about

Courtney Sanders founded The Bipolar Divine in 2019 to share the resources and support that resonate with her. Sanders has experienced hypomania as well as bouts of depression that have lasted numerous months.  Sanders believes that every voice is necessary to combat the stigma associated with bipolar disorder.   

Sanders spent years on medications.  Some made her hair fall out, some made her gain weight—some lose weight.  Some destroyed the biome of her stomach, but all of them compromised the equilibrium of her mind.  She would spend the better part of ten years living in shame of her bipolar diagnosis. Sanders went off her meds and tried self-medicating with strict exercise and diet.  This worked for several months, but it wasn’t long before triggers and stress sent her into mania again.  Sanders spent her twenties cycling through taking medications and then cutting all medication out.  Neither scenario worked.  She has spent more than her fair share of time held against her will at numerous psychiatric institutions between Colorado and California.  Sanders has lost jobs and significant relationships in her life to bipolar disorder.   

Sanders has spent the better part of a decade researching holistic and integrative medical practices for better answers.  In 2017, she took full responsibility for her health and wellness and stopped relying solely on Doctors and the arsenal of psychiatric drugs commonly prescribed in the US to dictate how she should live well. 

Sanders found the molecules, therapies, nutrition, exercise regiment, and lifestyle that balance her.  This took time, pain, and a lot of money. The bright side to this story is that she is now in her late thirties and thriving. 

“I’m here to show people that the trauma and shame surrounding bipolar disorder is real, and it’s not ok.  I know what it’s like to contemplate taking your own life.  I’m here to tell you that there are better paths.  I am living proof that you can be strong, happy, and healthy within the bipolar experience.  I am also here as an example of the gifts that bipolar can bring— if you choose to alter your perspective a bit.” 

Sanders grew up in a large family in Northern Virginia.  She was raised in an upper-middle-class American family.  Her childhood was happy.  She attended college at Virginia Commonwealth University as a scholarship athlete in track and field.  A traumatic experience there influenced her decision at 19 to move back home and become a personal trainer.  After a few successful years as a trainer, she decided to get her real estate license.  She was a licensed real estate agent in Virginia and Washington D.C. for about five minutes when the 2008 recession hit.  She sold exactly one home and watched an eerie cloud of uncertainty and depression sweep over the D.C. area; she realized that real estate might not be the career that would fulfill her dreams.   

Sanders moved to Denver in 2009; she held various serving and bartending jobs while skiing her heart out.  Once she achieved state tuition, she completed her college degree at the Metropolitan State University of Denver, majoring in Journalism and minoring in digital media.  Sanders aspired to one day go to law school; however, her struggle with mental illness dimmed that light. 

Sanders has been hospitalized numerous times for non-ordinary states of consciousness that she would reach organically (organically meaning, not by way of drugs or alcohol).  She was diagnosed with bipolar and acute psychosis.  She was prescribed a regiment of medications that almost took her life. 

In the past, Sanders contemplated taking her own life. She successfully navigated herself out of those dark places and committed to finding the best resources and support she could.  Sanders shares her stories of darkness and what brought her out of it by speaking, writing, and offering peer-to-peer support. 

“Bipolar disorder manifests differently in all of us. It brings me joy to share my journey of the highs and lows. My goal is to empower people to own their health and wellness as it is their responsibility. It takes consciousness, patience, and diligence. Living well with bipolar disorder is possible—I am living proof of that.  All my love to you—don’t give up.”