Meet Shawn Blymiller

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shawn Blymiller a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Shawn, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I found my purpose from my son. When an innocent child depends on you to survive it changes you. It activates these primal feelings and sensations from deep within you. My son was diagnosed with a rare chronic autoimmune illness called PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disease Associated with Streptoccocal Infection). Basically strep caused inflammation in his brain. He is 9 years old today and nonverbal and completely dependent on someone to care for him 24 hours a day. Everything I do is to find answers for him. I’ve dedicated my work and my life to studying functional medicine to search for answers for my son.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I started a nonprofit to support the parents of kids with chronic autoimmune illnesses like PANDAS/ Autism. My son Theo has 2 diagnosis. He has been diagnosed with level 3 autism meaning he requires the highest level of care and he has been diagnosed with PANDAS. My desire is to bring the parents of these special kids together because we are ultimately going to be the ones who find answers for our kids. The United States healthcare system and government are not doing enough research and they are not properly motivated to help these kids. Us parents are more motivated than anyone in the world to help these kids to develop and live a functional life. Each year our nonprofit runs a Dad’s retreat and a Mom’s retreat to allow for these parents to connect and make new friends with other parents that share their reality. We also offer webinars on meditation, financial wellness, men’s health, women’s health, etc. In order for these parents to find answers for their kids they need to be refueled. Caring for a special needs child is a blessing however it is grueling and exhausting. We need to find the best ways to refuel and recharge.

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

No one is coming to save you or your child. It is all on you. That is a heavy load. It has taken years for that to sink in for me over long spells. The body and the mind can only process that burden over time and with the help of tools like meditation. Humans are social creatures. When your child is diagnosed with a severe diagnosis like autism or PANDAS the tendency is to self-isolate and that is the wrong move. We need connection with other parents who are facing the same thing. We need these connections for empathy and motivation. As a man it is difficult to be vulnerable and to express your honest thoughts and feelings because you are afraid that no one will understand. However, if you bottle those thoughts and emotions in it will all make you sick. You will be less capable and able to serve your special child.

What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?

Functional Medicine utilizes Positive Psychology which focuses on your strengths and not your weaknesses. The business world has adopted this approach through the Gallup Strength Finders poll. The business world has seen the benefits of identifying your core strengths and finding ways to deploy them more frequently. One of the U.S. Soccer’s best soccer players ever to wear the red, white, and blue Eric Wynalda says you should do what you are best at and put yourself in positions to do those strengths more frequently. I believe our weaknesses will be strengthened over time as we continue to develop our strengths.

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