Ditching the Meds & Finding True Wellness: A Conversation with Lizzie Wilson

If you’ve ever felt like something is missing in your healthcare journey—like you’re just being handed medications without actually getting better—then you are one of many parents I’ve met that is looking for holistic resources or even holistic practitioners. And today, I want to introduce you to someone who gets it and is doing something about it.

I recently had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Lizzie Wilson, a clinical pharmacist who made a bold pivot into holistic health. After years of working in hospitals and seeing firsthand how our healthcare system often fails to address the root cause of illness, Lizzie knew there had to be a better way.

So she took action. And now, through her community Mama Tribe Village, she’s helping women navigate holistic wellness with real, science-backed solutions, AND helping parents find their tribe. 

In our conversation, we got deep into what’s wrong with the current system, what’s working in holistic health, and how you can start taking control of your well-being—starting today.

If you’re ready to get off the prescription treadmill and explore real healing, keep reading.

Health Disclaimer

 

When Medicine Isn’t Enough: Lizzie’s Wake-Up Call

Lizzie spent over a decade in the hospital pharmacy world, watching patients come in with 12+ prescriptions—and never really getting better.

“We have the most advanced healthcare system, yet people are sicker than ever,” she told me. “We’re not healing. We’re just managing symptoms.”

That realization hit her hard. She saw how the system was built around prescribing first, rather than asking, Why is this happening in the first place?

And then, in 2020, it got personal.

 

The Power of Holistic Healing

Like so many of us, Lizzie was juggling a lot when the pandemic hit—three little kids, a high-stress job, a brand-new city with no family nearby. And for the first time, she felt true anxiety—racing thoughts, sleepless nights, a constant state of stress.

She told me, “I didn’t want to just take a prescription for it. I wanted to find something natural.”

That’s when a fellow pharmacist introduced her to CBD and hemp wellness—something she never would have considered before. But being the science-minded person she is, she dug into the research.

And what she found was fascinating.

Turns out, our bodies have something called the endocannabinoid system (ECS)—a system that helps regulate stress, sleep, mood, and inflammation. And CBD? It helps bring that system back into balance.

Within weeks of using it, Lizzie felt different—calmer, more patient, more herself.

That was her lightbulb moment. She realized that holistic solutions weren’t just “woo-woo”—they were real, powerful, and exactly what so many women needed. And this then translates to better care for their family too.

Creating Mama Tribe Village: A Holistic Resource for Women’s Wellness & Families

Lizzie didn’t stop with her own healing—she wanted to help other women find their way to wellness, too.

That’s why she created Mama Tribe Village, a community and resource hub for women looking for holistic health solutions. Instead of spending hours searching for trustworthy providers, moms can now find:

🩷 Functional medicine practitioners
✅ Holistic nutritionists
✅ Doulas & newborn care specialists
✅ Family chiropractors
✅ Natural wellness educators

It’s a one-stop shop for the kind of support that Lizzie wished she had when she was struggling.

How This Can Help YOU

If you’re feeling stuck in survival mode—tired, overwhelmed, and wondering if this is just how life has to be—I want you to hear this: You have options.

Lizzie and I talked a lot about small, practical shifts that can make a massive difference in your health. Here are a few of my favorites:

✔ Support your nervous system. Chronic stress wrecks our bodies. Find ways to calm your system—whether it’s through deep breathing, CBD, or simple daily rituals.
✔ Fuel your body with real food. Processed, ultra-processed, and fast food are keeping us sick. Stick to whole, unprocessed foods as much as possible.
✔ Move your body every day. It doesn’t have to be intense—just a short walk outside can do wonders for your mood and energy.
✔ Prioritize sleep. Put your phone away before bed. Create a bedtime routine. Your body needs rest to function well.
✔ Find your tribe. You were never meant to do this alone. When you find your tribe you have a system that uplifts you, not drains you.

Key Loving Lessons Learned in This Episode:

🟣 Healing is about lifestyle, not just prescriptions. Meds can help, but they should never be the only solution.
🟣 Your stress levels impact everything. Regulating cortisol (your stress hormone) can change your life.
🟣 You don’t have to choose between modern medicine & holistic health. You can have both!
🟣 It’s okay to put yourself first. A healthy mom = a healthy family.
🟣 Community is everything. Having the right people in your corner can make all the difference.

Resources mentioned to help you keep learning & growing: 

⭐ Learn more about Lizzie Wilson with The Mama Tribe Village in Raleigh
⭐ Grab Lizzie’s FREE GUIDE: 5 Tips to Naturally Reduce Cortisol
⭐ Do your research on Pub Med or Google Scholar
 

Your Family’s Health Matters—Get the Answers You Need!

Taking charge of your health starts with having the right support. If you're looking for trusted holistic health practitioners in the Triangle (Raleigh/Durham) area, we've got you covered!

Find the right experts for your journey—check out the Trusted Professionals Directory and start building your team of holistic health practitioners today.

💬 Have questions? Let’s hop on a call and chat! I’d love to help guide you toward the best resources for your family’s wellness.  Schedule a time here on my calendar.

Connect with me! Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | Pinterest

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Learn about other Trusted Professionals on the Referral Directory

Podcast Episode Transcript: 

Disclaimer: Transcripts were generated automatically and may contain inaccuracies and errors.

Host: Irene Gouge – Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions
Guest: Elizabeth Wilson – Mama Tribe Village

Irene Gouge – Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: [00:00:00] Hello, and welcome to the Loving Lessons Learned podcast. Today, I'm super excited to have Lizzie Wilson here from the Mama Tribe Village. It’s a resource hub for women looking for holistic wellness. She's curated a nurturing group of natural wellness healers to provide services from preconception all the way to perimenopause.

Let’s get started. There are providers offering functional medicine, PAs, newborn preparation classes, nutrition education, meal prepping and delivery, doula support, family chiropractic care, natural wellness, functional mushrooms, and one-on-one support for clean living.

So many natural solutions—this is going to be the holistic hub for all of your wellness needs right here [00:01:00] in the Triangle and beyond. Lizzie, I'm so excited to have you here.

Elizabeth Wilson: Thank you so much! I'm so excited to have this conversation with you today.

Irene Gouge – Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: You are speaking my love language! As we try to move away from the Western medicine model at times, I know you are a clinical pharmacist who has transitioned to a holistic pharmacist. Can you tell us a little bit about that journey?

Elizabeth Wilson: Yes! I am a traditionally trained Western medicine clinical pharmacist. That means I went through the traditional schooling, earned my PharmD, and have worked in the hospital setting for 13+ years.

About four years ago, when I started taking care of adults, it became readily apparent to me that people just aren’t well. We have the most innovative healthcare system, we spend the most on healthcare, and yet people are not getting [00:02:00] better. We’re not healing people. Patients come into the hospital on 12+ medications, and we’re never working to reduce them—we’re just adding more.

I really wanted to dig in and ask: What is the root cause of these issues? I started noticing a pattern—so many of these health problems are tied to lifestyle, diet, mobility, and other foundational health habits. Medications can help, but they aren’t first-line or curative for many of these issues.

It became clear to me that education is critical. If we truly want people to get better, we have to take a different approach. I know a lot about medications, and there is a time and place for them, but our current approach—where medication is often the first step and becomes a lifelong treatment—isn’t working.

Patients are living shorter lives for the first time in history. Obesity, diabetes, hypertension—these crises are only growing. I knew something had to change.

This became even more apparent when I started working in labor and delivery and women's health. I saw the lack of research for women’s health and thought, What can I do?

For me, the answer was sharing my story, creating an online platform, and building a community of like-minded women. Some of the women in our group have traditional medical training but have pivoted to a more holistic approach. We believe in integrating both traditional and holistic methods.

Now, women can come to one resource hub and find providers for multiple needs—without having to search endlessly online or ask around for recommendations. Our hope is to improve health outcomes for women, children, and families here in the Triangle.

At its core, Mama Tribe is women supporting women—uplifting small business owners and amplifying voices that need to be heard. People want to feel better, but their current healthcare approach isn’t getting them there.

For me, this all started in 2020, during the pandemic. I was struggling and looking for support. I didn’t want a prescription. Instead, I found natural wellness solutions, including hemp wellness. That discovery changed my path, and I wanted to share it with others.

Mama Tribe is still relatively new, and its future is still unfolding, but this has been my journey over the last four and a half years.

Irene Gouge – Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: That’s so exciting! I think 2020 brought a lot of good shifts, even amid the challenges. You mentioned that there was a reason you had to make this transition—can you share more about that?

Elizabeth Wilson: Yes, absolutely.

We moved to the Triangle in January 2020, and then, within about eight weeks, the pandemic hit. Both my husband and I work in hospitals, so we were on the frontlines—with three little ones in a new city and no family nearby.

For the first time in my life, I felt real anxiety—heart racing, mind constantly running, struggling to sleep without melatonin, feeling unsettled, on edge, not myself.

After about six to eight weeks of this, when it became clear that the pandemic wasn’t just a temporary thing, I reached out to another mom of three, who is also a pharmacist. I asked her, What are you doing to manage stress?

She said, CBD.

I was surprised! That started my deep dive into research. As a pharmacist, I wanted to find reliable data and a trusted product—something organic, transparent, and safe.

After researching, I found a company called Green Compass. It had everything I was looking for—organic certification, full traceability, and was founded by a mom who had struggled postpartum and couldn’t find a company she trusted, so she started her own.

After about four to six weeks of taking a hemp wellness regimen daily, I felt like myself again. I was the calm, steady mom I wanted to be—but had lost during the stress of the pandemic.

Hemp wellness was a much safer alternative compared to the prescription options typically recommended for stress and anxiety, such as benzodiazepines, which have known dependency risks. I knew if I had gone to my provider, that’s the path I would have been put on—but I didn’t want that.

As a traditionally trained pharmacist, people are often shocked that I take a hemp wellness regimen. But I want to normalize this conversation. If it helped me, maybe it can help someone else.

At the end of the day, my goal is to equip people with knowledge—so they can have informed conversations with their providers and make the best decisions for their health.

Irene Gouge – Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: That’s so powerful!

I want to ask—what challenges have you faced as a clinical pharmacist making this transition to a holistic approach? Have you encountered backlash from the medical community?

Elizabeth Wilson: Absolutely. Traditional medicine professionals are often very skeptical.

To be fair, I didn’t know much about holistic approaches at first either. Most healthcare professionals don’t—because it’s not taught in our training. For example, the endocannabinoid system—the most primitive system in our body that regulates all the others—isn’t even in our textbooks.

This system was discovered in the late 1980s, which is very recent in science terms. So, yes, there’s skepticism. But at the same time, many medical professionals are curious.

When I first started talking about hemp wellness, colleagues would reach out and say, Tell me more. Healthcare workers are highly stressed, and many don’t love the medications they rely on—but they don’t know there are other options.

On the flip side, holistic-minded people don’t always need the science. They just want to know, Does it work?

So, I’ve learned to balance my approach—offering scientific explanations when needed but also keeping it simple for those who just want solutions.

Irene Gouge – Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: Just help me.

Elizabeth Wilson: Exactly.

Irene Gouge – Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: Just tell me if it will help.

Elizabeth Wilson: It’s really about knowing who you're speaking to and asking the right questions. It’s about listening first—seeing what someone is struggling with and then offering help in a way that feels authentic and supportive.

I still work in the traditional medicine world—that's my real job, quote-unquote. But I also have this growing community of women I’m building, focused on a more holistic approach.

Eventually, I’d love to transition fully, but for now, I have one foot in both worlds, which makes navigating these conversations very interesting.

Irene Gouge – Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: Yeah, I feel like I missed those lessons in class—the ones about the nervous system and those receptors we need to know about! I love that people are getting more curious and answering those questions for us.

What do you say to the parent listening right now who’s thinking, But this isn’t FDA-regulated—how can this be evidence-based?

Elizabeth Wilson: That’s a great question.

Hemp was federally legalized in 2018 through the Farm Bill. Before that, it was off the table entirely. But now, hemp-derived products with only trace amounts of THC—if any—are federally legal.

That said, because it's not FDA-regulated like prescription drugs, the quality of what’s on the market varies wildly. That’s why finding a company that is organic, third-party tested, and free from contaminants is so important.

One of the big issues is that, since there are no strict federal guidelines yet, you can find CBD and hemp products at gas stations or on Amazon that are completely unregulated. Some may contain harmful additives, heavy metals, or bacteria.

That’s why companies like Green Compass are working toward federal standardization—to set safety and purity requirements so that people can trust what they’re buying.

If you're curious, there is a lot of research available. Even without FDA approval, there are thousands of studies on the endocannabinoid system and cannabinoids like CBD. You can find them on Google Scholar or PubMed—just search those terms, and you’ll see primary research studies.

And of course, I’m always happy to have conversations and provide resources to anyone who wants to learn more!

Irene Gouge – Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: That’s really helpful. I’ll make sure to share that information in the show notes so people can check it out or set up a time to chat with you if they want to learn more.

Elizabeth Wilson: Absolutely.

Irene Gouge – Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: I think we all see that there’s a healthcare crisis happening. As parents, we’re trying to make informed decisions for our little ones, and that means staying curious—asking questions, seeking out providers who may do things differently.

Sometimes these approaches seem a little woo-woo, but in reality, there's a lot of science backing them. And like you mentioned earlier, many of these solutions come down to simple lifestyle changes. But the challenge is, sometimes it feels easier to take a pill than to change a habit.

Elizabeth Wilson: Exactly!

Irene Gouge – Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: It’s a quick fix.

Elizabeth Wilson: Yep. That’s what our culture is built around—instant gratification. Whether it’s social media, Amazon same-day delivery, or pharmaceuticals, we expect immediate results.

But the real answers to our healthcare crisis aren’t quick fixes. They’re daily, intentional choices—what we eat, how we move, getting enough sleep, drinking water, getting sunshine.

I always tell people—if you want to “clean up” your life, don’t overcomplicate it. Just go back to the basics. Eat real, whole foods—meat, potatoes, vegetables, fruits. Drink water. Move your body.

I think about my grandparents' generation—what did they eat? How did they move? They weren’t sitting at desks all day. They weren’t eating ultra-processed foods. If we take a step back and simplify, we can make huge improvements to our health.

Irene Gouge – Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: Yes! And yet, even though these things sound so simple, they can feel so hard to implement.

Elizabeth Wilson: Oh, absolutely.

Irene Gouge – Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: You’re speaking my love language! Everything you’re saying connects back to sleep and healthy habits.

You mentioned earlier that you were struggling with stress, sleepless nights, and anxiety. Do you have something helpful for parents listening who may be going through the same thing?

Elizabeth Wilson: Yes! I have a number of resources.

For me, a lot of my struggles came down to high cortisol levels. Chronic stress can leave you stuck in fight-or-flight mode. If you find yourself waking up between 2-4 AM, experiencing muscle twitches, feeling constantly on edge, holding onto stubborn weight around your midsection—those can all be signs of high cortisol.

For me, I focused on lowering my cortisol naturally. That’s where hemp wellness helped regulate my nervous system. But beyond that, my nighttime routine was crucial.

We don’t have a TV in our bedroom, but my phone was always next to my bed. Moving it out of the room—so I wasn’t scrolling before bed—made a big difference. No blue light exposure before bed. Instead, I focused on calming activities—like petting my cat, which actually reduces cortisol!

Other things that helped: prioritizing protein, reducing late-day caffeine, and just being mindful of how my choices were affecting my body.

I have a free resource called Five Natural Ways to Lower Cortisol that I’d love to share with your listeners!

Irene Gouge – Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: That sounds amazing! I’ll link it in the show notes so people can grab it.

Elizabeth Wilson: Perfect!

Irene Gouge – Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: Now, I’d love to wrap up with our Five Loving Lessons Learned. Are you ready?

Elizabeth Wilson: Let’s do it!

Irene Gouge – Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: What’s your favorite parenting product or service?

Elizabeth Wilson: Dr. Becky! I don’t know if you’re familiar with her, but she’s a clinical psychologist who has amazing parenting resources.

One of my kids is a deeply feeling child, and parenting them was different from my other two. Dr. Becky’s approach to boundaries, connection, and emotional regulation helped me so much. She has courses, guides, and an app—all science-backed and really practical.

Irene Gouge – Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: I love Dr. Becky! Such a great resource.

What’s your best self-care tip?

Elizabeth Wilson: Put yourself first. I know that sounds selfish, but it’s not. If you take care of yourself—sleep well, eat well, move your body—everyone benefits.

For me, that means getting outside every day, going for a walk, eating real food, and making sure I don’t let myself get depleted.

Irene Gouge – Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: I love that you keep saying everyone benefits. We forget that as moms!

Irene Gouge – Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: What is something you never thought you would do or say as a parent?

Elizabeth Wilson: Oh my goodness. Honestly, I never thought I’d be the reactive, explosive parent.

Before having kids, I pictured myself as calm and patient. But during the height of the pandemic, I found myself constantly on edge, snapping at my kids, and not being the parent I wanted to be.

That was a wake-up call for me. I had to acknowledge, This is not who I am or who I want to be. But the good news is—you can always pivot. You can reach out for help, find resources, and make changes.

Parenting has ups and downs, and I think we all go through tough seasons. The key is recognizing when something isn't working and being willing to make adjustments.

Irene Gouge – Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: That’s so powerful. I love thinking about those pivotal moments in our lives—those “anchor lessons” that shape us.

Elizabeth Wilson: Exactly. I recently heard someone call it a lifequake—that moment when everything shakes up. But once the dust settles, you often realize you’ve come out stronger, better, and more aligned with who you really want to be.

Not every season is going to be easy, but those challenging moments can lead to some of the most profound growth.

Irene Gouge – Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: That’s such a good way to look at it!

What’s one thing you’ve learned on your entrepreneurial journey as you’ve transitioned from pharmaceuticals to holistic wellness and building Mama Tribe?

Elizabeth Wilson: There’s room for everyone.

So often, we fall into this scarcity mindset—thinking there’s competition or that there’s only space for a few people to succeed. But that’s not true. The more, the merrier!

That’s always been my mindset in life. If I throw a party, I’m inviting everyone—and if they all show up, great! I apply the same thinking to Mama Tribe. I want it to be a space where everyone feels welcome.

But I’ll be honest—starting a business is hard.

Most of us who are building small businesses are doing it because we want to help people. But that doesn’t mean we automatically know how to run a business. The social media side, the marketing, the logistics—it can be overwhelming.

That’s why community is so important. Leaning on other women, learning from people who have done it before, and supporting each other is key.

At first, I had no idea what I was doing. But I just did it—I put my heart into it, built something I believed in, and trusted that the right people would find their way to it.

And so far? It’s working. I’ve been able to connect with incredible women and build something really special.

Irene Gouge – Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: I love that! Find your people, find your tribe.

Elizabeth Wilson: Exactly! We were never meant to do life alone.

Our modern world has removed so much of the community-based support that humans used to have. Parenting, working, running a household—it's too much for one person to carry alone. That’s why we need community.

If you have a dream, if you feel called to start something—just do it. You will never regret trying. If it doesn’t work out, at least you gave it your all. But if you never try, you’ll always wonder, What if?

Irene Gouge – Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: That’s such great advice. And I love that Mama Tribe is creating a space where women can find holistic support, whether it’s for pregnancy, postpartum, or just overall well-being.

You’ve curated such an incredible group of providers that really balance both traditional and alternative wellness approaches. It’s a safe space for people to ask questions and explore new ways to take care of themselves.

Elizabeth Wilson: Thank you! That’s exactly the goal.

We want women to have access to trusted providers who are truly invested in their well-being. I think this is just the beginning of something really special.

Irene Gouge – Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: Yes! I’m so excited to see what’s next for Mama Tribe.

Elizabeth Wilson: Me too!

Irene Gouge – Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: Lizzie, thank you so much for this conversation. I could talk to you all day!

I’ll share the link to your Five Natural Ways to Lower Cortisol guide in the show notes so listeners can grab it. And I’ll also include ways for people to connect with you and learn more about Mama Tribe.

Elizabeth Wilson: That sounds perfect! Thank you so much for having me. This was such a great conversation.

Irene Gouge – Loving Lessons Sleep Solutions: Absolutely! I look forward to more conversations about all things holistic wellness.

[00:41:00]