Becoming Lucy

Lucy Hodgkinson

Becoming Lucy is real life stories with real people where real change happens. It's where healing meets humour, and where Lucy and Hana turn life's chaos into connection.

  1. 5d ago

    BORN DEPENDENT ON HEROIN, REJECTED FOR BEING TRANS: How Paralysis Made My Life Better

    Her father introduced her to heroin. Her family rejected her for being transgender. And becoming paralysed actually made her life better. Sounds unbelievable? That’s just the beginning of Bea’s story. Born dependent on heroin and spending the first nine years of her life in the care system, Bea’s childhood was anything but ordinary. From abuse and addiction to family secrets and the struggle to understand her own identity, her early years were shaped by experiences no child should have to face. But growing up was only the beginning. When Bea finally found the courage to live authentically as a transgender woman, it came at an enormous cost. Family rejection, homelessness and losing her job were just some of the consequences of choosing to be herself. And life wasn’t about to get any less complicated. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🎙️ IN THIS CONVERSATION, BEA OPENS UP ABOUT: • Being born dependent on heroin and growing up in the care system. • Childhood trauma, family secrets and the complicated relationship with her biological parents. • Discovering her gender identity, coming out as transgender and facing rejection. • Addiction, sex work, homelessness and the darkest periods of her life. • Living with Tourette’s syndrome and autism, including the unexpected realities of both. • Being crowned Miss Transgender UK and what that achievement meant to her. • The seizure that left her paralysed and why she believes it changed her life for the better. • Finding freedom through adaptive sports, Tough Mudder and a community that helped her embrace a completely different future. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ From being told she was dead to her family to being crowned Miss Transgender UK, Bea’s life is full of twists you genuinely couldn’t make up. But perhaps the biggest surprise came after she became paralysed. Despite the challenges and restrictions of living with a disability, Bea discovered a whole new world through adaptive sports, Tough Mudder and an incredible community. Now an ambassador and charity trustee, she’s using her experiences to challenge perceptions of disability while embracing opportunities she never imagined possible. So how did something that placed so many restrictions on her life also open up a world she never knew existed? And trust us, Bea doesn’t hold back. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ ⚠️ A NOTE FOR LISTENERS This episode contains discussions of childhood abuse, addiction, sexual exploitation, sex work and suicide. Bea also lives with Tourette’s syndrome, which can cause involuntary movements and vocal tics, including swearing. These moments are part of Bea’s everyday experience and are shared openly throughout our conversation. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🔗 CONNECT WITH BEA 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplybea_adaptive_athlete/⁠ 🌿 EXPERIENCE COMMUNITY Discover the charity supporting disabled people to enjoy the outdoors, adventure and accessible activities. Website: https://experiencecommunity.co.uk/⁠ ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 🎙️ FOLLOW BECOMING LUCY 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becominglucy/⁠ ▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@becominglucy⁠ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1D9rtPbwLh/⁠ 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@becominglucy⁠ ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ BECOMING LUCY Real People. Real Stories. Real Change. Who are you becoming? ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ ⚠️ Podcast Disclaimer • Informational Only: This content is for general information and entertainment. It is not professional advice (legal, medical, financial, or otherwise). • No Guarantees: We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or outcomes from using the information shared. • Personal Views: Opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and do not reflect the official positions of any affiliated organisations. • No Liability: We are not liable for any actions taken based on this podcast. • External Links: We are not responsible for content found on any external sites mentioned.

    BORN DEPENDENT ON HEROIN, REJECTED FOR BEING TRANS: How Paralysis Made My Life Better
  2. Oct 13

    ASKING FOR A SOLICITOR DOESN’T MEAN YOU’RE GUILTY: Criminal Law, Racism & Turning Pain into Purpose

    Does asking for a solicitor make you look guilty? And if you’ve done nothing wrong, why would you need one? Lucy and Hana sit down with criminal law solicitor and law firm owner Shazia Ali for a conversation that changes how they think about legal representation — from what a solicitor actually does to why Shazia wouldn’t represent herself. We’re used to hearing “I’ll call my solicitor” on the telly. But what happens when you’re the person who needs one? We explore understanding your rights, the decisions you face and why having someone in your corner matters. ⸻ Behind that insight is a remarkable personal story. One of seven siblings growing up in Greater Manchester, Shazia experienced racist abuse on the way to school, started working at 14 and funded her own education before going on to build Scarsdale Solicitors. 🎙️ IN THIS EPISODE • Why asking for a solicitor doesn’t mean you’re guilty. • What a criminal solicitor actually does — and why even Shazia wouldn’t represent herself. • Understanding your rights and getting advice before making decisions about your case. • Growing up in a big family, navigating cultural expectations and facing racism. • Working at 14, funding her education and building her own law firm. • Supporting women experiencing domestic abuse and her plans for a pro bono department. • Balancing motherhood, ambition and a business built around her values. ⸻ There’s laughter, a few changed opinions and a look at the person behind the profession — and Lucy is delighted to finally have someone she can call “my solicitor” while Hana hopes she never has to use one 🙌🏼😂 ⸻ CONNECT WITH SHAZIA & SCARSDALE SOLICITORS Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_scarsdale.solicitors/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@scarsdalesolicitors Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScarsdaleSolicitors/ Shazia’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shazia-ali-177401277/ Scarsdale Solicitors LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/scarsdale-solicitors/ ⸻ FOLLOW BECOMING LUCY https://www.instagram.com/becominglucypodcast/ Real People. Real Stories. Real Change. Who are you becoming? ⸻ ⚠️ Podcast Disclaimer • Informational Only: This content is for general information and entertainment. It is not professional advice (legal, medical, financial, or otherwise). • No Guarantees: We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or outcomes from using the information shared. • Personal Views: Opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and do not reflect the official positions of any affiliated organisations. • No Liability: We are not liable for any actions taken based on this podcast. • External Links: We are not responsible for content found on any external sites mentioned.

    ASKING FOR A SOLICITOR DOESN’T MEAN YOU’RE GUILTY: Criminal Law, Racism & Turning Pain into Purpose
  3. Oct 6

    MARRIED TO A ROCKSTAR & AND AN UNEXPECTED DIAGNOSIS: Music Legends, the Grammys & Living with MS

    What happens when life gives you a diagnosis that changes everything — but your story is nowhere near finished? This week on Becoming Lucy, we’re joined by Grammy-nominated artist, musician, author and storyteller Robbi Kumalo for a conversation about music, multiple sclerosis, creativity and continuing to find possibility when life takes an unexpected turn. Robbi has had an extraordinary career. She’s worked alongside legendary artists including Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Rod Stewart, Harry Belafonte, Mary J. Blige and Chaka Khan, appeared on television with Oprah, created award-winning music for children and reached more than a million children and families through her work. Then, at 50, Robbi was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. But that’s far from where her story ends. We talk about receiving a life-changing diagnosis, navigating a condition other people often can’t see, and how Robbi has learned to adapt without allowing MS to become the headline of who she is. And somehow, this conversation also takes us to the Grammys — including what one of the world’s most glamorous music events is actually like behind the scenes. 👀 Robbi also opens up about her book, Married To A Rockstar: Bass Lines and Musical Blessings for Healing, and the story behind a life shaped by music, marriage, motherhood, change and finding herself again. We explore creativity as a way of processing life’s difficult moments, turning setbacks into stories and art, the importance of community when you’re living with a hidden disability, and how becoming more mindful of the world around her has changed the way Robbi lives. There are stories of music legends, motherhood, spirituality, falling down and getting back up — sometimes literally — and plenty of moments that remind us that a change in circumstances doesn’t have to mean the end of possibility. In this episode: 🎶 A remarkable life and career in music 🧠 Being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at 50 🏆 The road to the Grammys — and what they’re really like 🫥 The reality of living with a hidden disability 📖 The story behind Married To A Rockstar 🎨 Turning life’s difficult moments into creativity 🌿 Mindfulness, self-care and Robbi’s approach to living with MS ❤️ Marriage, motherhood, family and finding purpose ✨ Why adapting doesn’t have to mean giving up This isn’t simply a conversation about MS. It’s about what happens when life changes the plan — and you decide there’s still a lot more living to do. 🎧 Listen now on Becoming Lucy. Who are you becoming? 🎙️ BECOMING LUCY Real People. Real Stories. Real Change. 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/becominglucy/ ▶️ YouTube https://youtube.com/@becominglucy?si=b9Z–wu5RjbypKmo 📘 Facebook https://www.facebook.com/share/1D9rtPbwLh/?mibextid=wwXIfr 🎧 Listen to Becoming Lucy on all major podcast platforms. ──────── FIND ROBBI 🌐 Website https://www.robbikumalo.com 📖 Married To A Rockstar: Bass Lines and Musical Blessings for Healing https://www.robbikumalo.com/blog-podcast 📚 Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=9798268999525 📸 Instagram — @multiplesuperbness https://www.instagram.com/multiplesuperbness/ 📘 Facebook — Robbi Hall Kumalo https://www.facebook.com/RobbiHallKumalo ▶️ YouTube — @msrobik https://www.youtube.com/@msrobik ──────── ⚠️ Podcast Disclaimer • Informational Only: This content is for general information and entertainment. It is not professional advice (legal, medical, financial, or otherwise). • No Guarantees: We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or outcomes from using the information shared. • Personal Views: Opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and do not reflect the official positions of any affiliated organisations. • No Liability: We are not liable for any actions taken based on this podcast. • External Links: We are not responsible for content found on any external sites mentioned.

    MARRIED TO A ROCKSTAR & AND AN UNEXPECTED DIAGNOSIS: Music Legends, the Grammys & Living with MS
  4. Sep 29

    I LOST 51 KILOS: Motherhood, Body Image & Pretty Privilege

    What happens when you lose 51kg… but your weight is only one part of the story? In this episode of Becoming Lucy, we sit down with Vic for a brilliantly honest conversation about weight loss, motherhood, body image, identity, business, confidence and what happens when you finally start making some room for yourself. Vic became a mum at just 19 and, like so many women, spent years being everything to everybody else — a mum, a partner, working, building a business with husband Mark and keeping family life moving. Somewhere amongst all of that, it became very easy to put herself at the bottom of the list. We go right back to childhood and the comments and experiences that helped shape Vic’s relationship with her body, through motherhood, relationships and family life, to the moment she decided something needed to change. That journey eventually led to an incredible 51kg weight loss — but this conversation goes far beyond a number on the scales. We talk honestly about motivation, discipline and accountability, why maintaining a completely different lifestyle can be harder than losing the weight in the first place, and the mental adjustment that has to happen when your body changes dramatically. And then there’s something we don’t always like admitting… Do people treat you differently when you’re thinner? Vic opens up about her experiences of pretty privilege, changes in the way people respond to her and the complicated feelings that can come with suddenly receiving attention or treatment you weren’t given before. We also get into the conversations surrounding weight-loss jabs versus the gym, fad diets, exercise and personal accountability — and why there isn’t always one simple answer when it comes to somebody else’s body or health journey. Away from weight loss, we talk about building a business alongside Mark, putting parts of your life online, dealing with social media backlash and other people’s opinions, creating boundaries between work and home and finding an identity that belongs to you outside of being somebody’s mum, partner or the woman behind the business. Motherhood runs through so much of this conversation too. Vic talks about raising her children with a healthier understanding of food, bodies, confidence and self-worth, and how her own childhood experiences have influenced the conversations she wants to have with the next generation. Because sometimes breaking a cycle isn’t only about changing things for yourself. It’s about making sure the generation after you grows up hearing something different. We talk about self-love without pretending you have to love every part of yourself every day, protecting your mental health, finding your people, accepting that balance will never look perfect — and learning to speak to yourself with the same kindness you’d give somebody else. From losing 51kg to motherhood at 19, pretty privilege, relationships, running a business, online backlash, body image and raising the next generation… This is ultimately a conversation about what happens when, after years of being everything to everybody else, you start asking: Who am I — and what do I want for me? IN THIS EPISODE ✨ Losing 51kg and creating sustainable lifestyle change ✨ Childhood comments and where body-image struggles can begin ✨ Becoming a mum at 19 and growing up alongside your children ✨ Losing yourself in motherhood, relationships and responsibility ✨ Motivation vs discipline and the importance of accountability ✨ Maintaining weight loss when the initial motivation disappears ✨ Weight-loss jabs, exercise and the accountability debate ✨ Pretty privilege — does the world treat you differently after weight loss? ✨ The mental adjustment after a major physical transformation ✨ Confidence, self-talk and learning to love yourself as a whole ✨ Building a business with your partner ✨ Social media backlash and dealing with other people’s opinions ✨ Finding community and people who support your growth ✨ Raising children with a healthier relationship with food and their bodies ✨ Breaking body-image cycles for the next generation ✨ Finding yourself outside of being a mum, partner or business owner ✨ Why balance doesn’t have to mean perfection FIND VIC 📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewomanbehindthetradie/ Go and show Vic some love, follow her journey and let her know if something in this conversation resonated with you. 💛 FIND BECOMING LUCY 🎙️ Becoming Lucy — Real People. Real Stories. Real Change. 📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becominglucy/ 🎧 Listen and follow on Spotify & Apple Podcasts, and subscribe on YouTube so you don’t miss our next conversation. If this episode made you think of someone, send it to them. And if you enjoy Becoming Lucy, following the podcast, leaving a review or sharing an episode genuinely helps more people discover these stories. 💛 Who are you becoming? ------------------------ ⚠️ Podcast Disclaimer • Informational Only: This content is for general information and entertainment. It is not professional advice (legal, medical, financial, or otherwise). • No Guarantees: We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or outcomes from using the information shared. • Personal Views: Opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and do not reflect the official positions of any affiliated organisations. • No Liability: We are not liable for any actions taken based on this podcast. • External Links: We are not responsible for content found on any external sites mentioned.

    I LOST 51 KILOS: Motherhood, Body Image & Pretty Privilege
  5. Sep 22

    THE POWER OF CRYSTALS: Healing, Energy & What Happens When You Trust Your Intuition

    Can crystals really affect how we feel? Can we learn to tell the difference between intuition and fear? And what happens when the life you’ve built no longer feels like you? Lucy and Hana are joined by Lynn Jinks — crystal healer, mindset and energy coach, and Happy Place Festival speaker — for a funny, surprising and thought-provoking conversation about crystal healing, intuition, energy and learning to trust yourself. ✨ • ───────── • ✨ We get curious about what crystal healing actually involves, how crystals are chosen, chakras and the human energy system, and why Lynn believes certain crystals can reveal more than we might expect. We also explore the difference between intuition, anxiety and fear; Human Design and our “energetic blueprint”; protecting your energy; gratitude; trusting your gut; and what happens when something in your life simply doesn’t feel right anymore. Whether you already have a collection of crystals beside your bed or think they’re literally just pretty rocks, this episode isn’t about telling you what to believe. It’s about curiosity, asking questions and being open to learning something new — about the world, about what works for you and, sometimes, about yourself. Because maybe becoming someone new isn’t about becoming someone else at all. As Lynn says: “I don’t think I’m becoming a new me. I just think I’m stepping more into me.” ✨ • ───────── • ✨ IN THIS EPISODE, WE EXPLORE: • What crystal healing actually is and what happens during a session • Crystals, chakras and the human energy system • How Lynn chooses and works with different crystals • Intuition vs anxiety and fear — and how to recognise the difference • Human Design and the idea of our “energetic blueprint” • Energy protection, boundaries and looking after your own energy • Gratitude, mindset and checking in with what you actually need • What happens when your life no longer feels aligned with who you are • Trusting yourself, changing direction and starting again • Scepticism, curiosity and why you don’t have to believe everything to explore it ✨ • ───────── • ✨ WANT TO EXPLORE MORE WITH LYNN? If this conversation sparked your curiosity about crystals, energy, intuition or Human Design, you can find more from Lynn and explore her work here: 🌿 Website: https://www.lynnjinks.co.uk/ ✨ Instagram: www.instagram.com/thelynnjinks 💼 LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/lynnjinks 🎥 YouTube: www.youtube.com/@lynnjinkscoach Follow Lynn for more on crystal healing, energy, mindset, intuition and learning to trust what feels right for you. ✨ • ───────── • ✨ ⚠️ Podcast Disclaimer • Informational Only: This content is for general information and entertainment. It is not professional advice (legal, medical, financial, or otherwise). • No Guarantees: We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or outcomes from using the information shared. • Personal Views: Opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and do not reflect the official positions of any affiliated organisations. • No Liability: We are not liable for any actions taken based on this podcast. • External Links: We are not responsible for content found on any external sites mentioned.

    THE POWER OF CRYSTALS: Healing, Energy & What Happens When You Trust Your Intuition
  6. Sep 15

    The 20-Week Scan That Changed Everything: TFMR, Baby Loss & Finding Hope Again

    You go into a routine 20-week pregnancy scan expecting to see your baby. You don’t expect to walk out knowing your entire future has just changed. This week on Becoming Lucy, Lianne shares an incredibly personal story about TFMR (termination for medical reasons), pregnancy loss, grief and what happens when one devastating loss becomes part of a journey no family could ever have prepared for. Already a mum of two, Lianne and her husband knew they wanted one more baby. Her pregnancy appeared to be progressing normally — until the 20-week scan revealed serious medical complications. Suddenly, they were faced with conversations and decisions no parent ever imagines having to make. Their baby was desperately wanted. Already loved. Already part of their family. And the decision that followed was made because of that love. Lianne takes us through receiving the diagnosis, navigating termination for medical reasons, going through labour and meeting and saying goodbye to her baby, Eden. But Lianne’s story didn’t end there. She and her husband found the courage to try again — only to be confronted by more devastating loss. And then, again. We talk about the cumulative reality of repeated baby loss: what it does to your mental health, your relationship, your trust in your own body and your ability to believe that another pregnancy might actually end differently. Lianne speaks candidly about TFMR, miscarriage and pregnancy after loss, as well as continuing to be a mum to the children who still needed her while carrying enormous grief herself. We also explore the parts that aren’t always talked about: the physical reality of labour and postpartum after loss, moments of compassion — and painful miscommunication — within medical care, explaining loss to children, remembering the babies who aren’t here, and the importance of finding the right baby loss support. And eventually, we talk about hope. About trying again when pregnancy has stopped feeling exciting and started feeling frightening. About Lianne’s journey towards her rainbow baby. And about discovering that finding happiness again doesn’t mean forgetting the babies who came before. This isn’t simply a conversation about ending a pregnancy. It’s about wanted babies, impossible decisions, motherhood, grief, love and resilience — and why the realities of TFMR and baby loss deserve to be spoken about. ⸻ 🎧 IN THIS EPISODE • The routine 20-week scan that changed everything • What TFMR — termination for medical reasons — can really involve • Making an impossible decision for a desperately wanted baby • Labour, birth and saying goodbye to Eden • Experiencing repeated pregnancy and baby loss • Miscarriage and the emotional impact of trying again • How baby loss can affect mental health and relationships • Parenting other children while grieving • The importance of compassionate medical care • Pregnancy after loss and the fear that can come with it • Remembering and honouring babies after loss • Lianne’s journey towards her rainbow baby and finding hope again ⸻ 💛 CONNECT WITH LIANNE Lianne has kindly said that she is open to hearing from anyone who has been affected by similar experiences or feels they would like to reach out. Lianne’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barreandbloomuk?stkn=c3lkNmY1dW82b3Rv 🫶 SUPPORT & RESOURCES If you have been affected by TFMR, miscarriage, pregnancy loss or baby loss, you don’t have to navigate it alone. Petals – The Baby Loss Counselling Charity Specialist counselling and support following pregnancy or baby loss. https://www.petalscharity.org/ Tommy’s – Baby Loss Information & Support Information and support around miscarriage, TFMR, stillbirth, neonatal loss, mental health and pregnancy after loss. https://www.tommys.org/baby-loss-support ⸻ ⚠️ CONTENT NOTE This episode contains detailed and emotional discussion of pregnancy loss, miscarriage, fetal abnormalities, TFMR (termination for medical reasons), labour and birth, baby loss, grief and mental health. Some listeners may find these topics distressing, so please listen with care. ⸻ ⚠️ Podcast Disclaimer • Informational Only: This content is for general information and entertainment. It is not professional advice (legal, medical, financial, or otherwise). • No Guarantees: We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or outcomes from using the information shared. • Personal Views: Opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and do not reflect the official positions of any affiliated organisations. • No Liability: We are not liable for any actions taken based on this podcast. • External Links: We are not responsible for content found on any external sites mentioned.

    The 20-Week Scan That Changed Everything: TFMR, Baby Loss & Finding Hope Again
  7. Aug 11

    I WROTE A SUICIDE NOTE… THEN CHOSE TO LIVE | Sobriety, Addiction & Choosing Life

    ⚠️ Content warning: This episode contains discussions of alcohol addiction, medication dependency, suicidal thoughts, mental health and recovery. Please listen with care. ⸻ What if the life you think you can’t imagine… is actually the one that saves you? For years, Racheal believed alcohol was part of who she was. It was there for every celebration, every social event and every difficult moment. As her drinking escalated, she also became reliant on sleeping tablets, unable to imagine life without either. Then she hit rock bottom. After writing a suicide note, Racheal woke up the next morning and made a decision that would change everything. Today, she’s proudly sober, has lost seven stone, completed a marathon and discovered a version of herself she never believed was possible. In this honest and deeply moving conversation, Racheal opens up about growing up, working as a holiday rep, the hidden reality of alcohol addiction and relying on sleeping tablets, the impact addiction had on her mental and physical health, and the moment she realised she had to choose life. Together, we explore the powerful link between addiction and mental health, the fear of losing your identity when alcohol has become part of your life, learning to manage triggers and cravings, rebuilding relationships, and why sobriety became the greatest act of self-discovery she has ever experienced. Whether you’re sober, sober curious, supporting someone with addiction, or simply searching for hope during a difficult chapter, Racheal’s story is a powerful reminder that transformation is possible, and that it’s never too late to become the person you’re meant to be. Because sometimes, the bravest thing you can do… is choose yourself. In this episode, we cover: ✨ Racheal’s life before alcohol took over🍹 How drinking slowly became part of her identity💊 Her reliance on sleeping tablets and how she couldn’t switch off without them💔 The moment she hit rock bottom and wrote a suicide note🧠 The powerful connection between addiction and mental health🌱 Learning who she was without alcohol🏃 Losing seven stone and completing a marathon❤️ Managing triggers, cravings and staying sober🤝 The role friends and family played in her recovery💬 Why she’s now unapologetically herself🌟 Hope for anyone who feels change is impossible ⸻ ⚠️ Podcast Disclaimer • Informational Only: This content is for general information and entertainment. It is not professional advice (legal, medical, financial, or otherwise). • No Guarantees: We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or outcomes from using the information shared. • Personal Views: Opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and do not reflect the official positions of any affiliated organisations. • No Liability: We are not liable for any actions taken based on this podcast. • External Links: We are not responsible for content found on any external sites mentioned.

    I WROTE A SUICIDE NOTE… THEN CHOSE TO LIVE | Sobriety, Addiction & Choosing Life
  8. Aug 4

    I SURVIVED CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE… THEN EPILEPSY CHANGED MY LIFE | PTSD, Mental Health & Invisible Illness

    ⚠️ Content warning: This episode contains discussions of childhood sexual abuse, trauma, PTSD, mental health struggles and epilepsy. Please listen with care. ⸻ When most people hear the word epilepsy, they think of seizures. But for Lisa, epilepsy is only a small part of a much bigger story. In this incredibly honest conversation, Lisa shares how surviving childhood sexual abuse and early life trauma shaped her mental health, relationships and the way she viewed herself. At just 12 years old, she was diagnosed with epilepsy, beginning a journey that brought challenges far beyond the condition itself. Together, we explore the realities of living with an invisible illness, the emotional impact of PTSD, anxiety and depression, the side effects of medication, and the importance of understanding the person behind the diagnosis. Lisa also discusses her experience of eczema and the way she believes periods of stress and trauma have affected her overall health. At one of the darkest points in her life, Lisa speaks openly about experiencing a serious mental health crisis that resulted in her being sectioned, and how that became a turning point on her journey towards healing. More importantly, this isn’t just a story about adversity—it’s a story about resilience. Lisa opens up about therapy, self-awareness, learning to trust herself again, and the people who stood by her when she needed them most. This episode is a powerful reminder that everyone is fighting battles we can’t always see, and that healing is rarely a straight line. Whether you’re living with epilepsy, supporting someone who is, navigating the effects of trauma, or simply want to better understand invisible illnesses, Lisa’s story is one that will stay with you. ⸻ 🎙️ In this episode, we discuss: • Childhood sexual abuse and the lasting impact of trauma • Being diagnosed with epilepsy at just 12 years old • PTSD, anxiety, depression and invisible illness • Medication side effects and their impact on mental health • Lisa’s experience of being sectioned during a mental health crisis • Family planning, pregnancy and living with epilepsy • Eczema and Lisa’s personal experience of the connection between stress and her health • Family relationships, healing and support • Therapy, resilience and finding hope after trauma ⸻ 💛 Connect with Lisa 📱 Instagram: @ltbailey_ ⸻ 🎙️ Follow Becoming Lucy 📱 Instagram: @becominglucy 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube and all major podcast platforms. If this conversation resonated with you, please follow, subscribe, leave a review and share the episode. It helps us continue bringing Real People. Real Stories. Real Change. ⸻ 📚 Resources • Epilepsy Society – https://epilepsysociety.org.uk • Epilepsy Action – https://www.epilepsy.org.uk • NHS – Sodium Valproate Information – https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/sodium-valproate/ ⸻ ⚠️ Podcast Disclaimer • Informational Only: This content is for general information and entertainment. It is not professional advice (legal, medical, financial, or otherwise). • No Guarantees: We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or outcomes from using the information shared. • Personal Views: Opinions expressed are those of the hosts and guests and do not reflect the official positions of any affiliated organisations. • No Liability: We are not liable for any actions taken based on this podcast. • External Links: We are not responsible for content found on any external sites mentioned.

    I SURVIVED CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE… THEN EPILEPSY CHANGED MY LIFE | PTSD, Mental Health & Invisible Illness

About

Becoming Lucy is real life stories with real people where real change happens. It's where healing meets humour, and where Lucy and Hana turn life's chaos into connection.