Part III: Burnout, Breakdown, Breakthrough – A Complementary, Alternative Medicine Journey
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.
After taking the medicine and staying in the hospital for three days, things did not change immediately. The change was slow and steady. I knew I did not want to be a burden to anyone, especially not my husband, and I knew that I was extremely weak mentally, physically, and spiritually. But first things first, I had to be able to 'think' and 'walk'. To regain my cognitive senses, I forced myself to play mind games daily. Sudoku was big for me. To walk, I would attempt to walk daily on the treadmill. Then, when I could, I would mix the two, which helped me regain the ability to context switch, something I knew I would need back to help me survive. Like many, back then I considered multitasking a superpower.
Looking back, knowing what I know now, I wish I would have been less hard on myself. I pushed myself to get better, and honestly, doing that may have delayed my progress. But trauma, fear, and perfectionism drove that. And that is another conversation for another time.
Today, I live differently, intentionally. I don’t just preach CAM, I embody it. But getting here wasn’t a magic trick. It was a process of unlearning, surrendering, healing, and rebuilding from the inside out.
For me, that meant:
Facing my fears and finally processing years of trauma, because buried emotions don’t stay buried.
Understanding my spirituality, my purpose, and how I connect to something greater than myself.
Prioritizing my health above all else. Not in a performative way, but by listening to what my body wants and what it rejects. (Spoiler: it’s fresh, light food, not meat and alcohol.)
I now practice what I once neglected:
I move my body three to five times a week.
I honor a pescatarian lifestyle, though truth be told, I rarely crave fish anymore.
I barely drink.
And I only pour my energy into what I’m passionate about:
My CAM clinic, LifeART Wellness, where I help others build their own transformational wells.
My foundation, LeenaSun Horizons, was created to support families navigating childhood cancer.
This wasn’t a quick pivot. It was a 180-degree shift, one that required the universe to strip away everything I thought I needed so I could become who I was meant to be. I’m still evolving, but I’m no longer the woman I was.
Let this be your gentle reminder: whether you’re asking, “Should I take the meds?” or “How do I get off of them?” it’s not about shame or shortcuts. It’s about finding alignment. In moments of crisis, medication may save your life. But long-term healing? That lives in the daily choices we make to come back to ourselves.
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:
Costa, D. (2025, January 8). Empirical evidence. Encyclopedia Britannica.
Zunnash, K. (2024, March 14). Burnout exhausts brain function and physiology. BrainFacts.org.
LeWine, H. E., MD. (2024, April 3). Understanding the stress response. Harvard Health Publishing.
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.
