05/15/2026
There is something I would like people to understand.
Not everyone who shares wellness information has letters after their name.
Some of us have scars, survival stories, sleepless nights, hospital bracelets, nervous system crashes, grief, trauma, caregiving experience, autoimmune flares, PTSD, chronic pain, burnout, addiction recovery, or years spent trying to figure out how to keep going when life became heavy.
That experience matters too.
There is room for both certified education and lived experience.
There is knowledge gained through books, classes, certifications, and training, and that absolutely has value.
Then there is the kind of knowledge learned at 2 AM when your body hurts, your mind races, your soul feels exhausted, and you are still trying to figure out how to survive another day.
That kind of learning also comes through books, articles, people sharing their stories, trial and error, research, observation, desperation, hope, and living in the middle of the thing you are trying to heal from.
Some of the most meaningful support I have ever received did not come from someone with a certificate on the wall.
It came from someone quietly saying:
“I understand. I have been there too.”
Lived experience does not make someone a doctor.
It does not replace professional medical care.
But lived experience does create understanding, compassion, relatability, insight, and practical tools that cannot always be taught in a classroom.
People who have walked through difficult things often become bridges for others still trying to find their way through.
And honestly, I definitely find this to be true for me.
Sometimes people share wellness information because they are trying to offer the tools, support, encouragement, or hope they wish someone had offered them.
That has value.
🌿 A few facts worth knowing:
• Peer support and lived experience are now recognized in mental health care systems worldwide because people often respond positively to support from someone who has “been there.”
• Research has shown peer support can improve recovery, self-belief, social connection, and quality of life.
• Studies show experiential knowledge helps build trust and rapport because people feel seen and understood, not just analyzed.
• Organizations like SAMHSA recognize peer support specialists and lived experience as valuable parts of behavioral health support systems.
• Even medical and psychology researchers are increasingly recognizing “lived experience as expertise” that can complement professional education and improve care.
Healing is not always found only through titles.
Sometimes it is found through connection, honesty, community, conversation, and someone brave enough to say:
“This helped me. Maybe it can support you too.”
This is how and why Color & Convo LLC was created.
My husband is a veteran with PTSD who dislikes taking medication and going to doctors, yet found himself struggling deeply with his symptoms.
The struggle became so overwhelming that our marriage was hanging on by a thread.
I found myself frantically searching for answers, begging the Universe for guidance, and then I started seeing articles, ads, and information about color therapy everywhere. For the first time, I felt like maybe I had something to explore.
As I researched more, I discovered the glasses were expensive, at least for us at the time. We were already fighting for his benefits and struggling financially.
Once again, I asked the Universe,
“If this could help him, please let us try them.”
The very next day, our neighbor’s daughter showed up wearing the Baker’s pink pair.
We tried them.
As soon as Dwayne took them off, he went inside and ordered the complete set.
When they arrived, we sat together on our front porch wearing the glasses one pair after another, talking.
Then he put on the indigo pair.
I was watching him when it happened.
His jaw relaxed.
He took a deep breath.
He slowly released it.
And for the first time in almost a decade of knowing him, I watched his shoulders drop down from his ears.
We sat on that porch every day, wearing the glasses, talking, learning, connecting, and healing together.
Eventually, we wanted to tell people about what helped us.
Once again, I spoke to the Universe and was answered.
But that is a story for another day.
Written by:
Elizabeth Ann
Some of my 'titles' are: wife of a veteran, Mom, retired practical nurse, minister, former bartender, a lifelong explorer of the inner landscape, and a work in progress with purpose.
Creator, Educator, and Intuitive Guide of Color & Convo LLC
https://www.colorandconvollc.com/
Elizabeth Ann
Vibes of HOME: Color & Convo LLC
1-719-671-5353
Co-founder of Vibes of HOME
Vibes of HOME:
Affiliated YouTube Channel: Convo in the Chaos of HOME: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCku3cU6l8-MMjz4cnVhZ2Vw
VP of PR for Pueblo Toastmasters
Pueblo Toastmasters Club #795 in Colorado
We meet every Wednesday from 5:15 pm to 6:30 pm in the Brett Kelly B room of the Rawlings Library.
"Toastmasters gave me the knowledge, support, and confidence to be able to lead workshops and events." E.A. Oswald TM since 2024
Vibes of HOME is presenting:
Through the Senses: A Chakra Flow Journey by Color & Convo LLC and Sounds of HOME
at
Elev8 Glass Gallery
I LOVE being here! The environment is inviting, the people are friendly, and shiny, shiny things!
They are creating space for artists and wellness practitioners to share their passion.
Follow this link to find Color & Convo and other wellness offerings:
https://elev8arts.com/wellness-classes/
Follow this link for the glass and other offerings:
Elev8 Glass Gallery
Spelling and grammar corrected by ChatGPT
