Healing Through Connection

How One Woman’s Battle With Lupus Sparked a Movement to Support Millions

The late afternoon light spills through the windows of Marla’s Las Vegas home, warming the tile floors and softly illuminating a shelf lined with wellness books and herbal remedies. It’s quiet—peaceful, even—but every inch of this space hums with purpose. Here, in this sun-soaked corner of the desert, a revolution is quietly unfolding. One rooted not in bold headlines or dramatic breakthroughs, but in listening. In showing up. In believing women when they say, “I’m in pain.”

A Voice for the Silenced

For years, Marla lived a story that many women know all too well. A body that betrayed her, doctors who didn’t listen, and a pain so relentless it forced her into early retirement. “It pretty much came on overnight,” she remembers. “I was in a very stressful job, and my body just started shutting down. The pain was unbearable. But no one could tell me why.”

The road to answers was long and lonely. One doctor suggested fibromyalgia; another suspected lupus, but left before confirming the diagnosis. Marla went from clinic to clinic, hoping someone—anyone—would take her seriously. “I would leave crying, asking why no one would listen. Why couldn’t we figure out what was wrong?”

Finally, after years of medical gaslighting and heartbreak, a lupus specialist gave her what felt like the first real answer. “Yes,” he told her. “This is lupus.” It was the beginning of healing—not just physically, but spiritually and emotionally.

From Rock Bottom to Road Map

After trying multiple medications, enduring countless side effects, and battling relentless fatigue, Marla reached a turning point. She decided to try holistic methods—not to replace her doctors, but to support her body through the chaos. That’s when she discovered a product that changed everything. “Within weeks, I started feeling different. Not perfect. But better. And that was everything.”

Feeling her energy return, Marla emerged from retirement with a clear mission: to help other women find what she spent years searching for—support, community, and a real path forward.

She launched her business, Inflammation Strategies, a wellness platform offering group coaching, educational resources, and a safe space for women living with chronic inflammation. “I’m not a doctor,” she says. “I don’t claim to be. But I’m someone who listens. I’m someone who shows up.”

Learning to Let Go, Learning to Grow

Starting a business in her fifties wasn’t easy. Marla had never mastered social media, never built a modern website, and had to learn how to engage in social selling from scratch. “I didn’t even know what a reel was,” she laughs. “I had about 50 friends on Facebook when I started.”

Her biggest lesson? You can’t do everything yourself. “I tried building my own website, because I had done it 20 years ago. But things have changed. I was losing money trying to save money. Eventually, I realized—I need to hire someone. That was a tough pill to swallow, but it changed everything.”

And it wasn’t just the tech that tested her. Like many entrepreneurs, Marla faced an online world filled with hollow promises. “People said they could help. They had big offers, big guarantees. And I fell for some of it. I’ve learned to take my time now. To trust my gut.”

More Than a Business, It’s a Lifeline

At its core, Inflammation Strategies is about more than wellness. It’s about giving women their voice back.

Marla leads group support sessions where women can share their stories, cry without judgment, and finally feel seen. She offers guidance on integrating holistic methods into conventional treatment plans, always careful to stress that her work is a complement—not a replacement—for medical care.

“I fight this battle every day,” she says. “I get up every morning and remind myself to keep moving. That’s why I’m different from others in this space. I’ve lived this. I’m still living it.”

Her offerings include education on anti-inflammatory lifestyles, product recommendations based on her personal experience, and access to a network of other women walking a similar path. “This is what I needed when I was struggling. I built the thing I couldn’t find.”

Real Talk from a Real Woman

Throughout the interview, Marla’s warmth radiates. There’s no slick pitch, no curated talking points—just a woman speaking her truth.

“I want to make a difference in the world,” she says. “If I can help even one or two people live a healthier, happier life, I’ll be completely happy.”

On what she’d tell new entrepreneurs? “You can’t do it all yourself. Be consistent. Kick the tires. Don’t give up. That’s when something will change.”

And her proudest milestone so far? “Last weekend, I had four women sign up through my website. It may not sound like much, but to me, it’s everything. It means the word is getting out. Women are finding me. And they’re finding hope.”

Building Trust, One Conversation at a Time

While most of her clients discover her through social media, Marla prefers face-to-face interaction. “There’s nothing like meeting eyeball to eyeball,” she says. “You can build trust so much faster.”

She hosts Zoom chats, coffee meetings, and attends local networking events in Las Vegas, where she’s lived for four years. “I love this city,” she beams. “People here are joyful. They’ve welcomed me with open arms.”

It’s that openness that fuels her mission. She’s currently the marketing director for Westside Newcomers, a women’s social club helping transplants find friendship and community. “It’s so important,” she says. “Especially for women. We need each other.”

A Mission as Big as Her Heart

Marla’s dream? To change one million lives. “I know I won’t get there in six months. Maybe not in six years. But that’s where I’m going.”

Long-term, she hopes to launch a nonprofit that supports women around the globe. Even more ambitious? A retreat center where women can unplug, learn to nourish their bodies, and embrace a slower, healthier way of living.

Short term, she’s focused on growing her community, showing up online, and continuing to refine her program. “It’s not about going viral. It’s about being real. I want to be consistent. I want to be valuable. I want women to know I’m here.”

Why It Matters

Inflammation Strategies is not just a business. It’s a soft place to land for women whose pain has been ignored, dismissed, or misunderstood. It’s a circle of support, built by someone who’s been there.

Marla’s not chasing fame. She’s chasing impact. And in a world that often forgets to slow down and listen, her voice is a powerful reminder that healing begins when we feel heard.

To Learn More or Join the Movement

Visit www.inflammationstrategies.com to explore Marla’s programs and resources. You can also follow her journey and reach out directly via:

• Facebook: Marla Chaffin

• Instagram: @marla.chaffin

Whether you’re battling inflammation, looking for a new approach to health, or simply need someone to talk to, Marla is just a message away.

This feature is part of The Business Review Journal’s Local Spotlight Series — your trusted source for discovering the best small businesses in your community.