Part I: Burnout, Breakdown, Breakthrough – A Complementary, Alternative Medicine Journey
- Brainz Magazine
- Jul 7
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 18
Catrina “Tri” Francis is the owner of LifeART Wellness Clinic in Glendale, WI, where she serves as an Integrative Frequency Specialist and Ayurvedic Practitioner. With deep expertise in energy medicine, neuroscience, and mobility, she is passionate about holistic healing and dedicated to creating welcoming, supportive spaces where clients can heal and thrive—mentally, physically, and spiritually.
I call this tale “The Breaking Point,” because when I hit my “breaking point” in life, my life restarted. Not automatically like a video game, but through sheer persistence, patience, and hard work. My story isn’t pretty. It never really has been but I’ve always made the best of the cards I was dealt, holding on to faith that the Universe has a plan. People look at me and think, "Oh, she is so strong and optimistic". Truth is, I’m a realist with an optimistic personality.
These days, it seems like everyone has a “healing journey” to share, but this isn’t about jumping on a trend. I see this as both a journal entry and an educational offering: a look at the physiological impacts of stress and burnout, and how I used Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) to reclaim my life.
CAM helped me navigate and begin to heal from hypertension, obesity, migraines, chronic pain, hurricane trauma, life-threatening preeclampsia, toxic workplaces, and the rollercoaster of parenting a child undergoing cancer treatment. That road ultimately led to not one, but two strokes, just two weeks apart, at the tender age of 38.
But how I got there? That’s a story for another day.
Today, I Share the Story of My Breaking Point – The Burnout
Imagine sitting in front of your computer, hands clammy, head beating like a drum, breathing like a racehorse trying to make it first to the finish line. You typically do not feel well, but this is different. You are able to log onto your computer to type a letter to your doctor, but ultimately you fail, as the words start to blur. You can’t think through what you were trying to say.
Waves come over your head, and then everything goes silent. You feel a split in the right side of your brain, and reality starts to tear in half like a piece of paper. Walls drip like paint as colors vary. You try to speak, but your speech is impaired.
The left side of your body feels heavier and heavier, like a lead weight. Reality restores itself, but your speech is not 100%, and the left side of your body continues to go numb. Time is going fast and slow at the same time.
You manage to reach a phone. Family rushes in, alarmed by your silence, your spiraling. You attempt to explain to the nurse on the line, forcing your words out with exaggerated precision. But you’re not making sense.
And then, you hear it, clear, urgent, terrifying, “Hospital. Now.”
That was my experience 2 years ago, 2 weeks later from the day of my initial stroke I had my second.
I know, intense, right? Why in the world would I start here? Well, to know my story is to know me, so background and imagery are important. But most importantly, I share this story because this occurrence is the epitome of what happens when stress and trauma are not processed properly, mentally and physically, leading to 'burnout'.
Now, I will say that when it comes to Neuroscience, the Mind-Body Connection, and CAM methods, these subjects can be considered controversial (especially in Western civilization), as they are considered Putative Sciences, also known as Theoretical Studies. This means there is some evidence to support these theories, but there are still things that are undefined.
In Western society, our culture believes in empirical evidence, which is best described by Britannica.com as “information gathered directly or indirectly through observation or experimentation,” leaving most things separated like science, spirituality/religion, the earth, and the body—and going by the idea that if you can’t prove it, it’s not real.
Unlike most African, Eastern, and Middle Eastern societies, which have a holistic understanding that everything is connected and has a purpose. We are connected to the earth, mind and spirit are not separated, and neither are the mind and body. Everything is one.
Putative science is mostly challenged due to:
Some aspects being undefined or unexplainable at the time.
It challenges mainstream beliefs and/or cultural conditioning.
There’s a lot of misinformation or communication gaps, as topics can be explained either improperly or inappropriately.
“In Western society, if you can't prove it, it's not real—rooted in the belief that only empirical evidence matters.” (Costa, 2025) [1]
I say all of this to say that from here, I will be deep diving into Putative Sciences. Topics include Energy Medicine, Neuroplasticity, Sound Healing and Ayurveda.
Stress responses that affect the Mind-Body Connection
There are three known phases of the stress cycle. Typically, this breakdown isn’t shared outside of medical or psychological fields which is exactly why I talk about it whenever I can. This is an oversimplification, but you’ll get the gist:
Phase 1 – Acute Stress & Irritation
This is the body’s immediate response to a perceived threat. It activates the sympathetic nervous system, releasing cortisol and adrenaline. Harvard Health explains the fight-or-flight response as an automatic surge that, over time, can contribute to long-term illness if left unmanaged. [2] But In this phase, stress is often manageable both physically and emotionally. It’s part of the natural ebb and flow of life.
Phase 2 – Neuro Confusion / Neurological Dysregulation
This emerges when stress becomes chronic and unresolved. The energy and tension from acute stress linger and become trapped in the body and brain, leading to inflammation and disruptions in the brain’s structure and communication pathways. Symptoms might include emotional instability (like sudden mood swings, anger, or sadness), fatigue, insomnia, or impaired focus. Physically, this can manifest as hypertension, migraines, lymphedema, obesity, and other stress-related conditions.
Phase 3 – Neuro-exhaustion
When stress and tension continue to accumulate without release, the body begins to shut down. This is deep burnout where the nervous system is overwhelmed and health issues become more serious. Stroke, heart disease, cancers, and other illnesses may arise as vital organs and neural systems begin to fail.
Studies show that prolonged stress can lead to inflammation, impaired cognition, and structural brain changes, particularly in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. [3] In my case, a prolonged state of neuro-exhaustion ultimately led to stroke.
Back to Me
By the time I was admitted to the ER, the entire left side of my body had gone numb… The next thing I remember was a screen, asking me to make a decision I wasn’t ready for. One that might save my life… or change it forever. Find out what happened at inLighten'd: A Path to Me.
Read more from Catrina Francis
Catrina "Tri" Francis is no stranger to burnout and its negative effects on the body. After facing stress-induced health challenges—including high blood pressure, obesity, TMJ, and migraines—she experienced neuro-exhaustion in the form of a stroke. Determined to heal, she immersed herself in complementary medicine, developing a holistic system that integrates Ayurveda, Reiki, Sound Healing, Chakra Attunements, Yoga, Assisted Stretching, and Neuroscience. Today, she blends her expertise in wellness and project management to empower others on their healing journeys, helping them achieve balance in mind, body, and spirit.
References
[1] Costa, D. (2025, January 8). Empirical evidence. Encyclopedia Britannica
[2] LeWine, H. E., MD. (2024, April 3). Understanding the stress response. Harvard Health Publishing
[3] Kim, E. J., & Kim, J. J. (2023). Neurocognitive effects of stress: A metaparadigm perspective. Molecular Psychiatry, 28, 2750–2763
Zunnash, K. (2024, March 14). Burnout exhausts brain function and physiology. BrainFacts.org.
Francis, C. T. (2025). Author credentials: Certified practitioner in Integrated Functional Medicine, Yoga, Sound Healing, Reiki (Master Teacher), Assisted Stretching, and current student of Neurofeedback Therapy
