Welcome back to the Munn Avenue Muse, the place where books and the people behind them come alive. We’re closing in on 30 podcast episodes (wild, right?), and this one is a must-listen for anyone who’s ever thought about turning real-life chaos into something meaningful on the page.
Charlie Levin welcomes Amy Lamb, a certified health and wellness coach, and her mom, Shirley Lamb. Together, they turned a medical nightmare into a book that’s already changing lives: My Health Journal.
This isn’t just another guided journal. It’s the book they wish they’d had years ago, a lifeline born out of nearly four years of the wrong treatment.
When “Trust the Doctors” Went Wrong
About six years ago, Shirley started noticing muscle weakness. After countless tests, she was diagnosed with a serious condition and endured monthly treatments for almost four years.
But here’s the plot twist: she never had the illness.
When Shirley and her husband moved to North Carolina, a new doctor pushed for second opinions. The truth came out: the diagnosis was wrong, the treatments were unnecessary, and the toll on Shirley’s health was devastating. We’re talking strokes, seizures, and heart problems, events that suspiciously lined up with the treatments themselves.
The most chilling part? If she hadn’t moved, she’d still be hooked up to the wrong IV, paying the price for someone else’s error.
That realization lit a fire under Amy and Shirley. If the medical system wasn’t going to connect the dots, they needed a way to do it themselves. And that spark became My Health Journal.
Turning Pain into Purpose
When Amy read aloud from the book’s intro during our podcast, it stopped us in our tracks:
“We lost nearly four years to the wrong treatment, but that misdiagnosis gave us freedom. It gave our family clarity. And it let us finally focus on what truly mattered, helping Mom feel better and regain control of her health.”
That’s the heart of My Health Journal. It’s not a fluffy gratitude diary. It’s a serious tool for anyone trying to piece together their health story when doctors, specialists, and apps aren’t talking to each other.
Think of it as your personal evidence log. A place to track symptoms, diet, stress, meds, social connections, and even gratitude (because mindset matters). With two pages per day plus monthly reflections, it doubles the depth of most wellness journals. And yes, it sneaks in tips and quotes to keep you inspired on the days when health feels like a battle.
Author Takeaways: Turning Notes Into Narratives
Amy and Shirley’s advice?
Write everything down. Don’t trust your memory.
Ask questions (even the ones that make doctors uncomfortable).
Get second and third opinions.
Look for patterns. Food, stress, sleep, and social life are all connected.
And Amy’s favorite practice is gratitude: each journal page begins with “I am grateful for…”
Here’s the meta piece for authors: this book started as notes. Just raw, messy, frustrating notes scribbled during a medical crisis. And when the dust settled, those notes became the blueprint for a book that can help thousands of families. Proof that your journal might be your next manuscript.
Behind the Scenes of Publishing
Amy admits she never thought she’d write a book. But once the idea clicked, the process moved fast. With Munn Avenue Press guiding the way (editing, cover design, distribution), what started as scattered pages turned into a polished, professional book.
Her family even voted on cover designs, making it a creative and surprisingly fun process. Lesson for authors: involve your people. It makes the book journey richer.
What’s Next for My Health Journal
Amy’s mission now is getting the journal into the hands of people who need it most especially those battling chronic illness. She’s also exploring a digital edition with app features, blending old-school note-taking with modern tech.
And here’s how dedicated she is: she literally carries copies in her backpack, ready to hand one to a doctor at any appointment. Here’s an author who believes in her work.
🎧 Listen, Learn, and Maybe… Write
You can catch the full interview with Amy and Shirley on the Munn Avenue Muse Podcast. It’s equal parts heartbreaking, eye-opening, and inspiring.
👉 Grab your copy of My Health Journal (fulfilled by Ingram, so it’ll hit your mailbox in about a week).
And if you’re an author? Pay attention to how Amy and Shirley took pain and turned it into purpose. Sometimes the hardest stories make the most powerful books.
If you would like to publish your book or your audiobook (or are just dreaming about it), let the MunnAvenuePress.com team help make your dream a reality.
Happy Writing! Charlie Levin, Publisher & Founder
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