My Spoonie Sisters Host: Jenni Weaver

Discover how to embrace your unique identity and build a successful personal brand in our heartfelt conversation with Neeti, a coach and healer from Mumbai, India. Get ready to feel seen, celebrated, and whole as Neeti shares her transformative journey of dealing with adversity and her mission to empower women. From discussing challenges faced in her health journey to the ins and outs of her treatment care plan, Needy's insights and advice are simply invaluable.

This episode goes beyond your typical interview. It's a testament to resilience and a reaffirmation that you are welcome in this world exactly as you are. Neeti doesn't shy away from recounting her experiences with gaslighting and battling health issues. Her candidness is as refreshing as it is inspiring. And if that's not enough, she also shares her recommended resources and her reflections on her journey. By the end of our conversation, you might find yourself re-evaluating your journey and story. So, tune in because this is one discussion you won't want to miss.

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Ever dreamed of embarking on a grand adventure but felt tethered down by the struggles of a chronic illness? This episode unfolds the inspiring journey of our brave friend, Angelic, who defied the odds and flew the globe from San Francisco to London with a painful chronic illness.

Angelic paints a vivid image of her thrilling escapade and gives the listeners a front-row seat to her experiences. From a grueling 10-and-a-half-hour flight to her unplanned detour to Lisbon, Portugal, Angelic proved that a chronic disorder should never be a barrier to fulfilling your wanderlust. She lets us in on her go-to tips for keeping comfortable and rested during long flights and her must-haves that combat jet lag. As the conversation sails forward, we shift our compass towards mindful travel. We chat about our personal experiences, like my recording sessions for the Our Serendipity app and Angelic's immersive cultural experience in Portugal. You'll hear us stress the importance of embracing the beauty of simplicity, appreciating life's small wonders, and finding freedom in letting go of what's unnecessary. Get ready to navigate the globe with Angelic's vital tips, and let her be your guide in making your travel dreams come true, chronic illness notwithstanding.

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What might you do if you had symptoms of a chronic condition at the tender age of 15 and diagnosed at 18? Well, our guest for this episode, Effie, turned her fight with juvenile arthritis into a platform for advocacy. Rising Above RA, as she is known in the digital world, sheds light on her journey from grappling with the emotional fallout of her diagnosis to finding her equilibrium. Join us as she opens up about her high school years wrapped in pain, her journey of managing imbalances within her body, and the catharsis of writing.

Imagine having a specially curated 'Spoonie  Toolkit' - what would you put in it? As we chat with Effie, not only do we explore this idea, but we also dive into the realm of personalized treatment plans. We delve into the importance of self-care while juggling chronic conditions and the role of writing in Effie's RA journey. We share some of our favorite book recommendations and ponder on how positivity can manifest differently for each individual.

In the world of chronic illness, inspiration and support are vital. But how do you balance encouragement with sensitivity? How do you access reliable information while avoiding information overload? As our conversation with Effie continues, we emphasize the importance of following organizations that provide reliable resources. We also discuss the value of a robust support system and the challenge of finding a healthcare provider that truly resonates with your personal journey—strap in as we navigate through the highs and lows of living with arthritis.

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Welcome to Behind the Smile with Cheryl Crow!

Have you ever wondered how someone manages a bustling online presence while battling a chronic condition? Picture this: Cheryl Crow, a woman leading an active lifestyle, starts experiencing an array of symptoms that eventually lead her to a Rheumatoid Arthritis diagnosis at age 21. Once a vibrant athlete, she noticed her weight drop, leading to her life-altering diagnosis.

Join us as we traverse Cheryl's journey managing her condition and online business, Arthritis Life. We delve deep into Cheryl's revolutionary 'Room to Thrive' framework. It's an approach to wellness inspired by occupational therapy and lifestyle medicine, where lifestyle factors like exercise, sleep, nutrition, stress management, and mental health walk hand in hand with medication. We also discuss social media's crucial role in connecting with others dealing with chronic conditions and the need for responsible online research.

The episode culminates with Cheryl recounting the tough times when her medication ceased working, leading her to accept her new reality. We explore the importance of therapy and technology in managing Arthritis and how Cheryl's 'Room to Thrive,' framework can be invaluable for others in a similar situation. From the seriousness of the chronic illness, we switch gears to a light-hearted debate on the perfect family vacation spot - Maui, Kauai, or the chronic pain-friendly Oahu. So, lend your ears as we navigate through this enlightening journey of resilience, holistic wellness, and the power of embracing a mindfulness-based approach.

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What does it mean to be a warrior? Today, I'm joined by Makenzie, a 22-year-old nursing student who embodies this term like no other. Battling Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis since age 13, Makenzie navigates the daily struggles of her own disease while also being a champion for her son Josiah, who has Familial Cold Autoinflammatory Syndrome, and her mother, who is fighting Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis. She offers a candid insight into the complexities of their journeys, from the agonizing search for a diagnosis to the treatments they undergo.

Have you ever felt unheard or misunderstood in a doctor's office? Makenzie knows this feeling all too well, and she's here to emphasize the importance of standing up for yourself and your loved ones. She shares her thoughts on advocating for early detection tests for autoimmune and autoinflammatory markers at birth - a simple measure that she believes could spare others from undue suffering. 

Lastly, let's delve into Makenzie's resilience kit, her 'Spoonie Toolkit,' and how she maintains a positive outlook despite the trials she faces. We touch on the reality of parenting children with special needs, the invaluable importance of support, and maintaining a good attitude, no matter what. Whether you're personally affected by chronic illness or not, this conversation with Makenzie is sure to inspire and motivate you to face life's battles with grit and grace.

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Are you caught in the crossfire of chronic illness in the Spoonie community? Feel like your healthcare provider is gaslighting you? Hear from Stefanie,  the rheumatoid arthritis coach, who opens up about her own experiences with medical gaslighting as a patient and a family nurse practitioner. She pulls back the curtain on this hot topic, discussing what gaslighting entails in the healthcare sector. She equips us with effective communication strategies to foster a healthier dialogue with our medical providers.

The conversation takes a deep dive, discussing the red flags that come with medical gaslighting based on Stefanie's personal experiences. Jen shares a rather chilling encounter of being prescribed a medication that led to a seizure and her rheumatologist's shocking response. This segment underscores the need for open, honest discussions with healthcare providers, the importance of second opinions, and the role of shared decision-making in healthcare. Stefanie leaves us with practical tips to prepare for an appointment and the difference between gaslighting and medical professional exhausting all options.

Stefanie doesn't stop there; she shares her experiences with healthcare challenges and how she navigated the hurdles. She advocates for asking the right questions and emphasizes the importance of being kind to yourself when dealing with a chronic illness. And finally, we get a sneak peek into Stefanie's world as a rheumatoid arthritis coach, where she teaches clients to live their best life despite their condition. You'll hear about her six-month program designed to equip clients with the tools they need to navigate their health journey. So buckle up and prepare for a riveting conversation brimming with indispensable insights and practical advice.

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