Tick Boot Camp

Evangelina Vensel is an author, life coach, certified Master PSYCH-K facilitator, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) practitioner, and certified Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) practitioner from Washington State. Although she had been symptomatic and ill since early childhood, she was not diagnosed with Lyme disease until surpassing her 40th birthday. She sought treatment with over 20 health care providers and was misdiagnosed with a plethora of mental and physical health disorders including Multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, dementia, autoimmune disorders, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and fibromyalgia. After treating with a naturopathic doctor and receiving a Lyme disease diagnosis she “received many, many treatments and protocols… before [she] discovered a path to [a] cure”. By “taking a road less traveled… and treating with a Holistic Dr. in Tijuana, Mexico [she] only needed 9 months to get to full remission”. In addition to treating at the Mexican health care facility, she “did brain rewriting, subconscious reprogramming, and trauma release… to [emotionally] heal for [her] treatments to be a success”. If you would like to learn more about how an author and health coach remitted Lyme disease in 9 months utilizing subconscious rewiring and taking the road less traveled to work with a Holistic practitioner in Tijuana, Mexico, the tune in now!

In this powerful return appearance on the Tick Boot Camp Podcast, Dr. Alan MacDonald joins hosts Matt Sabatello and Richard Johannessen for a deep, unfiltered conversation about the research he spent a lifetime pursuing — research that remains controversial, increasingly validated, and deeply consequential for patients with chronic Lyme disease. Recorded decades after his earliest discoveries, this interview captures Dr. MacDonald in his later years: reflective, candid, and still fiercely committed to uncovering the truth about Borrelia burgdorferi, chronic infection, and neurodegenerative disease. This episode serves as both a scientific masterclass and a historical record of how far Lyme research has come — and how far it still has to go. A Pioneer Still “Ahead of the Curve” Dr. MacDonald, a retired hospital pathologist trained at Columbia University and NYU Bellevue, dedicated his career to diagnosing disease through direct tissue, blood, and molecular evidence, rather than relying solely on indirect antibody testing. Long before Lyme disease entered mainstream awareness, he was documenting Borrelia in human tissue, identifying alternative bacterial forms, and warning that chronic infection could persist, evade treatment, and drive long-term neurological damage. Dr. MacDonald recently passed away, but this interview preserves his voice, his science, and his insistence that medicine must follow evidence — even when it challenges entrenched narratives. Major Themes Explored Chronic Lyme Disease as a Persistent Infection Dr. MacDonald explains why Lyme disease cannot always be viewed as an acute, easily treated illness. He outlines how Borrelia survives by: Changing form (spirochete, cystic, granular, L-form) Embedding in protective biofilms Persisting in tissue, blood, and the nervous system Biofilms and Why Treatment Often Fails A central focus of this episode is biofilm biology. Dr. MacDonald describes biofilms as organized microbial communities that shield Borrelia from antibiotics and immune attack, making chronic Lyme especially difficult to treat. He discusses biofilms found: In Lyme-related skin lesions Circulating in blood Embedded in brain tissue Within Alzheimer’s disease plaques He emphasizes that biofilms are a hallmark of chronic infection, not acute disease. Lyme Disease and Alzheimer’s Pathology Dr. MacDonald revisits his groundbreaking work identifying Borrelia DNA, proteins, and biofilms in Alzheimer’s brains. He explains how amyloid plaques may function as an antimicrobial response, coating infectious biofilms rather than forming randomly. Drawing parallels to tertiary syphilis, he argues that infection-driven dementia should not be dismissed — only rigorously studied. Lewy Body Dementia and Neurodegeneration Beyond Alzheimer’s, Dr. MacDonald discusses evidence linking Borrelia infection to Lewy Body Dementia, reinforcing the idea that chronic infection may play a role in multiple neurodegenerative conditions. DNA-Based Diagnostics vs. Antibody Testing Dr. MacDonald details why standard Lyme antibody tests fail many patients, particularly those with chronic illness. He explains the advantages of DNA-based detection, including: Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) Direct visualization of Borrelia DNA in tissue and fluid Reduced false negatives compared to serology Parasites, Coinfections, and Lyme Persistence The conversation explores Dr. MacDonald’s research identifying parasitic organisms in Lyme patients, including evidence that parasites may harbor Borrelia internally. He explains how this relationship could: Protect Lyme bacteria from antibiotics Contribute to symptom flares Help explain why antiparasitic treatment benefits some patients The Politics of Lyme Disease Research Dr. MacDonald speaks candidly about: Being accused of fraud for publishing pathology findings Barriers to publication in major medical journals How “standard of care” is shaped by politics rather than patients Why clinicians fear treating chronic Lyme Despite this resistance, he expresses hope that modern science is finally revisiting long-dismissed evidence. Exclusive Tick Boot Camp Presentation by Dr. Alan MacDonald In addition to this interview, listeners can also view an exclusive Tick Boot Camp presentation created by Dr. MacDonald. This special presentation features: High-resolution microscope images of Lyme bacteria Visual examples of Borrelia in tissue, blood, and biofilms Clear descriptions of the various Lyme disease forms Visual context for the topics discussed in this interview, including chronic infection, neurodegeneration, and diagnostic challenges This presentation offers a rare opportunity to see what Dr. MacDonald saw under the microscope — and understand why his conclusions were so difficult to ignore. A Living Legacy Episode 300 stands as a testament to a scientist who refused to stop asking difficult questions, even when doing so came at personal and professional cost. Update: Though Dr. Alan MacDonald has recently passed away, his work lives on — in emerging research, in the patients he helped, and in a growing scientific willingness to revisit infection-driven chronic disease. As new studies explore Lyme-related neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, his contributions remain foundational.

Carley Rudd is a 34-year-old second generation artist and Travel Photographer from Portland, Maine. Her work has taken her across the globe and has been featured in Vogue, Condé Nast Traveller, National Geographic, Architectural Digest, and Travel & Leisure. Ms. Rudd suffered from Lyme disease for 10 years before she was diagnosed in 2021. She balanced her pre-diagnosed symptoms and travel by visiting over 50 United States (US) and international doctors. Eventually her body said no to her rigorous professional schedule, and she was forced to put her career on pause. Knowing her body was out of balance, she pursued a wide variety of medical diagnostic testing; including, bio-resonance, blood, and clinical. After locating a diagnosis, Ms. Rudd tapped into her artistic skill set to build a healing plan. She utilized multi-sensory treatment tools such as blue, red, and sun light, diffused lavender oil, 54321 sensory exercises, adaptogen herbs, ozone, parasite and mold cleanses, meditation, Qigong, and energy healing. Today, Ms. Rudd continues treatment, but she has returned to work and her social life. If you would like to learn more about how an artistic mindset can be used to accelerate healing from Lyme disease, then tune in now!

Dr. Christina Rahm is a medical, clinical and research scientist, entrepreneur, author, Chief Science Officer for ROOT Wellness, and Chair of the International Science Nutrition Society from Brentwood, TN. Her resume includes working for pharmaceutical giants such as Johnson & Johnson, UCB, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Pfizer and she has created multiple provisional patents, proprietary formulas, and trade secrets. Dr. Rahm’s journey with Lyme disease and chronic illness began when she suffered multiple bites from a “bed of seed ticks” at the age of 19. Within two weeks, she became chronically ill causing her to suffer memory loss, headaches, fever, fainting, and to feel “generally sick all over”. Driven by a desire to help the patient community avoid the physical, emotional, and spiritual trauma caused by chronic illness, Dr. Rahm managed her own disease symptoms while earning undergraduate and graduate degrees (BA, MS, Ph.D and Ed.D) and post graduate certificates from Ivy League Harvard University and Cornell University. In her adult life, Dr. Rahm has survived multiple bouts of cancer that she believes were stimulated by Lyme disease. If you would like to learn more about how Lyme disease has inspired professional, spiritual, emotional, and instinctive discoveries that have granted Dr. Christina Rahm the opportunity to help patients in more than 80 countries, then tune in now!

Zack Jones is a 48-year-old professional guide, trainer, trip designer, and photographer residing in Frankfurt, Germany. He is the “Zack of all Trades” with his current company and “recently added smitten father to an amazing baby girl to the CV”. Mr. Jones described his life before Lyme as “pretty good and at the same time full of blissful ignorance”. While on a trip to Honduras, he and a travel companion began to suffer from neck and back pain that progressed to fever, intense body aches, and diarrhea that rendered him “barely able to function”. After treating with an infectious disease doctor, he returned to work but suffered from 5 years of lingering mental health issues. Ten years after his initial symptoms, he traveled to Chile for work where he suffered relapsing mental health issues including anxiety attacks, depression, and insomnia. Thereafter he began to suffer physical symptoms including jaw pain, fatigue, neuropathy, bone pain and air hunger. After treatment with “30 to 40 medical professionals for one symptom or another” he was tested for Lyme disease and co-infections through Armin Labs in Germany and IGeneX labs in the United States. Today, Mr. Jones is in the midst of treatment utilizing genetic testing from traditional naturopath Bob Miller to guide him through the use of herbals, the Wave 1 bio resonance device, and the Patricia Kane protocol. If you would like to learn more about how a professional guide and trip designer is mapping his treatment plan through genetic testing, then tune in now!

Jeni Quante is a 29-year-old Registered Nurse (RN) and chronic illness patient advocate from San Antonio, Texas. She has earned high regard from the Lyme disease community for producing creative educational content on social media platforms including TikTok and Instagram. Ms. Quante was born with Congenital Lyme disease, but the undiagnosed illness did not become debilitating until the age of 14. Her disability activated her medically educated and trained parents who dedicated all their resources to advocating for their daughter. In total, the family visited “well over 100” doctors before she was diagnosed by a primary care physician. Her diagnosis took more than 12 years. Despite debilitating symptoms, Ms. Quante graduated from college and nursing school, earning a BS, BSN, OCN, and RN. She also dedicated time to “engaging others in the chronic illness community and found some wonderful lymies who kept her going through the hell”. This far, her 3-year treatment plan has included the use of several western and eastern treatment modalities, including, hyperthermia, SOT, herbs/tinctures, detox work, disulfiram, and biofilm busters. If you would like to learn more about how Lyme disease played a role in transforming a Registered Nurse into a highly regarded chronic illness and social media advocate, then tune in now!

Axel Roelants is an entrepreneur and former athlete from Belgium. He is the co-founder of 4Gold, an athletic supplement, health, and performance company. In 2016, Mr. Roelants suffered a broken neck in a dirt bike accident. Shortly after the injury, he began to suffer from a diverse and progressive set of classic Lyme disease symptoms that his doctors attributed to his traumatic injuries. Trusting his intuition and relying on his entrepreneurial and athletic skill sets, he built a team of doctors, therapists, and friends to help him to “look at [his] disease like a project”. After much trial and error, one of the team members suggested his “strange health issues” should be evaluated by an ILADS doctor in Belgium where he tested positive for Borrelia Miyamotoi. Mr. Roelants’ healing journey included the use of IV antibiotics, disulfiram, samento and banderol from NutraMedix, Meyers’ Cocktails, ozone therapy, and detoxification. Unfortunately, his discipleship in the church of the athletic “suck it up” culture caused healing setbacks because he “over exercised” and pushed through treatments too quickly. If you would like to learn more about how a professional athlete and entrepreneur utilized his professional skill sets to heal from Lyme disease, then tune in now!

Ali Lazowski is the 31-year-old John’s Hopkins University educated founder and CEO of Bare Life. Bare Life is a company that creates “crave worthy and easy to enjoy plant based and gluten free foods, inspired by Ms. Lazowski’s journey with chronic Lyme disease”. Undiagnosed Lyme disease symptoms began to interfere with Ms. Lazowski’s goal driven life during her junior year in high school. Beginning with “utter exhaustion, horrible headaches, brain fog, [difficulties] focusing, and a constant low-grade fever”, her illness progressed to include “joint pain”. She suffered in constant pain without a diagnosis for 8 years despite treating with “north of 30 different doctors”. Finally, at the age of 25, she granted permission to “cry… with relief” when a blood test indicated that she was positive for Lyme, Babesia and Anaplasmosis. Treatment with a Lyme Literate Medical Doctor included various antibiotics and antibiotic cocktails. The 3 “game changing” healing plan interventions were: 1. working with a psychologist to learn how to read her body signals, 2. dietary changes that removed dairy, gluten, and refined sugar, and 3. Cord stem cell therapy. If you would like to learn more about how Lyme disease inspired Ali Lazowski to create great tasting gluten, dairy, and refined sugar free chocolate, then tune in now! PS Nicoleta Forbes special guest co-hosted this interview with Rich from Tick Boot Camp!

Debbie Kimberg is a 55-year-old author, activist, and director of International Expansion for Merchant Services at JP Morgan Chase from Dallas, Texas. Ms. Kimberg, her mother, and her 3 children have been diagnosed with Lyme disease. Despite 3 generations of the family exhibiting classic Lyme disease symptoms, Lyme was not a consideration until after the youngest child, Sammy, was diagnosed. Sammy’s Lyme journey began prior to birth, when a brain development issue was discovered on a prenatal ultrasound. He saw a neurologist at birth and then doctors and special education service providers diagnosed him with ASD, ADHD, Tourette's syndrome (TS), OCD, Autism and PANS. At the age of 10, Sammy was also diagnosed with Lyme disease by a functional doctor. At the same time, Ms. Kimberg was also diagnosed. Finally, Sammy’s test results led doctors to test his 2 brothers and his grandmother. For most of Sammy’s life, his family, doctors, and teachers believed his disability would limit his ability to work and require him to live in a long-term residential facility. However, in the past 18 months, Lyme and Bartonella treatment protocols have resolved his learning disabilities and ADHD. As a result, he is reading above grade level, attending school in the general education population, and studying for the ACT college entrance exam in anticipation of attending a 4-year college. The Kimberg family’s lengthy congenital Lyme disease journey activated Debbie. She has participated in advocacy forums, podcasts, articles, and has authored a soon to be published book titled “Our Hijacked Brain: A True Story of Infection, Autism, ADHD and Psychiatric Issues”. If you would like to learn more about how a Lyme advocate was born out of solving a multi-generational medical mystery, then tune in now!

Georgia Grace Ritchie Wood is a professional ski coach, yoga instructor, poet, and podcaster from Australia. She currently resides in Woodstock, Vermont, USA. Ms. Wood was born with a kidney disorder that rendered her immune compromised. Her parents were advised that she would require kidney reconstruction surgery and should not engage in activities such as skiing or skydiving. Ms. Wood was also born with a passion to vanquish any and all limits and she developed an improbable passion for snow skiing. Her will to overcome all challenges resulted in an invitation to join the Australian Ski Team. Ms. Wood represented her country in several international competitions and traveled to North America to train for the Olympics. The rigors of international travel, Olympic level training, and North American ticks resulted in Ms. Wood suffering illnesses that rendered her bed bound. Unfortunately, a “devil inside of [her]” stole her Olympic dreams and a college scholarship. After several years of misdiagnosis, doctors discovered that Lyme disease was in fact the “devil inside” of Ms. Wood. Today, Ms. Wood is a ski instructor and international Lyme disease advocate. Her highly regarded podcast, Blooming with Lyme, had become a staple in the Lyme community genre. If you would like to learn more about the journey an international skiing champion took to overcome chronic illness to Bloom with Lyme, then tune in now! Special Note: in this episode Ms. Wood read her poem “The Devil Inside of Me”. See the poem below: There is a devil inside of me, I am his disguise. He's taking over, crept his way inside. Picking and pulling, punching and pounding Constant chatter, no good for the ears Only leaving me mad and in fear I’ve lost my way, being locked away The devil holds the key, Not quite sure I'll be able to break it free. Close my eyes I see the devil, Keep them open, and I’m left venerable. But worse of all, everyone else will see, What's really happening inside of me. Lack of control, now my current theme He's come in and ruined, every one of my scenes. Barely breathing, continuous aching “Stab me, slash me” now he’s screaming! There is a devil inside of me, I am his disguise. Locked in a jail, visible only to me Sick and tired, no way to break free Stripping me of my dignity, repetitively Trying to drown him in both pills and potions But the funny thing is, he’s just learnt to swim So why even bother when the devils just growing stronger? Barely breathing, lack of control He strikes again and oh so bold I’m trying to speak up, but in he cuts. Let me speak up, let me reach recovery There is a devil inside of me, I am his disguise. Someone please help me, someone please save me Cause these pills and potions aren’t doing a thing Barely breathing, where’ll he strike next? First to my family, friends you'll be up next. And slowly but surely, he'll bring them an end. Heart racing, head ponding He's constantly screaming “Slap me, stab me and finally shot me.” There is a devil inside of me, I am his disguise. No more is he just, that little side bloke He has taken over, sucking at all my hope Pills and potions, keeping him only entertained But sober him up and he’s right back for more games I’m trying to push through but I’m not sure if I can cope. He’s growing and expanding, and he’s made me his permanent home Where have I gone? And where is this mysterious key? He’s locked me away for no one else to see. There is a devil inside of me, though no more am I his disguise He has become me, and I have been locked deep, deep inside. I am not fighting myself, I am fighting a fight against that evil devil that’s taken over my inside. -Georgia Wood, January 13, 2016