This is in response to the question, “What happened to your essential oil company?” I launched this company in December 2016 and closed it one year later, in mid January 2018.
I value transparency in my communication with you, as well as vulnerability in sharing my own healing journey with you. That has always been a foundation of Empowered Sustenance, and will continue to be.
So, here is what happened.
I closed the essential oil company I began with a business partner, who was a highly-regarded clinician and instructor at The Nutritional Therapy Association.
This relationship began when my nutrition and bodywork practitioner, 38 years my senior, seduced me when I was his 21-year-old client. I was vulnerable for many reasons, including a lack of any prior relationship and sexual experience. I also deeply trusted this man, who was a paragon in my community. I naively entered a relationship with him. And, shortly after, I naively agreed to start a business with him.
Eventually, I discovered I was one in a long series of his clients, students, and assistants who had been similarly manipulated, psychologically abused, and threatened while vulnerable to his position of power and “Healer” persona. When I realized this pattern, I decided to close the business.
I also reported him to the appropriate authorities. Investigations, with more than 10 other women coming forward, eventually led to his termination of his teaching position.
When I shared my story publicly in my community, many colleagues supported me but many tried to vilify me for revealing the reality of their guru. However, deep healing happened as I connected with other women who had also been severely abused by him, as well as other women who have had nearly parallel experiences with other people.
I determined I would use every ounce of this experience to shed light on cultural victim-blaming biases, and support other women in identifying and then speaking out against their own abuse.
I shared my experience in my book, Stronger Than The Master, in order to create positive change in our culture. I am also sharing spoken word poems at LaurenGeertsen.com. My soul is calling me to share ruthless truth through poetry, and so I will.
I know significant cultural change needs to occur, as I watch other women in my life go through parallel circumstances. They are also extricating themselves from manipulative partnerships — in business and marriage — and then experiencing the same pattern of escalated harassment, threats, false accusations, and legal challenges. And then there is the painful realization that many are afraid of the truth, and will choose to believe the abuser.
I have learned that the one with the truth always has more power than the liar. I am now dedicated to helping women trust their truth, speak their truth, and live their truth.
At Empowered Sustenance, I share what empowers and sustains my healing journey. This means that I am vulnerable and honest in sharing my own journey. And this entire experience has been a significant part of my healing journey.
I am glad I could support you with this essential oil company.
I know that I will support your healing in new ways in the future.
I trust that doors close so new ones can open.
Thank you all for your support.
Such a brave and bold step. Glad you are stepping out of that mess and look forward to seeing what awesome new opportunities you find as this chapter closes.
Thank you for sharing about your experience with us, Lauren. I appreciate your transparency and I hope that you and others continue to find healing after being involved in manipulative relationships.
So will will you never create and sell these these oils again?
I wondered the same thing! After reading one of her articles, I googled it and it came up from a company called “LavHa”. Is this a knockoff of HER formulas or something completely different? Such a shame. I had no idea essential oils could even remotely help with anxiety.
Congratulations for getting out of that relationship and thank you for posting something so personal. I am so sad, angry, confused about all these stories of abuse, but happy to see it brought to light so it can be extinguished.
Stay strong!
Thank you for sharing your story. I was shocked when I got your email about closing. I’m sorry for what you’ve been through. I hope that your new path allows you to heal & feel good about helping others in similar situations.
I started using your Vagal Tone in January, right before you closed your business. I could cry for not being able to get any more of it. It is truly the only thing that has helped my digestive issues. Could you share the recipe, or do you have remaining stock available? I’m desperate!
To Cindy. Try this website: essential7.com
Or go to Facebook group called: Healing Gastroparesis Naturally.
Gastroparesis is a severe ailment that causes digestive issues due to damage to the vagus nerve. Their protocol is helping many people. It is worth looking into.
Thank you. I’ll take a look at these.
I’ve found that Vibrant Blue Oil’s Parasympathetic blend is very similar to the Vagal Tone blend. It is wonderful for my digestive issues!
I am so sorry to hear what happen to you. Great job being strong! I just recently started reusing your vagal tone oil for my severe menstrual cramps. It stopped them and the severe clots I had too. It works wonders. I would love your recipe of essential oils so I can recreate it. I looked on the Essential7 website but have no idea which one would be similar to your vagal tone oil to use. I am happy for you to create it and I buy it from you. The only thing that works better is being on the pill so I stop getting my period.
As said above, I have found that Vibrant Blue Oil’s Parasympathetic blend is very similar to Vagal Tone. I highly recommend!
I read your article about hair health and was trying to find the Vagal Tone from Meo Energetics. Do you no longer use this? If not what do you recommend as a replacement?
Wow. I suspected something big as that seemed to be the only reason for the most life changing products to suddenly be discontinued! You are so brave and I applaud your ability to not only break free but to come forward! ???? I have been using your products since my then 7 yr old had strep then developed PANDAS. We religiously around the clock applied vagal tone, brain deflate, and anxiety release. She asked for them so I am sure she could feel them working just as much as we could see them working within her! Personally brain deflate is my go to for headache relief! In saying all that, I have searched high and low for a replacement but have been without luck! I still have the cards with the ingredients listed so if it is not proprietary information, would you please share what the ratios are so I can attempt to make my own versions? Thank you!!!
I appreciate your supportive comment, and I hear your disappointment about the discontinuation of the products. Due to legalities, I can’t offer the blends again or share the recipes. My friend Jimm Harrison, who soured the oils for our blends, offers a blend called Autopilot for the parasympathetic nervous system. You might give that a try as a replacement for Vagal Tone. https://www.jimmharrison.com/products2/autopilot?rq=autopilot
Dear Lauren. Bless you dear sister for walking this path, sharing your truth and being on this immense healing journey. Thank you for your vulnerability, honesty and powerful heart and bold courage. I deeply and personally understand the courage it takes to break free from these traumatic and manipulative cycles. I stand with you.
I also still have Meo oils that I forgot about and recently unearthed and would like to use up. But I cannot find the instruction card that went with them. Is there a place where I can still find the instructions for how to use the oils?
hi
are there any other sites that you recommend
I’m looking for something close to the brain inflame and the anxiety that you offered
thanks and good luck
hi
are there any other sites that you recommend
I’m looking for something close to the brain inflame and the anxiety that you offered
thanks and good luck
How sad that all this happened, all things happen and that you are in the process of healing. things will get better and you will be able to help more people.
The oils were great and AnxietyRelease helped me a lot, if I knew it the mixture I would try to make it.