

Tick Boot Camp
Matt Sabatello and Rich Johannesen
The goal of the Tick Boot Camp Podcast is to help people liberate themselves and others from suffering caused by Lyme disease through validation, community building, belief that healing is possible, and modeling success. Listen to our Tick Boot Camp podcast using all major podcast streaming services such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Music. Our podcast is also integrated with smart home devices, such as Amazon Alexa and Apple TV. Ask your device to "play the Tick Boot Camp Podcast!"
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 8, 2025 • 1h 11min
Episode 532: Revival - My Journey with Neuropsychiatric Lyme Disease, an interview with Kaitlyn Oleinik
Kaitlyn Oleinik is a chronic illness advocate and the author of Revival: My Journey with Neuropsychiatric Lyme Disease. She was bitten by a tick at age six and spent much of her life fighting an invisible illness while being dismissed by the medical system. Diagnosed with Lyme disease and co-infections in her teens, Kaitlyn has endured everything from hallucinations and involuntary psych holds to IVIG and stem cell treatments. Her book and voice give a name to the unspoken pain of countless others living with Lyme.
📘 About the Book
Revival - My Journey with Neuropsychiatric Lyme Disease is Kaitlyn’s searing memoir that chronicles her descent into neuropsychiatric Lyme, including psychosis, hospitalizations, Morgellons disease, immune collapse, and ultimately, healing and redemption. It’s a must-read for patients, caregivers, and practitioners seeking to understand the lived experience of chronic Lyme.
🔑 Episode Highlights:
Kaitlyn’s suspected tick bite at age 6 and onset of strange symptoms by age 10
Dismissed by dozens of doctors who claimed she was “too pretty to be sick”
The psychological toll of not being believed—and being told it was all in her head
Her first psychotic break, caused by inflammation and medication interactions
Misdiagnoses including delusional parasitosis and bipolar disorder
Treatments: IVIG, antibiotics, glutathione, intranasal stem cells, exosomes
5150 hold and the trauma of being institutionalized without understanding
How residential treatment helped her begin to recover mentally and emotionally
Rebuilding her identity after gaining 100+ lbs from steroids and losing her hair
How she lost everything—then reclaimed her voice, purpose, and health
Writing Revival - My Journey with Neuropsychiatric Lyme Disease as an act of truth-telling and healing
💬 Powerful Quotes:
“The trauma wasn’t just from Lyme—it was from not being believed.”
“They said it was all in my head. But it was in my blood, my brain, my cells.”
“Revival means coming back from the dead. That’s what this journey felt like.”
🧪 Medical Takeaways:
Lyme disease can manifest as psychiatric illness.
“Delusional parasitosis” and “antibiomania” are misunderstood and under-researched.
Proper treatment can be delayed for years by misdiagnosis and stigma.
Complex chronic illness often requires multi-systemic treatment and trauma-informed care.
🙌 Why You Should Listen:
Kaitlyn’s story is not just about Lyme - it’s about what happens when we stop believing women, ignore invisible illnesses, and turn away from complex suffering. Her story is a rallying cry for validation, medical reform, and hope.

Aug 2, 2025 • 1h 26min
Episode 531: Lyme Disease, Mental Health, Hormones, Low Dose Immunotherapy, & Mold – an Interview with Dr. Jaquel Patterson
In this powerful episode of the TIck Boot Camp Podcast, Dr. Jaquel Patterson, nationally recognized naturopathic physician and medical director of Fairfield Family Health, joins Matt Sabatello to explore the many layers of Lyme disease recovery – from hidden mold exposure to hormone balance and mental health support.
Mold & Lyme Disease – Why mold toxicity can block Lyme recovery and how Dr. Patterson stages treatment so patients don’t get overwhelmed.
Hormone Health – The vital role hormones play in energy, mood, joint health, and the ability to fight chronic infections.
Mental Health & Lyme – How inflammation impacts the brain, leading to panic attacks, anxiety, depression, and brain fog — and how those symptoms can reverse with healing.
Low Dose Immunotherapy (LDI) – What it is, how it retrains the immune system to stop overreacting, and why it’s helping Lyme patients stabilize.
Inflammation & Flares – Practical tools like turmeric, hydration, and electrolytes to calm Herxheimer reactions and ease painful flare days.
Environmental Toxins – How pesticides, polluted air, and contaminated water add to the burden — and realistic steps to reduce exposure.
💡 Episode Highlights:
The patient case where mold, not Lyme, was the biggest roadblock to recovery.
Why Dr. Patterson tests every patient’s hormones and what imbalances mean for recovery.
How turmeric is one of her go-to remedies for both inflammation and mental clarity.
Why hydration and detox aren’t “basic” — they can make or break a treatment plan.
What makes LDI unique: a few drops every 6–8 weeks that can dramatically shift symptoms.
🎯 Who should listen?
Anyone with Lyme disease who feels “stuck” or plateaued in their healing
Parents of children with PANS/PANDAS or chronic infections
Listeners curious about LDI, mold recovery, hormone balance, or functional medicine
📍 Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:
Project Lab Coat – NYC Fashion Week Lyme Awareness Event
Turmeric Forte by Mediherb
CurcuPlex 95 by Xymogen
Dr. Jaquel Pattesen, ND
🌟 About Dr. Jaquel Patterson:
Dr. Patterson is a naturopathic physician and ILADS member known for her integrative work in Lyme disease, mold illness, mental health, hormone health, and immune system support.

Jul 26, 2025 • 1h 22min
Episode 530: Regenerative Medicine, Immune Modulation, and Healing Chronic Lyme – with Dr. Daniel Warren
In this powerful episode of the Tick Boot Camp Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Daniel Warren of Envita Medical Center, a leading voice in the field of regenerative and integrative medicine, to break down the multi-layered complexity of chronic Lyme disease and its treatment.
Dr. Warren takes us deep into the root causes of persistent symptoms, highlighting how chronic Lyme often results in immune dysregulation, biofilm-protected pathogens, co-infections, and central nervous system inflammation that go untreated by conventional protocols.
The conversation explores the use of VSELS (Very Small Embryonic Like Stem Cells) to regenerate damaged tissue and rebalance immune function, as well as IRAD (Insulin Receptor Antibiotic Delivery)—Envita’s proprietary method of delivering antibiotics past the blood-brain barrier to treat neurological Lyme disease.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of how precision diagnostics, immune modulation, and regenerative medicine can be integrated to support lasting recovery from chronic Lyme and tick-borne disease.
🧠 What You’ll Learn
How Lyme disease disrupts immune signaling, leading to chronic symptoms
Why traditional antibiotics often fail to reach the central nervous system
How IRAD (Insulin Receptor Antibiotic Delivery) delivers antibiotics directly to the brain to treat neurological Lyme symptoms like brain fog, memory loss, and neuropathy
How IRAD also helps rebalance neurotransmitters, reduce brain inflammation, and support better sleep
The science and therapeutic promise of VSELS, stem cells that remain dormant and ageless until activated
Why mitochondrial dysfunction, neurotoxins, and immune collapse are central to persistent Lyme cases
How Envita’s diagnostic model uses advanced testing to personalize treatment protocols
The role of co-infections, mold, and environmental toxins in complicating Lyme recovery
How Dr. Warren and Envita are changing the landscape of chronic illness treatment with integrative, root-cause care
📍 Featured Guest
Dr. Daniel Warren is a regenerative and integrative medicine specialist at Envita Medical Center in Scottsdale, Arizona. His clinical focus includes treating chronic, treatment-resistant conditions using a combination of targeted antimicrobial therapy, stem cell science, and immune reprogramming. Through protocols like VSELS and IRAD, Dr. Warren helps patients reclaim their lives from debilitating infections, neurological symptoms, and immune system failure.
📲 Resources & Links
Learn more about Envita Medical Center
Follow Tick Boot Camp on Instagram
Subscribe to the Tick Boot Camp Podcast
📢 Share This Episode
If you or a loved one is facing neurological Lyme symptoms, chronic fatigue, or treatment-resistant co-infections, this episode may hold the answers you’ve been searching for. Share it with your community and join us in raising awareness about the future of Lyme healing through regenerative medicine and targeted immune therapies.

Jul 19, 2025 • 1h 22min
Episode 529: The Detox Doc on Mold, Candida, and Chronic Illness Recovery with Guest Dr. Diana Stafford, MD
In this powerful episode of the Tick Boot Camp Podcast, we welcome Dr. Diana Stafford, a conventionally trained MD turned functional medicine expert. Dr. Diana shares her personal and clinical journey into treating chronic illness, mold toxicity, Candida overgrowth, and Lyme disease using a science-based, root-cause approach.
Learn how she helps patients reclaim their health through gut healing, vagus nerve support, mold detox protocols, and functional diagnostics not typically covered by traditional medicine.
🧠 What You’ll Learn
How Dr. Diana transitioned from conventional medicine to functional medicine
The 4 Pillars of Detox: Protect, Open, Mobilize, and Bind
How mold illness mimics chronic Lyme and other conditions
Why gut health is essential to healing from chronic disease
Tools and protocols she uses: butyrate, binders, GI mapping, peptides, and more
The role of nervous system regulation in detox and recovery
How her husband’s health journey inspired her clinical passion
The dangers of misdiagnosis and gaps in conventional care
🥼 About Dr. Diana Stafford
Dr. Diana Stafford is mold certified by Dr. Jill Crista and has advanced training from IFM and Evan Brand. She's co-author of Conquering Mold, Candida Detox, and The Inner Journey. Widely recognized as TikTok’s top Candida expert, she empowers her community with accessible health education and functional strategies for true healing. Also, check her out on Instagram!
📣 Join the Lyme Liberation Movement
If you’re battling Lyme disease, mold illness, or Candida overgrowth, this episode is your roadmap to hope and healing. Dr. Diana Stafford delivers clinical insight with compassion and clarity. Listen, learn, and start your journey to wellness today.
Jul 12, 2025 • 1h 5min
Episode 528: Fight the Bite: Dr. Tracey Gaslin on Protecting Kids from Tick-Borne Illness at Camp
In this episode of the Tick Boot Camp Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Tracey Gaslin, a dual-certified Pediatric and Family Nurse Practitioner and the CEO of the Alliance for Camp Health (ACH). Dr. Gaslin leads the Fight the Bite initiative, a national campaign designed to prevent Lyme and other tick-borne illnesses through science-based public health education.
She discusses how camps—often overlooked as public health allies—can play a critical role in early detection, prevention, and education for tick-borne disease. With over 3,500 staff trained and 25,000 kids protected, this conversation is packed with insights and action steps for caregivers, clinicians, and camp professionals alike.
🎙️ About Our Guest: Dr. Tracey Gaslin
Dual-certified Pediatric and Family Nurse Practitioner
PhD in Educational & Organizational Leadership
CEO of Alliance for Camp Health (ACH)
National leader in pediatric care and camp-based health safety
Program lead for the Fight the Bite Initiative, a partnership with SC Johnson
🏕️ What You’ll Learn
Why tick-borne illness prevention must start before symptoms appear
How ACH and SC Johnson are transforming summer camps into frontline health defenders
The science behind prevention and the blind spots in current clinical models
How parents, educators, and camp staff can be empowered—not panicked—by prevention tools
Real-world strategies to protect kids in outdoor settings
Join the Movement
Together, we can reduce Lyme disease risk through community action and smart prevention. Whether you're a camp director, healthcare provider, or concerned parent, this episode will empower you to fight the bite—starting today.

Jun 21, 2025 • 1h 38min
Episode 527: Lyme Disease, SOT Therapy, and Faith: How Austin Shubert Took Back His Life
In this powerful episode of the Tick Boot Camp Podcast, we welcome Austin Shubert, a 27-year-old outdoorsman, hunter, and field technician from Zebulon, Georgia. He shares his deeply personal and emotional journey from vibrant health to chronic illness and back toward recovery. Raised in the woods, surrounded by ticks since childhood, Austin never imagined that a single tick bite could change his life.
🎧 Episode Highlights:
🧠 From Panic Attacks to Total Collapse
Austin first experienced panic attacks in 9th grade, without ever knowing what they were.
He developed intrusive thoughts and severe anxiety while unknowingly living in a mold-infested home.
Years of symptoms like OCD, fatigue, brain fog, insomnia, weight loss, and heart palpitations left him broken and confused.
🧬 Misdiagnosed, Dismissed, and Gaslit
Doctors misdiagnosed Austin with mono, anxiety, depression, and sinus infections.
Despite clearly debilitating symptoms, he was told to “let it run its course.”
LabCorp and Quest tests failed to detect Lyme or co-infections, leading to months of continued suffering.
🧪 Real Answers from Real Experts
A conversation with a friend who had Lyme disease opened Austin’s eyes to the possibility of tick-borne illness.
He discovered the Genesis Center in Georgia, led by Dr. Sloan.
Using Vibrant and MDL Labs, he tested positive for multiple Borrelia species and Alpha-Gal Syndrome.
💉 SOT Therapy and a New Chapter
Austin began treatment with SOT therapy, gut protocols, binders, methylene blue, and detox supplements.
3 months post-SOT, Austin is 70–75% recovered, has returned to work, and is off Prozac.
He’s also planning to begin peptide therapy (BPC-157 and TB-500) to address lingering leg weakness.
🙏 Purpose in the Pain
Austin shares how his Christian faith and relationship with God carried him through his darkest moments.
He discusses helping his neighbor—who was also unknowingly battling Lyme—and how this has reinforced his belief that his suffering had a greater purpose.
🧭 Key Takeaways:
Lone Star ticks don’t carry Borrelia but can cause Alpha-Gal Syndrome (AGS) and other tick-borne illnesses.
Mold exposure and environmental toxins can drastically weaken the immune system, leading to chronic Lyme activation.
Standard testing (LabCorp, Quest) frequently produces false negatives—specialized labs are critical.
Early detection and spiritual resilience can significantly influence the Lyme healing journey.
📌 Quotes to Remember:
“There is purpose in your pain. God put me through this for a reason—to help others.” – Austin Shubert
“For the first time in this journey, I felt validated. I wasn’t crazy. I had Lyme disease.” – Austin Shubert

Jun 14, 2025 • 1h 28min
Episode 526: Kristina Bauer on Pediatric and Maternal Lyme Disease - Misdiagnosis, Remission, and Reform
In this powerful, long-form interview, Kristina Bauer returns to the Tick Boot Camp Podcast to share her in-depth story of surviving decades of misdiagnosed Lyme disease — from childhood illness and misdiagnoses to motherhood, advocacy, and remission.
Diagnosed at age 40 after 32 years of medical dismissal, Kristina discusses her experience with congenital Lyme disease in her four children, postpartum Lyme flares, and her commitment to raising awareness through the Texas Lyme Alliance, Center for Lyme Action, and International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) Ambassadorship.
Her testimony covers essential ground: pediatric Lyme, maternal Lyme, psychiatric symptoms like Lyme rage, postpartum depression misdiagnosis, sexual transmission, and the need for insurance and diagnostic reform.
This episode is a masterclass in Lyme disease education and empowerment, especially for women, mothers, and families navigating complex Lyme journeys.
Key Topics Discussed
Early Lyme Exposure: Tick bites at age 8 in Illinois and decades of misdiagnosis (juvenile arthritis, Crohn's, ulcers)
Chronic Symptoms: Sinus infections, Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV), fibromyalgia, neurological and psychiatric symptoms
Postpartum Lyme Flares: Crushing fatigue, misdiagnosed postpartum depression, and suicidal ideation risk
Congenital Lyme Disease: How all four of her children were born with Lyme and are now in remission
Mental Health Awareness: Lyme rage, mood swings, panic attacks, and the importance of therapy
Tick-Borne Disease Advocacy: Legislative work in Texas, ILADS, educating OB-GYNs, and pushing for proper diagnostic protocols
Medical System Failures: Inadequate Lyme testing, gaslighting, high insurance costs for chronic illness
Lyme & Pregnancy Research Study: An open call for pregnant individuals diagnosed with Lyme disease during their current pregnancy, OR with post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS) in the past 5 years. Learn More / Apply
Kristina's Healing Protocols
IV and Oral Antibiotics (33 pills/day for 4 years)
Ozone Sauna Therapy
Dual Infrared Sauna
IV Glutathione and Vitamin C
Autologous Stem Cell Therapy
Advocacy Calls to Action
Get tested with qualified Lyme-literate doctors (LLMDs)
Pre-conception testing for both partners
Consider cord blood testing for newborns (e.g., IGeneX)
Push back against “one-dose doxycycline” treatment myths
Advocate for maternal and congenital Lyme research funding
Check out Kristina's Integrative Nutrition Health Coaching
Memorable Quotes
“Infection turned into action is the mindset I pass forward.”
“A mom with Lyme can’t be left alone with crushing fatigue and a newborn — it’s not just postpartum, it’s pathology.”
“Doxy is not a one-stop shop. One tick bite can carry 19 pathogens with 100 strains.”

Jun 7, 2025 • 1h 29min
Episode 525: Girl at a Bar – Tracy Mulholland on Turning Her Lyme Journey into an Award-Winning Mini-Series
In this inspiring episode of the Tick Boot Camp Podcast, host Matt Sabatello and special guest co-host Kaitlyn Oleinik, author of the upcoming memoir Revival: My Journey with Neuropsychiatric Lyme Disease, sit down with Tracy Mulholland—actress, writer, producer, singer, and Lyme warrior.
Tracy is the creator and star of the award-winning mini-series Girl at a Bar, a powerful and entertaining scripted series based on her true experience with chronic Lyme disease. Tracy shares her harrowing 15-year health journey, including being misdiagnosed by over 50 doctors, living with neurological and musculoskeletal Lyme, and the physical and emotional fallout from multiple co-infections like Babesia and Mycoplasma, and black mold exposure.
She reveals how she turned that suffering into storytelling—using humor, vulnerability, and her passion for acting to build a bridge between the chronic illness community and the broader public. She also opens up about her experiences with neuroplasticity therapy, IV antibiotics, herbal protocols, and her evolution into a certified health and executive functioning coach through Tracy Eve Coaching.
This conversation offers both validation and empowerment—perfect for Lyme patients, creatives with chronic illness, and anyone passionate about shifting public understanding of invisible disease.
💡 Key Takeaways
Tracy was bitten by a tick after college but had symptoms dating back to high school.
Misdiagnosed for two years, she was eventually diagnosed with Lyme, Babesia, and Mycoplasma via IGeneX testing.
Her arms became so painful she couldn’t brush her hair, and after a failed surgery, she lost her voice for weeks.
Girl at a Bar was born from a solo bar ritual she used pre- and post-illness to reclaim her confidence.
The series, funded by Bay Area Lyme Foundation, is one of the first scripted shows to authentically depict life with chronic Lyme.
Tracy now works as a coach for people with Lyme, ADHD, and long COVID, helping clients with executive function, fatigue, pacing, and mindset.

May 31, 2025 • 1h 23min
Episode 524: From Lyme Patient to Pioneer - an interview with Myriah Hinchey
In this powerful episode of the Tick Boot Camp Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Myriah Hinchey, a Lyme-literate naturopathic physician whose personal battle with Lyme disease, Babesia, and Bartonella shaped her pioneering approach to treatment. Dr. Hinchey is the founder and medical director of Tao Center for Vitality, Longevity & Optimal Health, creator of LymeCore Botanicals, and founder of LymeBytes, a global educational platform for Lyme disease.
Dr. Hinchey shares how her journey from misdiagnosed childhood infections to a transformative diagnosis in her mid-30s inspired a career of advocacy and innovation in integrative Lyme treatment. Discover why she believes most chronic Lyme sufferers can heal — and how focusing on terrain, immune modulation, gut health, and targeted herbal antimicrobials makes recovery possible.
🧠 Key Topics Covered
Dr. Hinchey’s personal tick bite experience and overlooked symptoms during childhood
How stress and immune collapse triggered her Lyme, Babesia, Bartonella, and Mycoplasma symptoms
Why most chronic Lyme treatments fail: lessons from antibiotic relapses
Her turning point with herbalist Stephen Buhner’s protocols
How LymeCore Botanicals was born to fill gaps in Lyme patient care
Why treating the terrain (gut, detox, immune) is essential before antimicrobials
The science behind Ashwagandha balancing immune branches (Th1/Th2)
The importance of biofilm busting, cytokine modulation, and immune recalibration
Dr. Hinchey's clinical protocol: from pre-kill phase to maintenance
Case studies: why some patients heal faster with herbal-only protocols
🌿 Featured Products on LymeCore Botanicals®
Vitamin and Mineral Cofactors – Foundational for cellular healing
OmegaCore (EPA/DHA) – Anti-inflammatory support
Ashwagandha – Adaptogen balancing stress and immunity
GABA Melts/Chews – For anxiety and neurological calm
Inflam-X - Bind, detox, inflammation, and herx support
BorreliaCore, BartCore, BabCore – Targeted herbal blends for Lyme and co-infections
📍 About Dr. Myriah Hinchey
Licensed in CT and NH
International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) member
Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs (MAPS) Fellow
Trained under Drs. Richard Horowitz, Stephen Buhner, Neil Nathan, Nancy O’Hara, Mark Hyman, and Jeff Bland.
🔗 Related Resources
LymeCore Botanicals
Tao Vitality - Center for Optimal Health
LymeBytes Symposium
💬 Memorable Quotes
> “There’s no amount of antibiotics that will cure Lyme if the terrain isn’t healed.” – Dr. Hinchey
> “I didn’t understand the power of herbs—until they healed me when antibiotics couldn’t.”
> “Most people relapse because they never repaired the immune system. The microbiome is everything.”
📢 Call to Action
Like what you heard? Share this episode with someone struggling with Lyme. Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help more people discover hope and healing!

May 24, 2025 • 1h 10min
Episode 523: Wrestling with Lyme - Mark Ouellette’s Fight as a Retired Cop and Bodybuilder
In this episode of the Tick Boot Camp Podcast, we sit down with Mark Ouellette, a retired law enforcement officer, professional bodybuilder, and former wrestler from the Boston, Massachusetts area. Mark shares his powerful story of overcoming chronic Lyme disease, including years of misdiagnoses, debilitating symptoms, and his battle to reclaim his health and identity.
🔎 Key Topics Covered
🧬 Mark’s Early Symptoms and Missed Diagnoses
Migraines and memory issues began in 2015
Brain MRI revealed "spots" but Lyme was never tested
Misdiagnosed with early-stage dementia and vasculitis
Official Lyme diagnosis came in June 2021 via a blood test
🦠 Triggers and the Turning Point
Contracted COVID-19 in September 2020, triggering severe Lyme symptoms
Rapid health decline: joint pain, insomnia, fatigue, brain fog
💥 Life Before Lyme
20-year law enforcement career
Competed in bodybuilding and professional wrestling
Lived a high-performance, high-stress lifestyle
💊 Treatments and Protocols
3+ months of doxycycline (worsened gut issues)
Herbal protocols: Japanese Knotweed, Wormwood, Black Walnut
Detox strategies: ionic foot baths, binders, gut cleanse
Energy and frequency therapies: RIFE, low-level laser, PEMF mat
Supplements: injectable glutathione, vitamin B complex, magnesium soaks, colostrum, Essiac
Hormonal support: testosterone replacement therapy (TRT)
🧠 Cognitive Recovery and Lessons
Severe short-term memory loss episodes
TRT and clean nutrition helped restore clarity
Emphasis on gut-brain connection and inflammation management
📈 Recovery Status and Advice
Today, Mark is 70–85% recovered and working part-time. He has returned to weight training and feels better than he has in years.
Advice to Lyme patients: “Take it one day at a time. Be open to trying everything. Track what works and don’t give up.”
Advice to those who are not sick: “Check yourself, your kids, and your pets. If you find a tick, get it tested. Prevention is key.”
🧪 Featured Products and Therapies
Dr. Natura Colonix 30-Day Cleanse
Resciency Binder+ Comprehensive Detox
PEMF Mat by HealthyLine
Essiac Herbal Tea
RIFE and low-level laser therapies
Grass-fed colostrum and herbal tinctures
🎧 Listen Now
If you're struggling with chronic Lyme disease or know someone who is, this episode is packed with powerful insights, recovery strategies, and hard-earned wisdom from a true Lyme warrior. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and everywhere podcasts are streamed.


