This week on Thrive on Plants, host Dr. Daphne Bascom sits down with nurse practitioner, Gulf War veteran, and lifestyle medicine advocate Laura Valero for a deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation.

Laura’s path has taken her from Air Force intelligence and pandemic planning at the FAA to rural clinics and Spanish-language health equity initiatives. But beneath that remarkable résumé is a woman who’s lived with invisible illness, fibromyalgia, psoriatic arthritis, and ADHD, while raising a family, caring for aging parents, and helping underserved communities thrive.

In this episode, Laura shares:

• Her transition from omnivore to plant-based healer
• How military exposure led to chronic illness and the road to diagnosis
• Why fibromyalgia and ADHD are so often overlooked in women
• Her honest reflections on menopause, medication stigma, and learning to rest
• Strategies for improving rural healthcare and culturally relevant support for the Hispanic community

Laura doesn’t just talk about resilience, she lives it. Whether you’re a veteran, a healthcare provider, or navigating your own chronic health journey, this conversation will leave you informed, inspired, and ready to take empowered steps toward healing.

Contact Laura Valero:

Office Visits:
https://plantbaseddocs.com/places/united-states/virginia/culpeper/family-nurse-practitioner/laura-valero-msn-aprn-fnp-c/

PCRM Find a Doctor:
https://www.pcrm.org/findadoctor/laura-valero-np

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauravalerofnp/

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🌱 Take the free health assessment for women 40+: https://www.mymenoscore.com/start

Additional resources to help you thrive on plants:

🌱 Join our free Thrive on Plants community: Join Here

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