Monica Ren’s story is one of resilience, transformation, and straight-up inspiration. Diagnosed with lymphedema at 18, she didn’t just take the news lying down—she took charge. Frustrated by a medical system that offered little guidance, Monica dove into holistic healing and ended up transforming her health and her entire life.
Now, Monica’s all about helping others create the lives they’ve always dreamed of. Whether she’s mentoring, running her business, or sharing her journey, she’s living proof that healing isn’t just about your body—it’s about your whole self. In this interview, Monica gets real about the mindset shifts that got her here, how she balances wellness with work, and why she believes we all have the power to rewrite our stories.
Get ready for some honest, empowering, and motivating vibes as Monica opens up about her path to wholeness and how you can start your own journey!
Transforming Health into Wholeness
TBN: Monica, your healing journey began with lymphedema. Could you share with us how did this diagnosis change your life, and what gave you the courage to take control of your health?
MR: What gave me the courage to take control of my health actually didn’t come until some time after I was diagnosed.
When I first started experiencing swelling issues, I saw multiple different doctors and did many tests to rule certain diagnoses out. After one specific doctor told me that what I had was most likely lymphedema, I decided to see a specialist to get more information.
I was 18 years old and eager to ask an expert my questions to get help and start moving in the right direction. Among my questions, I asked if healing this condition was possible. The answer provided was of course no, and that if I did not get my health under control, I would require a high-risk surgery with minimal benefit. This scared and shocked me. After all, I wasn’t even given any advice on how to take care of myself or even what type of diet to eat, just to “eat healthy”. I left the specialist’s office with a profound sense that it was up to me to figure out a way to overcome this. Around this time, I decided to change my life despite what any doctor would tell me.
TBN: You’ve mentioned that your journey started as a mission to heal your body but became so much more. What was the moment you realized it was about healing your whole life?
MR: While I started researching natural/holistic healing, I was also experiencing a spiritual awakening. Therefore, I started to realize the deeper meanings of life, questioning the purpose behind my health journey and the hidden connectivity of it all.
I began learning about emotional trauma and how it manifests in the body physically. I became even more fascinated with the mind-body connection. Once I connected the dots that my health issue was deeper than just a physical one, I realized the opportunity I had to bring healing to all parts of me.
Monica’s Holistic Path to Wellness
TBN: Healing naturally often means questioning mainstream healthcare. What was the most challenging or surprising realization you had about the system while creating your own path?
MR: If I had to choose one realization, it would be the fact that the mainstream healthcare system doesn’t educate doctors on root cause, and our “specialists” have a narrow view of putting band-aids on symptoms, so to speak, as opposed to actually treating the root cause. I realized this when I had my follow-up with the same specialist a year later. They had told me that I somehow had gotten better and to keep doing what I was doing. I couldn’t believe the surprise from the doctor that I was improving, not to mention the fact that I figured out what to do on my own. Isn’t that what specialists are for?
TBN: Why do you believe a holistic approach to health is so essential? Are there specific areas of life you encourage people to reflect on?
MR: A holistic approach is essential because nothing within our health stands on its own. Everything is related. This is the beauty of the technology that we are. I would encourage everyone to reflect on things that you cannot necessarily see with your 2 eyes, but rather think and feel. Things like mental patterns, triggers, habits, emotional cycles, and uncomfortable or even traumatic past experiences. These are the foundation for who we have become and can manifest as physical issues.
TBN: How do you personally care for your mental health, and in what ways does it influence your physical well-being?
MR: I have certain non-negotiables for myself that provide me a solid baseline to “feel good”. Things like a clean diet, daily movement, spending time outdoors, electrolyzed reduced water, and keeping up with my hobbies to name a few. Of course, nobody can feel amazing 100% of the time, yet I do believe that being generally happy and grateful in life is important for both physical and mental well-being.
I think it’s really easy to compartmentalize/separate mental and physical well-being, but the truth is that they have a symbiotic and reciprocal relationship. If I’m not feeling my best mentally, I have less motivation to exercise, for example, or I notice changes in my appetite. On the other side of the coin, I notice myself overthinking and procrastinating more when I slack off with exercise. I love the quote: “An overactive mind is the symptom of an underactive body”.
Creating a Life You Love
TBN: Your work focuses on helping others create their dream lives. What’s the first step you recommend for someone looking to start this journey?
MR: Knowing that it’s possible to create your dream life and everything within it. Not necessarily just believing it, but knowing it. Once you declare this, everything that comes up in your life is a stepping stone down the path to your dream life.
TBN: From healing your body to building a global business, what mindset shifts helped you along the way?
MR: A full answer to this question would require me to write a book! In short, how I perceive myself and my life. This includes removing the perception of myself as a victim and perceiving myself as a victor. Along those same lines, understanding that things in life are happening for me not to me. Lastly, not waiting for any circumstance outside of me to produce a feeling inside of me.
For example, not waiting for something outside of me to feel healed and whole. Not waiting for finances to feel abundant. Not waiting for specific markers in business to feel successful. It may seem counterintuitive, but the best way to create something in your life is to feel like it’s already yours. This journey and practice will show you what mindset shifts you need based on your life’s experiences and beliefs that shape who you are.
TBN: How do you balance prioritizing holistic wellness with running a successful business and mentoring others?
MR: My rituals/habits/non-negotiables give me a solid foundation for wellness. Given that every day is different, I do my best and let go of the rest. Balancing my physical, emotional, and spiritual health is huge for me as well. I set aside one day a week, typically Sunday’s, where I have 0 priorities or obligations for my business. I also recognize that not taking the best care of my wellness actually leads to a lower quality of work in my business and how I show up for my team/clients.
When I fill up my own cup first and give/work/create from a place of overflow it just feels effortless. When I’m running on empty, I can’t show up as my best. I also recognize the nature of my work and how it actually gives me energy rather than depleting it. I love mentoring and educating others. It lights me up, inspires me, and invigorates me to keep showing up. I also am extremely grateful that I have the amount of flexibility I do with my work. I create my schedule, I can work from anywhere and I can take time off if I would like to. Not having to force a rigid schedule of when and how to show up makes me want to show up more!
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Inspiring Empowerment and Growth
TBN: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone who feels stuck or overwhelmed in their healing journey, Monica?
MR: You most likely are feeling stuck or overwhelmed because you are trying to do too much. Emphasis on trying rather than doing! A healing journey is truly a journey. Unlearning takes time just as learning does. Focus on what you can control and what you can do for yourself every day, then do it. Recognize that in some moments you will feel overwhelmed and stuck, that’s part of the process and does not mean you will feel that way forever! Just as they say: there is only one way to eat an elephant, one bite at a time.
TBN: Your story inspires so many people. How do you hope to empower women through your coaching and wellness programs?
MR: My biggest prayer that people receive from my work is that you truly can have, be or do anything, and despite what your 5 senses may be telling you about life, your biggest limitation is your mind. No matter the goal, dream, or vision anything is possible! So long as you can allow yourself to believe it. It doesn’t matter what happened in the past, or any unfavorable circumstances in your life. Things can change in an instant. When you allow yourself to see the blessings in the mundane, simple parts of life, you will see and attract even greater miracles into your life.
Click here to check all the interviews from our “Empowered Women Empower Women” series.
What an incredible and inspiring story!! I love seeing people heal & grow through physical, emotional and mindset work. Advocating for ourselves is the biggest flex these days!