Tick Boot Camp is a leading Lyme disease awareness and advocacy platform dedicated to helping people better understand tick-borne illness while building a community rooted in validation, education, and hope.
Founded by Matt Sabatello and Rich Johannesen, Tick Boot Camp was created out of personal experience, frustration with the healthcare system, and a mission to help others avoid the same suffering.
Since its founding, Tick Boot Camp has reached millions of people worldwide through millions of podcast downloads and tens of millions of social media impressions. The platform has connected with Lyme disease patients, advocates, doctors, and researchers across the globe—including in the United States, Canada, Ireland, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Australia, and beyond.
Through its growing impact in both digital media and real-world advocacy, Tick Boot Camp continues to expand awareness and amplify voices across the global Lyme disease community. Learn more about our efforts on our Lyme Disease Awareness & Advocacy page.
The Founders of Tick Boot Camp
Matt Sabatello and Rich Johannesen are the co-founders of Tick Boot Camp, a platform that now reaches a global audience through its podcast, blog, and social media channels.
Matt’s Lyme Disease Journey
Matt Sabatello’s life was nearly destroyed by Lyme disease. He suffered from severe neurological symptoms, including seizures, hallucinations, and an overwhelming fear of death.
After years of debilitating illness, Matt was finally diagnosed with Lyme disease and treated with IV antibiotics. Despite treatment, he remained extremely sick—only to be told by an infectious disease doctor that he was “cured.”
Matt knew something wasn’t right. His symptoms persisted, and he later realized he had likely been dealing with multiple tick-borne infections that were never properly tested or treated.
Rich’s Tick Bite and Wake-Up Call
Rich Johannesen, a father of four, discovered a tick attached to his leg after working in his yard. Immediately thinking of Matt’s experience, he became concerned about what could happen next.
When he sought medical care, his concerns were dismissed. He was told there was no reliable way to determine infection unless symptoms appeared—leaving him without clear guidance or reassurance.
This moment exposed a major gap in Lyme disease awareness, diagnosis, and care.
The Birth of Tick Boot Camp
Frustrated by conflicting information and a lack of reliable guidance, Matt and Rich began researching Lyme disease extensively. They reviewed dozens of books, analyzed scientific studies, and explored research from institutions such as Duke, Johns Hopkins, and Columbia.
What they discovered was alarming: information was scattered, inconsistent, and often unhelpful for patients seeking real answers.
The turning point came when they connected with the Lyme community itself—real patients who had lived through the experience. They realized that those who had walked the journey were often the most valuable source of insight and support.
That realization became the foundation of Tick Boot Camp.
The Tick Bite Blueprint
One of the most impactful resources created by Tick Boot Camp is the Tick Bite Blueprint—a step-by-step guide for what to do after a tick bite.
This resource was built from:
- Extensive research
- Feedback from Lyme patients
- Insights from hundreds of podcast interviews
- Real-world experience navigating tick-borne illness
It provides actionable steps to help individuals respond quickly and effectively after a tick exposure.
A Platform Built on Community and Education
Tick Boot Camp has grown into a comprehensive platform focused on helping people liberate themselves and others from suffering caused by Lyme disease.
Through validation, community building, and education, Tick Boot Camp reinforces a powerful message: healing is possible.
The Tick Boot Camp Podcast
The Tick Boot Camp Podcast features interviews with Lyme-literate doctors, researchers, advocates, and patients from around the world.
Lyme Disease Education and Resources
Tick Boot Camp also provides key educational tools, including:
Advocacy and Impact
Tick Boot Camp has expanded beyond digital content into real-world advocacy, including participation in major events and partnerships that advance Lyme disease awareness globally.
From serving as the official podcast at ILADS conferences to participating in New York Fashion Week’s Project Lab Coat, Tick Boot Camp continues to amplify the voices of the Lyme community on a global stage.
Join the Tick Boot Camp Movement
Tick Boot Camp is more than a platform—it’s a movement dedicated to helping people find answers, build community, and move toward healing.
If you’d like to share your story, collaborate, or get involved, reach out through our contact page.
Together, we can raise awareness, support one another, and change the future of Lyme disease.
