🧘‍♀️ What My Yoga Mat Taught Me About Life’s Seasons

There was a time, years ago, when I came to my yoga mat just trying to push through life.

Everything around me felt uncertain. Unsettled. Heavy. And in those moments, I believed that if I could just move hard enough—if I could stretch, sweat, breathe deeper—I could somehow move past the pain. I came to the mat out of desperation, looking for a fast-forward button through that season.

But life had a different rhythm in mind.

Years later, after finishing my battle with Lymphoma and having my PICC lines removed, I returned to my mat… and something had shifted. I wasn’t there to push through anymore.
This time, I came in with gratitude.

I wasn’t worried about how strong I looked or how long I could hold a pose.
I was simply thankful to move.
Thankful to breathe.
Thankful to still be here.

It was the beginning of a new relationship—with my body, my healing, and my spirit.

And just recently, I found myself back on my mat again.
But this time, I was surrounded by a group of powerful, grounded women at a wellness retreat.
There was yoga. There was sound. There was stillness.
And in that quiet, something profound came over me:

✨ I felt whole. ✨
Not striving. Not rebuilding. Not pushing through.
Just being.

And I realized something so simple, but so powerful:

This mat has seen all of me—through every season.

From desperation…
To healing…
To peace.

This is why Together We Battle was born.

I created this community so that you can hold space for yourself—wherever you are in your journey.
Here, you don’t need to have it all together. You don’t need to fake strength.
You just need to show up.

Together We Battle is a safe place where your story matters—because when you share it, you're helping others feel less alone.
Here, we believe that you can keep turning struggles into stories, stories into strength, and strength into boundless opportunities.
Every mat. Every journal. Every quiet morning or breath in nature—it all counts.

Now I want to hear from you:

💭 What has your mat—or your personal ritual—held for you?
💭 Was there a moment when it all shifted for you, too?

I would love to hear your story.
Email me or reach out on social media.
You are not alone on this path—and we are stronger when we rise together.

With gratitude and grace,
Jessica
Founder, Together We Battle
🖤

Clean Wellness: A Healing Journey of Strength with Jessica Johnston

A Journey to Healing. A conversation with Jessica Johnston. 

When Jessica Johnston was diagnosed with early-stage T-cell lymphoma in late 2019, her world shifted overnight. As a long-time spa and wellness professional, she already prioritized clean living, mindfulness, and holistic self-care — but her diagnosis marked a powerful turning point. What followed wasn’t just a battle with illness, it was a reclamation of self, a deepening of wellness rituals, and a profound reminder of the importance of putting yourself first.

"I had already been doing the work," Jessica says, reflecting on the months leading up to her diagnosis. “I was working with a nutritionist, a neurologically based chiropractor, and using clean products. I had made a commitment to wellness before I even knew what I was fighting.”

For almost a year prior, Jessica had dealt with unexplained fatigue, pain, and swelling. She sought answers through traditional and holistic paths, listening closely to her body. When the official diagnosis came after extensive testing, she began chemotherapy and life, as she knew it, paused.

Yet even during chemo, she found strength in her routines. “The diagnosis stripped everything away,” she shares. “But having those clean products, those wellness rituals already in place, was a comfort. I didn’t have to start from scratch. I felt safe.”

She leaned on her ZENTS favorites—the bar soap, body oil, bath truffles, and shampoo— not just for their clean formulations, but for the emotional and sensory grounding they provided. “Even when I lost all my hair, washing my scalp with the Mandarin shampoo made me feel normal. The scent, the routine, it brought me back to myself.”

During treatments, she began carving out space for daily rituals: midday baths with calming music and a bath truffle, gentle self-massage with body oil, slow breaths, and moments of stillness. These weren't luxuries — they were lifelines. "Self-care isn’t optional. It’s not a treat, it’s essential."

Jessica’s wellness background helped her trust in clean formulations and ingredient transparency. She understood the impact of hormone disruptors, synthetic fragrances, and fillers often hidden in mainstream products. “Your body’s already fighting. Don’t give it more to battle against. You want your products to support your healing, not sabotage it.”

Today, five years post-diagnosis, Jessica continues to live by that philosophy. Her daily life is now rooted in intentional wellness: hydration, nutrient-dense meals, movement, and morning rituals. "I take care of myself first, every single morning. That’s not selfish. It’s necessary."

And perhaps even more powerfully, she’s sharing her story so others feel empowered to start their own. Her advice for those navigating illness or simply seeking healthier habits? “Start small. You don’t have to overhaul your life overnight. Swap one product. Take one deep breath. Build from there.”

Jessica’s journey is a beautiful reminder that healing isn’t just medical, it’s emotional, spiritual, and deeply personal. Clean habits, nourishing products, and putting yourself first aren’t indulgences—they’re tools for survival and thriving.

As Jessica puts it: "You're going to spend the money somewhere—spend it on things that build you up. You deserve that."

Written by: Wilhelmina Littel

Featured Favorites from Jessica’s Rituals:

• Bar Soap – Her once-skeptical, now-forever favorite. Gentle, hydrating, and a game-changer. She loves to take this on the go with her son's travel hockey team.

• Mandarin Shampoo – Even without hair, the scent alone made her feel grounded. With hair, it's sulfate free, gentle, and color safe. 

• Bath Truffles – A grounding ritual of rest, breath, and healing. Soaking in your favorite scent brings calm and balance. 

• Body Oil – Essential for massage, scar care, and restoring moisture.

• Antara Relief Balm – Jessica called it a “magic balm” for comfort, warmth, and relief from discomfort.