Episode 168: She Survived War—But the Hardest Battle Was Within
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In Episode 168 of 'Healthy Living with Yoga Anita,' host Anita interviews Dr. Liz Tatioka, a combat nurse who served in Afghanistan and later faced a silent battle with PTSD and depression after returning home. Tatioka shares her journey from growing up in Salt Lake City, attending Mount Holyoke College, and pursuing nursing and military service—motivated by both financial support and a desire to serve during wartime. After three deployments, including two combat tours, she struggled with mental health, withdrawing from family, community, and physical activities, eventually reaching a suicidal crisis. This turning point led her to functional medicine, a root-cause approach to health she discovered during the pandemic while working as a hospitalist during the height of the COVID-19 crisis. She transitioned out of conventional medicine to found White Onyx Medical, where she now helps patients—especially perimenopausal and menopausal women—address chronic issues like hormonal imbalances, gut health, stress, and sleep through personalized, lab-driven treatment plans. Tatioka emphasizes the importance of testing over guessing, lifestyle integration, and holistic healing. She also promotes community wellness through upcoming events like the Lemister Health and Wellness Fair on May 14th.
PTSD and mental health struggles after combat service are often invisible but deeply impactful.
Functional medicine focuses on root causes rather than symptom suppression, using advanced lab testing to guide personalized care.
Chronic stress, gut health, hormonal imbalances, and sleep are interconnected pillars of long-term wellness.
Transitioning from conventional medicine to functional medicine can be transformative, especially after personal health crises.
Community events like health fairs offer accessible pathways to holistic health resources.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Introduction and Guest Welcome
Anita introduces the episode and welcomes Dr. Liz Tatioka, a combat nurse who served in Afghanistan and now specializes in functional medicine.
From Utah to the Frontlines: Liz's Background and Military Service
Liz shares her upbringing in Salt Lake City, her education at Mount Holyoke College, and her decision to join the military for financial support and a sense of purpose during wartime.
Combat Tours and the Invisible Wounds of War
Liz recounts her deployments to Guantanamo Bay and Helmand Province, Afghanistan, where she served as an ER trauma nurse in a forward operating shock trauma platoon.
The Hidden Battle: PTSD, Depression, and Suicidal Thoughts
“I became suicidal. And so that was it was either, you know, I choose, you know, that route or I have to do something different.”
The Turning Point: Discovering Functional Medicine
“We want to test, we don't want to guess.”
“I was a combat nurse in Afghanistan, but I came home fighting a battle no one could see.”
“I became suicidal. And so that was it was either, you know, I choose, you know, that route or I have to do something different.”
“We want to test, we don't want to guess.”
Host
Guest
Liz Tatioka
person
Anita
person
White Onyx Medical
organization
Stress
other
Conventional Medicine
other
COVID-19
other
Hormones
other
Dr. Yvonne Andrews
person
Perimenopause
other
Gut Microbiome
other
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