Martha’s Healing Journey

For many years, I have kept relatively quiet about my healing journey. But as I become more confident in sharing my story, my hope is simply to inspire others who may be facing illness, grief or life’s many challenges, and to encourage people to reconnect with themselves before life forces them to.

Long before my diagnosis, I struggled with chronic acne, endometriosis, asthma, digestive issues and the effects of childhood stress. Although I was pursuing a career in modelling, acting, music performance and songwriting, emotionally I often felt lost and disconnected.

Seventeen years ago, after years of declining health and unexplained symptoms, my body reached breaking point. I had experienced years of toxic overload and began suffering from chronic pain, strange sensations throughout my body, weakness, depression and aggressive seizure-like episodes every few days. I continued trying to work, cancelling modelling shoots and performances while desperately searching for answers.

At the time, I was starring as the lead in a national stage musical. After performing in over one hundred shows, my body and immune system completely collapsed. I returned to Australia seeking answers, but before I could find them, I suffered my final attack.

I lost entire function down the left side of my body, including my eyesight, and was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. MRI scans revealed dozens of lesions on my brain.

Although my first wonderful neurologist who was of Indian descent, suggested lifestyle changes, vitamin D and dietary improvements, I felt that I needed to justify my years of suffering with strong medications, so I sought a second opinion from one of Melbourne’s leading neurologists. I was prescribed a very expensive, newly released 'super drug' and with hope, I followed the advice given to me. I experienced significant side effects and spent more time in hospital because of the medication than I did because of MS itself.

Still, I refused to give up.

I set myself simple goals: to walk properly again, to be strong enough to get on a plane back to Ireland where my beloved dog was waiting for me, and one day to return to work.

As I searched for answers, I followed my intuition, immersed myself in learning about nutrition, health and natural well-being. Gradually, I transitioned to a whole-food plant-based diet. I removed meat and dairy and eliminated gluten, refined sugar and processed foods. I focused on nourishing my body and reducing the toxic load in my environment.

Something I learned early in my transition away from animal products was the truth about the immense cruelty and environmental destruction caused by animal agriculture. Deeply influenced by the yogic principle of Ahimsa, or non-violence, one of the Yamas, I came to see food choices as an extension of compassion. Living in alignment with these ethical principles became an important part of my healing journey and my commitment to causing as little harm as possible to animals, the planet and myself.

Eventually, I made the deeply personal decision to come off medication. When I approached the medical team at St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin and explained my wishes, I was shown images of my brain and warned by nurses, neurologists and the Head of Neurology that if I stopped taking the drugs, I would likely spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair.

I walked out of the hospital alone and in tears.

It was one of the hardest decisions of my life, but I knew I had to trust myself.

I committed fully to the healing practices that resonated with me. Through juicing, smoothies, a whole-food plant-based diet, meditation and breathwork, I began supporting my body in a new way.
I was beginning to see considerable changes in my well-being, mindset and overall health. Just six weeks later, despite still being inflamed and unwell, I travelled to Cyprus to undertake a thirty-day yoga teacher training with an extraordinary teacher from Rishikesh, India.

Training twelve hours a day, I reached breaking point halfway through and spent a day bedridden, exhausted and in tears. With rest and gentle encouragement, I returned to the mat.

Something shifted.

Through yoga, breathwork and meditation, I experienced a profound reconnection of mind, body and spirit. I felt stronger, calmer and more present than I had in years. It was as though I had stepped outside the fear and anxiety that had consumed me and could finally see life with gratitude and clarity.
I continued practising yoga for at least two hours each day, visualising health, walking my dog and nourishing myself with whole foods. Slowly, I returned to work, to modelling, catwalks and photoshoots. I studied nutrition and became passionate about helping others reconnect with themselves and discover their own inner strength.

Shortly after returning from my yoga teacher training, I shared with my beloved John my dream of creating a wellness company. John was the love of my life, an internationally recognised music promoter, festival creator, and a creative genius with a presence larger than life.

Over dinner in Dublin, we brainstormed names. Inspired by the five ethical principles of yoga and the Greek expression meaning “to health”, John came up with the name You & Yamas.

The moment he said it, we both knew.

Years later, tragedy struck. I was in Australia with my one-year-old daughter when I received the devastating phone call from John’s brother telling me that John had passed suddenly. Friends were calling from Ireland and the UK after seeing the news on the BBC. We had said goodbye just one month earlier. He told me he loved me and my daughter Mila, and we held eachother, never knowing it would be our last embrace.

Losing him shattered my world.

For several years, I grieved deeply. But eventually, I returned to what had always helped me heal -yoga, community and service. Through teaching classes, hosting retreats and quietly supporting others, I rediscovered my strength and sense of purpose.

Then, four years ago, ELIXIR was born.

Inspired by my own daily rituals and my belief that self-care should be simple, intentional and grounded in nature, I created a multipurpose botanical oil designed to nourish face, body, hair and nails.

Over the years, I refined the formulation, and then one day, a dear friend gave me the encouragement I needed.

“Just launch. Bring the dream to life.”

As we brainstormed names, I shared the story of John and the name he had created all those years before.

My friend smiled and said, “That’s it.”

And so, You & Yamas was born.

Today, ELIXIR is used by men and women of all ages. My daughter has used it since she was four years old and is now nine. Friends and family in their seventies and eighties have made it part of their daily ritual. More than anything, I hope it brings comfort, nourishment and a moment of self-care to those who use it.

Seventeen years after my diagnosis, I remain deeply grateful for the lessons this journey has taught me.

I do not share my story because I believe there is one path for everyone.
I share it because I know what it feels like to suffer. I know what it feels like to feel lost, afraid and uncertain of the future.

But I also know that healing, growth and joy are always possible.

My hope is that through You & Yamas, through ELIXIR, and through the practices that transformed my own life, I can inspire others to reconnect with themselves and discover that even after life’s darkest moments, something beautiful can still be born.

To John, to everyone who has been there when I needed them most, and to my soulmate and best friend, Mila - thank you.

To health. Yamas.

Martha Christie


Founder, You & Yamas