My Wellness Journey: From Health Crisis to Functional Mushrooms
How a personal health crisis, CBD discovery, and bed rest research led to founding Statera.
When Life Forces You to Stop
They say listen when your body whispers so you don't have to stop when it's screaming. Never has something rung so true for me suffering with chronic health conditions for the vast majority of my adult life.
Two and a half years ago, I thought I was juggling everything pretty well but my nervous system and my migraines disagreed in a big way. Working in the legal profession in London, I was climbing the career ladder, ticking all the conventional boxes of success and working towards qualifying as a Chartered Legal Executive in a commercial property firm in the West End. I think they call it duck syndrome because on the surface I had my career, my marriage and my social circle. But underneath it was a daily struggle that had steadily been becoming harder and harder to manage until it came to a crashing head.
The chronic migraines started subtly, from around 2017 then became relentless. I was put on Topiramate and the dosage had fluctuated over the years. But on 13th December 2022 I found myself in Queens A&E in Romford after my GP surgery told me the symptoms I was describing were beyond my regular migraine symptons and they were concerned it could be a stroke. Everything seemed to standstill at that point. Like Brie Vandercamp in Desperate Housewives I finished making lunch for my husband and I got my cats some food and then I remember taking an uber to the hospital. I'd been having symptoms for around 5 days including slurred speech, nosebleeds, confusion, I'd forgotten where I was in the local Sainsburys and it was the two days of intermittent nosebleeds that made me call into the GP. But never did I think this could be a stroke. Dutifully I sat and waited for 7/8hours in the majors dept. I had a CT scan and the doctor (thank goodness) said no, this was just another (albeit aggressive) migraine. I apologised. He said I was right to have come in. Home I went around 12am and I went to work the next day. Because when you have a chronic condition, you just have to get on with it most of the time.
But something had changed in me after that moment. I was shaken up and I was also deeply sad. There are flare ups inevitably and there are the good days and bad days but this was a really bad day.
What I didn't know then was that this would become the catalyst for something beautiful - the birth of Statera and my mission to help others find wellness through functional mushrooms.
The Breaking Point: When Conventional Solutions Weren't Enough
Living with chronic migraines while maintaining a demanding legal career felt impossible. The pain wasn't just physical - it went so much deeper than that as I had a constant aching frustration of feeling like my body was/is betraying me, the anxiety of not knowing when the next episode would hit, and the overwhelming stress of trying to maintain normalcy when nothing felt normal.
Traditional treatments provided temporary relief at best and the doctors started to mess around with my Topiramate dosages which sent my digestive system into an absolute state of flux. I found myself searching for any alternatives, desperate for something that could address not just the symptoms, but help my body find its natural balance again.
The CBD Gateway: My First Step Into Natural Wellness
That's when I discovered CBD for stress management. It helped to give me a sense of calm that didn't come from a prescription, (at this point the NHS was becoming a trauma in itself because the digestion issues had sent me down a whole other spiral of CT scans and investigations with gynae and gastro departments). CBD became my gateway into understanding how natural compounds could support my body's own healing mechanisms.
But CBD was just the beginning. As I lay in bed during periods of forced rest, unable to maintain my usual pace, I was becoming miserable and fast. I needed something to distract myself so I didn't lose myself.
I found myself diving deep into research about natural wellness solutions. Those hours of bed rest, which initially felt like lost time wallowing in my own self-pity, became the foundation of everything that would follow.
The Research Rabbit Hole: Discovering Functional Mushrooms
During the hours spent resting when I wasn't at work, I stumbled upon the fascinating world of functional mushrooms. The more I read, the more intrigued I became. Here were these incredible fungi that had been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine, now backed by modern scientific research. It was magical, the webs of mycelium. Watching Fantastic Fungi by Merlin Sheldrake. I felt like Alice in Wonderland and I went right down the rabbit hole.
Turkey Tail caught my attention first - with its immune-supporting properties and potential for overall wellness. Then came Reishi, often called the "mushroom of immortality," known for its stress-reducing and sleep-supporting benefits. Finally, Cordyceps - traditionally used for energy and vitality and of course Lions Mane seemingly the most trendy because everyone links it to the film Limitless!
What struck me most was learning that humans share 50-54% of our DNA with fungi. We're biologically compatible in ways I'd never considered. These weren't just supplements - they were potential partners in my healing journey.
From Bed Rest to Business Plan
Those months of forced slowdown gave me something unexpected: clarity. As I researched functional mushrooms and began incorporating them into my routine, I realised I wasn't just healing myself - I was uncovering a path to help others facing similar struggles and I could use the time on bed rest to find manufacturers and design product labels and build a website/social media pages. It gave me a new focus instead of feeling so useless because of my body's current state. I could rebuild myself and spread the knowledge of what I was learning with other people - I was excited.
I envisioned creating premium functional mushroom teas that would make these powerful fungi accessible and enjoyable for people like me - busy professionals dealing with stress, health challenges, and the constant search for balance. I wanted to create positive and uplifting social media platforms to share in wellness tips for anyone with health battles and safe spaces for people to share their experiences.
December 12, 2023: Statera is Born
Exactly one year after my health crisis reached its peak, Statera officially launched. The timing wasn't coincidental - it represented a full circle moment from my lowest point to creating something meaningful.
I chose to focus on the mushroom teas because they felt approachable and ritualistic. Each morning cup could become a moment of mindfulness, a pause in the chaos, a gentle way to support your body's natural balance.
Our three core products reflect my personal journey:
- Statera Rest (Reishi) - for the stress and sleep issues I battled
- Statera Glow (Cordyceps) - for the energy I desperately needed to rebuild
- Statera Digest (Turkey Tail) - for overall wellness and immune support
Each tea bag contains 100mg of pure fruiting body mushroom - no fillers, no mycelium, just the potent compounds that traditional medicine has treasured for millennia.
The Personal Touch: Why Authenticity Matters
Running Statera while managing my health and a full-time job isn't easy. There are often days when self-doubt creeps in, when I wonder if I'm crazy for starting a wellness company during my own healing journey. But then I remember why I started this.
Every person who discovers functional mushrooms through Statera is someone who might avoid the health crisis I experienced. Every "Stateran" (our community term) who finds balance through our teas is validation that those long days of bed rest research were worth it.
Manufacturing with Purpose
When it came to bringing Statera to life, I insisted on UK manufacturing in Leicester. After everything I'd been through, quality couldn't be compromised. Our suppliers in China and Europe provide lab-tested extracts, and every batch is carefully crafted into premium herbal blends.
We package everything in reusable tins with biodegradable tea bags because wellness should extend to our planet too. When you're healing yourself, you naturally want to heal the world around you.
The Statera Community: From Crisis to Connection
What started as a personal health journey has become something bigger. Our "Staterans" aren't just customers - they're fellow 'travelers on the wellness path'. They receive early access to new products, exclusive content, and most importantly, they're part of a community that understands the journey from struggle to strength.
Looking Forward: The Ripple Effect of Wellness
Today, as I balance Statera with my other commitments, I'm reminded daily that our lowest moments often plant the seeds for our greatest contributions. My health crisis didn't just change my life - it gave me a mission.
Whether you're dealing with stress, seeking better sleep, or simply wanting to support your body's natural balance, functional mushrooms offer a gentle, time-tested path forward. They're not magic bullets, but they're powerful allies in your wellness journey.
Ready to Start Your Own Wellness Journey?
If my story resonates with you, I invite you to explore what functional mushrooms might offer your own wellness journey. Start with our Ultimate Trio Bundle to experience all three of our core teas, or choose the one that speaks to your current needs.
Remember, wellness isn't about perfection - it's about progress, balance, and listening to what your body needs. Sometimes our greatest challenges become our most beautiful opportunities.
Join our community of Staterans and discover how functional mushrooms can support your journey to balance and wellness.
xoxo, Rhianna