In this powerful episode of the Tick Boot Camp Podcast, we sit down with Erin Oprea—elite fitness trainer, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, and Lyme disease warrior. Known for training celebrities like Carrie Underwood, Erin shares her journey from peak physical performance to battling chronic illness—and how she fought her way back using cutting-edge therapies, peptides, and integrative medicine.
Erin also reflects on her groundbreaking military career, including making history as the leader of the first all-female platoon attached to the infantry in a war zone, and how that same resilience now fuels her healing journey.
Erin Oprea’s Background
- U.S. Marine Corps veteran with two tours in Iraq
- Led the first female platoon attached to infantry in a combat zone
- Elite celebrity trainer, including Carrie Underwood
- Built a career around peak physical performance and discipline
Lyme Disease & Alpha-Gal Journey
- Experienced unexplained symptoms despite elite fitness level
- Faced delayed recognition and diagnosis
- Developed Alpha-Gal syndrome, a tick-borne allergy to mammalian meat
- Shifted toward functional and integrative medicine approaches
- Combined performance mindset with advanced healing protocols
Advanced Treatments & Therapies
- HBOT (Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy) for oxygenation, inflammation reduction, and tissue healing
- EBOO₂ (Extracorporeal Blood Oxygenation and Ozonation) for pathogen reduction and blood detoxification
- HOCATT (Hyperthermic Ozone and Carbonic Acid Transdermal Technology) for full-body detox and immune support
- Hydrogen Therapy to reduce oxidative stress and support mitochondrial health
- SAAT (Soliman Auricular Allergy Treatment) to help reset immune response related to Alpha-Gal
- Herbal protocols for antimicrobial support, detoxification, and immune modulation
Peptide Therapy Protocol
Guided by experts like Dr. Joe Phiakhamta and informed by The Complete Guide to Peptides: Unlocking the Secrets to Health, Healing, and Longevity, Erin incorporated advanced peptide therapy:
- LL-37 to target bacteria, viruses, and biofilms including Lyme pathogens
- Thymosin Alpha-1 (TA-1) to regulate and strengthen immune response
- BPC-157 to repair gut lining, reduce inflammation, and accelerate tissue healing
- TB-500 (Thymosin Beta-4) to promote recovery, reduce inflammation, and support cellular repair
- SS-31 (Elamipretide) to improve mitochondrial function and energy production
- KPV to reduce inflammation and support gut and immune balance
Key Practitioner
- Dr. Joe Phiakhamta specializing in peptide therapy and integrative Lyme disease treatment
- Focus on immune restoration, pathogen reduction, and performance recovery
Fitness Meets Chronic Illness Recovery
- Transitioned from elite performance to chronic illness management
- Applied discipline and training mindset to healing process
- Leveraged advanced therapies to rebuild strength and energy
- Represents the intersection of fitness optimization and medical innovation
Key Takeaways
- Tick-borne illnesses can impact even the most elite performers
- Alpha-Gal syndrome is a serious and often overlooked tick-borne condition
- Healing requires a multi-layered approach including immune, detox, and mitochondrial support
- Peptides are an emerging and powerful tool in Lyme disease recovery
- Mental resilience plays a critical role in long-term healing
Final Thoughts
Erin Oprea’s journey is a powerful example of resilience, innovation, and determination. From combat leadership to chronic illness recovery, she continues to push boundaries—showing what’s possible when elite discipline meets cutting-edge medicine.
