Today we’d like to introduce you to Lj Dong
Hi Lj , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
LJ is a Psychic Medium, certified and tested by Best American Psychics and they awarded her Psychic of the Year for 2022. She’s an approved member of the Certified Psychic Society. She was nominated for Best Medium by OM Times in 2022. LJ has been nominated Best Psychic of Long Island in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. She is listed in The Best Psychic Directory. LJ also hosted her own talk show on national television called “The LJ Show”. LJ is an ordained Interfaith Minister, Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Sports Nutritionist, Certified Motivational Speaker, Kidney Donor, Reiki Practitioner and author of ‘The Spirit of Hope’ and her new book ‘Think Like a Medium, Act Like a Warrior’ She is the star of The LJ Documentary – The Story of a Warrior Spirit. Her favorite title is ‘Warrior’.
LJ was born in a small town in Calabria, Italy in 1985. Her parents moved her and her siblings to Long Island, NY when she was just 9 months old. Growing up in an immigrant family was not easy. Her father worked hard at multiple jobs trying to earn a living for his family, while her mother stayed home and raised the kids. They had to learn a new language and new customs in order to create a better and more prosperous life in New York.
LJ struggled to fit in growing up but always had a strong desire to help people. When LJ was younger everyone would always ask what she wanted to do when she grew up. Her answer always was “to help people.” She always felt she was brought into this world to make a difference. LJ combined her desire to help with the work ethics she learned from her parents and became a surgical technologist. She worked in various health facilities on Long Island.
In May of 2013 LJ married her best friend, Billy. They were young and in love. They thought we had it all figured out: a honeymoon in Europe, a new house, travel, babies, and happily ever after. Less than one month after their wedding day she
fractured her spine, which spiraled into years of surgeries, caused severe health problems and turned her newlywed life upside down.
LJ endured three major spine surgeries between 2013-2016 and spent much of that time bed-bound and wheelchair-bound. Intense rehabilitation helped her spine to heal, but drastic weight loss and muscle atrophy caused compression to some major organs. This led to diagnosis of multiple rare conditions.
The first among them was SMA Syndrome – a rare condition where her small intestine was compressed between her aorta and superior mesenteric arteries. She underwent surgery in 2017 to correct this and had to make strict dietary changes in order to avoid further complications.
The next was Nutcracker Syndrome in 2018. LJ’s renal vein was compressed between 2 major arteries, severely affecting the left kidney requiring more surgery. The initial surgery to correct this failed. The only option now was to have her kidney removed. She requested to donate it, something that had never been done before. She was the first patient at New York Presbyterian Hospital to not only cure her own condition but save someone else’s life in the process. She effectively changed the course of treatment for the disease.
In 2021 LJ had surgery for another rare disease called MALS. LJ’s median arcuate ligament in her chest area was pressing on the artery that supplies blood to the organs in her upper abdomen. The recovery for this was long and intense and weakened her core muscles, impacting the strength of her spine. As a consequence she had to endure another spinal surgery in 2022.
Throughout her struggles with health problems, LJ never gave up hope. She is someone who can find inspiration in even the darkest times. While LJ was recovering from spine surgery, she got back in touch with feelings that had been dormant for years. When she was young would have dreams and premonitions, but she couldn’t talk to anyone about them. As children, we all have big imaginations but for her this was real! She even wrote ‘P.S.- I think I’m Psychic!’ in one of her childhood journals, but she put that belief aside. She always felt that something was missing in her life. Eventually she figured out that she needed ‘Spirit’ in her life to make her feel whole.
LJ’s spinal injury limited what she could do physically, but she started taking classes that helped her open up her psychic and spiritual gifts. She knew immediately what she was meant to do with her life and that her injury had a deeper purpose. She became a certified psychic/medium and was ready to share her gifts with the world. Young Luisa Jennifer was reborn into LJ The Medium! The next chapter of her life was beginning!
LJ has helped countless individuals to find hope, courage and strength knowing that their loved ones are still with them. She loved giving others hope and inspiration through her gifts, but she wanted to do more. She started taking ministry classes and became an ordained interfaith minister. LJ feels fortunate for the opportunity to officiate marriages, conduct baby blessings and house blessings, as well as commemorating loved ones who have passed on. LJ creates a special bond with her clients and is always honored to be part of their special and intimate ceremonies.
As LJ’s new life was unfolding and she was getting stronger, her journey of dealing with rare health conditions was just starting. She felt like she was taking one step forward and two steps back. She questioned her faith and her purpose in life but as with her spine surgeries she found a light in the darkness. She knew that she was meant to be an advocate for rare diseases, chronic pain and organ donation. She saved a life by donating her kidney and she coaches others to do the same. Her pain and suffering gave new meaning to her life.
LJ wanted to share her story with others. This is when LJ wrote her first book, “The Spirit of Hope”. Many people found comfort reading her words and she gave them hope and inspiration to get through whatever they might be struggling with.
By early 2020 LJ was on top of her game! She was eating healthy, working out and her business was thriving! Everything was going according to plan until the global COVID-19 pandemic shut down the world. LJ wasn’t going to let that stop her momentum though! While most people were feeling vulnerable and depressed during this time, LJ looked at this roadblock as an opportunity to accomplish something she’s always wanted to do. She became a Certified Personal Trainer and
Certified Sports Nutritionist. Now she had more tools in her toolbox and started coaching others to become their best selves.
During this time she was offered the opportunity of a lifetime. To host her own talk show! This was a dream come true. LJ worked closely with the producer to create a show filled with hope and inspiration. Schedules had to be adjusted, audience size had to be limited, masks had to be provided and waivers had to be signed but the show must go on! LJ interviewed guests with their own special stories of overcoming adversityandchallenges. TwelveepisodeswerefilmedonLongIslandandairedon the national Z-Living network, broadcast in millions of homes across the nation! Even though she didn’t have experience as a talk show host, she was a natural at it! LJ knew this was what she wanted to do with her life.
As the show was blossoming, LJ’s health started to decline. She knew something serious was wrong. She was unable to eat anything. She had severe pain and started losing weight. How could this be happening? She was finishing up a successful season one and was starting to talk with the producer about season two. Another health setback was not in the plans but she was just too weak to go on. This was when LJ was diagnosed with MALS and had to undergo another major surgery. She questioned if her body could endure it, but she knew she couldn’t survive without it.
LJ’s MALS surgery took place at the end of 2021. It was a long, painful recovery that LJ was all too familiar with. Another chance to reflect and reevaluate life. She knew she needed to get stronger and healthier again. The recovery took a physical and mental toll on her. How much could one small person endure, but she stood strong in the face of adversity once again. She needed to take time off from work to heal, but LJ thrives on movement, ambition and learning. She decided to write her second book “Think Like a Medium, Act Like a Warrior ”. She also starred in a documentary called ‘The LJ Documentary – Story of a Warrior Spirit’ and took a course on motivational speaking. One of her dreams is to give a TED talk!
LJ has dedicated her life to helping others, whether directly or indirectly. Every year, to honor her kidney donation, she hosts a “Celebration of Life” fundraiser. In addition to donating all net proceeds to a charity, she and her guest speakers raise awareness of rare diseases, organ donation and other worthy causes. Some of the
charities she’s supported over the years are The National Kidney Foundation, National MALS foundation and Eagle Wings Pageantry. LJ also has a food drive to support Long Island Cares and collects for Toys for Tots and John Theissen Children’s Foundation. She’s an active member of many online support groups for rare diseases and organ donation giving others guidance, advice and support of all kinds. She becomes like family to many of the members and has formed life long friendships filled with love and compassion. LJ feels fortunate to be able to use her platform to raise awareness, improve the lives of others and give back to the community.
LJ feels that pageantry is the next logical step for her. It embodies the same values as she does. She feels especially connected with the American Miss Pageant’s mission of celebrating intelligence, ambition and kindness through her diverse life experiences, suffering with chronic pain and rare diseases, her ‘never give up’ attitude and passion to raise awareness and help others. LJ hopes her journey leads to more adventures and helps her reach a greater audience to spread her message of hope and inspiration.
LJ has been working hard to prepare for this pageant and is grateful for all the love & support. If LJ wins the title she will have a larger platform to raise awareness and money for important causes, such as organ donation.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
LJ’s road has been far from smooth. with dedication and hardworking and throughout LJ’s health challenges she’s had to relearn how to walk, eat, is unable to have children and even had to find a new career path just to name a few. However LJ is proud to say she now walks the red carpet and modeled in New York Fashion Week and also won her first National pageant as American Miss. She recently was signed by a modeling agency and is excited for this new venture. She is grateful for every bite she gets to take anther favorite is brownies! She feels she gave the miracle of life when she donated a kidney and she is loving every minute of being an entrepreneur! There has been many bumps in the road but they have only pushed LJ ahead in life!
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about LJ THE MEDIUM?
LJ is a Psychic Medium, certified and tested by Best American Psychics and they awarded her The Social Activism Award for 2024 and Psychic of the Year in 2022. She’s an approved member of the Certified Psychic Society. She was nominated for Best Medium by OM Times in 2022. LJ has been nominated Best Psychic of Long Island in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. She is listed in The Best Psychic Directory. LJ also hosted her own talk show on national television called “The LJ Show”. LJ is an ordained Interfaith Minister, Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Sports Nutritionist, Certified Motivational Speaker, Kidney Donor, Reiki Practitioner, Grief Educator and author of ‘The Spirit of Hope’ and her new book ‘Think Like a Medium, Act Like a Warrior’ She is the star of The LJ Documentary – The Story of a Warrior Spirit. Her favorite title is ‘Warrior’.
LJ offers many services to guide others not their path. She gives hope and inspiration and helps clients find a light in the darkness.
LJ has become a renowned medium and when she is not working with clients she is a leader in her community and making an impact by sharing her story and raising awareness for organ donation. LJ’s story of perseverance and survival sets her apart. She does everything with her heart and puts 100% into all she does.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Lj loves collaborating and supporting others. Helping others is what helps us grow! She can be contacted through her website ljthemedium.com or send an email to [email protected]
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ljthemedium.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lj_the_medium/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mediumlj/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7BAmZQzJo8vKaCs4_btiJw
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/Think-Like-Medium-Act-Warrior-ebook/dp/B0B9W8N72T/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1XGOHJU5FVMQ7&keywords=THINK+LIKE+A+MEDIUM+ACT+LIKE+A+WARRIOR&qid=1661112528&sprefix=think+like+a+medium+act+like+a+warrior%2Caps%2C63&sr=8-2
