Meet Emily Hopkins

We recently connected with Emily Hopkins and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Emily, thank you so much for joining us today. There are so many topics we could discuss, but perhaps one of the most relevant is empathy because it’s at the core of great leadership and so we’d love to hear about how you developed your empathy?

How My Conditions Shaped My Mission

I always loved homemaking—the soothing rhythm of cooking from scratch, the joy of creating something beautiful and nourishing. But my passion for the art of simplicity deepened when I faced a diagnosis at 19 that turned my world upside down: gallbladder disease. It wasn’t just a medical issue; it was a wake-up call. Doctors told me I needed surgery, that healing was impossible without it. But something inside me refused to accept that as the only answer.

Determined to take control of my health, I dove headfirst into research. I discovered the power of clean eating, detoxifying cleanses, and holistic remedies. Slowly but surely, through diligence and faith, I healed my gallbladder without surgery within a year. At the time, I felt triumphant—proud that I had proven the naysayers wrong. I thought the battle was over. Little did I know, it was merely the opening chapter of a much longer journey.

At 20, the symptoms began creeping in—fatigue, brain fog, pain that seemed to come from nowhere. After countless tests and visits to specialists, I was hit with a series of diagnoses: Lyme disease, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, Epstein-Barr Virus, Bartonella, and more. My once-simple world unraveled into one where every decision, every bite, and every product in my home carried the weight of potential harm or healing.

The challenges came fast and heavy. The physical pain, the frustration of misdiagnoses, the isolation of living with chronic illness—all threatened to pull me into a dark spiral. But instead of sinking into despair, I found a different path: one paved with determination, patience, and most importantly, empathy.

Through my struggles, I gained a profound understanding of what it means to live with limitations, to face a world that often doesn’t understand or accommodate invisible illnesses. My battles forced me to slow down, to listen to my body, and to reimagine health not as a finish line but as a journey. This shift didn’t just save me—it transformed me.

Empathy became my compass. I could see others on similar paths, facing the same exhaustion and uncertainty I had felt. I wanted to reach them, to share what I had learned about using food as medicine, crafting low-tox living spaces, and regaining control over health. My pain became my purpose.

Over the past 14 years, I’ve turned that purpose into a passion. I don’t just cook from scratch; I teach others how to reconnect with real ingredients that nurture their bodies. I don’t just live a low-tox life; I inspire others to evaluate what they allow into their homes, their diets, and their routines. Every candle I make, every recipe I share, every story I tell is a piece of the larger mission: to help others protect their health before it slips away and to show those with chronic illnesses that healing is still possible.

These years of struggle gifted me a perspective I never would have had otherwise. I don’t see my health challenges as curses anymore; they are the soil in which my empathy has grown. They’ve given me the strength to inspire, the knowledge to guide, and the heart to connect with those who need a beacon of hope.

To anyone walking the road of chronic illness, I share this: your journey may be fraught with hardship, but it can also become a source of purpose. You can emerge not only as a survivor but as someone who uplifts others. Together, we can reclaim our health and build homes filled with authentic, healing ingredients—homes that nourish both the body and the soul.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

The kitchen was always my sanctuary. Every recipe I created felt like a piece of my soul—a balance of flavors, textures, and nourishment crafted from scratch. But the true joy didn’t come from just cooking; it came from sharing.

When I served a warm bowl of soup to a friend recovering from illness or handed over a jar of homemade jam as a thoughtful gift, I saw the magic happen. Food wasn’t just sustenance—it was connection. Each recipe I perfected became a story I wanted to tell, a gift I wanted to pass on.

Then came the candles. What started as a simple project to detoxify my home turned into a new passion. Melting pure beeswax, blending essential oils, and crafting something so simple yet so meaningful felt like an extension of the love I poured into my recipes. A lit candle, I realized, could transform a space just as a shared meal could bring people together.

I began sharing my candles with friends and family, tucking them into care packages alongside a handwritten recipe card. “This soup will warm your soul,” I’d write, “and this candle will light your way.” Soon, people began reaching out—not just for more candles but for the stories behind them, for the recipes that had brought comfort and joy to my home.

What started as personal passions grew into something bigger. Each candle I poured and every recipe I shared became a small act of care, a way to show others that the simplest things—a hearty meal, a glowing flame—could bring healing, comfort, and connection.

And so, I kept created my Instagram account @cleanbyemmie to share my recipes and candles with the world and not just my small community. I wanted a space to share my story with the world and inspire each person to find their passion and their gift and allow it to bless others!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

1. Resilience

My health journey required me to face overwhelming challenges, from multiple diagnoses to the physical and emotional toll of chronic illness. Resilience and hope became my foundation—the ability to adapt, endure, and persevere even when progress felt slow or uncertain. I hope to inspire others to believe that setbacks don’t define them, and with persistence and hope, healing is possible.

2. Resourcefulness

In the face of daunting medical advice, I sought alternative paths, researching holistic methods, clean eating, and detoxification techniques. Don’t let your diagnoses define you. You have the ability to creatively solve problems and educate yourself and take ownership of your health journey by seeking knowledge and exploring different solutions. You are not your diagnoses.

3. Empathy

My struggles gave me a deep understanding of what it’s like to feel unheard or misunderstood. Instead of letting my pain isolate me, I turned it into a bridge to connect with others and be a light in their darkness. By sharing my story and offering practical advice, I hope to inspire others to kindness. I hope others will see my journey and feel less alone, or inspired to be there for their loved ones and friends walking the road of chronic illness.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

My mom has been the heart of my healing journey, a steady presence in the midst of chaos and uncertainty. From the very beginning, she showed me the true meaning of unconditional love and selflessness. When I needed treatment that wasn’t available nearby, she didn’t hesitate—she packed up our lives and moved us across state lines. It wasn’t just a move; it was a declaration that my healing mattered, and she would do whatever it took to support me.

Her care went beyond logistics. She poured her heart into cooking me nourishing meals, crafting each dish with the intention of helping me heal. When I couldn’t stand on my own, she was there to hold me up. When I was overcome with frustration or grief, she let me cry in her arms, reminding me that it was okay to feel broken but never to give up. And when there were moments of joy—however small—she made sure we celebrated together, finding laughter even in the darkest days.

She became my researcher when I couldn’t read another article, the one who scoured books and the internet to find answers I desperately needed. When brain fog clouded my ability to think or remember even the simplest details, she was my memory, keeping track of my symptoms, my appointments, and my progress. Her ability to step into my world with such compassion and strength inspired me to keep going, even when it felt impossible.

But beyond her practical support, it was her love and determination that fueled me. She believed in my ability to heal even when I doubted it myself. She inspired me to see that healing isn’t just a physical process—it’s a journey of hope, resilience, and connection.

Her passion for homemaking and her ability to make others feel cared for through small, thoughtful gestures—like a loaf of freshly baked bread shared with a neighbor—became a blueprint for how I wanted to live my life. She showed me that healing isn’t something we do in isolation; it’s something we cultivate in community, through love and shared experiences.

My mom taught me the power of being there for others. Because of her, I understand the value of simply listening to someone who is struggling, of sharing a piece of my story to make them feel less alone. Her example inspires me every day to reach out, to connect, and to use my journey to bring hope to others walking the same path.

She is my rock, my inspiration, and the reason I strive to be a source of comfort and strength for those facing their own battles. Everything I do—from the recipes I share to the support I offer others—is rooted in the lessons of love and resilience she has taught me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cleanbyemmie.com
• Instagram: @cleanbyemmie