What Stem Cell Therapy Taught Me About Recovery, Mindset, and Reinventing Downtime

In today’s episode, I share my personal experience with stem cell therapy—and the unexpected lessons that came from being forced to slow down.

Whether you’re choosing a procedure like stem cell therapy or suddenly dealing with an injury or illness, time off from your normal routine isn’t just inconvenient — it’s a major mental and physical shift. But it doesn’t have to be a setback. 

In this episode, I unpack the power of reframing your downtime with three key focus areas:

1. Mindset, 
2. Movement, and 
3. Meaningful redirection.

Why I opted for Stem Cell Therapy

Knee inflammation. 

As a medical exercise specialist and a strength & conditioning coach, if we have a knee issue, the first places to look are the hip mobility, glute strength and hamstring strength.

I chose to do a stem cell therapy NOW before the degeneration of the tissues got worse. Nothing you do with soft tissue will help your hard tissue or bone structure regenerate.

If there's an opportunity to regenerate, it occurs when you're healthiest, not when more damage is done.

MINDSET

• Detaching identity from physically active and physically capable
• Dealing with “rest guilt” “You will regret doing too much. You won't regret doing less.”
• Flipping frustration into self-awareness
• What I did: travel to a baby shower 
• Accept the pace change without resentment.

MOVEMENT

• Moving smarter not harder.
• Do what I am able to do (core activation) and how I modified it with no pressure on the knees (e.g. stretching, swimming with a pool buoy, etc).
• “Some” movement matters more than “perfect” movement.
• It's better to be undertrained than overtrained.

MEANINGFUL REDIRECTION (or Focus Shift)

• Using the extra time for non-physical growth (sleep, reading a book, collecting recipes, etc.)
• Business planning, learning, and creative projects.
• The power of journaling during healing.
• Making your mandatory time off count long-term.

The Power of Pause - The Lesson Learned from My Stem Cell Therapy

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Resources: 

• Get your lean, clean Flipping 50 Protein Powders to maintain muscle and support metabolism.
• Join the Flipping50 Insiders Facebook Group and connect with Debra and the community.
• Book a Discovery Call with Debra to talk about your own menopause or becoming a coach.