Dr. Josh Axe has become one of the most recognized names in the natural health and wellness industry over the past decade. Many followers of his work and philosophy have wondered what happened to Dr. Josh Axe in recent years, especially after hearing about his significant health challenges. This comprehensive article explores Dr. Axe’s journey, his current endeavors, and how his personal health crisis transformed both his approach to wellness and his professional focus.
The Rise of a Natural Health Authority
Before understanding what happened to Dr. Josh Axe in recent years, it’s important to trace his journey to becoming a prominent figure in the natural health space. Dr. Josh Axe is a doctor of chiropractic, certified doctor of natural medicine, and clinical nutritionist who founded DrAxe.com and co-founded Ancient Nutrition. His mission centers around providing natural, whole-food-based solutions to modern health problems.
In 2008, he established a functional medicine center in Nashville, Tennessee, which quickly grew to become one of the most renowned clinics in the world. What distinguished Dr. Axe from many other practitioners was his holistic approach that combined multiple disciplines and treatment modalities.
Professional Accomplishments
Dr. Axe’s influence extends far beyond his clinical practice. Over the years, he has:
- Founded DrAxe.com, now one of the world’s leading natural health websites
- Co-founded Ancient Nutrition with Jordan Rubin, focusing on providing “history’s healthiest whole food nutrients to the modern world”
- Authored multiple bestselling books on health, nutrition, and natural medicine
- Been a regular guest expert on The Dr. Oz Show
- Developed fitness programs like BurstFIT with his wife Dr. Chelsea Axe
- Established Leaders Media, an online platform covering breaking news, business, and personal development
His business success has been remarkable as well. His company, Axe Wellness, ranked on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies in 2016 and 2017, placing as the 3rd fastest-growing business in the healthcare sector.
What Happened to Dr. Josh Axe: The Health Crisis
In recent years, Dr. Josh Axe faced a severe health challenge that transformed both his personal life and professional direction. A few years ago, Dr. Axe experienced what he describes as “the hardest time of my entire life by far” when he suffered a back injury from lifting weights.
The Devastating Back Injury and Infection
Initially, Dr. Axe received treatment for his back injury and showed improvement. However, three months later, he woke up one morning unable to walk, with pain in his spine so severe that he could barely move. The situation became so dire that an ambulance had to be called.
What made this health crisis especially challenging was the diagnosis and prognosis he received. When Dr. Axe consulted with an infectious disease specialist, he was told that in the best-case scenario, he would have pain for the rest of his life. The worst-case scenario presented was even more alarming—he might be permanently disabled with difficulty walking.
A Year Without Walking
Perhaps the most shocking aspect of Dr. Axe’s health journey was the extended period of immobility he experienced. Dr. Axe found himself unable to walk for an entire year. For someone who had built his career and reputation on health, fitness, and vitality, this physical limitation represented not just a medical challenge but an existential one.
During this immensely difficult period, Dr. Axe experienced emotions he had never felt before, including despair and hopelessness. This personal crisis forced him to confront his own health philosophies and test whether the principles he had advocated for others would work in his own life.
The Recovery Journey: Mindset Medicine
Dr. Axe’s recovery journey led him to develop what would become a central focus of his current work—the concept of “mindset medicine.” This approach emphasizes the crucial role that mental attitude, beliefs, and thought patterns play in physical healing.
The Power of Neuroplasticity
A key element in Dr. Axe’s recovery was his understanding and application of neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to adapt, learn new skills, and recover from injury. Dr. Axe began to realize that what a person believes truly matters and can significantly impact healing.
He started to visualize his back being healed and envisioned his ideal future, which included being able to throw his three-year-old daughter in the air again. This visualization technique became a crucial component of his recovery process.
From Trauma to Transformation
What happened to Dr. Josh Axe during this health crisis fundamentally changed his approach to health and wellness. While he had always advocated for a holistic approach, his personal experience led him to place even greater emphasis on the mental and spiritual aspects of healing.
Dr. Axe now emphasizes that “One of the things I know that God always does is He can turn pain into purpose.” His experience with immobility and pain became the catalyst for a deeper exploration of mind-body medicine and the development of new approaches to healing.
Current Focus: Think This, Not That
Dr. Josh Axe’s most recent professional focus emerged directly from his personal health journey. His latest book, “Think This, Not That: 12 Mindshifts to Breakthrough Limiting Beliefs and Become Who You Were Born to Be,” published in April 2024, represents the culmination of his insights from this challenging period.
The Book’s Core Message
In “Think This, Not That,” Dr. Axe unpacks twelve mental barriers that hold people back from reaching their potential and contrasts each with an empowering new mindset. Some of the key mindshifts he advocates include:
- Don’t simply drift; clarify your purpose
- Don’t define success based on what you accomplish; base it on who you become
- Don’t be the victim; be the hero
- Don’t be a slave to your vices; overpower them by building virtues
- Don’t live by popular opinion; follow enduring principles of wisdom
This book represents a significant evolution in Dr. Axe’s work, moving beyond purely physical health to address mental and spiritual well-being as foundational to overall health.
The Mindset-Health Connection
In “Think This, Not That,” Dr. Axe offers what reviewers describe as “an engaging manual for realizing your full potential via the adoption of many paradigm-shifting mental practices”. The book aims to guide readers away from limiting beliefs toward a more fulfilling life by fostering self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and a growth mindset.
Where Is Dr. Josh Axe Now?
Today, Dr. Josh Axe continues to be actively involved in multiple ventures while maintaining his focus on holistic health and wellness.
Professional Activities
Currently, Dr. Axe:
- Continues to lead DrAxe.com and create content for his millions of followers
- Serves as co-founder and CVO (Chief Visionary Officer) of Ancient Nutrition
- Runs Leaders.com, his platform for news, leadership, and personal development
- Regularly teaches and trains entrepreneurs on leadership, mindset, and self-development
- Hosts “The Dr. Josh Axe Show” podcast
- Continues writing and speaking about health, wellness, and personal development
Personal Life
Dr. Josh Axe is married to Dr. Chelsea Axe, who is also a natural health and fitness expert. They have a daughter named Arwyn and split their time between Nashville, Tennessee and Dorado, Puerto Rico. Their lifestyle reflects the principles they advocate—focused on natural health, fitness, and family.
The Axes enjoy “making healthy gourmet meals like homemade gluten-free pizza, paddle boarding, doing ginger shots, Burst training and going hiking with their dogs Oakley and Flash”.
The Evolution of Dr. Axe’s Health Philosophy
What happened to Dr. Josh Axe with his back injury has profoundly influenced his health philosophy, leading to a more integrated approach that places greater emphasis on the mind-body connection.
From Food as Medicine to Mindset as Medicine
While Dr. Axe continues to advocate for “food as medicine”—a cornerstone of his earlier work—his personal health journey has led him to place equal emphasis on “mindset as medicine.” He now advocates for the crucial role that the mind plays in recovery and how cultivating a positive mindset can have transformative effects on the body and spirit.
Dr. Axe reflects that when he first started his career, “a lot more people questioned” natural medicine. However, “now, more and more people are realizing that food is medicine, that mindset is medicine, that lifestyle is medicine. And more people are investing in these natural approaches.”
Integrating Faith with Healing
Another notable evolution in Dr. Axe’s approach is his more explicit integration of faith into his healing philosophy. He encourages people facing health challenges to “press into God,” stating that “God is more powerful than all of those things, and you just need to spend time believing and knowing God has what’s best for you.”
This spiritual dimension has become increasingly central to his message, particularly following his own health crisis and recovery.
Controversies and Criticisms
While Dr. Josh Axe has a substantial following and has helped many people improve their health, his approaches have not been without controversy and criticism from some in the medical and scientific communities.
Scientific Skepticism
Critics have characterized some of Dr. Axe’s health claims and approaches as “quackery,” particularly his promotion of certain natural health products like apple cider vinegar, Himalayan pink salt, and colloidal silver. Some medical professionals have questioned the scientific basis for some of his recommendations.
Dr. Axe has also faced criticism for advocating for concepts like “leaky gut syndrome,” which some critics note “is not a recognized medical condition and is only found in alternative medicine literature”.
Response to Criticism
Despite these criticisms, Dr. Axe has maintained his commitment to natural approaches to health, often pointing to his own recovery from severe health challenges as evidence of their efficacy. His focus has increasingly turned toward empowering individuals to take control of their health through multiple modalities, including nutrition, movement, mindset, and spiritual practices.
The Impact of Dr. Axe’s Health Journey
What happened to Dr. Josh Axe with his back injury and subsequent year of immobility has had a profound impact, not just on his own life but on millions of his followers.
Transformation of His Message
The evolution of Dr. Axe’s messaging from primarily physical health to a more integrated approach that includes mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions represents a significant shift in the natural health community. His personal testimony of recovery from a severe health crisis that threatened to leave him permanently disabled adds authenticity and depth to his teachings.
A Model of Resilience
Dr. Axe’s journey offers a powerful model of resilience in the face of health challenges. His willingness to share his struggles openly—including moments of despair and hopelessness—makes his message more relatable and provides hope for those facing their own health crises.
The Business of Health and Wellness
Throughout his health challenges, Dr. Josh Axe has continued to build his health and wellness business empire, adapting his offerings to incorporate his evolving philosophy.
Ancient Nutrition
Co-founded with Jordan Rubin, Ancient Nutrition remains focused on “providing history’s healthiest whole food nutrients to the modern world” through product lines that include Bone Broth Protein, Multi Collagen Protein, Essential Oils, Probiotics, and Keto products.
The Health Institute
Dr. Axe’s Health Institute offers programs like the Cellular Health Regenerator program, which aims to provide comprehensive support for those facing health challenges. Testimonials from participants highlight improvements in conditions like inflammation, sleep issues, blood sugar regulation, and energy levels.
Leaders Media
More recently, Dr. Axe founded Leaders.com, an online platform covering breaking news, business, wealth management, and personal development. This venture reflects his expanding focus beyond purely physical health to overall life success and fulfillment.
Comparing Dr. Axe’s Approach Before and After His Health Crisis
To better understand what happened to Dr. Josh Axe and how it changed his approach, here’s a comparison of his key focus areas before and after his health crisis:
| Aspect | Before Health Crisis | After Health Crisis |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Food as medicine, natural remedies | Integration of food, mindset, and spiritual practices |
| Approach to Healing | Predominantly physical interventions | Holistic integration of physical, mental, and spiritual |
| Key Message | Natural solutions for health problems | Transformation of mindset as foundation for health |
| Target Audience | Health-conscious individuals | Expanded to include those seeking personal growth |
| Business Focus | DrAxe.com, Ancient Nutrition | Addition of Leaders Media, emphasis on mindset |
| Core Philosophy | Natural over conventional treatments | Integration of multiple healing modalities |
Lessons from Dr. Axe’s Journey
Dr. Josh Axe’s health journey offers several valuable lessons for anyone facing health challenges or seeking to improve their overall wellness:
- Mindset matters: How we think about our health challenges can significantly impact recovery
- Integration is key: Physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of health are deeply interconnected
- Personal crisis can lead to purpose: Difficult experiences can become the foundation for helping others
- Resilience requires multiple tools: Recovery often involves a combination of approaches
- Visualization aids healing: Mentally envisioning health improvements may support physical recovery
The Future Direction for Dr. Josh Axe
Based on the trajectory of his recent work, Dr. Josh Axe appears to be moving in several key directions:
- Expanded focus on mindset: Continuing to develop and teach about the power of mindset in health and life
- Leadership development: Growing his presence in the leadership and personal development space
- Integration of faith and health: Further exploring the connections between spiritual practices and wellness
- Business growth: Expanding his various business ventures while maintaining his health message
- New media development: Leveraging his podcast and other media platforms to reach wider audiences
FAQs About What Happened to Dr. Josh Axe
What serious health condition did Dr. Josh Axe experience?
Dr. Josh Axe suffered a serious back injury while lifting weights that later developed into a spinal infection. This condition left him unable to walk for an entire year and at one point, he was told he might never walk normally again.
How did Dr. Josh Axe recover from his inability to walk?
Dr. Axe credits his recovery to a combination of natural healing approaches, mental visualization techniques based on neuroplasticity principles, and his spiritual faith. He developed what he now calls “mindset medicine” during this recovery process.
What is Dr. Josh Axe doing now?
Dr. Axe continues to run several successful businesses including DrAxe.com, Ancient Nutrition, and Leaders Media. He recently published his book “Think This, Not That” in April 2024 and hosts a podcast called “The Dr. Josh Axe Show.”
Has Dr. Josh Axe’s approach to health changed after his personal health crisis?
Yes, significantly. While he still advocates for natural health approaches, he now places much greater emphasis on mindset, mental health, and spiritual practices as essential components of healing and wellness.
Where can I find Dr. Josh Axe’s latest content and programs?
Dr. Axe’s content is available through multiple platforms including his website DrAxe.com, his social media accounts, his podcast “The Dr. Josh Axe Show,” and through his books, the latest being “Think This, Not That.”
Conclusion: The Transformed Healer
What happened to Dr. Josh Axe—his serious back injury, spinal infection, and year of immobility—represents more than just a health challenge in his personal life. It marks a significant turning point in his professional approach and the evolution of his health philosophy.
Far from diminishing his influence, Dr. Axe’s health crisis has added depth and authenticity to his message. His journey from a successful health practitioner to someone who faced the possibility of permanent disability, and then to recovery and renewed purpose, offers a compelling narrative that resonates with many seeking their own healing.
Today, Dr. Josh Axe continues to expand his influence, integrating lessons from his personal health journey into his teaching, writing, and business ventures. His story reminds us that sometimes what appears to be our greatest challenge can become the foundation for our greatest contribution.
