Caileigh Feldman is a Certified Cellular Regeneration and Detox Specialist, Raw Food Chef, Marconics Energy Teacher-Practitioner, and Yoga Instructor. She healed her body and her consciousness of eczema, suicidal depression, chronic fatigue, crippling anxiety, and topical steroid withdrawal (TSW). She has been a vegan since 2012 and loves her plant-based lifestyle. She completed a 144-day juice cleanse on January 1, 2019 and feels more radiant than ever!
Caileigh Feldman and her husband Brian Russo co-founded the Detox Mastery Academy to empower thousands of lightworkers, leaders, and families to transform their health and experience true vitality. Caileigh Feldman and Brian Russo lead international yoga, raw food and detox retreats in Costa Rica.
Caileigh is on a mission to empower millions of people to reconnect with their divine source in their hearts, restore health to their bodies, and give joy a real chance! Explore the Caileigh Feldman website,Give joy a chance, where you will find seven free raw vegan recipes and join theAcademic Detox Mastery. Siga Caileigh Feldman emFacebookmiInstagram.
Nota de Fruit-Powered'sBrian Rossiter: I started 10 sentences with target words, presented in bold below, that are conversation starters and asked Caileigh Feldman to fill in the thoughts in this one.raw vegan transformations:conversationsask.
Caileigh Feldman's skin opens her up to experience freedom
My skinHe has been my greatest guru. It was through deep physical pain that I found my true freedom. When I was just 2 years old, I was diagnosed with chronic eczema. Some of my earliest memories are scratching my skin until it bled. I begged my mother to let me have a new fur set. She embarrassed me and hid my skin under long sleeves, even in the beautiful summer dresses my mother made me.

topical steroidsMy doctor prescribed them for me when I was 8 years old. My mother trusted the doctors and they did not give usnowarning of what could happen with constant use of topical steroids. For the next 14 years of my life, I used steroid creams on a weekly basis. I didn't know that applying this little tube of cream would result in such horrible suffering.
When I was 11 years old, I started having major depression, suicidal thoughts, and anxiety. I hid my intense feelings by obsessing over dressing well and focusing on my outward appearance. At that time, I wrote the lyrics to the song: "More and more makeup with each application, disguising my feelings with foundation." I was afraid to open up and share my inner feelings with someone.
In high school, I made positive friendships and was active in many extracurricular activities, including college football, jazz band, musical theater, and environmental activism. During that time, although he was excelling in school and thriving, he was still using topical steroids consistently on small patches of eczema. I had no idea that he was doing more harm than good.
Summary: Caleigh Feldman
Here's a snapshot of Caleigh Feldman's favorites:
- Fruit:I lovemanga🇧🇷 Each bite tastes unique to me, like sweet caramel and vanilla! My second favorite staple would definitely have to be fresh.orangejuice. I drink at least 64 oz of freshly squeezed orange juice a day, and it really lights me up from the inside out. My favorite tropical fruit by far isdurian🇧🇷 I love how creamy it is and have even tried it here in Costa Rica which tastes like fragrant flowers. So tasty!
- Exercise:definitelyrebound🇧🇷 Jumping on my mini trampoline is sofunand it always helps me feel energized, refreshed and creative. I also love doing slow yoga like hatha or yin (I am a hatha and vinyasa yoga instructor) and taking long walks by the sea.
- Book:Clarion callbyalison david birdmilisa wilson🇧🇷 This is a powerful book to awaken the world beyond what meets the eye.
- Movie:Oh,vaiana, hands down! I love the focus on following your heart's call despite what others in society are doing. The music and animation are so beautiful. This movie makes me cry every time Grandma's spirit lingers in stingray form.
- Album:That is easy!land of gracebyPaul Simon🇧🇷 My grandparents are South African and my mother grew up in Zimbabwe. I love how Paul Simon collaborated with local South African musicians to create such a powerful masterpiece. I can listen to this album over and over again!
- Place on earth:Oh my God. This is not so easy to choose. My home in Costa Rica must be my favorite place on Earth right now. Beaches. waterfalls. organic markets. loving community. Tropical fruits. fresh juices. yes i found minecasa, also known as Heaven on Mother Earth.
- Things to Do:Floating in a hot spring under the stars with a glass of fresh juice.
Caileigh Feldman's college years lead her to good health
light for healthit started spinning in my mind when I was a freshman at Haverford College. I started experiencing digestive discomfort during the first semester because it was the first time I had eaten more processed canteen food. I was recruited to play college football and moved my body a lot, but still gained 10 pounds in my first three months of school. I hadNeverI have gained extra weight in my entire life. It wasn't feeling well and I felt lethargic!
I would call my mother, crying with a stomach ache. I hadnoidea that it was related to what he was eating. My mom asked me, "What are you eating?" And I said, “For breakfast, I'm going to have eggs, pancakes, hash browns, sausage, and cereal. For lunch I have chocolate shakes and grilled cheese, and for dinner I have spaghetti with tomato sauce.” She said, “Well, sure, you don't feel well. You're not eating real food like fruits, vegetables, or unprocessed foods." I wasshocked🇧🇷 I had literally never made a deep connection between food and energy. I was also angry and thought: "Why did I never learn any of this in school?"

From that moment I began to be interested in health and well-being. Not long after, my entire family went vegan, inspired by my brother's decision to cut back on meat. I started to make the connection that what I putinside sidemy body has affected my overall health (mental, emotional, spiritual)miphysical).
I started going to Trader Joe's and felt able to cook all my meals in my apartment on campus: oatmeal with cinnamon and maple syrup for breakfast, salad with roasted vegetables, hummus and pita for lunch, and whole wheat pizza or noodles. of rice. with tons of stir-fried vegetables for dinner. My snacks became popcorn or puffed rice crackers and almond butter bananas. On the weekends, I would make vegan banana pancakes for my friends and invite everyone over to my apartment and ask them to bring their favorite toppings.
I fell so in love with the vegan lifestyle that I even taught vegan and vegetarian cooking classes to my classmates and volunteered in Philadelphia public high schools to make healthy after-school snacks.
After graduating from Haverford College, I moved to New York City to work for a non-profit organization, teaching vegan cooking classes and hosting holistic health fairs for a public school. It was totally my dream job at the time! While living in New York, my skin started to swell again. I started getting little red itchy bumps all over my chest, neck, arms and stomach. At first I thought it was an allergic reaction to something in my apartment. I switched my cleansers to all-natural brands. I gave up all processed foods and stopped drinking wine. I even bought new sheets for my bed!
Nothing I tried seemed to work.

Caileigh Feldman looks inward and finds answers to health challenges
When I looked inside myselfI knew what I had to do. He was looking outside of myself to fix a problem that came fromwithinME! My breakouts would not go away and I was still using steroid creams.
One day I looked in the mirror and said to myself: “I am ready to be who I am.in!”
I had a strong intuitive feeling that I needed to throw out the topical steroid creams right away. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. So I stopped using topical steroid creams for the rest of my life.
My body's response was to erupt like a volcano with red spots all over it! My face and eyes swelled up so much that I had trouble seeing. I started experiencing oozing, burning, bleeding, cracking, insomnia, and depression.
The pain was so bad that I could barely move. Thank God I was able to work remotely over the summer and recuperate at my parents' house. I did some research and found out how bad topical steroid creams were for my health and had alight bulbmoment: I had been suppressing my nervous system and immune system all my life. My skin was just a messenger.
During that time, I had a lot of time to do research and found out that what I was experiencing was called Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW) and Red Skin Syndrome (RSS). It was devastating to learn that my body had not only become addicted to the steroid creams, but had also exacerbated the eczema, which it was originally "supposed to cure."
I have seen thousands of mothers, fathers, and even many young children in TSW support groups suffer like I did. The hardest part was seeing that no one in these groups had a clue.as theto cure TSW or treat the incredibly uncomfortable symptoms. Few people seemed to believe that diet was an important factor, but my own intuition led me to believe that it was one of the most important keys to my healing. So I took my vegan diet to the next level and introduced more fruits, fruit smoothies, greens, sweet potatoes, and drank at least 8 glasses of filtered water a day. I cut out all salt, soy, gluten, and processed foods, but I still didn't know anything about juicing.

My diet was bringing me some relief, but my world was shattered again when my on-and-off boyfriend of seven years broke up with me. He was heartbroken but inspired by my brother, who gave me advice that hit me like a punch to the stomach: "Let go of me or they'll drag you down." I knew at that moment that I needed to let it go.mithat my physical healing was not just about diet. The root of this was getting over the emotional pain behind it all.
Practicing yoga helps Caileigh Feldman overcome emotional pain to find peace
yoga helpedmove me not only my body but my emotions. My mother gave me a book calledWarrior Pose: How Yoga Literally Saved My Lifebybrad willis🇧🇷 I was inspired by how he cured stage 4 throat cancer and healed a broken back by practicing yoga. She had never tried yoga before because he did not have the patience to do it. He was used to the fast pace of soccer. But practicing hot yoga every day that summer helped me get over all my emotional pain and find peace again. At first, yoga was very difficult mentally. I had trouble staying present in poses and experienced tons of mind chatter. Slowly but surely my body became more flexible and my mind calmer. Yoga also touched my soul and was the beginning of my spiritual journey.
In just one month of declaring my intention to heal the Universe, my skin was squeaky clean, smooth, and stronger than ever. Members of the TSW Facebook groups couldn't believe the results I shared with them!
Caileigh Feldman adopts an all-raw vegan diet
The idea of going on a raw food diet.It would have seemed crazy to me when I started college, but after going vegan and hearing about the benefits of raw food for treating eczema, I decided to give it a try. It wasn't easy getting back to the hustle and bustle of New York City after my healing summer, but for my 23rd birthday in December, I decided to go totally raw!
I ate alonebananasmidatesfor a month. I knewanythingabout raw food, so I tried to go to "Banana Island". I have seen a decrease in inflammation in my body, but not much. I now know that bananas and dates are fruits with low water content and were not giving my body the hydration it needed. I “celebrated” the New Year by doing a five-day water fast! My raw food and fasting lifestyle journey has begun!
Enjoy a gallery of Caileigh Feldman's alluring raw vegan foods, bursting with color.
Over the next four years, my approach to raw foods continued to evolve as I got more in touch with my body. I used to eat three meals a day and enjoyed more green smoothies, salads, and a variety of toppings. So I started eating two meals a day and incorporating more fruits and juices with a high water content. I also started intermittent fasting (dry fasting for 14 hours a day) eventually coming down to two meals a day and finally one meal a day. Juicing has become a big part of my lifestyle and I drink a lot of fruit juices every day. The deepest I have ever done in my cell regeneration was during 144 days of juicing. I drank my party juice moment by moment and didn't try to force it. My body guided me all the way, and it was a joy to finally feel my true hunger return. It was an incredibly profound experience. I was able to remove a lot of old debris, and with that debris, many old beliefs and emotional patterns that no longer served me. My first meal after my juice feast was my favorite fruit: mangoes! I know many people might consider this extreme, but gradually switching my diet to fruit and juice has made me healthier and more vibrant than ever.
A yoga retreat opened my eyes towhat could be my dream life. Just a month after starting a raw food lifestyle, I attended a week-long yoga retreat in Costa Rica. I got high and fell in love with Costa Rica and the Pura Vida lifestyle! I was even inspired to start a yoga retreat business so others could have an equally powerful experience! I felt open to all the great things the Universe was bringing into my life. I had retreats planned in Peru, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua, and my skin felt great!
Caileigh Feldman finds love when she least expects it
love cameWhat a surprise to me when I met my future husband, Brian, on vacation in Jamaica! The song “My Sweet Lord” was playing when we met and began a week of singing, swimming, and dancing under the stars. We looked deep into each other's eyes the first night we met. I put my hand on his heart and he said that he felt something he had never felt before! On the second day of the trip, we were in love! He played his singing bowls while I led a yoga class for our families, who got along very well. Our work together had already begun! We had an amazing summer of love and then I went to Peru to complete my 200 hour yoga teacher training.
Brian joined me in Peru for the retreat and we had fun exploring South America afterwards! The next retreat we organized together was in beautiful Nosara, Costa Rica. At sunset on the last night of the retreat, Brian got down on one knee and proposed to me in front of the entire group. I said yes, and we were married five months later in a small, private ceremony in Maryland overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. Then in July we had our big family wedding celebration in the south of France. It was a fairy tale wedding and truly a dream come true!

Caileigh Feldman and husband Brian Russo launch Give Joy A Chance
Our passion for healingled us to become certified experts in detoxification and cell regeneration with Dr. Roberto Morse. Not long after, we started our wellness business, Give Joy a Chance! We realized that the physical detox protocols for our clients were important, but that the root of the entire journey is true emotional healing rooted in self-love.
I amso thankful for the raw food lifestyle that helped me reveal and embody who i truly am. My experience shows me how interconnected I am with everything in the Universe. I see how my positive and negative choices spill over into each and every area of my life, so I've learned to do my best to take responsibility for every choice I make.
the answer is alwayswithin🇧🇷 It's up to me to align my thoughts, words and actions with the kind of world I want to create! I have spent my entire life focusing on the external and trying to make everything in my life seem “perfect” by repressing my symptoms and my true feelings.
Going in to heal my skin was a hard lesson to learn and finally accept. Once I was able to deeply face my situation and start to become my own best friend, I was empowered to make consistent decisions that align with my health and happiness.
Now, best of all, I feel truly happy, and with that, my childhood wish has come true: I finally found peace in my body!
let my story inspireyoubeing deeply curious about the messages your body is sending you and knowing that your health is always in your own hands. Love is the most healing force in the entire universe, and it is your choice to align with the power of love.
YouCan Iheal your life It starts with the physical, but as you go deeper, you will discover the mental and emotional patterns that kept you stuck and living small.
I call this process “lighting up your life”. At first, it may feel like your life is falling apart only to discover that from the ashes of the past you will emerge free to express yourself like never before. Faith and trust will carry you forward.
As a Certified Detox Specialist, I have been working to help our clients recover for the past two years through my Detox Mastery Academy. If you are ready to transform and become the highest expression of yourself, I am ready to support and guide you on your path to vibrant health!
Joy is who you are. Love forever. 🇧🇷
More with Caileigh Feldman onfruit-based magazine
FAQs
How long does TSW last? ›
An analysis of numerous medical journal articles and studies related to TSW found that TSW recovery does often take more than three months. Anecdotally, sufferers sharing experiences online often recount years of struggle.
What are the stages of TSW? ›TSW usually goes through the following four stages as someone goes through the healing process: 1. inflammation, 2. exudation, oozing and scab formation, 3. proliferation and flaking, and 4.
Is TSW a real thing? ›Topical Steroid Withdrawal Syndrome (TSWS), also known as Topical Steroid Addiction (TSA) or Red Skin Syndrome (RSS), is a potentially debilitating condition that can arise from the use of topical steroids to treat a skin problem, such as eczema.
What is Erythematoedematous? ›Erythematoedematous. This type affects people with eczema or dermatitis. It causes swelling, redness, burning, and sensitive skin within one to two weeks after you stop using the steroid. Papulopustular. This type mainly affects people who use topical steroids to treat acne.
How do you survive topical steroid withdrawal? ›Taking oral corticosteroids for a few weeks can help your body adjust to stopping topical corticosteroids and reduce symptoms of TSW. Using cold compresses. Cold compresses and other skin soothing treatments might also be recommended.
Does topical steroid withdrawal last forever? ›Withdrawal symptoms can last anywhere from a couple of months to many years. Topical steroid withdrawal can have a huge effect on people's lives. If the symptoms are severe, they may make it hard to work or have a social life.
Can eczema heal without steroids? ›Can eczema be treated without steroids? Yes! Nonsteroidal medications are available for people with eczema who don't respond well to steroids or want to switch treatments. You may also be able to manage mild eczema symptoms without medications.
How do you treat topical steroid withdrawals naturally? ›Moisturise Your Skin
Using a facial serum or body oil with natural botanical oils is the good way to keep your skin moisturised without irritating skin further during topical steroid withdrawal.
It's normal to feel some mild symptoms for about a week or two as you taper off prednisone. Don't take any OTC pain medicine or prescription drugs without asking your doctor first. Psychological withdrawal symptoms could last for 2 to 8 weeks.
Do doctors believe in topical steroid withdrawal? ›There is some debate as to whether Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW), Red Skin Syndrome and Steroid Addiction exists. People claim to have it, many doctors say there is no scientific proof.
Does eczema come back after TSW? ›
What is topical steroid withdrawal (TSW)? After stopping TS other problems may develop. Often the original condition comes back when the treatment stops – eczema is a long-term skin condition that comes and goes and this is a normal pattern.
How do I know if I have TSW or eczema? ›'TSW is more painful and severe than original eczema and the rash spreads. Your skin may be itchy, with acne-like bumps or weeping, peeling or shedding. 'In severe cases there can be hair loss, excessive sweating, shivering and in turn a hugely negative impact on your sleep and mental health.
What happens when you stop using steroid cream? ›When topical steroid medication is stopped, the skin experiences redness, burning, a deep and uncontrollable itch, scabs, hot skin, swelling, hives and/or oozing for a length of time. This is also called 'red skin syndrome' or 'topical steroid withdrawal' (TSW).
Can steroid damaged skin be repaired? ›Steroid-induced skin atrophy is often permanent, though if caught soon enough and the topical corticosteroid discontinued in time, the degree of damage may be arrested or slightly improve. However, while the accompanying telangiectasias may improve marginally, the stretch marks are permanent and irreversible.
What does topical steroid withdrawal look like? ›A person can get mild topical steroids over the counter, and a doctor may prescribe stronger treatments. In rare cases, a person may experience withdrawal after they stop using topical steroids. Symptoms may include pain, itching, redness, lesions, oozing, and insomnia.
How long do you have to use steroids to get topical steroid withdrawal? ›The authors concluded that topical steroid withdrawal reactions occur in children and can result from discontinuing topical steroids used for as little as 2 months. The authors reported that resultant signs and symptoms can last longer than 12 months, even with short duration of use.
Do antihistamines help with topical steroid withdrawal? ›People with steroid withdrawal syndrome who experience significant itching may benefit from antihistamine medications, which prevent the body from releasing substances that contribute to the itching. The doctor may recommend one of two types of antihistamines.
How do you permanently treat eczema? ›No, there isn't a cure for eczema. There are treatments available, but no treatment can eliminate your symptoms 100% of the time. Eczema is a chronic condition, which means it can go away and come back unexpectedly. Treatments are very effective in reducing the symptoms of itchy, dry skin.
What happens if you use topical steroids for too long? ›When used correctly, topical corticosteroids are a safe and effective treatment for conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. However, a withdrawal reaction following long term use of these products can lead to skin redness and a burning sensation worse than the original skin condition.
Will eczema come back after steroids? ›If oral steroids are not taken properly, it's possible to have a “rebound effect,” where your eczema symptoms pop right back up after you stop taking the drugs. To avoid this, it's important to take all of the medications as prescribed and not skip any doses, even if you start to feel better.
How long can you take steroids for eczema? ›
Most people need to use hydrocortisone treatments once or twice a day for 1 to 2 weeks. But if you buy it from a pharmacy or shop, do not use it for more than 1 week, talk to a doctor first. Never put hydrocortisone on your face unless your doctor says it's OK and has given you a prescription for it.
How can I boost my immune system to fight eczema? ›- Eliminate allergens. Over 80 percent of eczema sufferers have higher than normal antibodies in their system. ...
- Take probiotics for healthy digestion. ...
- Follow an anti-inflammatory diet. ...
- Swap skin care products for manuka honey. ...
- Balance your vitamin intake.
Weeks 3-4: Slightly start to decrease in the days that you apply the cream so for example you would apply the cream every 3 days instead of every 2 days or 1 less day then you have been during weeks 1-2. Weeks 4 – 6: Get a new prescription with a lower dose.
How long does steroid withdrawal last on skin? ›The duration of acute topical corticosteroid withdrawal and time to peak is variable from days to months, before eventually the skin becomes 'normal'. It can take weeks to years to return to its original condition.
What happens to your body after quitting steroids? ›Withdrawal symptoms often peak the second week after the user's last dose of steroids. Abdominal pains, nausea and weight loss are common. Steroid users may also reach the height of a depressive episode and struggle with insomnia.
What do steroid withdrawals feel like? ›The most common side effects of prednisone withdrawals are:
Lightheadedness. Loss of appetite. Nausea. Severe fatigue.
Side effects of topical corticosteroids. If you use them correctly, topical corticosteroids rarely have serious side effects. The most common side effect of topical corticosteroids is a burning or stinging sensation when the medicine is applied. However, this usually improves as your skin gets used to the treatment.
What is the strongest steroid for eczema? ›The highest potency topical steroids include: Temovate (clobetasol propionate) 0.05% ointment. Ultravate (halobetasol propionate) 0.05% cream, ointment, or lotion. Psorcon (diflorasone diacetate) 0.05% ointment.
What can be misdiagnosed as eczema? ›- Scabies. Mites, which are invisible to the naked eye, burrow into the skin, causing it to itch. ...
- Psoriasis. Psoriasis patches are usually, but not always, slightly different compared to eczema, particularly on the hands. ...
- Mycosis. ...
- Seborrheic dermatitis.
The authors concluded that topical steroid withdrawal reactions occur in children and can result from discontinuing topical steroids used for as little as 2 months. The authors reported that resultant signs and symptoms can last longer than 12 months, even with short duration of use.
Is TSW permanent? ›
It's the result of your body's reaction to stopping the use of topical steroid creams and ointments. And, although we're accustomed to body reactions lasting just a few hours or days, TSW syndrome (TSWS) takes months and even years for some to overcome.
When does TSW improve? ›Most people experience vast improvement within 12 to 24 months, while some require longer or shorter periods of time to fully recover. Exact recovery time is completely individual and nearly impossible to predict.
What happens when you withdraw from topical steroids? ›Patients with this type of withdrawal experience swelling, redness, burning, and skin sensitivity usually within 1-2 weeks of stopping the steroid. The papulopustular variant was more often associated with use of topical corticosteroids for cosmetic purposes or for an acne or acne-like disorder.
Is topical steroid damage permanent? ›Steroid-induced skin atrophy is often permanent, though if caught soon enough and the topical corticosteroid discontinued in time, the degree of damage may be arrested or slightly improve.
Is topical steroid withdrawal rare? ›Topical steroid withdrawal (TSW) is a rare condition that can develop after you stop using a topical steroid medication. Treatment for TSW is different for everyone. And if you develop it, there's no specific timeline for how long symptoms are expected to last.
Are steroid withdrawals serious? ›Introduction. Steroid therapy is frequently used to treat chronic pain, particularly inflammatory pain states. Steroid withdrawal may be commonly underdiagnosed and untreated, and may cause significant patient morbidity. Withdrawal may produce a broad array of symptoms and signs, some of which are not well recognized.