I unknowingly suffered from ME/CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) for years before finally finding a GP who diagnosed me with this debilitating illness. After struggling to start and run my Business I decided to share my experience through Kiri10 and it is now becoming a platform to encourage others to speak openly and seek help when needed. Through doing this I connected with a customer who explained her daughter had CFS and used the Lightning Process to cure herself of the illness. Cure herself I thought? Surely not. 

So, what is the Lightning Process? It is a training programme that trains participants to rewire their thoughts through specific techniques. The Lightning Process was developed by UK osteopath Phil Parker, after he found that patients with long-standing ailments seemed stuck in a persistent stress response, which could be overcome by harnessing the power of the mind-body connection.

I immediately jumped onto Bianca’s (a Christchurch based Practitioner) website, Neurospark to read more about the Lightning Process or LP as I now call it. I had, for the most part of 2022 been making significant life changes to manage my symptoms, they helped to some degree but I was still living in fear of “crashing” (This is known as post-exertional malaise (PEM), where-in symptoms become much worse). I had already started to do research into mindset, meditation and how the mind-body connection can influence one another. This means that our thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and attitudes can positively or negatively affect our biological functions. So, at this stage I was keen to try anything that would help me live a healthier, more fulfilled life. 

I messaged Bianca to connect and find out more, after the initial consultation over the phone, I knew this was exactly what I had been looking for. Bianca was lovely and professional, I felt instantly at ease. She explained she became a Practitioner after suffering from chronic pain, doing the Lightning Process herself and being in absolute awe of how well it worked. I booked in the personalised one on one training soon after our phone conversation (you can also do group training). 

The training is held over 3 days, LP combines teachings from neuro-linguistic programming (NLP), life coaching & simple principles of physiology (endocrine system and neurotransmitters) and principles of osteopathy. LP aims to help your brain build new neural pathways that – with practice – can eliminate symptoms from your life. You can read more about the core concepts of the Lightning Process here. 

Day 1 - Bianca begins firstly by acknowledging that although in some cases of people who have completed the training, results are instant, “it’s not a miracle” and to get the results I want, I will have to knuckle down, put in the work and be consistent - all of which I was more than willing to do.

We start by talking through all the “things” I wanted to overcome with LP, it’s funny as I came to Bianca for help with my CFS, but after much discussions she had deduced (she has a keen sense for what may be underneath) that I was struggling with perfectionism, self-belief, anxiety, overwhelm and generally being very unkind to myself. She tells me that for the training to be effective I have to believe I deserve to be healthy – an odd statement you might think, of course everyone deserves to be healthy, but in fact this was one belief I struggled with. 

“You’re not flawed, you’re not broken,” Bianca told me. “In fact, you’re a genius – a genius at unconsciously and automatically reproducing the same response on demand day after day. See!” she exclaims, “You have the ability to excel. And if you can do that, you can also NOT do that. I’m going to teach you how to fail at being a genius at your ‘things’.” She continues to explain “It’s the same as when you’re driving, ever got to your destination and thought wow, I don’t remember getting here, when you do something on a regular basis it becomes an automatic response, that’s all your brain is doing with these symptoms”. 

I was then encouraged never to speak of my things again, why? Because the brain hears everything. I’m taught to speak in a more positive language. So, I replaced terminology such as “tired” and “stressed'' with phrases like “not-awake `` and ''un-calm `` all my brain hears is ''awake `` and ''calm ``. By using these techniques, we get our brains into homeostasis – which is the brain's ability to repair. 

We delve heavily into neuroplasticity and science, even though it’s pretty complex, Bianca and the LP’s training is created in a way that it’s easily understood, she uses metaphors like above to help the connections. 

Finally, I was taught the Lightning Process, this was a mixture of physical movements and vocal affirmations. She explains how I can stop a thought or feeling in its tracks and choose new neural-pathways, positive, and good pathways. By implementing these I can strengthen and help my brain build positive pathways and remove the old negative ones. She tells me to take a mental note of what happens for the rest of my day after the training as she’ll be asking me to describe this to her the next day. 

Day 2 – Bianca begins by asking me to describe to her in detail what I did after leaving her home. I described my afternoon and evening; I expressed I was slightly disappointed in myself because I went home and had a nap. I told her about some other things I did but this was the main topic I talked about. She made me realise that my brain had instantly gone to the negative again, rather than looking at all my positives and wins that day. She made me realise that I had left out the fact that I napped outside in the sunshine with the cats – which in fact most people would nod off when relaxed in the sun – I didn’t nap in the bedroom with the curtains closed, underneath the covers like I normally would - I cooked dinner with my partner (normally when doing fatigue I wouldn’t help) – I went to watch him play football (we left at 7pm, my normal bedtime) – When we got home I played with the cats and dogs for a good 45 mins and got into bed at around 10.30pm (unheard of during the week).

“So, you see” she says “You had lots of wins and you can do this every day, choose to see the wins and positives, rather than choosing to see the negatives”. 

The remainder of the training was putting the LP techniques into practice and learning more of the science, it was truly fascinating. 

In the 4 weeks since I completed the training, I can say it has been absolutely life changing for me, I have done more in the last 4 weeks than I have in the last few months. I'm more confident than I ever have been, it feels like I've finally woken up from a really long, bad dream. Everything looks brighter, I'm noticing colours of things I never did before, which I know sounds weird, it feels like I've been walking through fog my whole life and suddenly I'm finally through it.

I would strongly suggest you do your own research and look into this fully if it sounds of interest to you, as with everything in life it may not be or work for everyone, but I’m so glad I found Bianca and the Lightning Process, I’m now looking forward to the future and what this looks like. 

You can read more about Bianca and the Lightning Process here.

*Disclaimer: this is not a paid partnership or endorsement; I am simply sharing my experience in the hopes it encourages others to open up if they’re struggling and to find something that may work and help them. 

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I did another brain retraining programme 3 years ago to try and resolve vaginismus, and some bladder pain symptoms. The vaginismus was something that I had dealt with for years, and the bladder pain was new. But I had a feeling they must be connected. The course was great! And the vaginismus resolved very quickly. I had some progress with the bladder pain but unfortunately it did not resolve as quickly.

And after a brief period of it being ok, it came back with a vengeance. I admit I had hit a mental limit for being able to approach the symptoms in the same way as I had with the vaginismus. And had begun to do a lot of hopelessness. Cue a few years of doing everything but brain training to try cure it. Including acupuncture, thousands of dollars worth of supplements, seeing doctors and specialists, getting a minor surgery, pelvic floor Physio,and adhering to an intensely strict diet.

I didn’t eat sugar, dairy, wheat, oats, artificial sweeteners, citrus, alcohol. It was intense! I would wager anything you could think of, I would have tried it at least once to see if I could find that magic bullet approach to finally live comfortably again. This year I had started to feel a shift emotionally, and felt ready to try going the brain route again. I knew I could live comfortably, I had for most of my life until these past few years, I just needed support to do the final push.

Cue finding Bianca! It was pure luck I came across her website, but her story resonated with me and I really felt sure that she would be able to help. I felt determined, told all my friends I would be cured in a month, and booked in for some coaching with Bianca. I feel so grateful to Bianca for her gentle but confident encouragement, and completely indebted to her for helping me get my life back. It really was so valuable to have the weekly coaching to just know that support was there.

The first few weeks were scary! I went all out, introduced pretty much all foods back into my diet, and did the process. And Bianca helped me learn how to treat myself with much more grace while I healed. While also giving me more resources to try as I found avenues into calming my nervous system down.

True to my word, I was pretty much all better within the month. And life changed in so many more ways than I thought it would.

I became happier, more open, more inspired, my creativity revved up (important when you’re an artist!), my sex life improved, I became more social and spontaneous, and just overall I felt so much more centred and resilient. Now sometimes if I get minor little flare ups, it’s a piece of cake. I know I have the tools to calm it down quickly. And I feel confident because I know I will always have those tools.

There were so many moments I felt so lost because of my condition, but I’m so glad I didn’t give up! Thank you so much for helping me, I wouldn’t be here without you ☺️

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For five years I struggled on and off from bed ridden (twice) to milder versions of chronic fatigue/post viral fatigue. A nasty flu was the straw that broke the camels back for me whilst I was, in hindsight, teetering on the edge of burn out with a complex and stressful life scenario. I knew my nervous system was stuck but I didn’t know how to get out of it.

There were no real medical answers or solutions for my condition and all of the symptoms that I had and supplements and other things were barely scratching the surface. The lightning process and Bianca’s coaching has given me the tools to access energy and capacity again, to make plans for the future and to let go of life limiting beliefs that were keeping me in survival mode and, basically, keeping me sick.

I am almost two months into using LP techniques and am 100% confident that it won’t be long till I can say I am free of all symptoms. I want everyone to have these tools!! Highly recommend! Go get your healing and don’t let anything get in the way of it!

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I did the lightning process training with Bianca after spending a year with long Covid. It was the major turning point in my recovery, and after 3 months my symptoms had dissipated completely. 

The program taught me how much power we exert over our experiences, and how it's possible to modulate our responses physical or psychological stress. The existence of a connection between the brain and the body seems logical at some levels, but this course teaches practical, simple tools to use this connection to reduce what can be debilitating symptoms. 

This has been a really powerful tool for me, not only to reduce my fatigue from LC, but also to address other anxieties and negative thought patterns in my day to day life. The training has really shifted my perspective on my own well-being, which is having long-lasting positive impacts on my mood and outlook. I feel so much healthier, not only physically but also mentally, than I have in a long time.

Bianca was a genuine, caring and supportive mentor through this process, and I can highly recommend getting in touch with her for anyone going through long Covid. 

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I completed the Lightning Process workshop with Bianca four months ago after suffering from three years of chronic pain called Burning Mouth Syndrome.

Bianca was so easy to connect with and she really understood my experience. It is hard to find people who do understand the experience of chronic pain, it can be quite lonely, and so it felt amazing to be understood. She is a great teacher, who genuinely cares, following the three day course she has checked in with me many times, her after care is amazing, offering extra resources and help.

I started to experience changes on day three of training, my changes have been gradual and now four months on, I have made a massive shift and am 99% pain free. My view on life, my values and my boundaries are so much clearer. I highly recommend Bianca for anyone struggling with chronic pain.

She is a great teacher, who genuinely cares, following the three day course she has checked in with me many times, her after care is amazing, offering extra resources and help. I started to experience changes on day three of training, my changes have been gradual and now four months on, I have made a massive shift and am 99% pain free. My view on life, my values and my boundaries are so much clearer. I highly recommend Bianca for anyone struggling with chronic pain.

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I originally signed up to do the lightning process to help manage endo/chronic pelvic pain but it has been an absolute game changer for literally everything

It has helped me manage food intolerances, eczema flare ups, pain episodes and helped me to change my internal dialogue to much more positive and encouraging language, improving my relationship with myself

Bianca is open, empathetic and approachable and made what felt like such a daunting journey so easy. She is fantastic at explaining complex concepts in an easy way.

She has given me tools to manage and improve all of my symptoms and I feel prepared to take on any flare ups and other curve balls life throws my way!

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I was very skeptical, but Bianca and the Lightning Process changed my life.

I struggled with depression, anxiety and binge eating for years. I was buried in feelings of failure, worthlessness and guilt. As a 40 year old, married father of 3 with a high pressure job, I was in real trouble.

Having tried counselling several times and multiple rounds of antidepressants I found myself on an endless waitlist for clinical sessions with a hospital psychologist when I finally decided to give the Lightning Process a try.

I knew people who had amazing results, but I was so stuck thinking that this was my lot in life now that I had already decided I couldn’t get better. Reading the book first, then listening to it again I decided I had to accept I wasn’t that different from everyone else, and maybe I could get better if I really tried.   

With Bianca’s guidance and care I shed all of my baggage and learned self-compassion for the first time in my life. The results were truly amazing. From convinced of my inevitable failure to confident in myself, my ability and my self-worth in one weekend. I’m not depressed or anxious anymore. Not at all.  

I do the Lightning Process every day, just working on little things, getting a little bit better at being me and doing life my way.  

I 100% recommend doing the Lightning Process with Bianca for anyone who feels stuck, sick or like life is less than you expected. I reached a point of desperation but please don’t wait that long. It works, it will work for you and you’re worth it.

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I first heard about Bianca after hearing about my cousins experience. I had been struggling with long Covid for 3 years and was going down a slippery slide and thought getting better wasn’t a possibility. After the first consultation meeting with Bianca, she put me to ease straight away. She was warm, approachable and most of all listened and understood.

Although overseas at the time I contacted her, she make every meeting work and we got underway with the lightning process soon after. Within the second day I felt a huge shift in energy levels and within a week all my symptoms had lifted (this was also me going 100miles an hour).

I learnt so much and understood that just because it was, didn’t mean that we couldn’t change. I have everything to owe to Bianca. If you are thinking about it, do it! Go in with an open mind and you won’t be disappointed!

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LIFE CHANGING! I wanted to begin my review with this statement, as since finishing the lightning process it has been just that for me.

I truly believe in fate and I found Bianca at the right time, she was amazing to work with, she's such an amazing person and made me feel at ease from the first moment we spoke on the phone for the initial consultation, right through to completing the training and follow up calls / messages. She has a real passion for what she does and a true understanding of the struggles, as she went through her own pain struggles before becoming a practitioner and this really does come through with her empathy and compassion.

The lightning process itself has been a game changer for me, I think I've done more in the weeks following the training than I have in the last few months, even years and all with the belief and understanding I am now healthy and able to live my life to the fullest.

Before the training process I found even the smallest day to day tasks hard, it took all my energy to get out of bed, wash dishes, do the laundry, go for a walk and anything that everyone else does without thinking about. I now find myself doing all of these without a thought or slight hesitation.

I own my own business and it's been devastating over the last year / two years trying to build something amazing but always struggling, sleeping 3 to 5 hours each day, not being able to book meetings in advance in case I wasn't able to attend. I'm now booking and planning things weeks even months in advance, finding I'm excited to wake up every day. I'm now a 6am riser, in fact I wake up at 5.50am before the alarm and I'm straight up.

I'm more confident than I ever have been, it feels like I've finally woken up from a really long, bad dream. Everything looks brighter, I'm noticing colours of things I never did before, which I know sounds weird, it feels like I've been walking through fog my whole life and suddenly I'm finally through it.

You need to fully invest, fully believe in yourself and you'll finally have that life you've been dreaming of, because I now have and the best part is, so can you. I did have doubts that I would be able to do it, that I had what it took, but Bianca and Phil helped and supported me to realise that it is just a belief and you can change and adapt your belief system to work for you, not against you.

I could go on forever about how wonderful this process is and how awesome Bianca is, but all I'll say is if you're thinking about doing this, DO IT! You won't regret it.

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After 1 year of struggling with pain and sleep issues and trying many different holistic treatments I finally took the leap and did the LP with Bianca. On the first day for the first time I got a glimpse of what it was like to be comfortable.

While it's taken alot of work and consistency over the past month I have begun to see some massive changes not only in sleep and comfort but in overall calmness and confidence in my self. The most empowering bit is you are given the tools to help yourself and knowledge you can influence your own health is something I will keep with me for life.

Bianca has been so supportive and I can't thank her enough. One of the best things I could have done for all.aspects of my life. I highly recommend to anyone thinking about it

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Bianca creates such a safe space right from the beginning. This has been different from the previous psychologists I’ve seen in more ‘clinical’ settings where I was expected to open up straight away without trusting the person.

She builds rapport so you feel safe, never pressures you, doesn’t just look at the one issue at hand but the bigger picture, and takes time to explain why I might have felt or reacted a certain way. She has a gentle manner but knows when to push me.

Bianca has helped me understand why my body reacted the way it did in situations, supported me through things I never thought I’d be able to tell anyone and taught me how to feel the emotions I had suppressed for so many years to a point now where I can actually express how I’m feeling. I’d never felt safe enough to allow anyone to know how I truly felt let alone allow myself to cry in front of them prior to working with Bianca (safe to say Bianca has now seen me cry in many sessions but in a good way!.)

I have never felt so heard with anyone else before and it’s been a massive relief to know I no longer have to keep things to myself and struggle alone. I never expected to find such trust in Bianca or to be able to open up so freely without judgement

I now know I won’t be stuck in the past forever and that with the tools I’ve learnt ft I can shift my mind and body. I feel like I have made so much progress and had so many glimpses that the future will have a very different outcome as to what it would have been like without doing this work with her.

Thank you Bianca for creating such a safe space where we can explore the hard, uncomfortable stuff while being so supported. To say you have changed my life is an understatement.

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I highly recommend working with Bianca if you have chronic fatigue. I was fortunate that my GP recommended LP shortly after I was diagnosed so didn't suffer with it for years. Bianca has a wonderful ability to understand and appreciate where you are at in your journey and teach you the lighting process in a way that it can be most effective for you. The most wonderful thing about the lighting process is learning to trust my body again and do the things I love like hiking and running.

Bianca is incredibly supportive post the training program and is there to help you when you have a moment of self doubt or your symptoms start showing up.

Thanks Bianca for helping me get my life back.

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Since completing the Lightning Process, my entire outlook on life has changed. No traditional medicine has been able to help me as dramatically and quickly as this three-day training programme has.

Bianca is so gentle and supportive in her training, but she still challenges her clients because I believe she really wants to see each and every one to succeed and get the results they’re after. I’m so thankful Bianca was my Lightning Process Facilitator!

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I recently did the lighting process with Bianca to help with chronic headaches and fatigue. It was one of the most worthwhile investments I will ever make.

Bianca was extremely accommodating with scheduling the course at a time and place that suited me. She was also super understanding and relatable, being able to shed light and wisdom into areas of my life I felt stuck in.

She has been an amazing support with no expectation or pressure, simply an understanding and personable approach. I have seen so many positive shifts in my life, perspective, energy and not to mention headache free! I would recommend the LP to anyone that feels stuck and needing some extra tools to help you live out the life you want and deserve!

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Bianca helped me make so many shifts within myself - with her support, guidance and the tools she taught me I have been able to get myself ‘unstuck’ and trust my body again after experiencing on-going fatigue and headaches. Bianca is extremely intuitive, empathetic and trustworthy - I felt at ease with her from our first session and she often put into words what I was thinking or feeling.
She really went above and beyond to support me and I feel so grateful that our paths crossed. The Lightning Process has helped me in so many ways - I couldn’t recommend the course or working with Bianca enough

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Bianca is very friendly, warm and empathetic. She helps you feel comfortable from the moment you meet her and her outlook on life is inspiring! I had an accident 4 years ago, and prior to this course I had a lot of beliefs about my health that were not true and/or helpful.This course exceeded my expectations.

I learnt SO MUCH throughout the 3 days and this helped me to start loving and trusting my body again, which led to increased comfort and less pain! Prior to this course I spent so much of my time scanning my body in fear that pain will return, but since the 3 day course I have noticed I am doing this less and less! And it has been such a relieving experience as I didn't realise how exhausting it was living in a state of fear/anxiety at the prospect of pain.

I could not recommend the course enough, it is worth every penny as the skills you learn you can use on a daily basis for the rest of your life.

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I completed the Lightning Process workshop with Bianca 6 weeks ago after suffering from chronic pain in my neck and shoulders, I also had a number of other unexplained symptoms, Bianca was easy to follow, relatable and great with her teaching of the Lightning Process. I started to experience changes on the first day and from there it’s just been getting better, I cant believe how much it has changed my circumstances in such a short amount of time, I am very grateful for Bianca and the Lightning Process.

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Before the Lightning Process workshop I had chronic symptoms of post-concussion syndrome for over 10months, following a car accident. This had affected every corner of my life. My family, my social life, my work, my volunteering, my passions, my creativity, my happiness and my purpose in life. I constantly grieved my old life and plans I had made, and craved ‘normality’. After spending three days on the Lightning Process course with Bianca, I knew my life had changed forever.

Bianca is incredibly intuitive and inspiring. She taught me why my body and mind had reacted in the way it had and what I could to do rewire and coach myself to a better life. Many of my post-concussion symptoms diminished within the first 2 days of the workshop. I no longer had light and noise sensitivity. My headaches, neck and back pain could be controlled by me. I overcame anxiety, I confidently went into shops on my own and drove around busy streets.

Not only did the Lightning Process help me with this but I was able to focus on gut issues I had developed, childhood trauma, guilt and shame from the accident and perfectionism tendencies that had escalated. During all of this, Bianca was kind, supportive and always knew exactly what I needed to hear.

Within 1-2 months my other post-concussion syndrome symptoms had also gone. I can concentrate and rely on my memory, the ringing in my ears has stopped and I am sleeping without medication for the first time in a year.

I know longer crave my old life. My life is better than it ever has been. I aspire to be present, grateful, empathetic, content, calm, and confident everyday. I now look forward to the future and the excitement it brings without the shame and guilt that I held onto for so long.

Thank you Bianca, you truly have changed my life forever and I hope this story can help someone else on their healing journey.

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I took part in Bianca's Lightning Process course earlier this year. She is full of knowledge and experience in this area. Bianca gave me practical tools that I have been able to use in personal and professional aspects of my life, which has created some very positive changes. I feel more grounded and confident knowing that I have a range of tools that I can use to help me in a range of situations. I have learnt a lot from participating in the LP course and from Bianca. I would highly recommend the LP course and working with Bianca.

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A poem testimonial:

Bianca Smeekes,

Where do I even begin?

Not only do we share the same name but we also share such a similar story…

The way you teach so eloquently.

The way you explain so precisely.

The way you give such valuable insight.

The way you share your light and wisdom.

The way you listen and hold such a sacred space for healing.

The way you simply just understand.

You just get me.

I feel you want what is best for me truly in your heart.

I can feel it in mine.

The way you believed in me.

The way you encouraged me.

The way you saw your soul reflected in mine.

The way you probably know me better than any other being on this earth.

I cannot thank you enough for all that you have taught me.

For seeing me.

And For hearing me.

And for holding me, even without being physically held.

Your magnetic presence and light you carry within you, radiated through my screen.

I could feel your presence, your warmth, your light and your love.

You made me realize so many things.

You made me realize the missing link, in my healing journey…

You were the puzzle piece I had been searching for, for so long…

I finally found something that resonated with the core of me.

On day 1 of the lightning process I had a lightning bulb moment.

Ironic hey?

It felt as if I was finally breaking free from invisible shackles that have tied me down for so long.

It’s like a breath of fresh air, when you’ve sunken deep underneath the water and finally get a taste of life.

It was like a ray of eternal light.

A sunbeam so bright; I couldn’t help but be captivated from start to finish.

It’s like finally getting out of quicksand, which has been sucking you down for so long.

It’s like believing again.

It’s like breathing again for the first time.

It’s like being reborn.

I feel rebirthed.

It’s like feeling completely free like a bird flying high in the sky.

It's like anything is possible in this life for me now…

It’s like breaking free of the tight chains; I carried around for so long.

It’s like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.

It’s like the tension finally melting away from your chest.

It’s like the answer you’ve always been searching for all along.

It’s like every little thing that led you here finally makes sense.

The broken pieces are coming together.

In fact I was never broken.

I was always whole.

I just got a little lost in my own conditioning.

I had layers and layers of multifaceted trauma to unravel.

I am still unraveling… and diving deep into the darkness.

You have to be brave enough to face yourself in order to see the light.

You have to get uncomfortable to be comfortable.

For that is the polarity of life.

Yin and Yang.

Light and Dark.

Love and heartbreak.

It all goes hand in hand.

You cannot have beauty without pain.

You cannot feel happiness without sadness.

I got stuck in the past.

I worried about the future

I wasn’t living in the present.

I was living for everyone else but myself.

But now I finally see…

It is time to love myself and put myself first.

Do what is right for my mind, body, heart, soul and spirit.

I’m finally listening.

Listening to the whispers.

Tuning into what my body wants, needs and desires.

Realizing my worth.

Finally believing I am enough.

I am worthy.

I am beautiful.

I deserve pleasure.

I deserve the life I always envisioned for myself.

Thank you Bianca for lighting the way.

For leading me down the right path.

For granting me with your effervescent glow, light and warmth.

I have finally after 6 years of discomfort in my most intimate precious space, know the reasons why.

I am finally finding my way out of the mud.

Out of the trenches.

And into the sun.

It truly feels like a miracle.

I thought I’d never get there.

But I can now say I have.

I feel alive again.

I’m glad I never gave up on myself.

Don’t ever give up hope.

There is always hope.

There is always a rainbow after a storm.

There is always light.

Bianca was my light.

My soul has needed this journey.

It needed you to lead the way.

From my heart to yours.

Thank you a million times over.

To infinity and beyond.

Thank you for guiding me.

For believing in me.

You are magic.

You are pure love.

Your soul is pure light.

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