This article originally appeared in the Winter 2025 issue of On The Level.
A Life Turned Upside Down
Adam Lindo, a musician, minister, and health coach, was living a full and active life when everything changed on December 27, 2020. What began as a day like any other ended with Adam grappling with a whirlwind of vertigo, nausea, and a profound sense of disequilibrium. As days turned to weeks, anxiety began to creep in, amplifying the physical toll of his symptoms. It was as if his body had turned against him, and the once-simple tasks of daily life became monumental challenges.
Determined to find answers, Adam embarked on a relentless diagnostic journey. Visits to chiropractors, tests like the VNG, and vestibular therapy for suspected vestibular neuritis yielded some insights but no lasting relief. By the six-month mark, new symptoms emerged—visual auras, facial and shoulder discomfort, memory lapses, and difficulty forming coherent sentences. It felt as though he was losing himself.
The Turning Point
Desperate for clarity, Adam sought out a neurologist, neurotologist, and neuro-ophthalmologist. Finally, a name was given to his relentless condition: vestibular migraines. While the diagnosis provided some relief, it was only the beginning of his journey.
Experimenting with treatments, Adam found limited success with medications like Ubrelvy and low doses of diazepam. He turned to supplements—magnesium, B-complex, riboflavin, CoQ10, and electrolytes—which became cornerstones of his daily routine. But the real transformation came when he embraced lifestyle medicine.
Adam reshaped his life, eliminating triggers, adjusting his diet, prioritizing restful sleep, and engaging in physical activity that respected his body’s limits. He learned to listen to his body, his environment, and his emotions. While he sometimes felt unheard, these steps brought stability and a renewed sense of control.
Faith, Community, and Purpose
Through the ups and downs, Adam leaned heavily on his faith. His spirituality became both a source of perspective and motivation. Connecting with others on social media who shared his struggles helped him feel less isolated. Through shared experiences, it reminded Adam that he was not alone in this fight as he shared his journey and the tips he learned along the way.
This shared understanding inspired Adam to take a bold step. At his lowest point, he shifted his mindset from “Why me?” to “What if?” What if he could use his experience to help others? What if this could be a turning point, not an end?
Becoming a Guide for Others
Driven by this newfound purpose, Adam became a certified health coach, specializing in vestibular and chronic health issues. Building on his background as a minister, he expanded his focus of mental, spiritual, and physical wellness. His own experience informed his approach: collaborative, client-centered, and compassionate.
Adam works to ensure his clients feel seen, heard, and understood. He encourages them to build a support system that includes their doctors and therapists. In his practice, Adam emphasizes that health coaching is not about dictating solutions but about walking alongside someone on their wellness journey.
A Mission of Advocacy and Hope
Today, Adam reflects on his journey with gratitude. The path was far from easy, but it gave him the tools to help others navigate their own challenges. He credits organizations like VeDA for raising awareness and providing resources, wishing he had discovered them earlier.
For Adam, the journey isn’t just about overcoming vestibular migraines—it’s about learning to thrive despite them. It’s about faith, community, and the power of turning adversity into a catalyst for growth. And above all, it’s about reminding others that they, too, can find balance amidst the storm.
Follow Adam at Mind Wave Wellness.
