We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Laurel Judd. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Laurel below.
Alright, Laurel thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?
I actually got sick shortly after having my daughter in November 2017 via c-section. I was working as a counseling psychologist on Fort Campbell military post and struggled to go back to work after pregnancy leave. I absolutely loved my job and always knew my purpose was helping others but I was too sick to go back. Long story short, I found out I had something called Breast Implant Illness and Hashimotos. Essentially my breast implants made me sick, causing an autoimmune issue where my body was attacking itself. I had my implants properly removed and began seeing a functional doctor who suggested that I use an infrared sauna to excrete the toxins that were trapped in my body. After about 4 sessions I felt significantly better and made the decision to start doing magnesium float therapy as well. These two modalities helped my symptoms improve almost 100% and my Hashimoto’s was in full remission after 2 years of using those two services and removing my implants. I knew at that moment that I wanted to open A Pure Sweat + Float Studio in my community, as it healed me and I wanted to heal others.
Laurel, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am originally from Cleveland, Ohio and have lived in many states. I met my husband in Fayetteville, NC while he was in the Special Forces Qualification Course and I was working for the Army as a Counseling Psychologist. After he finished the course, he got assigned to the Fifth Special Forces Group at Fort Campbell, where we have resided since 2012. We have one daughter and two dogs and live in the Sango area. I worked for the military at the Army Substance Abuse Program, helping soldiers overcome a myriad of issues from substance abuse to depression and PTSD. When I had my daughter in November 2017, I got very sick and no one could figure out what was wrong with me. We eventually realized I had something called Breast Implant Illness which also lead to my Hashimotos autoimmune diagnosis. I eventually had to resign from my GS position and was on a journey of healing while taking care of my daughter while my husband deploys.
I had my explant surgery in November of 2019 and my healing began. Infrared Saunas and Magnesium Float Therapy were a huge part of my healing journey. Infrared saunas are one of the most effective ways to rid your body of toxins, and that it did!
I opened Pure Sweat + Float Studio in November 2021 and it has been a success in Clarksville. We have 5 Infrared Saunas, 2 magnesium float tanks and tons of retail to enhance the services and aid in healing. We have anything from highest grade supplements to non toxic perfumes, and of course, we carry locally made products.
Our clients are coming in with all sorts of goals and issues. Really anyone will benefit from our services. We see tons of clients with autoimmune issues, sleep issues, PTSD, pregnant just trying to relax and relieve pain, seasonal depression, healthy bonding with friends, etc. Its a safe space for healing that is unlike any other place in Clarksville. Our attention to detail, cleanliness and the overall experience is what sets up apart.
I am most proud of our ability to cater to each individual client that walks into the door. My staff believes in my mission statement “To provide the cleanest, safest, most luxurious and attractive space for healing, while bringing the community together.” I really care about people and I want to do anything possible to help them in their health journey. It is an honor to be a safe space for healing and connecting. I was born wanting to help people and with an understanding that it is my purpose, but this experience of getting sick and being ignored by doctors lit a fire in me to help others through holistic measures.
I help people understand the importance of making healthy life choices and advocating for themselves and their own healthcare. We tend to allow professionals to dictate our lives and I want to empower and educate clients on how much power they have with their health journey and to make better choices. I also am very passionate about educating women on Breast Implant Illness. So many women are sick from their implants and they are ignored by health professionals.
Finally, I want our studios to be a place of connection, not only within but with our staff and other clients and people in the studio.
Soon we will have another studio with Contrast Therapy (Infrared Sauna + Cold Plunge), which is another modality that offers so many healing benefits!
I am so excited to expand and I want people to understand the importance of incorporating healthy habits in their day.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
The journey of being a special forces wife, living away from family, having my child and overcoming being sick is my story of resilience. To be honest, I do feel like my whole life (as with many others) is a story of resilience and my decision to not only overcome, but thrive and get better each time I face a trial, is my success story. I was at such a low place after having my daughter and so sick that I almost checked myself into a hospital but I feared them taking my baby away. My husband and I tried for almost two years to get pregnant, so I felt so bad when I was sick after having her and could barely function. As a Special Forces wife, we are single parenting the majority of the time. My husband was deployed the entire pregnancy and was able to come home for 2 months. My delivery experience was terrible, I knew nothing about being pregnant, or advocating for myself at that matter. I was 37 so I was just told that I was a high risk pregnancy due to my age and they needed to schedule delivery. I had a c-section that was an awful experience, which was the start of my hard journey. Not to mention, my dad had died so I only had my mom to help me when she could, but she lives multiple states away. Anyways, I was so sick and consistently dismissed by doctors until I demanded they did further testing. In addition, I needed to take FMLA leave from my job and they were not supportive at all. I had been a therapist for 10 years there, never been late and I was so sick and scared and had no support from my boss. When I returned (still sick) from FLMA they threatened to put me on impaired provider list.
I ended up resigning from my job because I was so sick and was determined to figure out what was wrong with me. After one year and many fights with my husband, family and doctors, I made the decision to get my breast implants out. That was the first step in the right direction. Sometimes it takes getting so sick or being in such a bad place that you are desperate for answers. I never gave up, I kept trying and trying. My decision to take a huge loan out from the bank to open this business was a huge risk and it was unlike anything this community had heard of. Well……………. I did it and it is a success. Always keep trying and pushing and believe in yourself. I wont take no for an answer.
If you could go back, would you choose the same profession, specialty, etc.?
Absolutely. I have always followed my dreams. I loved being a counselor and helping people. This business allows me to continue helping people, but in a holistic way-encompassing all human arenas and not leaving any out. MIND-BODY-SPIRIT is the key because if one is out of balance they all are.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.puresweatstudios.com/clarksville-sango and https://www.puresweatstudios.com/clarksville-tennessee
- Instagram: puresweatclarksville
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/psfsclarksville
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/pure-sweat-float-studio-clarksville-clarksville?osq=pure+sweat+%2B
Image Credits
Frozen in Time Photography