Atlas Bamonte is a 42-year-old disability advocate and lifelong community builder. Known as a “zebra” in the medical community, he has lived experience with rare and complex conditions, which deeply informs his work.

For many years, Atlas worked as a birth and lactation professional, serving families in Alabama and Florida as a WIC peer counselor, lactation counselor, and doula. He co-founded a nonprofit in Alabama dedicated to ensuring that people living in poverty had access to doula care, and he created inclusive homeschooling groups while raising and homeschooling his four children, each with medical complexities and unique learning needs.

Now based in South Carolina, Atlas spends much of his time collaborating with medical professionals at MUSC, Duke, and Harvard, and participating in research with the Norris Lab on connective tissue disorders such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS). More recently, he was also diagnosed with dermatomyositis, a rare autoimmune disease, making him a point of study and collaboration among specialists at MUSC.

Alongside his own medical journey, Atlas provides education and peer support for people living with rare diseases, chronic illness, and medical PTSD—helping others navigate systems that often feel overwhelming and isolating.

This episode is with my friend Rafael. He is an amazing guy who has been through so much, and even through everything he has been through he still has nothing but love in his heart. After having glaucoma as a child, he got a cornea transplant on his teenage years, but the cornea transplant didn't work, so he decided to have them take it out, knowing that he had at least the other eye as a back up. Years later, though he had a stroke, which would take almost the rest of his sight and the other eye. In the episode, we talk about his journey with his eyes, mental health, and a lot more

In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Natalie West, a content creator and TikTok live host from the UK, who shares her personal journey with mental health. Natalie is known for her vibrant personality and infectious spirit, but behind the screen, like many of us, she faces her own struggles. Together, we explore the challenges she's encountered and dive deep into the realities of living with mental health struggles. Throughout the conversation, we focus on one powerful theme: hope. Natalie opens up about how holding onto hope, even during the toughest times, is what helps keep her going. If you're in need of some encouragement or just want to hear a raw and real conversation about mental Health and how we overcome it daily.

Her TikTok is @psychicvibes

Our next guest is a friend of mine who one day popped in my live on TikTok, and I knew we were gonna become friends. He's been through a lot, but she carries herself so well, and she's full of love. She is a chronic pain survivor, because she lives with fibromyalgia every day. We discuss how it has affected her life, the different supplements as she takes, and also how it affects her mental health.

Hi, I’m Melissa, a 32 year old mom, baker, and Steven’s Johnson Syndrome Survivor. As a teen, dreamt of becoming a pediatric infectious disease doctor and set to make that dream come true. While en route to medical school tragedy struck when I was 23 and I was diagnosed with Steven’s Johnson Syndrome/ Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis. After spending 9 months in the hospital and in rehabs, my life had absolutely changed forever.

As the years passed and I healed in more ways than just physically, I found more joy in life slowly but surely. I had another child as a huge surprise to our family and dove head first into making life as wonderful as possible for both of my kids. I became a passionate baker and advocate for people without a voice. Thanks for listening to my story and thank you again, Tim for having me.

I met Jordan on TikTok, and once I came across this content, I was really inspired, and proud of everything that he is and that he does. Jordan suffers from a condition called optic nerve hypoplasia, it's a condition where your nerves are under developed in your eyes. Jordan is somebody who takes his experiences and use them to help other people by informing them and giving them a true perspective I what it's like to be legally blind. Jordan is like many other people we've had on the show, he's someone who struggles, but always makes time to help others.

Follow him on TikTok @visuallyinspiredlife

Holly Griffin is an inspiring woman based in Atlanta, originally hailing from the vibrant city of Las Vegas, Nevada. After spending significant time in the bustling streets of New York City, Holly has embraced her unique journey as a yoga-teaching hairdresser, blending her passion for wellness and creativity into her daily life. Despite facing the challenges of Sjögren’s syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and Lupus, Holly remains a beacon of positivity, navigating her health struggles with resilience and grace. Her early experiences, including two unexpected strokes that left medical professionals puzzled, have only strengthened her resolve to live life fully.

When she isn't working her magic with hair or sharing her journey on TikTok, Holly cherishes quality time with her beloved pups, family, and friends. She believes in the power of connection and community, finding solace in the support of those around her. With each day, Holly continues to inspire others with her uplifting spirit, demonstrating that even on the toughest days, joy and laughter can be found in the simplest moments.

Her TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@holly_halina?_t=ZT-8zAvGIiygU2&_r=1

Sarah is a storyteller shaped by survival. Growing up in poverty, hunger and without a father, she learned resilience from a strong single mother and her Native American roots. By 18, she was raising children of her own, and in her 20s she faced addiction while trying to hold together a young marriage. Now, after 20 years of marriage, four children, and a lifetime of trials—including living with chronic pain from a spinal condition on long-term disability at 39—Sarah is opening up about the unspoken struggles that define so many lives. Her podcast is about more than trauma—it’s about truth, healing, breaking cycles, and finding identity through honesty and storytelling.