bad fat. You know that that people just yeah,

Yasemin B: 11:10

you know keto does not discriminate. They say eat whatever fat,

Damaris Grossmann: 11:15

like crazy. And then someone goes, Well, why do they have a heart attack on keto? I'm like, well, because you're not eating the right fat. You know, so I digress. But, um, you've had a really strong story, you know, you went from changing because of the, you know, the psls. And that was a big advocate. And now like, you're this, you went all out when I talk about Integrative Health and trying to, you know, live and walk the talk, you not only have changed your overall diet, but with this last year, obviously, with the pandemic and COVID. And we're actually almost two years coming up now. You went from sea living to now where you're at in this beautiful place. Do you want to talk a little bit about that?

Yasemin B: 12:01

About me? Yeah, it's quite a journey. Mostly because the people you know, that I grew up around and with, they don't, they don't come to the country, they don't go hiking. And it's unfortunate. And I realize, especially in lower income areas, around New York City, it's less common for people to you know, go to the lake, go bike riding, do all these things in nature, just because it's so difficult to access. So I realized, I think it was sometime after college for the first time one of my friends from work was like, let's go on a hike. And I had never been hiking in my life. And I honestly from that first time, when I went out there, I just found such profound like, peace and joy just being out there. But I knew I had to make this a regular part of my life. So I, you know, I grew up, you know, I'm in the city, I'm working in the city, I would have to drive a couple hours just to get to a nice hike from New York City. Every weekend, I was doing this, you know, every summer, every fall, I realized how good it was for my mental health just to be hiking and against that flow state when I'm hiking, you know, where you have this, this time and space to think and be by yourself, but also be surrounded by nature. So I was doing that for a really long time. And I realized that it's the thing that I enjoyed most, and it was the thing I was spending most of my time doing and being in the city. You know, there's just so it's, it's a, it's just part of being the city, the energies there, the hustle and bustle there, you're always kind of go go go and anxious. And I found myself rushing to whatever the next thing I was doing was, even though there wasn't any urgency, it's just kind of that city energy. So I realized I really needed to make a change. Because I was really stressed, I was dealing with a lot of anxiety and trauma from you know, my childhood, and I realized that I really needed to make the things that made me feel better, a more regular part of my life. took some time and some courage. But you know, I was able to get a job here at Amazon now where I'm able to work flexibly, I get to work from home. And I took advantage of that to finally make my dream come true. And I started looking for a house, you know, out in the country, and I just wanted to make sure that I could incorporate walks in nature and every part of my daily life, not just you know, the occasional treat a weekend because it really didn't make a profound impact on my mental health. So it was a big change. And there's a lot to get used to. But I love it. You know, I have my garden. Now I get to grow my own organic vegetables. I get to go on, you know, hikes in the morning before work. I have trees and a pond and just being able to touch and ground with nature has really changed my whole outlook

Damaris Grossmann: 14:46

and love it. I think it I mean, I got to go out and visit you and it was so beautiful. I feel like we are so out of touch with nature and in I mean, I know was it COVID that kind of changed it or work that made you you know, obviously we're saying that you had some anxiousness in your life. Or was it just the COVID COVID that had happened? Kind of motivated? You go Alright, I can make this change now. Now you had the opportunity with your job.

Yasemin B: 15:14

Yeah, it was a little bit of both. Like I said, I grew up with a lot of trauma. Just you know, I'm to elaborate a little bit. We grew up below the poverty line. I was actually homeless for a few years. And you know, that's I grew up in a very Yeah, it was a lot. I was a child. So I didn't really realize the true impact until I got older. You know, when you live in a homeless shelter. You know, it's basically an old motel rooms that they kind of give to a family and we were there for two and a half years and there's no kitchen obviously in a motel room. So we ate microwave Food for two and a half years, which probably did a number on my health. And it was just a lot of trauma with my family as well and struggling and getting out of that has helped a little bit. But mostly, it's helped me open my eyes a little bit more and realize that there's more I should be doing to feel better. And part of I actually used to work in finance for 10 years. And that was another big change I made because it was just a very stressful environment for me and honestly toxic being a woman finance for that long, especially starting at a young age, there was just a lot I had to deal with and face and it was making you this very angry, anxious person. And I realized I needed to feel better, I needed to make a big change. So I love finance. And now I work in technology at Amazon. And it's been an incredible change, the culture is different. And like all these big changes I had to make, I realized, you know, they're scary at first. But afterwards, once you're in them, you realize the benefits yourself, it's given me the courage to make bigger changes. So working at Amazon, again, like they allowed me to work remote, and I've always wanted to be closer to the country. And again, I realized big changes, you know, they can be scary, but you have to do what you have to listen to your body and your health and what's best for you. So the flexibility of Amazon and then COVID especially mechanic did drive the change, you know, I was taking care of my mom during the early days of COVID. And we live in a tiny apartment in the city and I have, you know, so many pets, and it was just too tight a space and I felt confined in that apartment, especially having to work from home every single day and not have the option to go on a walk or whatever. Yeah, so COVID let me give me the gave me the time, the last push to really just make this happen. So it was a blessing in some ways. And in other ways. You know, it's definitely impacted my family. But I'm just trying to make the best of the situation and what I can control.

Damaris Grossmann: 17:50

Oh, I love I just love that you you've made changes, and then you like you said you took the initiative to control and empower your life. And I feel like that's a really good point for people to listen that are watching that. Health is not about just a pill and you you had to actively seek, you know, ways to get your life better and change. And and you did that and it was like little steps of going out in nature or your food, you know, your have your animals, the support and, and just identified you have the intuitive eating and then you you listen, you listen to your body. And I think that alone is like profound what I'm for you, I sometimes ask people like, you know, what inspires you at this point in your life. And, you know, but I feel like you've got a beautiful, you know, situation now so I'm assuming your your nature and stuff inspires you. But

Yasemin B: 18:52

yeah, I would say definitely I found that more I pay attention to what I want and what's good for me and I execute on it, the more I want to do that. So very much love being out here in nature and I also realize that life is short and I got to do what I love. So what's inspiring me now it's actually my journey to be honest. Like knowing that I've made a lot of hard changes and have been successful and and I see the benefit it's encouraging me to continue doing more of that. So now I'm trying to figure out what's my next path I don't want to work at Amazon in tech indefinitely I want to do something that's a little bit more fulfilling as a career so you know I'm financially stable now I don't have to worry about that. And what inspires me is is the is having the world is kind of my oyster I realized like I didn't I didn't have that mentality growing up I felt really limited by my situation. And I felt like you know, there were a lot of things I just wouldn't be able to do because I didn't have access or resources so my journey has inspired me to to not stop dreaming and to keep pursuing those dreams those things that seem really far fetched like oh, I'm gonna move to the country one day Yeah, it's it starts with that and and you just slowly you know, explore small steps to get get to it. So yeah, I'm really excited.

Damaris Grossmann: 20:13

I love it. I mean, you've done your I mean, you're a badass woman I would say you know you went from such a strong and like such a hard time hardship and and you've grown and now you're like this badass woman you know, businesswoman successful and and people need to see that and understand that like it's possible I What do you think Dr. Do like what is it? You know how some individuals give up and other individuals pursue? What exactly like because I know you said you had some anxiousness in your life, but what exactly drove you like that kept you going and keep positive

Yasemin B: 20:51

what kept me positive initially, what drove me. I don't want to say unfortunately, because it helped me get where I am. But initially, what drove me was just fear of poverty. Like, I wanted to help my family and I wanted to make sure that we never had to worry about money again. And I was able to accomplish that. But thankfully, through my career, but longer term, what's motivated me is really just knowing that I can make a difference, honestly, in people's lives, like even coming from where I came from, I found ways to give back and inspire people to give back through charities and fundraising and I feel like I can make a difference. And I feel like we can all make a difference. That's the thing that I think especially during COVID, I realized you don't have to change the world, you can just change your little world. And that alone will have a lot of rippling effects. So just, you know, like my healthy eating habits, people notice, you know, my friends and family notice how much better I'm feeling. And then they ask questions, and I love sharing everything I've learned just to help people feel better. So what, what inspires me is really just wanting to help others, overcome, you know, whatever they're dealing with, because I think I went through so much growing up that I just want to help as much as I can. So

Damaris Grossmann: 22:13

love it. I mean, it's such a, you have such a big heart and you know, you're driven, you know, inspiring and, you know, there there's so much that you have offered and also like you said in your charities you help so many people even during the pandemic, you know, in your local community that where you grew up that and you helped doing like, remember we did like a Christmas charity you did a few and then Thanksgiving. Yeah, so much. So you've been making impact. Like you said, One small impact is important if you don't have to do huge, right?

Yasemin B: 22:47

Yeah, exactly. Everyone thinks Go big or go home. But really, it's the little things and then inspires other people. It really does. I'll know like you For example, every time I have some kind of charity event, you you get involved and I love it. And I think that inspires other people to do more things too. It's a rippling effect.

Damaris Grossmann: 23:06

Yeah, I mean, I I love that you know where we're trying to make a difference even though like our maybe our past may have been tough. And you know, getting past that struggle to now success like the struggle to success. That's what you are and, and I just so enjoyed you being on the show and being a part of mindfully integrative and just kind of incorporating your whole health thinking, is there a mindful way or a little tidbit that you'd like to share with the audience? Before we go for today? I would just say,

Yasemin B: 23:43

I again, I thought that, like if I started I had to do 100% if I wanted to do this thing has to be 100% and had to happen overnight. If you realize it's a journey you don't you know small steps make a big difference. You don't have to go all in fact, if you try to change too fast, it can be overbearing and overwhelming and you might not stick to it. So little steps count every little step counts, adding some small new routine that you know in your day or whatever really long term makes a difference but just just remember that

Damaris Grossmann: 24:13

I 100% agree with you. I even added another fermented food that you recommended I put those ginger carrots into my to my morning routine. I do some fermented but I bought the ones you got. So I was like, Oh, those are yummy. I'm good for probiotics. Yeah, yeah, I'm gonna have your note on like the waited for contact you and in the show notes and extra stuff. But is there anything, any other way that people can contact you directly if you'd like them to reach out to you? Um, yeah, you can share my my email address. That's probably the best way. Yeah, well, we'll we'll put in the email address that you know, the one that I now the public one, not your private. But you know, it's one way you know, if people like to reach out and and I know that you're going to be on the show again. And then you know, at some point, maybe some recipes or something or just you out in nature on a video. Well, thank you so much for coming on the show. And I really appreciate your time. And you sharing your beautiful story. No, thank you so much for having me. dimera This is really nice. All right, awesome. I love what you're doing. Any day to just kind of get I love highlighting inspiring and successful people. So you have a wonderful day and thank you all on the show and make sure you have a mindful way each and every day. Bye