Inspirational Women Series created by Tracey S. Yang Article #11 with Michelle Tonkin
Michelle Tonkin is a naturopathic doctor, author, and creative. She is a graduate of Trinity College of Natural Health and Acusage Academy. Her journey to pursue those degrees began back in 2001 when she had questions due to her own chronic health conditions. Since she became a naturopathic doctor, Michelle has written several books which include Lyme & Co-infections: The Road to Recovery and the Simon the Seahorse Series. Michelle is also a filmmaker and a musician who is in a music ministry called Deep Renewal alongside her sister, Melissa.
1. Why did you decide to become a naturopathic doctor?
My journey into naturopathic medicine began around 1999 when my twin sister and I within one year of each other came down with a mysterious illness. We both started having neurological symptoms such as dizziness, lightheadedness, severe brain fog as well as allergies to different foods and even certain aspects of our environment. Previously, we both had been very healthy with no health challenges except the occasional cold or flu. About thirty-plus doctors and five years later, we discovered through a naturopathic doctor that we had Lyme Disease. Melissa and I had already started doing our nutritional studies, but it confirmed that this was the direction that the Lord wanted us to go in. We were to help not only ourselves but also others to walk in abundant health. I got my degree as a naturopathic doctor in 2005, and I have seen many people’s lives change for the better. Some have been complete miracles while others have been a process, but through each person, the Lord has allowed my journey, experience, and studies to help others. What the enemy meant for bad, the Lord turned around and used it for His glory!
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
Genesis 50:20
2. What is the story behind Healthy Solutions for All?
A year or two after I got my degree as a naturopathic doctor, my family had an idea to start an online nutritional store to sell health products, do consults, etc. This first store was called Renewal Enterprises, and we were one of the first online health stores. This was before the age of Amazon.com. Around 2018, we sold that business, and around 2021, Healthy Solutions For All was born. This company has a very similar vision to our original business. We offer health consultations, some of the best pharmaceutical-grade supplements, and health and wellness books. I also have some great health information on my blog and YouTube channel. Our mission is still the same—to help others achieve and maintain vibrant health and well-being.
3. Where can someone go to hire you for your naturopathic services?
You can check out our website at www.healthysolutionsforall.com. You can also email us at contacthealthysolutionsforall@yahoo.com or call us at 1877-955-4325 (HEAL).
4. Name 3 ways that can improve people’s gut health.
Gut health is extremely important and something that people often overlook in their health. Did you know that 80% of the health of our immune system lies in how healthy our gut is? That’s pretty significant! With everything that is going on in our world, this makes taking care of our gut very important! Three things we can do to take care of our gut are:
- Take plant-based enzymes. Enzymes are essential for our digestion. Enzymes are naturally present in foods like fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, grains, root vegetables, etc. Unfortunately, because of modern farming practices, a lot of the enzymes, minerals, vitamins, etc. that were once present in our foods are not there or in much smaller amounts. They also can be lost during the cooking process, which is another reason why it is essential to supplement. Not having enough enzymes can result in conditions like bloating, gas, nausea, indigestion, heartburn, etc. I’m always the one passing out the enzymes at all the holiday family dinners! And believe me, they all take it because they know if they don’t, they probably won’t be feeling the best. So yes, enzymes are definitely key.
- Probiotics. Probiotics are those friendly bacteria that help keep our gut terrain healthy and keep those bad bacteria in check. Unfortunately, most people have a ratio of about 20% bad bacteria to 80% good bacteria. Unfortunately, bacteria overgrowth is quite common as it is affected by things such as stress, antibiotics, too much sugar, an unhealthy diet, etc. Fortunately, it’s easy to find sources of good bacteria. We can get them in fermented food sources such as natto, kimchi, kefir, or even sauerkraut. Kefir is a great source of naturally occurring probiotics. This is a probiotic milk drink that has been used for hundreds of years to restore gut health, and it has very little lactase in it. This means it’s good for most people even with milk allergies. You can also look into supplemental probiotics. If you go the supplement route, I would suggest a probiotic that has at least 1 billion or more of L. Acidophilus and B. Bifidus as these are two of the most common bacterium found in the gut. You also want to make sure that it doesn’t need constant refrigeration, meaning that if it’s left out for a day or two that it will still work. What this means is that it’s heat or acid-resistant, which means that it will be more easily able to implant those good guys in your stomach.
- Bovine Colostrum. Colostrum is the life-giving immune-building yellow substance produced by a mother’s mammary glands within seventy-two hours after giving birth. Colostrum contains all those life-giving nutrients that a growing baby needs including HGH (Human Growth Hormone) and IGG (Immunoglobins). Bovine Colostrum closely mimics human colostrum, and, thus, works well for our immune systems as well. Because colostrum is so dense in nutrients, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, HGH, IGG, etc., it is great for helping to heal the gut lining as well as supporting our immune system. Colostrum is also wonderful for helping the body heal muscles, nerves, and even bones! I once gave a friend this who broke their nose colostrum, and within two days, it had already healed! Colostrum is amazing stuff, and it is great for gut health!
5. Tell me more about your film, Crossing Over The Movie.
This is a project that I’ve been involved with for a number of years. Around 2014, I was given a book by a friend of ours about a woman who had come out of human trafficking. Before I even read the book, I felt the Holy Spirit tell me that he wanted me to write a movie script about her life. I hadn’t really written movie scripts before this, but I knew that this was something God was calling me to do. A few years later, I was divinely connected to actor and producer, Vanessa Dimitropoulos, and together, we have been diligently working and reworking the script and website to get it ready for production. Crossing Over is a very raw and powerful true-life story of a woman who not only escaped the clutches of human trafficking but also her own emotional and spiritual prison. It is our hope that this movie will reach people on many different levels. This film powerfully exposes the reality of human trafficking, and we plan on using some of the profits from the movie to help support organizations in their fight against human trafficking. Finally, our desire is to offer hope to those lost in human trafficking, abuse, or violence so that they too can be set free from the tragedies of their past walking out of the darkness and into the light! We are currently looking for investors and support to move this film forward into production. For more information, please visit us at www.crossingoverthemovie.com.
6. Where does the inspiration for your music, books, and films come from?
The Holy Spirit often speaks to my spirit concerning different ideas for films, books, music, etc. It is usually completely unexpected. I’ll be doing something, and an idea or music will come to me, and I’ll just know in my spirit that it’s from the Lord. For example, when I get inspired to write a song or music, I’ll usually hear the melody in my head or when I’m playing my guitar. After the melody for the chorus comes, I can usually flesh out the entire song within five to ten minutes! That’s how I know it’s from the Lord; there is no struggle! I’ve tried to write music before without being Holy Spirit inspired, and it never works! The same thing happens with my books. An idea will come to me, and I will sit down at my computer and start to write an outline. Writing books does take more time as I usually do research, etc. I also have to discipline myself to make time to write, but I always feel like the Lord is helping me. When I read through what I’ve written, I’ll often think to myself, “I really wrote that?” Because its so well put together and has an anointing on it. It will even convict me! That’s how you know it’s from the Lord—when you know without Him, you couldn’t have accomplished it.
7. What do you enjoy writing about the most?
I enjoy the challenge that writing presents as well as the outcome. I am hoping that whatever I am writing, whether that be a song, book, script, article, blog, etc., will have an impact and make a difference in someone’s life. My greatest hope is that what I write will touch people and draw them closer to Jesus. God can use all of our gifts to draw others to him even in the things we don’t think are as valuable. This world is looking for the love of Jesus. When we shine that light, even in the smallest of ways, it can make a difference.
8. Tell me more about your music ministry, Deep Renewal.
Since we were very young, my sister and I would sing together at church. At the age around age sixteen, my sister and I started a music ministry called Deep Renewal. All of the songs that we write and sing come from the Lord, and we have been blessed to minister at different places such as churches, coffee shops, a school, outdoor events, etc. Melissa plays the piano, and I play the guitar. I also know how to play a little violin, and I taught myself how to play the sax although I’m not proficient at either one of those. We enjoy getting to know people before and after we sing and also minister in music and word. Our hope is that people will be touched and encounter the Lord as we minister. Our latest CD, One Way Ticket, came out recently in 2021 and is available on all platforms like Itunes, Amazon, Spotify etc. You can check out our site here at www.deeprenewal.com.
9. Give some words of encouragement to others who may need it.
Don’t give up and keep your eyes on Jesus! Throughout my life’s journey, there have been many highs, lows, and in-betweens. In each season, Jesus has been my constant through it all. Don’t look to people, things, money, friends, etc. to hold you secure, but make sure that the Lord is your anchor in your life. There’s a song Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus. As I was singing the chorus one day, the words hit me. “Jesus. Jesus. How I trust Him. How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er. Jesus. Jesus. Precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more.” Yes, Jesus has proved Himself faithful to me time and again, and His grace allows me to continue to trust Him—to trust Him even when I can’t see or understand why things happen or when I’m tempted to worry. Remember that God has always been faithful in the past, and He will be faithful to you again. We can trust Him!
10. Do you have any parting words before this article ends?
I believe that we are nearing the time of our Lord’s return. We must prepare our hearts and continue to do what He has called each of us to do. Our time here on Earth is short when compared to eternity. We must keep an eternal perspective in front of us reminding ourselves what is truly important in this life. I was watching a program on Sid Roth the other day about a husband and a wife. The Lord gave a warning in a dream to them. The Lord showed the wife about the parable of Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13) and how all ten were believers but only five of them were allowed to enter the wedding banquet of the Lord. The other five were not prepared as they did not have the oil they needed for their lamps. What I took away from their interview was that Jesus is coming back for his bride, so don’t let your love for others or Jesus grow cold, but strengthen your heart by spending time in His presence and continuing to fulfill your purpose. Remember that “They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” (Revelation 12:11) May the Lord continue to bless you and use your life for His glory.
This article is a part of a series that is created and written by Tracey S. Yang called the Inspirational Women Series. This series is used to highlight and showcase inspirational women across the globe. Tracey S. Yang’s inspiration for this series came from the book Power Up, Super Women: Stories of Courage and Empowerment where she, in the book, is also one of the women coauthors.
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