Kate’s Wake-Up Call: Chronic Illness, Mold & the Crunchy Life

Michael Rubino

March 5

In this episode of Never Been Sicker, Michael Rubino sits down with Kate (@thatcrunchymomkate), a popular content creator known for her holistic and natural-minded approach to health. Kate opens up about her journey from being a college athlete with a seemingly "healthy" lifestyle to struggling with severe chronic illness after pregnancy. She shares how doctors repeatedly dismissed her symptoms—extreme fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, and depression—leaving her feeling gaslit and hopeless.

Determined to find answers, Kate took matters into her own hands. Through her own research and the help of a holistic practitioner, she discovered she had severe mold toxicity. This realization set her on a life-changing path toward holistic healing, detoxing, and eventually embracing a “crunchy” lifestyle—prioritizing non-toxic living, clean eating, and natural health practices.

She also discusses the challenges of mold remediation after discovering black mold in a newly purchased home, leading her to sell the house and build a holistic home from scratch with expert guidance. Kate shares insights on how to navigate misinformation, advocate for your own health, and make mindful choices even on a budget.

Whether you're dealing with chronic health issues, looking to switch to a low-tox lifestyle, or simply want to hear an inspiring transformation story, this episode is packed with eye-opening moments and practical takeaways.


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Highlights:

  • 0:00 - Welcome to the episode! Meet ThatCrunchyMomKate
  • 0:36 - What does crunchy mean?
  • 2:44 - Kate’s journey with chronic illness and mystery symptoms
  • 7:55 - The shocking mold test results: “I was over the maximum”
  • 12:09 - Living in a moldy apartment without knowing it
  • 24:23 - Moving into a new home & finally finding answers
  • 32:31 - Buying a home… and discovering black mold in the walls
  • 33:39 - Why she sold her newly remodeled home
  • 37:51 - Building a mold-free home from the ground up
  • 42:23 - Making health a financial priority (budgeting for wellness)
  • 47:35 - Final thoughts: Taking control of your health & advocating for yourself
  • 48:51 - Where to find Kate online

Follow Kate:

📲 Instagram & TikTok: @ThatCrunchyMomKate

🎙️ Podcast: Moms Unbothered (New episodes every Tuesday!)

Michael Rubino
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