My Story

Sitting on bench with my highschool sweetheart
The Hippie Mama Family

Hi, I’m Lynell!

Let us dive a little deeper into my story!

I married my high school sweetheart, and together we built a family of five children. Three of our children are still here on earth with us, living their lives and finding their own paths. Sadly, two of our children have gone to heaven and are no longer with us, but their memories will stay forever in our hearts. We have been blessed to live a full life together, navigating through both joyous moments and sorrowful times. Despite hardships, heartache and loss, my marriage to my high school sweetheart remains among the greatest blessings.

When it all started

I’ve been interested in natural living and holistic health for quite some time now, ever since I entered my twenties. Over the years, I have gradually developed a better understanding of these topics by reading and researching on my own; however, despite this knowledge, I continued to make unhealthy lifestyle choices such as eating processed foods, taking over-the-counter painkillers, and not properly considering the validity of “greenwashing” claims.

It wasn’t until I made an effort to educate myself further about the importance of leading a holistic lifestyle that I realized just how much my actions had an impact on my and my family’s well-being. As such, exploring all aspects of natural living – from nutrition to mental health – has become increasingly important to me as it helps ensure that I am making intentional decisions with regards to my personal health and sustainability.

When it truly began…

In 2019, I began exploring ways to take a more holistic approach to health and living. But I’m getting ahead of myself… The year prior, 2018, we had been expecting our second child but unfortunately experienced a miscarriage. Though miscarriages are relatively common—one in four pregnancies ends in one—we did not associate it with any potential health-related factors at the time. Six months later, our hopes for having another baby were reignited when we got pregnant again.

However, at 25 weeks and 6 days into the pregnancy, we found out that our baby girl was stillborn due to an umbilical cord blood clot. As a result of this experience, I underwent genetic testing and received results revealing that I have the MTHFR gene mutation. This revelation prompted me to become serious about taking charge of my natural living and holistic health in order to avoid similar situations in the future. Thus began my journey towards understanding how lifestyle modifications and mindful habits can help improve overall wellbeing.

After experiencing these life-altering events, I began to take a greater interest in my health and well-being. Motivating me to start an extensive research process that delved into many aspects of everyday life, such as the ingredients found in our food, the products we consume, and the medication we use. As I uncovered more and more information, my shock and disbelief were only growing. I was exposed to data on topics such as dangerous chemicals contained in personal care products, harmful toxins used in industrial farming practices, and questionable ingredients found in pharmaceuticals.

My Mission!

The sheer magnitude of this information served as a powerful reminder that our individual choices can have significant impact upon our own bodies and the environment at large. Through this realization, I developed a newfound appreciation for being mindful about what I put into my body—both mentally and physically—and worked diligently to make healthier decisions every day.

Fueled by my newfound passion for a holistic lifestyle, I created The Hippie Mama Life to educate and inform others about the amazing benefits of living a low-tox life. Through my website and social media, I provide an array of resources and tips on how to reduce your toxic load and transition to a healthier, more natural lifestyle.

I’ve also made it my mission to inspire and empower mamas everywhere to take control of their health and wellbeing. I share personal stories, recipes, and exercises that promote a healthy body, mind, and spirit. My goal is to help empower other mothers to make informed decisions about their health, and to help them become the best versions of themselves.