I'M HALEY JAMES!
I’m a purpose-driven, multi-passionate entrepreneur, chronic illness and rare disease advocate, public speaker, podcaster, interior designer, YouTuber, content creator, and, most importantly, a woman on a mission to love and support others by inspiring, empowering, and equipping them to overcome their obstacles, pursue their passions, step into their purpose, and create a life they truly love so they can use their stories and gifts to make a positive impact in the lives of others.
But that’s not the complete picture of who I am. That’s just what I do.
Now don’t get me wrong; that’s a significant part of my identity, but it’s just the surface. It’s the end result, and there’s so much more to it. Now – if you came here to learn about what I do, then there you have it – but if you came here to understand not only what I do but also why I do it, then keep reading. The complete picture of who I truly am is far from straightforward or neatly put together. The real me is the girl who courageously navigated her way through tears, setbacks, hardships, diagnoses, isolation, self-doubt, the feeling of being left behind, and all the challenges she encountered. Despite the fear, she took the risk to step into her calling. THAT girl – that’s me, and she’s the one I want you to get to know.
It’s the heart of that girl that created this site and everything on it because she knew that it was not just her story, but all of ours. Though they may look different, we all have hardships and setbacks and things that get in the way of our dreams, and no matter who you are or what your struggle is – I know you have felt those feelings that I have felt at some point in your life, maybe even right now. That’s why I share and why I am here; I believe our stories and our experiences hold power, and when we are brave enough to share them and put them out in the world – they will find their way to the people who need them most.
FAVORITE PLACE TO VISIT
the great lakes
FAVORITE TV SHOW TO BINGE
new girl & the office
MY BIRTH CHART
☉ cancer, ☾ virgo, ↑ leo
SECRET TALENT
singing
I’D SPEND MY WHOLE PAYCHECK ON
plants & pretty fonts
COFFEE ORDER
venti upside down caramel macchiato
MY HAPPY PLACE
flower gardens
MY GUILTY PLEASURE
twilight saga (team edward 4ever)
FOREVER ON REPEAT
across the universe soundtrack
CURRENTLY READING
i’m on a chuck palahniuk kick
It was Fall 2015, my senior year of college, living with my best friends, about to finish my interior design degree, and move on to my 5-year plan that I had prepped and hanging on my wall – everything was great! Until I started feeling sick whenever I ate.
It wasn’t too bad at first, but as time went on, my symptoms became more and more prominent until finally, I could no longer excuse them away.
After seeing a gastroenterologist and undergoing invasive testing, I was told there was nothing wrong. It was “just in my head.” As much as I wanted to believe that, I knew it definitely wasn’t. What I didn’t know was that this was just the beginning of a long chronic illness journey.
For the five years that followed, I was told everything from, “It’s anxiety”, “for attention”, “eating disorder” (I was even wrongfully put in an eating disorder clinic for a year, but that is a trauma for another time) to “psycho-symptomatic” – the list goes on and on. I was a full-time undiagnosed patient, and investigating my health became my unpaid, unwanted, unplanned-for, full-time job that I couldn’t leave or get a break from. I spent almost all of my time researching, trying to understand and figure out what was going on when it was clear the doctors weren’t going to be able to.
I taught myself how to interpret labs, read X-rays & brain scans, and connected with researchers in the U.S. and other countries until finally, going into my fifth year of being undiagnosed, I gave it one last shot. I researched a bunch and asked for what I said would be my final test. Mentally, physically & emotionally – I was beyond exhausted. I didn’t know where else to turn. I said to myself, and to my parents, if this isn’t it, then I’m done.
This one test ended up not only being positive for 1 rare disease, but 3.
We found that I had gastroparesis (also known as a paralyzed stomach – yeah who knew that was a thing) along with chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction disorder and intestinal dysmotility (both are conditions that refer to paralysis of the intestines).
A few weeks after being diagnosed, I began choking on food and we found that my esophagus had also become paralyzed. This meant that whatever I had going on — whatever it was — it was spreading and spreading fast.
It was at this time, when I was so sick and frail, weighing in at only 90 something lbs, unable to take in any regular food and very little water, that I genuinely thought I might die.
It was then very clear that I had to do the thing I never imagined I would have to do: get my first feeding tube in order to survive.
So I did.
A week later, I was seeing top specialists who, upon reviewing past tests, found that I had significant heavy metal poisoning during the time I was living in my dorm in college, where we think I was exposed.
They also tested and diagnosed me with multiple autonomic disorders, a type of condition known as dysautonomia (an umbrella term for a group of conditions that means your autonomic nervous system – aka the system that controls all your automatic body functions – doesn’t work properly), along with one rare neuro condition they couldn’t figure out but urgently expressed needed steroids or chemo – stat – “like yesterday” to quote my neuro.
It felt like it was a race against the clock – except there was no actual idea of how much time we had – or if any – to really figure it out.
I went out to Mayo Clinic in Minnesota for a second opinion. After 3 weeks there, I left with what has become my primary diagnosis – Autoimmune Autonomic Ganglionopathy – a long hard-to-say name for a really rare type of dysautonomia.
It basically means I have an autoimmune disease attacking my autonomic nervous system and causing it to not work properly. I came home and was given a more permanent surgical feeding tube in my abdomen.
Then after A LOT of fighting for approval with insurance – began high-dose infusion treatments of I.V.I.G. (20,000 people’s plasma donations) every week.
It’s been almost 5 years since I got my very first feeding tube and over 4 years (over 200 infusions) of IVIG and (over 245 infusions) of saline and way too many trials of experimental medications and treatments to count.
While those management treatments, along with experimental medications, have helped, due to the complexity and length of time I went without a diagnosis or treatment, many more diagnoses and conditions have come along with them.
It’s been years now of learning to cope, manage, and work to truly heal the conditions I have, all while tackling new health obstacles as they arise—and believe me, they do.
But diagnoses and answers have finally led to management and care options like my feeding tube, saline infusions, experimental medications, and weekly IVIG plasma infusions. These, combined with the natural and root cause support I receive from my functional practitioners have put me in a much more stable place than I was – and for that, I am incredibly grateful.
I felt so stuck though – in a place I didn’t want to be and definitely not feeling like I was living in alignment with who I felt I truly was.
So I made a commitment to myself that as I worked to heal, I would also be working to do everything I could to make sure I was creating a life I truly loved, which for me I knew meant a life filled with passion, purpose & positive impact.
So that’s what I try to do here: share my story and journey to help inspire, empower, and equip others to turn their struggles into their strengths and create a life they truly love—filled with passion, purpose, and positive impact—while I work to do the same!
So that’s what I try to do here:
001.
INSPIRE
002.
EMPOWER
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003.
EQUIP
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share my story and journey to help inspire, empower, and equip You to turn Your struggles into Your strength and create a life You truly love—filled with passion, purpose, and positive impact—while I work to do the same!
Share My Story
Here on this site and on my platforms, one of the main things I do is share my story and all the little stories that make it up. The best place to hear more is on the gram @itshaleyjames_ – see you there!
Speak & Teach
From panels and conferences to seminars and classes – if there is talking involved, I’m always down! If you are interested in attending or collaborating on an event together, check out my public speaking page here.
Share My Story
Here on this site and on my platforms, one of the main things I do is share my story and all the little stories that make it up. The best place to hear more is on the gram @itshaleyjames_ – see you there!
Film YouTube Videos
From chronic illness to passion and purpose to mental health and advocacy – you’ll find me talking (& probably oversharing) about it all on camera here over on my YouTube channel! I would love to have you come join me!
Educate & Support
Trying to navigate life, overcome obstacles & step into what you feel called to is hard. That’s why I created various types of resources and tools that I wish I’d had so that you can have them now! Check them out here!
Advocacy
One way I try to put my voice to good use is by advocating for societal & legislative change on issues I’m passionate about. Follow me on the gram here to stay up to date on how you can support get involved!
Film YouTube Videos
From chronic illness to passion and purpose to mental health and advocacy – you’ll find me talking (& probably oversharing) about it all on camera here over on my YouTube channel! I would love to have you come join me!
Speak & Teach
From panels and conferences to seminars and classes – if there is talking involved, I’m always down! If you are interested in attending or collaborating on an event together, check out my public speaking page here.
Educate & Support
Trying to navigate life, overcome obstacles & step into what you feel called to is hard. That’s why I created various types of resources and tools that I wish I’d had so that you can have them now! Check them out here!
Advocacy
One way I try to put my voice to good use is by advocating for societal & legislative change on issues I’m passionate about. Follow me on the gram here to stay up to date on how you can support get involved!
Create Products
From clothing to journals, games, and accessories, everything you find in the shop has been intentionally created — to bring you a product that truly empowers & supports you on your journey! You can shop them here!
Street Interviews
This project is called ‘Someone Needs To Hear Your Story,’ and I started it because I wanted to create a platform where I could pass the mic to others, allowing them to own and share their stories. Check out the videos here!
Events & Groups
Something I am so excited about is the free support groups and fun events I get to put on & host so that you can have a place to go and people to walk beside on your chronic illness AND/OR purpose journey. Come join us here!
Create Products
From clothing to journals, games, and accessories, everything you find in the shop has been intentionally created — to bring you a product that truly empowers & supports you on your journey! You can shop them here!
Street Interviews
This project is called ‘Someone Needs To Hear Your Story,’ and I started it because I wanted to create a platform where I could pass the mic to others, allowing them to own and share their stories. Check out the videos here!
the most important thing i try to do here though is Love & support you on your journey!
My commitment to you is to bring you the very best of what I’m living and learning, while keeping it real and honest as I go, and doing my best to help support you on your journey – whatever that may be.
If you’ve read this far, I just want to say – thank you. I hope this is just the beginning of our friendship! I’d love to learn more about you though! The best way for us to connect is through Instagram by following along @itshaleyjames_ and if you want – send me a DM and introduce yourself!! I love meeting new people and would love to follow along on your journey too!
I can’t wait to connect and get to know you, your story, and your heart.
Thanks so much for being here!
I love you, I mean it ♡
the most important thing i try to do here though is Love & support you on your journey!
My commitment to you is to bring you the very best of what I’m living and learning, while keeping it real and honest as I go, and doing my best to help support you on your journey – whatever that may be.
If you’ve read this far, I just want to say – thank you. I hope this is just the beginning of our friendship! I’d love to learn more about you though! The best way for us to connect is through Instagram by following along @itshaleyjames_ and if you want – send me a DM and introduce yourself!! I love meeting new people and would love to follow along on your journey too!
I can’t wait to connect and get to know you, your story, and your heart.
Thanks so much for being here!
I love you, I mean it ♡
let's get more connected!
Let's Get More Connected!
Come Be Part Of The Bloom!
What is The Bloom? The Bloom is my personal letter to you, dedicated to supporting your growth and flourishing in all aspects of life – from your health, well-being and entrepreneurial pursuits to overcoming obstacles, discovering passions, stepping into purpose and finding avenues for positive impact – The Bloom is all about helping you create a life you truly love – whatever that looks like for you!
I like to think of The Bloom newsletter as the water, soil, or sunlight I hope to be able to give you to help you grow and bloom in your own life! That’s why as a member of The Bloom community, you’ll get heartfelt personal letters from me sharing stories, resources, tools, inspiration and support to help you on your personal growth journey.
Come Be Part Of The Bloom!
What is The Bloom? The Bloom is my personal letter to you, dedicated to supporting your growth and flourishing in all aspects of life – from your health, well-being and entrepreneurial pursuits to overcoming obstacles, discovering passions, stepping into purpose and finding avenues for positive impact – The Bloom is all about helping you create a life you truly love – whatever that looks like for you!
I like to think of The Bloom newsletter as the water, soil, or sunlight I hope to be able to give you to help you grow and bloom in your own life! That’s why as a member of The Bloom community, you’ll get heartfelt personal letters from me sharing stories, resources, tools, inspiration and support to help you on your personal growth journey.
THANKS FOR BEING HERE – I LOVE YOU, I MEAN IT ♡
THANKS FOR BEING HERE – I LOVE YOU, I MEAN IT ♡
