Tristin Halie Fleetwood L.E., CHC.
It all begins with some trauma, I suffered a traumatic brain injury at age 14 (*also known as a TBI) and then add in a little more trauma - a TBI inducing, near fatal car accident in 2018, followed by a freak accident and intense fall through my abusive ex’s crawlspace hatch resulting in another significant TBI in 2019, two incomplete spinal cord injuries due to car accidents - one in 2018 - and the other most recently in 2023, I’ve endured 2 trips to Mayo Clinic Rochester and have over 30+ diagnosed chronic illness conditions - the primary 3 conditions I battle on the daily are the nightmare trifecta that is Ehlers Danlos Syndrome hEDS, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome POTS, and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome MCAS) - sprinkle in a heavy dose of medical gaslighting and you’ve got yourself a ME.
Hello there, for those of you who don’t know me; my name is Tristin Halie Fleetwood. I’m a 10 year Licensed Esthetician, 7 year Certified Health Coach and lifetime chronic illness patient. I’ve owned and operated 3 successful skin care studios across 2 different states, and have even set up and co-hosted trauma informed skin care, massage and somatic retreats for the Forbes 30 under 30 lists. Writing is one of my lifelong passions, and I’ve written for and been featured in health sites across the world. My podcast Healing the Belly Wound launched in 2021 and is actively a work in progress after being temporarily placed on hold due to my own medical journey becoming more complex to navigate.
As a previous Office Manager, Director of Patient Experience, and Medical Insurance Billing Specialist for an over 3,000 patient practice for over 3 years, I’ve helped countless patients access the care they need. Patient advocacy, alongside disability education have become two of my biggest passions, especially as my own disabilities have progressed over the years. I’ve had to overcome a lot of internalized ableism and genuinely enjoy helping others do the same. The medical gaslighting I’ve experienced is extremely traumatizing and at times the results have been near fatal. I share my story with the world to help others feel less alone in their medical chaos but also to help them gain access to the quality health care they deserve.
*Interested in learning more about my diagnoses and personal journey? Please check out our blog.
This is about community, strength, courage & resilience…
all my love, Tristin Halie