This is my story, prepared for friends and kindred souls.

It came as a huge shock when my husband, Rafael died from the complications of Lyme disease in early 2025. During the first few months following his passing, life was a blur of paperwork, planning, moving house and starting over again on my own. It was all about getting through processes, giving things away and trying to find comfort amid chaos. 

I'd been assured that I'd eventually get to where I was thriving and enjoying life again after a period of adjustment, but towards the end of 2025, my energy levels were flagging and none of my efforts were truly bearing fruit. 

At about the same time, a friend noticed that I was unable to finish the projects I'd started, despite having begun them with lots of energy. She pointed out that creating new projects and then finding distractions was a recurrent theme for me and that this was in no way a character flaw, rather an indicator of low vagal tone. She said the more I strived to maintain 'busy-ness', the faster I'd find myself in burnout. 

My friend went on to explain that I was stuck in a 'flight-freeze' loop where every delay, setback or disappointment reinforced for me a feeling of  'not enoughness' in a world focussed on productivity. That feeling, compounded by poor sleep habits, social isolation and PTSD had sent me into a downward spiral; not unusual given the circumstances.

I listened intently to what my friend was telling me as she offered the story of her own experience and how something simple had made a difference for her: it was a phytonutrient that was completely natural and free from side-effects. As she spoke, my body responded with waves of goosebumps that said, 'yes, this is for you'.

The following week, I started taking a liquid tincture made from matured hops extract and started to sleep and rest, feel a calmness within and eventually, sit with my grief for long enough to feel it.

Eight months later, I'm feeling the satisfaction of finally having tended to my biology. I'm back in my body and loving it. My life today in no way resembles the life I had prior to November of 2025 when I was living in the hope that someone would come and rescue me from unfinished projects, sugar cravings and financial mayhem.

It has been quite the journey, but I'm now seeing the bigger picture: that I was meant to go through it all so that I could recognise others in a similar situation and offer them a helping hand, just as my friend did for me.

The two little plants that have helped me on my journey, and which I wouldn't be without—Hops and Aloe—support me by assuring me of absolute calm, no matter the circumstances. They've also energised me beyond belief and helped me say goodbye to the chronic eczema I had on my arms and hands.

How would you be if you were me?  If you had lost a life partner a year and a half ago and almost lost your sense of self thereafter, how might you be?  What would it have taken for you to want to try something new?

Eighteen months after Rafael's passing, I have reason to wake up excited and looking forward to my day knowing my choices impact the lives of many, not just here in Australia but all over the world. 'Matured Hops Extract' and a 'Glyconutrient extracted from Aloe Vera' have helped me return to myself and life is flowing with abundance.

If you're curious and want to hear more,  I've written a page about how our quest to help ourselves is now a growing legacy movement with international reach.

Thank you for being here.  Love & blessings, Victoria