In this episode, I talk to a former client's husband about the struggles he faced when his wife's health was declining because of her thyroid issues, anxiety and breathing issues.
He struggled to know how to support his wife, Joanna quit her job because she couldn't continue working ... so among the struggles of her health they had to figure out how to invest in her health with the recent lost of her full-time income.
I strongly encourage you to listen to this with your husband or share this episode with your husband so the two of you can open up this dialogue of how your health is affecting your husband.
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Shannon Hansen
P.S. Make sure to schedule our Thyroid Breakthrough call with one of our thyroid advisors.
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AUDIO TRANSCRIPTION
(00:00):
In today's episode, I am interviewing one of our former clients husbands. Now this episode is so exciting because we get to hear from a male's perspective, what it's like to have your wife, your loved one, your spouse, whoever it is going through. The struggles of having thyroid imbalances and health issues. Nick is very open and honest with us about his wife's journey about his journey and how it secretly affected him. So I really hope that you take the time to listen to this and maybe listen to this. So with your husband, send it to your husband and see if he feels the same way, because opening this conversation, opening this dialogue, I think, is vitally important in them, understanding you and you understanding them. All right, hold on. This is a great episode. Welcome back to the thriving thyroid pro, where we choose to become empowered patients and take our health into our own hands.
(01:08):
Hi, I'm Shannon Hansen, a Christian entrepreneur, a mom of three. And after dealing with my own health mysteries, I made it my mission to learn everything I could about the thyroid. I soon became certified as a holistic wellness practitioner, a functional nutrition practitioner and a functional diagnostic practitioner. And so much more. After that, I founded the revolutionary thyroid program, the handsome method as a health professional, and a mom, a fully understand the importance of having a fun and sustainable plan for achieving a responsive thyroid. So I share actionable and practical strategies for developing a responsive thyroid so that the ambitious moms and women can gain freedom from fatigue and lose the thyroid weight once. And for all each week, I will be here for you. Along with my asked experts, we will be sharing simple and tangible tips that work for not only your thyroid, your hormones, your family, and your mindset, so that you can get back to living the life that you envision for yourself. Welcome to the thriving thyroid podcast,
(02:22):
Right? Oh, I sh oh, all right. Hi, hold on guys. I feel very discombobulated today. Welcome to today's episode. Just kidding. We have Nick on with us and I'm really excited for this conversation with Nick, because this is very different than the interviews we've done in the past. A lot of most of the time, we've always talked to people, women who have gone through the handsome method, and this time we get to hear from a husband's perspective, a male perspective of how his wife struggling with thyroid and health issues, how that was affecting their family, their life, their, I don't know, maybe marriage, you know, all of those different things. So welcome Nick.
(03:09):
Thanks for having me.
(03:10):
Yeah.
(03:12):
Shed this.
(03:12):
Yeah. Give us a little bit of background as to like who you are, what you do cause you also work. So
(03:19):
That's right. Yes. I work online with a lot of kids, so, you know, that's quite the journey. But I'm a full-time music producer and production coach, and then I also do freelance chaplain work.
(03:33):
Amazing. I think it's so cool. What you guys do. So tell us about Joanna, what you guys were or what she was struggling with, what you guys were struggling with in regards to her health.
(03:46):
Yeah. So it's interesting how it started, cuz it kind of like crept in. And so it started off as like, I don't know, disguising itself as min mental health type stuff like anxiety, I mean depression, but just massive anxiety where she was like up for like two weeks, not sleeping, walking around the house. And then we go to multiple doctors going to the ER and then also her, she had some and breathing issues that were also coming up where she could barely catch her breath. And then we don't know if that was related to the anxiety or we didn't know what was, I didn't know what was going on. All right. I'm freaking out trying to keep, hold my composure because I don't want, if I freak out, she's gonna freak out more, but it was just the journey of doctors continuing to say, well, you should go see go to what do you say, psych psychiatric? Is that what it's called? Psych.
(04:49):
Oh, so like they wanted her to get mental health.
(04:53):
Yeah. Get mental. And she just kept saying it's I know it's not, that's something else. And then being looked at as crazy, you know, that, and I had to continue to assure her, like, I don't think you're crazy. I, you know, I'm with you in this. But it was, it was a very stressful time just going through that. And then also she was having stomach issues and not, not eating too much. And then when she did eat messing up her body or just feeling kind of outta whack and it was confusing for both of us. And so that's what we were going through. It was, it, it was a hellish time it was like, oh my gosh. Somebody had,
(05:38):
So my husband is a fixer and he like, when struggling, he just wants to come in and fix it. Do you feel like you kind of fall into that category?
(05:51):
Yes and no. Because of my chaplain background, like I kind of understand like a little bit of like knowing not to fix it, but at the same time I want to fix it. Especially if, you know, you're seeing your wife go through this, it's like, what do I do? I need to do something. And then it was also interesting because if I say certain things like, look, babe, look, maybe it's this and her like kind of like snapping sometimes, like, you don't know, you don't even care. I'm like, what are you talking about? Like, I do care. I'm trying to help you. Like, you don't even know what's going on. And so we did have those conversations about, you know, not trying to fix it cuz it only was making it worse. so yeah, I was like I said, it was a confusing time for me. I didn't know what my place in this. I didn't know how to be there to support her in the way that she needed to be supported. And I don't think she knew how she wanted to be supported during this time or how to express it.
(06:54):
I think you just hit every woman, like on the head. Right? Like I need something, but I don't know what I need and I don't know how to ask for it, but I need you to fix it. Like
(07:05):
fix it, but don't fix it. Okay. Yes. Well I'm I'm I don't know what to do. You need to know what to do, but don't you act like, you know what to do. Okay. I don't,
(07:15):
Yes. I think we can all relate to that on some level with our spouses. That's so funny I can totally see that happening with my husband and I where it's like it's broken, but it's, you know? Yeah. okay. So what, so she was struggling, had the health issues. They were saying things wrong with your brain. She knows that's not it, you know, that's not, it started going to doctors, ERs. And then I, I don't know. Maybe you can help me with the timeline, how she like found us and how she's like, what was that like for you guys for her to say, Hey, I need to work with this. A lady online.
(08:03):
Yeah. So there was a doctor out here that she was actually, so she was working at a foot, a podiatrist clinic. And interestingly she like was telling him the symptoms and he was like, man, that sounds like something with the thyroid. And so we were like, okay, maybe we should get that checked out. And as we started to look more into that, she was like, oh my God, like this does like, all these symptoms are lighting up. And so she just started searching more, searching more. And I think that's how we ran into you. She's like, she's like, I found this lady, my mind's a cuz you know, we're all over the place, but she's like, yeah, they have found this lady. And I think I need to do this. Like everything that they're talking about it sounds like this is what I'm going through.
(08:55):
And I'll say the biggest thing that was like kind of a relief was seeing her have hope. That was the biggest thing because you know, symptoms, it's funny how the mind works. Like symptoms get worse and your body starts seems like it's, you know, you're going downhill more when you don't have that, that little faint light of hope in front of you. That's when it just seemed like she's just tanking more and more. And as she started, like getting these little answers, getting little bitty, little bitty clues here and there, I started to see her kind of pep up, still have all the issues, but it was cool to see like, oh, there's a, there's some hope in there. And just seeing her like pep up, like I think this is it. I think this is it. And then that's yeah. When she found you, she was very excited.
(09:43):
Yeah. She's like, yeah, what should we do? I was like, look I don't care. We need to do this. I don't care how much money we going to make this happen. Because as you know, part of that stress is also in men. We don't, well, I don't know if I'm talking for all men, but I'm talking for myself for, as a man. I don't like to share a lot of the stress things that I'm going with with my wife, because I feel like I don't wanna put that on her. I don't want her to be more stressed out and I want her to know like, Hey, you know, I got it all under control, but at the same time when she's going to sleep, I'm like, God, I need some answers because is my, I don't mean to be super blown. My leg is my wife going to die? Like what's happening? Like I'm kind of afraid here. I some, some plotty please help. I couldn't share all those things with her, you know? Yeah. Yeah. So it was a relief that she found you yeah. Huge relief.
(10:45):
I, I think, well at least my husband as well, he won't share a lot of those things and I'm like, you just always seem co cool and calm and collected. And he's like, no, I, I have challenges. And I'm like, oh, okay. But win right.
(10:59):
Right. And then it's funny, cuz my wife gets mad at me. You're too calm. Like you want me to be like, you, you want me to freak out? it's not gonna help. If we both freak out somebody needs to be calm in this situation.
(11:12):
This is very true. Well, and one thing I will say about Joanna is she's a researcher, right? Mm-Hmm she takes her time. She researches things very thoroughly. You know, I'll ask her a question and just so you guys know, Joanna is working with us, she's now one of our coaches. And like I'll ask her a question and she'll come back with, you know, all of the things. So it wasn't for, for a lack of effort on her ti you know, on her part to figure out what to do.
(11:44):
So yeah, she, she is a huge researcher and she, she, like you said, she will bring a whole list and it's it's beautiful because it's, but it's also like it's a gift, but then it's also can be you know, sometimes like, okay babe, like maybe , you know, you research into the wrong spot and then you kind of can lose more hope. It's like, no, oh my God, this Google says that I'm about to die in 24 hours. So it was kind of cool having, you know, her research also guided by, you know, your team as well and like lining it up and seeing like, wow, now she can stay on track with the research and kind of see get a narrow focus. So that was nice.
(12:30):
Yeah. Yeah. No, that's a really good point. for, okay. So what was that com you were supportive. You were like, let's do whatever it takes, right. Or how did that conversation go between the two of you guys?
(12:49):
Well, yeah, I was, I was let's do whatever it takes, but I will say because my wife, you know, Joanna, she's very upfront with what she's feeling. So I'm always like encouraging people. Like you should really share what's happening with you mentally, all the things with your, with your spouse. That way when the time comes time for the decision, it's not like, well, you know, you seem like you're fine. No, it's like, you need to, like, I fine. Like I am terrified. Like I don't even know if I'm gonna make it another day. Like, cause there was also like, it went dark. I'm gonna say like, it went very dark because when you don't have hope, that's when you start to have thoughts of like, you know, suicide. It's like, well, my only relief is gonna be like, I, I just need to end this.
(13:37):
So there was all, there was like some darkness there that like, it, it took a plunge into that. And so it's like, so when the time came like babe, should we? Yes, yes, we should do this. Yes, there is no that's because I, she was just so open about everything. So, you know, that helped to make the decision a lot easier for me to say, give, I don't care if it's a million dollars you cannot, there's no price tag on health. It's like money will come again. We can always make money, but I cannot get you back if you're gone. So yeah, we're gonna find a way, I don't care what we have to do. I gotta drive an ice cream truck. drive an ice cream truck. I'll find a way. So yeah,
(14:30):
I do remember having that conversation with Joanna later, she was like, my husband was like, we'll figure out the money later. We'll figure out how to pay for it. We'll figure out, you know, all of those things. And I know for her, when we, I initially talked to her she was concerned about the money because she had just quit her job. So you guys went from two incomes to one income?
(14:55):
Yes. Yes. You can only imagine how much stress I also had upon me. It's like, babe, I'm like, you gotta stop working. Yeah, you do. Oh my God. I don't know if we could afford this, but you know, you, you do. But I will say like, it's just fascinating how life works out because when you make, when you make these BI it's like, so when our, when our son had a appendicitis way back when I don't know, he was like, I forgot how old he was when we were in the hospital. Like it a scary time. It's like, they're gonna cut my son open and blood like surgery. We didn't care about the money. Like when you're in that situation, you're like, we gotta eat. Guess what? I'm gonna eat, but don't even check the account. We just gotta, we just gotta eat. And it was, we treated it like that situation mentally.
(15:49):
I had to treat it like, like, like for me, this is like you're in the hospital right now. And so if we were in the hospital, what would I be doing? I would not care about the fund. If they came in and said, we gotta operate on your wife, who's gonna be 30 million. I don't care how much is gonna be, just operate on my wife. Like, that's how I that's how seriously I look at this. It's like, I don't care. Like just do it. And somehow we'll figure this out. Like we always figure it out. And right now I don't know how, but we'll figure it out. And so we kind of just, you know, we, you know, you come up with a plan, you write things down, like, okay, well what can we save? What can we give up up? And trust me, all the things are worth to give up. It's like, well, we can cancel that subscription. We can cancel that subscription. Because this is a path that we want to take and you know, I wanna see you get better. So that was, that was like the conversation. And that's how I treated it. And that's how she treated it. And we had to treat it like that. Like this, it is an emergency.
(16:56):
Yeah. What an interesting perspective. I have never thought of that in the context of like, my kids are in the hospital. I, I don't care. Like my mind does not, well, what is this gonna cost? And what's that IV gonna cost. It's make them feel comfortable and make them feel better. Yeah. So, and then you get the bill and you're like, okay. You know, because they don't itemize it. So that's, that's a whole other thing. Let's kind of shift now to where you guys are at now. Cause a lot has changed.
(17:29):
Lot has
(17:29):
Changed all of that. So I'll let you fill us in and on, you know, where, where life is now.
(17:37):
We're both smiling. no, it's really good. Like it's, it is. And going through this, we now have like this split timeline where we constantly look back and be like, wow, it's just a, it's a fortunate feeling. It's a grateful feeling like, cuz we're like last year, this time you couldn't even walk this far, last year, this time you wouldn't even be able to tolerate, you know, that food last year, this time we couldn't even do long drives. So it's a different way of living and it just makes you really fortunate to be on the other side of that. And I don't know, it's just, oh, we're very grateful. Like it's just, it is like I got my wife back. Yeah. And it's interesting because you don't, you realize how much you take for granted. But yeah. And just seeing the big difference, like, wow, you're back.
(18:38):
Like you are back. I remember you. I remember you when we used to have these great conversations and be excited about future. Here's another thing, like we couldn't really talk like, so when would talk about, you know, maybe we should buy this house over here. Like she would honestly tear up. She's like, honestly don't know if like I'll be around. Like, that's how horrible I feel like, oh my gosh, that is a horrible, like, so for me, I'm like, I don't even wanna talk about the future. Like this is scary. Like I don't want to like, it's scary. So to be able to make plans and be excited about like, yo, maybe we should go here. Maybe we should go there. Maybe we should try this. Like, it's just, we're so excited about life. It's an amazing feeling.
(19:21):
I'm so excited about your life. Joanne, not that you know, she shares all the details, but she shares, you know, little pieces with me about now she's going back to school for something that she's always wanted to do. Mm-Hmm , you know, so she has that, that she's going after something she's always wanted and pursuing that and she's coaching with us and doing those things. And then, you know, she talks about all of these dreams of, you know, I don't wanna say too much
(19:50):
yeah.
(19:51):
Cause I'll let you guys share shared that part of, but I'm like, I'm so excited for you, you know, and the possibilities that you guys have for yourself. And I was telling my husband the other day and I was talking to my brother, so my brother owns a business and he also works for another company and he's in sales and the whole thing anyways, we were just talking, there was like, I wanna like sit down with all the women that work for me and talk to them about their financial goals. Because when you have these goals in your life, you're so motivated to like move forward. Right. Mm-hmm and progress. And when I'm like, is that inappropriate? Like not , you know, but more so from the aspect of, I want to, to help you succeed, right? Like I want to know what your goals are so that you can accomplish those things. And if there's something I can do or a resource that I have for you, you know, to share that. So I, I, I love the direction that you guys are going, you
(20:58):
Know? Yeah. I don't think that's inappropriate at all. I think that's needed seriously.
(21:03):
Yeah. I think it is a really important thing. So we'll see. Maybe, maybe I'll let people decide if they want that or not. But anyways, thank you so much. Is there anything last thoughts or anything you would like to share with us Nick before we wrap up?
(21:23):
Yeah, I would like, because I feel like a lot of people when they're, when they're sick and you know, have health issues going on they don't realize how consumed they are with them. And I, it is like when you have the flu and it's not like, I'm not saying it's in a rude way, but when you have the flu, at least for myself, you know, when men get the flu, we're we're, we turn into big babies. But you really don't concern yourself with how the other person is feeling. It's like, yo, I need a glass of water. I need food. This is what I need. But my mind, when I have the flu, I'm not concerned with how tired my wife is. Right. I'm not concerned with how hard she's been working because it's like, I need to get better. Please make me some food.
(22:17):
I really don't care if the kids are running around right now. I hope that you have control of them. And so it's like, that's why I'm excited to be here because given this perspective of like, look , there was a lot of stress put on me that I did not wanna share with my wife. And she didn't even realize that she was, that she was consumed with herself so much rightfully so to get better. But there was no concern for like, how is my, a husband doing? Because her mental battle that she was going through, there's no space for that. There's no space for that. And so it is like, I'm excited to be here to give this perspective. Like, that's why I'm excited that she's well and has space to like, think of getting and bring other people and to her arena. Because when you're sick, it is all about you and it should all, it should be about you.
(23:19):
But yeah. You know, being a chaplain, it's like when I, when I talk to the person who is like, you know, who is sick or I also talk to the spouse, I'm like, I know this is hard on you. How can I support you as well in this? So it's just not, you know, when you're on the path to being well in whole, it's just not, you that's getting well in whole. It's gonna be for your whole family. Cause you don't realize how the atmosphere changes when you are sick. So it's like when you're on the path to getting better, it's like, it's gonna benefit everybody else in the household. And so I just really wanna share that. Like it's, it's, it's truly for it's for everybody. It's not just for you when you get better. Like yeah, everybody needs you to be better because they need you. And they also need to be able to function. Cuz believe it or not, when you're not functioning, it does make the household not function. And they may not be telling you that. But yeah, it , it is it's, it's a hard road. And so I, my heart just goes out to, you know, people are people who are struggling with these things and I have a new found compassion, seeing my wife go through it. I'm like, holy moly. Like, I don't wish this upon anybody. I don't wish this upon anybody. Yeah. It's crazy. Yeah.
(24:40):
Yeah, no, I really appreciate that. And I, I think my husband would probably agree with a lot of what you're saying in terms of like, I'm here to support you and I love you. I hate to see you struggle. Let's fix you, but holy crap, there is a lot of money. Okay. We'll figure it out. You know, , you know, all, all of the different, like the back and forth that you guys go through in a di to so us women, right. We're dealing with our things and then you guys are also bearing the load. Even though I think for us women, we're like, you got it easy. You're fine. You know, like, but you're, you're carrying the load of, I gotta take care of my family. I gotta provide for my family. I gotta support you. I gotta pick up, you know, the extra laundry that you can't do or yeah. The dishes that aren't being done or the driving of the kids and, and all of those fun things. So
(25:37):
Yeah, it was, it was definitely, it was a journey. And I had to remind myself as well. I had to keep reminding myself like, okay, I got through that. I got through that piece when that was like, you know a lot of money or something like that. I got through that. I got through that, like we're on the other side. So that's how I had to like, look at it like, okay, this investment is pretty, we'll be on the other side of this. And then I'll look back and be like, okay, that worked out somehow. It always works out.
(26:08):
It does it. It does. I had a question and it jumped outta my brain Fria. Oh, would you do it again? Would you like the whole lesson from her being sick to where you guys are at at now? Would you go through the journey again?
(26:26):
Would I go through the journey again? That, what I, so that's a double answer. Yes and no, because there was like, oh my gosh, like I wanna get out of this. This phase of life is horrible, but I will say yes. On the fact that having the answers to be able to help other people. So that piece, yes, because if she had not went through this, she wouldn't be a coach right now for you. Right. She wouldn't, she wouldn't be able to, to help other ladies. She wouldn't be able to like the look on my wife's face when, when she says, oh my God, this person just said, I thought, no one understood what I was going through. And for my wife to say, I know exactly what you are going through. I was there. And to see that excitement and her like, babe, I'm like, we're helping these people.
(27:27):
So that is totally worth it, that right there. Because in order to help somebody, you have to go on that journey. You have to be able to walk in their shoes. And that's, I mean, that's also for me, why I became a chaplain because I went through some horrible things. What I wanna go through 'em again. No, but am I grateful? Yes. I'm able to say, I know what you're going through may not be exactly, but the feelings, emotions I was in your shoes to some extent. And so to be able to help people and give them this hope that is so worth it. Yeah. So yes and no,
(28:06):
I kind of expected an answer like that. You know, where it's like, I, you have this greater sense of empathy for people when you've walked a similar path. Yeah. You know, so, perfect. Thank you so much for being on. I appreciate you. Hopefully you guys gained a lot of value from listening into Nick and that I'll give you guys some insight as to how to talk to your husband. What there, the load that they carry, right? Because like you said, we, when we're sick, when we're not feeling good, we're kind of consumed with ourself. , you know, and you know, being able to open up that conversation with your husband as, Hey, how is this affecting you? And what can we do? What should we do? What do we need to do? How can we make this a priority so that everybody in the family unit can benefit from this?
(28:59):
Yeah.
(29:00):
I think that was absolutely perfect. And we'll see you guys on the next,
(29:07):
Before you go, I wanted to share with you that we are switching things up for the new year open enrollment for the Hansen method for a thriving thyroid will begin in early January, 2022. Oh my gosh. That feels so weird to say, but our official launch date and program will start Monday, January, and we have a total of 20 spots open for the session. So let me tell you a little bit about the handsome method. If you aren't already familiar with it, the handsome method is now a six month long program that includes functional testing, two to three personalized protocols. During that time period, to help you optimize your thyroid hormones. You're probably saying why two to three because guess what? The progress of our thyroid hormones, it takes time. So we build out this system, this plan for you based off the test results that come back.
(30:05):
So everything is gonna be customized to you. Dietary lifestyle supplementation, all of that. Now on average, we see a 30% reduction in symptoms within 30 days. Sometimes it takes a little bit longer, but by the end of the four of four months, we're seeing an average reduction of 70% in your thyroid symptoms. if that's not good enough for you though, we are now offering a guarantee. So if you don't see that 70% reduction in your symptoms, within six months of working with us in our program, we will work with you until you hit that 70% or for an entire year with no additional charges or fees to you. It is all covered in the original cost. So in order to qualify for this guarantee, though, you have to put in a little bit of work. So you must be participating in journaling for the first couple months.
(31:05):
And if we ask you to go back to it, you know, go back to it. And we also wanna see you showing up to the coaching calls I get. You may not be able to attend every single group coaching call. That's totally fine. As long as you're showing up to your one-on-ones and you're having at regular communication with us, reaching out to us. When we reach out to you and say, Hey, we haven't heard from you. We're gonna keep working with you because we are so confident in the system and we will follow you all the way through the entire process. If you are interested in applying for this opportunity, please, please, please click the thyroid breakthrough link in the show notes and apply today to speak to one of our thyroid advisors. We don't charge for these appointments. So you literally have nothing to lose. And our thyroid advisors will be super helpful to you helping you better understand if this is gonna be a good fit for you, or if you would be better suited to work with someone else. All right, you guys, I hope each one of you books, a breakthrough call because we would love to speak with you.
(32:14):
Wait before you go, please subscribe. If you found value in today's episode, leave, listen, review and share on Instagram and please tag us.
(32:24):
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