Tick Boot Camp

Matt Sabatello and Rich Johannesen
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  • ALTERNATIVE HEALTH
  • EVERY TWO WEEKS

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!"

  1. 8 HR AGO

    How MIT Is Redefining Chronic Lyme Disease: Inside the MAESTRO Study with Yuri Kim

    In this episode of the Tick Boot Camp Podcast, Matt Sabatello sits down with Yuri Kim, the lead clinical research nurse for MIT’s MAESTRO study, described as one of the largest studies in MIT history focused on Lyme disease and Infection-Associated Chronic Illnesses (IACI). Yuri explains how MAESTRO is collecting deep symptom histories and objective measurements—from eye tracking and EEG/P300 auditory testing to NASA Lean dysautonomia testing, capillaroscopy, and multi-sample biological collection—to identify patterns that validate patient experiences and accelerate real-world clinical understanding. Yuri’s story is equally compelling: she began as an ER nurse in a Level 1 trauma center, transitioned into research nursing (including neurodegenerative and traumatic brain injury work), moved to South Korea during the pandemic, and ultimately joined MIT after a conversation with Dr. Mikki Tal changed the course of her career. Throughout the conversation, Yuri shares what she’s learned from MAESTRO participants: a community often exhausted and dismissed, yet profoundly motivated to help others and drive scientific progress forward. Key Takeaways (Fast Scan) MAESTRO is nearing ~200 participants enrolled, with the chronic Lyme cohort full and enrollment closing soon. The study aims to objectively measure symptoms often dismissed as “anxiety” or “depression,” especially brain fog and dysautonomia. MAESTRO uses multiple cognitive and neurologic measures, including RightEye eye tracking, EEG + P300 auditory “oddball” testing, and remote cognitive battery tests. The team added capillaroscopy (nailfold and toe microvascular imaging) to explore vascular patterns and hemorrhages in chronic illness cohorts. Dysautonomia testing includes NASA Lean Test plus an earpiece device to estimate proxy cerebral blood flow, sometimes showing abnormalities even when vitals look “normal.” Extensive biological sampling (oral, blood, vaginal/rectal) supports proteomics/immune profiling and deeper molecular analysis. Yuri emphasizes: patients’ willingness to participate—despite severe symptoms—is the engine of progress and future change. Detailed Chapter-by-Chapter Show Notes 1) Meet Yuri Kim: The Human Side of Cutting-Edge Lyme Research Matt introduces Yuri as the clinical research nurse leading day-to-day operations of MIT’s MAESTRO study—positioning her as a rare bridge between lab science, clinicians, and patients. Yuri shares that the study is approaching enrollment completion and that the team is eager to analyze a large dataset to “speak up” for participants who have suffered without clear explanations. Highlights: MAESTRO is one of MIT’s largest studies, with enrollment nearing completion. The mission is to transform patient suffering into measurable signals, data, and insight. 2) Yuri’s Background: Pharma, ER Nursing, Research, and Why This Work Became Personal Yuri explains her path: early work as a medical information specialist in pharma (including literature searches and clinician guidance, often involving off-label questions), then an intense period as a Level 1 ER nurse where she witnessed both acute crises and chronic illness desperation. Key insight:Yuri notes that in pharma and ER settings, she repeatedly saw the same reality—patients searching for answers, clinicians constrained by time, and chronic illness voices falling through the cracks. 3) From the ER to Neuro Research: Brain Inflammation, TBI, and the Gap in Chronic Illness Care Yuri left ER work largely due to the physical toll of night shifts and moved into academic research at Boston University. She worked on complex studies involving Alzheimer’s, amyloidosis, and traumatic brain injury. Matt asks whether Lyme came up in those neuro settings. Yuri says no—but now she views neurodegenerative symptoms differently and believes clinicians should consider underlying root causes, including infection. Listener connection:This segment reinforces how often Lyme-related cognitive decline can be misinterpreted or missed when viewed through siloed specialties. 4) Lyme Awareness Outside the U.S.: South Korea, Tick-Borne Illness, and Global Blind Spots During the pandemic, Yuri relocated to South Korea. She shares that Lyme isn’t commonly discussed there, though other tick-borne illnesses exist. Yuri underscores a global concern: agricultural and rural communities face tick exposure without awareness of the chronic implications. 5) How Yuri Joined Dr. Mikki Tal and MAESTRO (And Why She Changed Her Mind) One of the most memorable segments: Yuri reveals she had already accepted another MIT nursing role—but after speaking with Dr. Tal, she pivoted immediately, calling it the best career decision she’s ever made. Why it matters: It shows how MAESTRO is not just a study; it’s a mission-driven effort that attracts top clinical talent. 6) Day One at MAESTRO: Meeting the Severely Ill and the Community’s Unmatched Generosity Yuri recounts a powerful early experience: meeting a participant who was bedbound and profoundly symptomatic, yet eager to contribute anything possible to help the community. Matt connects this to Tick Boot Camp’s origin story: people with minimal energy still showed up to help others. The theme becomes clear—Lyme patients are often depleted but relentlessly generous. What MAESTRO Measures (The Four-Hour Visit Breakdown) 7) Brain Fog: Why MAESTRO Treats It as a Complex Phenomenon Yuri explains MAESTRO’s approach: brain fog isn’t one symptom. It can involve memory, processing speed, visual stimulation sensitivity, pain-triggered cognition changes, and motor response delays. Core idea: MAESTRO attempts to measure brain fog from multiple angles—visual processing, auditory processing, reaction time, and executive function. 8) RightEye Eye Tracking: Visual Stimulus + Reaction Time as Objective Signal Participants complete a structured set of ocular motor tasks (pursuit, saccades) and reaction-time games (shape recognition mapped to numbered inputs). Yuri notes many chronic illness participants struggle even with basic saccades, often aligning with reported visual disturbances. What MAESTRO is measuring: Ocular motor control Visual processing Decision speed Reaction time consistency 9) EEG + P300 “Oddball” Test: Auditory Processing Meets Motor Output Participants wear an EEG cap (19 regions) and listen to tones: common low-pitch and rare high-pitch. They must press the spacebar only for the rare tone. Yuri notes that even a 4-minute test can be exhausting for people with cognitive dysfunction, and participants often describe a frustrating “delay” between knowing what to do and physically doing it. Why this matters: This may help validate cognitive dysfunction even when standard office screening looks normal. 10) Remote Cognitive Battery Testing: Scaling Measurement Beyond MIT Participants complete executive function tests at home (memory, Stroop-like color-word matching, trail-making tasks). Yuri emphasizes why this matters: many patients can’t travel, and symptoms vary dramatically by day, cycle, and crash patterns. Big future direction: Remote testing could expand access to bedbound patients and capture “good day vs bad day” variability. 11) Dysautonomia & POTS: NASA Lean Test + Proxy Cerebral Blood Flow Yuri details NASA Lean testing: supine rest, then standing/leaning while monitoring vitals and symptoms. The standout: sometimes vitals appear stable while patients feel intensely symptomatic—yet the cerebral blood flow proxy measurement fluctuates significantly. Clinical implication discussed: This approach could become a tool for identifying dysautonomia-related issues when standard vitals “look fine.” 12) Capillaroscopy: Nailfold + Toe Microvascular Imaging MAESTRO added capillaroscopy to examine microvascular patterns, including abnormal shapes and possible hemorrhages seen more frequently in chronic cohorts (as her clinical observations suggest). They also measure capillaries pre- and post-NASA Lean to explore whether symptomatic shifts correlate with microvascular changes. Why patients find it meaningful: They can visually see something measurable that aligns with how they feel. 13) Standard Neuro Screening Doesn’t Capture Lyme Brain Fog Yuri shares a crucial point: participants often perform fine on standard screens like the Mini-Mental State Exam, suggesting that infection-associated cognitive dysfunction can be subtle, dynamic, and not detected by traditional tools—reinforcing the need for MAESTRO-style measurement. Biological Samples: “Measure Everything” (Head to Toe) 14) Multi-Sample Collection: Oral, Blood, Vaginal, Rectal Yuri explains the breadth of biological sampling, including saliva/oral samples (cotton chew + gum swab), multiple blood tubes, and sex-specific sampling to explore immune, hormonal, microbiome, and gynecologic dimensions. Why it’s being done: To connect symptom clusters to molecular patterns and explore sex differences in chronic illness response. 15) Storage, Batch Effects, and What Happens After Enrollment Closes Samples are aliquoted and stored at -80°C until they can be processed/shipped in ways that minimize batch effects. The next phase is analysis and collaboration—including proteomics and immune signaling exploration. 16) Giving Back to Participants: The Challenge and the Intention Yuri acknowledges the “fine line” between research-only testing and clinically actionable reporting, but stresses MIT’s intention to return what can be responsibly shared through certified partners—while being careful not to over-interpret research findings. Collaboration, Scaling, and What Comes Next 17) Collaboration Across Institutions: The Missing Platform Matt compares Lyme research needs to cybersecurity threat-sharing between banks: competitors collaborate

    1h 35m

  2. 7 FEB

    The Pioneer Who Pushed Lyme Disease Into the Light — Mary Beth Pfeiffer

    Mary Beth Pfeiffer, the pioneering investigative journalist who transformed national understanding of Lyme disease, joins the Tick Boot Camp Podcast for a landmark conversation. Before her work, Lyme disease was widely dismissed as rare, mild, and easily treated. After her reporting, that narrative collapsed. Through her award-winning journalism and her groundbreaking book Lyme: The First Epidemic of Climate Change, she became the first major voice to expose the truth: Lyme disease is a global, climate-driven epidemic that is chronically misdiagnosed, dangerously underestimated, and systematically mishandled by mainstream medicine. In this interview, Mary Beth shares how her earlier investigative work on mental illness in U.S. jails prepared her to recognize patterns of institutional failure within the Lyme disease system. For decades, she documented how people with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia were misunderstood, punished, or dismissed by the very institutions meant to protect them. When she turned her attention to Lyme in 2012, she immediately recognized the same dynamic: patients with neurological and psychiatric manifestations were told they were anxious, depressed, or “crazy,” rather than infected. Families were blamed, symptoms were minimized, and children were left to suffer. Her background gave her a rare lens into how biological illness becomes mislabeled as psychological and how systems silence the very people who need help. Mary Beth explains how her investigative series for the Poughkeepsie Journal went viral worldwide, surprising even her editors. Her reporting was read in all 50 states and across Europe and Australia, prompting the CDC to contact her directly. She details what she uncovered through Freedom of Information Act requests, including internal emails between NIH and CDC officials referring to patients as “Lyme loonies” and framing the situation as a “war” against advocates. These documents revealed attitudes inside the highest levels of public health that shaped decades of policy, diagnostic guidelines, and patient care. The conversation dives into how a small group of early Lyme researchers defined the disease in the 1980s and then used their influence to control medical journals, shape NIH grant funding, and enforce rigid IDSA treatment guidelines. As Mary Beth explains, these early assumptions—often based on limited data and flawed antibody tests—became dogma. Their conclusions created an ecosystem where only short-course antibiotics were considered acceptable, chronic symptoms were dismissed, and doctors who treated beyond the guidelines were punished by medical boards. The result was a generation of patients abandoned by the system, forced to self-fund care, travel to distant specialists, and in many cases bankrupt themselves in search of answers. Mary Beth discusses how patients became her greatest teachers. She shares emotional stories, including children who lost years of their lives, athletes whose careers were derailed, and an 11-year-old boy misdiagnosed for so long he ended up in a hospital bed in his living room before finally being rescued by Dr. Charles Ray Jones. She describes support groups filled with people who had seen five, ten, or fifteen doctors and were told their symptoms were anxiety, depression, or “anything but Lyme.” The interview covers the scientific evidence supporting Lyme persistence, including animal studies, autopsy tissue findings, and molecular research showing Borrelia surviving standard treatment. Mary Beth explains why the two-tier antibody test has failed generations of patients, why indirect antibody tests are inherently flawed for immune-dysregulated populations, and why the future of accurate diagnosis depends on direct detection methods. She highlights emerging technologies, including promising work by Aces Diagnostics and Researcher Holly Ahern, which may finally offer accurate testing across all stages of infection. The conversation moves into the larger systemic problem: how money, insurance policies, medical boards, industry influence, and journal gatekeeping have shaped what doctors are allowed to do. Mary Beth and the Tick Boot Camp team explore why clinicians who try to help chronic Lyme patients often lose insurance coverage, face board complaints, or have their licenses threatened. They discuss how electronic monitoring, AI systems, and corporate-owned medical practices further restrict doctors from practicing individualized, patient-centered medicine. The second half of the interview focuses on the environmental drivers behind the explosion of Lyme disease. Mary Beth explains how warming temperatures, shorter winters, and ecological fragmentation have created ideal habitats for ticks. She describes how ticks have climbed mountains, expanded into higher latitudes, colonized suburban landscapes, and gained longer active seasons. These environmental changes, combined with human development patterns, have dramatically increased opportunities for exposure. She also addresses public interest in the bioweapons question raised by Chris Newby’s book Bitten, explaining why historical documentation and FOIA evidence convinced her that military tick experiments occurred, even if their impact on today’s epidemic is still unknown. The episode closes with Mary Beth’s reflections on prevention, vigilance, and the psychological cost of losing the innocence of nature. She describes how she now sees fields, forests, and even yards differently and why she teaches her grandchildren to treat nature with both respect and caution. She shares her hope for the future: better diagnostics, more independent research, journalists willing to challenge medical orthodoxy, and a cultural shift that frees doctors to practice real medicine rather than rigid algorithms. This interview is essential listening for anyone affected by Lyme disease, anyone questioning why chronic illness is so often dismissed, and anyone seeking to understand how climate change, medical politics, and investigative journalism intersect in one of the most important health crises of our time.

    1h 47m

  3. 31 JAN

    Childhood Lyme Disease, Medical Gaslighting, The Quiet Epidemic, and Becoming the Doctor She Needed – Julia Bruzzese

    In this powerful and deeply moving episode of the Tick Boot Camp Podcast, we sit down with Julia Bruzzese, a 22-year-old Lyme disease survivor, disability advocate, and future physician whose life was forever changed by an untreated tick bite in childhood. After developing a classic bull’s-eye rash at age 9, Julia went undiagnosed for nearly two years, despite textbook symptoms of Lyme disease. By age 11, she experienced a catastrophic neurological decline that left her paraplegic and wheelchair-bound. Over the next decade, Julia saw more than 100 doctors, endured profound medical gaslighting, and navigated an exhausting journey through antibiotics, IVIG, IV antibiotics, plasmapheresis, stem cells, ozone therapy, and integrative care. Julia’s story became internationally known after a moment with Pope Francis on the JFK airport tarmac went viral in 2015—an event that opened doors to care, advocacy, and awareness. She later became the emotional centerpiece of the award-winning documentary The Quiet Epidemic, appeared at New York Fashion Week as a Lyme disease advocate, and was profiled by renowned journalist Mary Beth Pfeiffer. Today, Julia is finishing her undergraduate degree and has been accepted into medical school, determined to become the kind of doctor she needed when the system failed her. This episode is a masterclass in: Pediatric Lyme disease Medical gaslighting vs. lack of education Clinical diagnosis vs. unreliable testing The patient-doctor relationship Chronic illness, disability, and purpose Why Lyme disease changes lives—and why early treatment matters Childhood Lyme Disease & Missed Diagnosis Tick bite and bull’s-eye rash dismissed at age 9 Two years of worsening symptoms labeled as “growing pains,” viruses, or psychological Why early Lyme treatment saves lives Neurological Collapse & Hospital Trauma Sudden onset of paralysis, vision loss, fevers, hair loss, and weakness at age 11 Over 100 doctors and repeated hospitalizations Being accused of malingering and conversion disorder The devastating impact of medical disbelief on children The Quiet Epidemic Documentary How Julia became the heart of the film at age 12 Why she initially hesitated to share her story The emotional impact of seeing her illness reflected on screen How the documentary helps families explain Lyme disease to others Meeting Pope Francis & Global Awareness How a school principal secured last-minute tickets The Pope walks directly to Julia’s wheelchair The moment that changed everything Media coverage that led to access to lifesaving care Treatment Journey Lyme-literate diagnosis by NP Somer DelSignore Oral and IV antibiotics IVIG (including under-dosing issues) Plasmapheresis POTS, Babesia, Bartonella, and autoimmune complications Stem cell therapy abroad Ozone and integrative protocols Why there is no single silver bullet for Lyme disease The Medical System & Lyme Denial Why doctors often say “it’s all in your head” The difference between malice and lack of training How medical education fails chronic illness patients Fear of insurance companies, lawsuits, and “accepted guidelines” Why Lyme is a clinical diagnosis, not a test result Reframing “Medical Gaslighting” Why anger is understandable—but not always healing How patients and doctors can become better partners Understanding doctors’ limitations without excusing harm Advocacy with clarity, not hostility Disability, Identity & Resilience Navigating life and education as a wheelchair user Accommodations, accessibility, and invisible illness “I have Lyme. I am not Lyme.” Learning when to rest, when to fight, and when to live Becoming the Doctor She Needed Working as a medical assistant and hospital volunteer in a wheelchair Applying to and being accepted into medical school Becoming the first wheelchair-using medical student at her institution Why lived experience belongs in medicine Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Lawsuit filed in NYC (March 2021) against multiple doctors and hospitals Failure to diagnose and treat Lyme disease despite clear evidence Why Lyme malpractice cases are rare—and necessary Seeking accountability, not revenge Purpose, Faith & Meaning From “Why me?” to “Why not me?” How suffering clarified her calling The role of faith, family, and community Why Julia wouldn’t give this journey back—even now Memorable Quotes “I was criminalized as an eleven-year-old child for being sick.” “It actually was in my head—the bacteria was in my brain.” “I have Lyme disease. I am not Lyme disease.” “There is no silver bullet for Lyme. Healing is trial and error.” “I wouldn’t be who I am—or know my purpose—without this journey.” Why This Episode Matters This episode is essential listening for: Parents of children with unexplained symptoms Lyme disease and chronic illness patients Medical professionals and students Advocates fighting for better diagnostics and care Anyone who has ever felt dismissed, unseen, or unheard in healthcare Julia Bruzzese’s story is not just about Lyme disease—it’s about truth, resilience, accountability, and hope.

    1h 53m

  4. 24 JAN

    From Lithuania to Lyme: Dr. Karolina Pras’ Journey Through Mold, Long COVID & Chronic Illness — Tick Boot Camp

    In this powerful episode, Tick Boot Camp Podcast interviews Dr. Karolina Praskeviciute (“Dr. Pras”), a multilingual, European-trained medical doctor who has lived in Lithuania, Hong Kong, London, and the United States, traveled to 89 countries, and now uses her global experience to understand chronic illness from a unique vantage point. Dr. Pras shares her deeply personal story of lifelong unexplained symptoms, childhood mold exposure, a bull’s-eye rash at age 15, and a medical system unequipped to recognize chronic tick-borne illness. After a devastating case of early COVID-19 in February 2020, her immune system collapsed, triggering full-blown Lyme disease, Babesia, Bartonella, tick-borne relapsing fever, MCAS, and Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS). This conversation bridges both sides of medicine—Western and functional—and explores how chronic illness forced Dr. Pras to reevaluate everything she learned as a third-generation physician. She now brings a rare, dual perspective as both clinician and patient. Key Topics Covered ➤ Growing up in Lithuania: culture, safety, freedom & early mold exposure She describes an independent childhood surrounded by nature—but also living in a poorly insulated home with significant hidden mold that triggered early allergies, stomach pain, nosebleeds, and metallic taste. ➤ Medical school awakening: Why Western medicine failed her symptoms Despite coming from a family of doctors, she noticed early on that conventional medicine couldn’t explain many of her symptoms—and she witnessed firsthand how chronic illness is minimized, dismissed, or mislabeled. ➤ The first tick bite at 15 & the bull’s-eye rash ignored by doctors Despite developing textbook erythema migrans, pediatricians refused treatment. Her mother initiated a short doxycycline course on her own—far too short to prevent chronic Lyme. ➤ Traveling the world & accumulating exposures After living and working across continents, she now believes different strains, microbes, and environmental factors layered into the perfect storm. ➤ Long COVID as the breaking point Like many chronically ill patients, COVID destabilized everything: massive immune dysregulation nonstop inflammation MCAS flares worsening neurological symptoms Lyme and Babesia fully activating ➤ Mold + Lyme + Long COVID = The Perfect Storm Her CIRS diagnosis revealed why she never recovered even after leaving mold exposure—and why immune dysfunction made Lyme treatment far more complex. ➤ Her diagnostic breakthrough with IGeneX After repeated false-negative Western blots, specialty testing finally uncovered: Lyme Babesia Bartonella Tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) Immune activation on FISH testing ➤ Treatment: Herbs, LymeStop, detox, keto, and functional medicine Her current regimen includes: Houttuynia (major reduction in joint pain within 1 week) Cryptolepis (powerful antimicrobial requiring slow titration) Custom herbal protocols (single-herb tinctures) HBOT INUSpheresis Light sauna Gentle lymphatic drainage Vagus nerve support Journaling & limbic system retraining Strict ketogenic diet after a 7-day fast dramatically reduced inflammation She also discusses the risks of Botox, fillers, tattoos, and skincare toxins for chronically ill patients. ➤ Nervous system healing as the foundation of recovery She explains why vagus nerve work and limbic retraining may fail if patients are still in toxin exposure (like mold or endotoxins)—a vital distinction rarely discussed. ➤ Becoming a doctor who understands chronic illness from both sides This episode explores: medical defensiveness gaslighting vs unhealthy doctor-patient dynamics why patients must be empowered, not dismissed why doctors also need compassion and realistic expectations how her future clinical practice will integrate empathy, functional medicine, and lived experience Top Quotes From Dr. Pras “I dismissed my own symptoms because I was trained to believe nothing was wrong unless labs proved it.” “Mold was the silent force that weakened my system long before Lyme took over.” “Healing is not linear. Some days it feels like I’m starting over, but I always come back stronger.” “Doctors have tools—but without a healthy doctor-patient relationship, those tools don’t work.” “I can help others now because I know when to push and when to pull back. Lived experience matters.” Where to Find Dr. Karolina Pras Instagram: @drkaromd Email: drkaro@healthkonsultant.com (“consultant” spelled with a K)

    1h 33m

  5. 17 JAN

    Jesse Ruben: Chronic Lyme Disease, Music, Remission, Relapse, and the Long Road Back

    Singer-songwriter and Lyme disease advocate Jesse Ruben joins the Tick Boot Camp Podcast for an incredibly honest, emotional, and deeply educational conversation about chronic Lyme disease, identity loss, treatment failure, unconventional healing, relapse, nervous system trauma, and the role of music and community in survival. Jesse’s journey spans more than a decade and includes misdiagnosis, years of antibiotic treatment, experimental therapies, remission, relapse during the pandemic, gut microbiome restoration, nervous system healing, and ultimately a renewed sense of purpose through advocacy and art. This episode is essential listening for anyone navigating chronic Lyme disease, supporting someone who is sick, or questioning whether healing is still possible. Jesse Ruben’s Early Life and Music Career Jesse grew up outside Philadelphia, surrounded by music, creativity, and curiosity. While he jokes that his songwriting degree was “a very expensive, useless piece of paper,” the competitive creative environment of music school helped sharpen his storytelling voice. By his early 20s, Jesse was living in New York City, touring, running marathons, and building momentum as an independent musician. He had just completed his third New York City Marathon, was in peak physical condition, and his career was accelerating—until his health began to unravel. The Onset of Illness: When Lyme Disease Took Everything Jesse’s first red flag appeared when he became short of breath climbing subway stairs, despite being a marathon runner. Soon after, nausea, dizziness, headaches, neurological symptoms, and crushing fatigue followed. On Christmas Day 2012, Jesse developed what seemed like a flu that never went away. Over the following months, symptoms escalated dramatically: Severe fatigue that made basic movement impossible Brain fog and memory loss Crawling sensations under the skin Air hunger and dizziness Anxiety, depression, and mood changes Weight loss and neurological dysfunction Despite seeing 15 doctors over nine months, Jesse received conflicting diagnoses ranging from vitamin deficiencies to fibromyalgia and lupus. Every test came back “normal.” Insurance denied coverage. Doctors told him he would “have to live with it.” During a national tour, Jesse was so debilitated that a friend physically lifted him onto the stage to perform, then carried him back to the van afterward. Eventually, through relentless self-research, Jesse discovered a symptom list online that finally connected the dots: Lyme disease. Diagnosis and Early Treatment Failure Jesse was ultimately diagnosed at the Morrison Center in New York City, where testing confirmed: Lyme disease Babesia Mycoplasma His initial treatment path included: 6 months of oral doxycycline 18 months of IV azithromycin Antiparasitics Mepron (for Babesia) Antifungals, antivirals, supplements, and Chinese herbs Despite years of treatment, nothing produced lasting improvement. Jesse describes his life during this period as being reduced to pill schedules, doctor visits, and survival mode. The Game Changer: Chelation and Ozone Therapy After nearly three years with minimal progress, Jesse’s provider, Dr. Gerald (“Jerry”) T. Simons at the Morrison Center, suggested a more experimental approach: chelation combined with ozone therapy. Jesse underwent IV chelation and ozone therapy multiple times per week for several months. The results were dramatic. Nearly all of Jesse’s symptoms resolved, and for the first time, he felt like himself again. Even years later, booster ozone treatments helped stop symptom flares before they escalated. 🔗 Learn more about Dr. Simons and the Morrison Center: https://www.morrisonhealth.com/staff/gerald-t-simons-pa-c/ Remission, Identity Loss, and the Hidden Trauma of Healing Jesse entered remission around 2016, but recovery wasn’t simple. While his body improved, his nervous system remained dysregulated, leaving him: Angry Hypervigilant Emotionally reactive Afraid symptoms would return Lyme disease had stolen not only his health but his identity as a musician, partner, and person. Re-entering the world—socially, professionally, and emotionally—was deeply challenging. Music Born From Illness Jesse channeled his experience into music that resonated deeply with the Lyme community. 🎵 Monster Written from a voice memo recorded at 4:45 a.m. during a rare moment of mental clarity, Monster captures the fear, rage, and disbelief of living in an invisible war within your own body. 🔗 Watch “Monster”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJQKVSA_7Gw 🎵 This Is Why I Need You Written after Jesse entered remission, this song is a tribute to the doctors, nurses, friends, and strangers who carried him through the darkest years. It has since surpassed tens of millions of streams worldwide. 🔗 Watch “This Is Why I Need You”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4NgsbkyeJs Generation Lyme: Turning Pain Into Purpose Jesse co-founded Generation Lyme, now the largest provider of online Lyme disease support meetups in the world. For more than six years, Jesse has hosted weekly meetups, helping newly diagnosed patients find community, guidance, and hope. 🔗 Listen to the Tick Boot Camp Generation Lyme episode: https://tickbootcamp.com/episode-250-generation-lyme-an-interview-with-brooke-stoddard-jennifer-hoffmann-jesse-ruben-and-haley-dibiase/ Relapse During the Pandemic and Gut Microbiome Collapse In 2021, Jesse relapsed after contracting Giardia, likely due to immune vulnerability from years of antibiotics and chronic illness. Symptoms persisted for years and included: Severe GI dysfunction Weight loss Neurological symptoms Vision changes Heightened anxiety and isolation Traditional GI doctors labeled it IBS, offering no real solutions. Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT): Resetting the Gut Desperate for answers, Jesse pursued Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) through the Purety Clinic. FMT helped: Restore gut microbiome diversity Improve sleep Reduce inflammation Stabilize nervous system responses 🔗 Learn more about FMT at Purety Clinic: https://www.puretyclinic.com/fecal-transplant Ketamine Therapy: Healing the Nervous System Despite physical improvement, Jesse’s nervous system remained stuck in fight-or-flight. In late 2024, he began IV ketamine therapy at the Atlanta Ketamine Center. The impact was profound. Ketamine helped Jesse: Regulate his nervous system Release years of stored trauma Rebuild emotional safety Restore gratitude for life Heal his marriage Reconnect with creativity 🔗 Atlanta Ketamine Center: https://atlantaketaminecenter.com/ Jesse describes ketamine as “30 years of therapy in 90 minutes” and credits it with saving his marriage, career, and life. A New Chapter: Healing, Music, and Meaning Today, Jesse is: Releasing new music Touring through intimate house concerts Continuing Lyme advocacy Hosting Generation Lyme meetups Building a future with his wife Prioritizing joy, creativity, and presence He no longer measures success by fame—but by impact, connection, and purpose. Final Thoughts Jesse Ruben’s story is a powerful reminder that chronic Lyme disease is real, recovery is nonlinear, and healing often requires addressing infection, gut health, and the nervous system together. Most importantly, his journey proves that even after years of suffering, life can still expand, soften, and become meaningful again. 🎧 Listen to the full episode now🎶 Explore Jesse’s music and advocacy🤝 Share this episode with someone who needs hope You are not alone—and healing is still possible.

    1h 36m

  6. 10 JAN

    How Chronic Illness Really Works: Dr. Eric Gordon on Lyme, Mold, MCAS, and the Path Back to Health — Tick Boot Camp

    In this episode of the Tick Boot Camp Podcast, Dr. Eric D. Gordon — globally recognized expert in Lyme disease, ME/CFS, mold toxicity, MCAS, mitochondrial dysfunction, and complex chronic illness — explains why chronic illness is never caused by a single factor and why recovery requires a strategic “order of operations.” Recorded after meeting at Project Lab Coat during NYFW, this conversation dives into chronic inflammation, immune dysregulation, why some people stay sick for years, why certain treatments backfire, how metabolomics reveals dysfunction that standard tests miss, and the future of individualized chronic illness care. Guest Bio Medical Director, Gordon Medical Associates, and President, Gordon Medical Research Center Dr. Gordon has 45+ years of experience treating the most complex chronic illness cases. He specializes in: Lyme disease and tick-borne infections ME/CFS and post-infectious illness Mold and mycotoxin exposure Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) Autoimmune disease Environmental illness Mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic collapse He co-authored the landmark 2016 PNAS metabolomics study with Dr. Robert Naviaux, which reshaped global understanding of ME/CFS and chronic inflammatory diseases. Key Topics Covered How Dr. Gordon became one of the world’s leading chronic illness clinicians Why patient belief and validation are foundational to healing Why chronic illness cases don’t fit conventional medical models Why herbs often worsen symptoms in MCAS or inflamed patients When pharmaceuticals help stabilize sensitive patients How chronic inflammation blocks trace mineral absorption The link between minerals, B vitamins, mitochondria, and NAD/NADH When detoxification helps — and when it causes more harm How childhood infections and environment shape lifelong immunity The massive impact of modern microbiome disruption Mold illness as the “great derailer” of Lyme treatment Why genetics like MTHFR and HLA are not destiny Why some people heal from Lyme without treatment How metabolomics and AI will usher in precision medicine What actually keeps people sick — accumulated compensations, not the tick bite What intuitive patients get right (and wrong) about their symptoms Timestamps 0:02 – Meeting Dr. Gordon at Project Labcoat 1:08 – Who he is and how he entered complex illness medicine 2:30 – Realizing conventional medicine fails chronic patients 5:45 – Why chronic illness doesn’t fit standard algorithms 8:10 – Herbs vs antibiotics: what most people misunderstand 11:28 – Inflammation and why sensitive patients react to everything 13:45 – MCAS and immune overactivation 16:25 – Why herbal formulas can trigger flares 19:30 – Pharmaceuticals that calm inflammation 20:50 – Trace minerals, mitochondrial function, and NAD pathways 23:55 – Why standard labs can’t see cellular dysfunction 26:10 – How childhood immune experiences shape resilience 28:40 – Environmental changes and microbiome decline 30:30 – Shoes, posture, fascia, lymphatics 36:35 – Structural healing and hypersensitive patients 41:20 – Founding Gordon Medical Associates 43:00 – Early discoveries with Lyme disease patients 48:30 – Detoxification, herbal protocols, and mold models 52:10 – Mold’s ability to halt all progress 55:30 – Why mold affects some family members and not others 57:20 – How food supply antibiotics disrupt immunity 59:50 – Genetics are possibilities, not fate 1:03:20 – Why some people recover after a tick bite and others don’t 1:07:00 – How AI and metabolomics will transform treatment 1:10:40 – Genes vs environment 1:13:30 – Chronic illness requires many small steps 1:16:00 – How to work with Dr. Gordon 1:18:30 – Final message of hope Pull Quotes “Chronic illness is not caused by one thing — and it’s never healed by one thing.” “Herbs depend on your body’s ability to modulate inflammation. If you can’t dampen the fire, herbs feel like gasoline.” “Genetics are not destiny. They’re possibilities.” “Mold makes every other treatment look like it’s failing.” “You can absolutely get well — but there is no single magic bullet.” Call to Action If this episode brought you clarity or hope, please share it with someone navigating chronic Lyme, mold illness, MCAS, or ME/CFS. Subscribe and leave a review to help more people find this conversation and believe that healing is possible.

    1h 20m

  7. 16/12/2025

    When Infections Leave a Mark: How the Immune System Remembers and Shapes Alzheimer’s | Dr. Betsy Bradshaw

    Overview This special episode of the [Tick Boot Camp Podcast](https://tickbootcamp.com/podcast/) was recorded live at the 2nd Annual Alzheimer’s Pathobiome Initiative (AlzPI) and PCOM Symposium in collaboration with Pathobiome Perspectives. Hosted by Ali Moresco in partnership with Nikki Schultek, Executive Director of AlzPI, the conversation continues the Tick Boot Camp mission of exploring infection-associated chronic illness (IACI)—including Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections—within the global Alzheimer’s and neuroimmunology research community. Tick Boot Camp co-founders Matt Sabatello and Rich Johannesen partnered with Ali and Nikki to highlight leading scientists connecting microbes, immune dysregulation, and neurodegenerative disease. This episode features Dr. Elizabeth “Betsy” Bradshaw, Assistant Professor of Neurology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, whose research investigates how past infections leave lasting imprints on the brain’s immune system and influence the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Guest Elizabeth M. Bradshaw, PhD Assistant Professor of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center Principal Investigator, Bradshaw Laboratory – Neuroimmunology and Genetics of Alzheimer’s Dr. Bradshaw’s laboratory focuses on the immune system’s role in neurodegeneration, particularly how infection and inflammation alter brain immunity and predispose individuals to conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. Her work builds on large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWAS) that identified immune-related genetic variants linked to Alzheimer’s susceptibility, suggesting that subtle changes in immune function—not just neuronal factors—may underlie disease onset. Her team is exploring how pathogens such as HSV-1 (Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1) interact with the brain’s immune cells, known as microglia, and how these infections can “reprogram” immune responses long after the pathogen is cleared. Key Discussion Points Dr. Bradshaw explains how her research bridges genetics, immunology, and infectious disease to better understand Alzheimer’s. Through GWAS data, her team found that many of the genes linked to Alzheimer’s risk involve immune pathways rather than neuronal signaling. This discovery redirected the field’s attention toward how immune cells respond to pathogens and environmental stressors across a lifetime. Using human-derived microglia-like cells created from blood monocytes, her team observes how infections reshape immune cell metabolism and memory. By infecting these microglia-like cells with Alzheimer’s-associated pathogens like HSV-1, they study how genetic background and infection history determine immune cell behavior. The findings suggest that past infections may epigenetically and metabolically train microglia—changing how they respond to aging, stress, and amyloid buildup. Even when the infection has resolved, these “reprogrammed” immune cells can remain altered for decades, silently increasing the brain’s vulnerability to neurodegeneration. Dr. Bradshaw emphasizes that understanding how infections rewire the brain’s immune landscape could transform early intervention strategies. Identifying combinations of genetic risk factors and pathogen exposures may enable targeted prevention or immune-modulating treatments long before symptoms appear. “Microglia remember. Even after the pathogen is gone, they carry its imprint—responding differently decades later when the brain faces new challenges.” — Dr. Elizabeth Bradshaw Why It Matters Dr. Bradshaw’s work reframes Alzheimer’s disease as a neuroimmune condition shaped by infection and host genetics. Her research highlights how microbial exposures, immune history, and inflammation converge to influence cognitive decline. By integrating infection biology with genetics and immunology, her team is redefining how scientists and clinicians view the root causes of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases. This work strengthens the growing case that the immune system’s “memory” of infection may be one of the most important and overlooked factors in brain health and aging. About the Event This interview was recorded at the 2nd Annual Alzheimer’s Pathobiome Initiative (AlzPI) and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) Symposium, held October 3, 2025, at Ohio University in Dublin, Ohio. The event brought together more than 20 leading researchers exploring how microbes, the microbiome, and immune dysregulation contribute to Alzheimer’s, dementia, and infection-associated chronic illness (IACI). Tick Boot Camp partnered with Ali Moresco and Nikki Schultek to share these conversations and connect chronic Lyme, infection, and neurodegenerative research communities. Learn More Learn more about the Alzheimer’s Pathobiome Initiative (AlzPI) Listen to Tick Boot Camp Podcast episodes, including Episode 406: Pathobiome – An Interview with Nikki Schultek and Episode 101: The Young Gun – An Interview with Alex (Ali) Moresco discussed in this interview.

    18 min

  8. 09/12/2025

    How Bartonella Hijacks the Brain’s Immune System: Linking Infection and Neurodegeneration – Dr. Janice Bush

    Overview This special episode of the Tick Boot Camp Podcast was recorded live at the 2nd Annual Alzheimer’s Pathobiome Initiative (AlzPI) and PCOM Symposium in collaboration with Pathobiome Perspectives. Hosted by Ali Moresco in partnership with Nikki Schultek, Executive Director of AlzPI, this series expands the Tick Boot Camp mission of exploring infection-associated chronic illness (IACI)—including Lyme and other tick-borne infections—to the global Alzheimer’s and neuroimmunology research community. Tick Boot Camp co-founders Matt Sabatello and Rich Johannesen partnered with Ali and Nikki to showcase scientists exploring the microbial and immune mechanisms behind neurodegeneration. This episode features Dr. Janice Bush, a PhD candidate at North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, whose research under world-renowned Bartonella expert Dr. Edward Breitschwerdt investigates how Bartonella bacteria alter gene expression in the brain’s immune cells. Guest Janice Bush, DVM, PhD Candidate College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University (NCSU) Dr. Janice Bush began her career in veterinary medicine, where she observed a striking overlap between illnesses in pets and their human owners—particularly those linked to vector-borne infections like Bartonella. Now completing her PhD under Dr. Edward Breitschwerdt, she focuses on Bartonella henselae, the bacterium behind Cat Scratch Disease, and its ability to infect human microglial cells—the brain’s resident immune defenders. Her presentation, “Bartonella-Infected Human Microglial Cells: Transcriptional Changes Associated with Chronic Neurologic Disorders,” revealed how this stealth pathogen triggers widespread gene dysregulation linked to Alzheimer’s disease, psychiatric symptoms, and neurodegenerative processes. Key Discussion Points Dr. Bush explains how Bartonella infection reprograms human microglia, the brain’s innate immune cells, leading to hundreds of genes being upregulated or suppressed—affecting energy metabolism, mitochondrial function, cell signaling, and immune communication. These cellular changes mirror those observed in chronic neurological and psychiatric disorders, providing a potential mechanistic link between infection and long-term neurodegeneration. She describes Bartonella’s sophisticated immune evasion strategy, including its ability to hijack cellular machinery and increase production of interleukin-10 (IL-10)—an anti-inflammatory cytokine that suppresses immune response, allowing the bacteria to persist undetected. This mechanism may explain why patients experience cyclic flares and remissions, and why Bartonella can linger silently for years. Dr. Bush’s findings suggest that even short-term infections can produce measurable transcriptional changes in brain immune cells within 48 hours. If such infections persist for months or years, they may set the stage for neurodegenerative disease, particularly when combined with other pathogens or environmental factors. “If one intracellular pathogen can cause this many changes in two days, imagine what happens over months or years. Bartonella may be the spark that primes the brain for neurodegeneration.” — Dr. Janice Bush Why It Matters Dr. Bush’s research offers a groundbreaking look at how a common, underrecognized infection may drive neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Her work bridges veterinary medicine, infectious disease, and neurology—revealing how pathogens once dismissed as minor or self-limiting may alter the brain’s immune landscape. By demonstrating that Bartonella can infect and manipulate microglial cells, she provides critical biological evidence linking vector-borne disease and cognitive decline, paving the way for future diagnostic and therapeutic innovation. About the Event This interview was recorded at the 2nd Annual Alzheimer’s Pathobiome Initiative (AlzPI) and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) Symposium, held October 3, 2025, at Ohio University in Dublin, Ohio. The event gathered more than 20 leading researchers exploring how microbes, the microbiome, and immune dysregulation contribute to Alzheimer’s, dementia, and infection-associated chronic illness (IACI). The Tick Boot Camp Podcast, in partnership with Ali Moresco and Nikki Schultek, documented these conversations to connect the chronic Lyme, infectious disease, and Alzheimer’s research communities. This episode is part of Tick Boot Camp’s AlzPI collaboration series. Learn More Learn more about the Alzheimer’s Pathobiome Initiative (AlzPI) Listen to Tick Boot Camp Podcast episodes, including Episode 406: Pathobiome – An Interview with Nikki Schultek and Episode 101: The Young Gun – An Interview with Alex (Ali) Moresco discussed in this interview.

    20 min
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About

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!"

Information

  • Creator
    Matt Sabatello and Rich Johannesen
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    548
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025
  • Show Website
    Tick Boot Camp

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