Episode 430: Lyme and Autism - an interview with Shawn Mastria

In this insightful episode of the Tick Boot Camp Podcast, host Rich Johannesen and special guest co-host Liza Blas sit down with Shawn Mastria, a former cybersecurity expert turned autism researcher. Shawn shares his personal journey from working in government and Fortune 500 companies to becoming deeply involved in regressive autism research due to his and his daughter’s health challenges. This episode explores the intersections of Lyme disease, mold exposure, and regressive autism, providing valuable insights for those navigating similar health landscapes.

Episode Highlights:

• Introduction to Shawn Mastria: Shawn introduces himself and discusses his extensive background in cybersecurity, including work with the government and Fortune 100 and 500 companies. He also shares the pivotal moment that shifted his focus from technology to autism research.
• Life Changes and New Directions: Shawn describes the health issues he and his daughter experienced that led him to dive deep into regressive autism research, leaving behind his cybersecurity career.
• Guest Introduction - Liza: Liza, a former podcast host of "Very Happy Stories," joins the conversation, bringing her own experience and perspective on community support and her new venture with Dr. Bill Rawls and the Vital Plan team.
• The Role of Community in Healing: Rich and Matt discuss the importance of community in the healing journey and introduce their new YouTube channel, emphasizing the need for careful selection of supportive communities.
• Shawn's Early Life and Lyme Exposure: Shawn shares his childhood experiences growing up in Maryland, where tick bites were a common occurrence. He recalls his initial ignorance about Lyme disease and the symptoms he developed after a bite that went unnoticed.
• From Cybersecurity to Autism Research: Detailing his early career, Shawn talks about his achievements in cybersecurity before a significant health event redirected his focus towards autism research and advocacy.
• The Onset of Symptoms and Initial Misdiagnoses: Shawn discusses the early symptoms he and his daughter experienced, including fatigue and hand issues, and the challenges of getting an accurate diagnosis from conventional doctors.
• The Connection Between Lyme Disease and Autism: Shawn provides insights into how Lyme disease and mold exposure may contribute to regressive autism, differentiating between autism and regressive autism.
• Understanding Mold and Its Impact on Health: Shawn delves into the effects of mold toxins on the human body, particularly in relation to Lyme disease and regressive autism, and shares his personal experience with mold remediation in his home.
• The Journey to Healing: Discussing various treatments and interventions, Shawn shares what has worked for his family and emphasizes the importance of a tailored approach to health recovery.
• Advice for Parents and Caregivers: Shawn offers advice for parents, especially fathers, on how to be more engaged and supportive in the health journeys of their children with autism and Lyme disease.

Thank you for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your community. Your support helps us reach more people with valuable information and stories about Lyme disease and tick-borne illnesses.