I once believed that success meant pushing harder, sacrificing my health and soldiering on no matter the cost. Climbing the career ladder felt like the only way to prove my worth, but at my lowest point after my chronic illness diagnosis (crawling to the bathroom because walking was impossible) I knew something had to change. What I didn’t realise then was that chronic illness and neurodivergence weren’t the end of my story; they were the beginning of a transformation I could never have imagined. Here’s my story.

The Breaking Point

If you’ve ever felt like you’re running on empty, you’ll understand what I mean when I say my body gave up before I did. Exhaustion, brain fog and physical pain were constants in my life. I was grieving the loss of loved ones, juggling a demanding job and barely surviving. Outside of work, I had no energy for anything. My days blurred into a cycle of crawling to the bathroom, eating cold meals and sleeping whenever I could.

I thought I was just “bad at life.” But the truth was, I was in survival mode.

A Glimmer of Hope

Everything changed when I had to take sick leave. Staying with my mum gave me time and space to see that life didn’t have to look like this. A visit to a coastal housing development sparked something I hadn’t felt in a long time: hope.

Moving to a home by the sea didn’t magically fix my health, but it gave me the space to dream again. I started to reconnect with the person I was before chronic illness consumed my life. For the first time, I began to imagine a different kind of future.

Breaking Free

Years later, after maternity leave, I found myself back at a crossroads. The rigidity of a 9-5 job was suffocating and my symptoms returned. I took the leap into freelancing… A scary decision, but one that allowed me to create a career on my terms. Around the same time, I enrolled in a coaching programme, which helped me uncover the limiting beliefs I’d been carrying for years.

I realised I’d been measuring my worth by how much I could achieve, ignoring what I truly needed to thrive.

The Steps to Transformation

Rebuilding my life didn’t happen overnight, but every small, intentional step brought me closer to balance. Here’s what helped me:

• Rest and pacing: Learning to slow down and honour my body’s limits.
• Coaching and support: Challenging the beliefs that told me I wasn’t enough.
• Redefining success: Letting go of external validation and aligning my life with my core values.

With each step, I reclaimed my energy, my joy and my sense of purpose.

The Life I’ve Built Today

Today, I’m running a flexible business that aligns with my values of community, adventure and purpose. I have the energy to play with my feisty toddler, pursue my passions and dream big again.

Chronic illness is no longer an obstacle; it’s part of my unique story, helping me navigate life in ways I never thought possible. For the first time in years, I feel free.

A Message for You

If you’re reading this and feel like you’re stuck in survival mode, I want you to know it doesn’t have to be this way. Chronic illness doesn’t mean the end of your ambitions, it’s an opportunity to rewrite your story.

You deserve a life and career that works for you. One step, one decision, one mindset shift at a time, you can build the balance and fulfilment you’re searching for.

And you don’t have to do it alone.

If you’re ready to redefine success and create a career that aligns with your values, I’m here to help. My coaching sessions are designed to guide you through this transformation. Together, we’ll uncover what truly matters to you and build a life that honours your energy and ambition.

Let’s take that first step together. Book a discovery call to start your journey.