The Dizzy Diaries

Tove

Welcome to The Dizzy Diaries — the podcast that blends science with sparkle for anyone living with dysautonomia, POTS, and other chronic illnesses. Hosted by Tové, your resident POTS bestie, this show is equal parts real talk and relief. Think journal club meets slumber party. We will dive into the lived experience of life with an autonomic disorder: 💗 Honest chats about symptoms, flares, and weird body moments 💡 Easy-to-understand science and movement tips 🎙️ Light-hearted storie and Friday Fables This isn’t a substitute for medical advice — stay sparkly!

  1. 1 day ago

    Episode 19 - The 'All or Nothing' Approach with Exercise

    🌟 Are you waiting for the "perfect" day to start exercising? You're not alone. Many think that if they can't do their old workout routines, there's no point in exercising. But here's the truth: exercise isn’t an all-or-nothing game. Every little bit of movement counts. Just 5 minutes of activity sends signals to your body to adapt and grow stronger. It’s not about perfection; it’s about consistency. Think about it: can you walk a bit further today? Can you recover faster? Those are wins worth celebrating! So, if you’ve been holding back, remember: Start where you are, use what you have, and do what you can today. Your future self will thank you! #DizzyDiaries #ExerciseConfidence #MovementMatters #ChronicIllness https://www.tovewoodexphys.com/pots-online-course

  2. 31 Jul

    Friday Fables - Lighting the Lantern

    Inspired by our previous episode on self-advocacy, this fable explores the courage to trust your body, honour your experiences, and let your voice be heard, even when others can't see what you feel.

  3. 10 Jul

    Friday Fables - The Gardener Who Could No Longer Climb

    Grief doesn't only follow the loss of a loved one. Sometimes it follows the loss of the life you thought you would live. In this gentle Friday Fable, we meet Eli, a gardener whose greatest joy was climbing the terraces of his beautiful hillside garden. When he can no longer make the climb, he's forced to confront the painful reality of letting go of the life he once knew. Through unexpected friendships and new ways of nurturing what still remains, Elian discovers that grief and hope can grow side by side. Inspired by this week's clinical episode on grieving life with chronic illness, this story explores the heartbreak of changing dreams, adapting to a new normal, and finding beauty in a life that looks different from the one you imagined. Sometimes the garden changes shape. But it can still bloom.

  4. 9 Jul

    Episode 18 - The Mental Load of Chronic Illness | The Burden Nobody Sees

    Living with a chronic illness isn't just about managing symptoms. It's remembering medications, preparing for appointments, chasing referrals, adapting plans, grieving the life you expected, and carrying an invisible mental load that few people truly see. In this episode of The Dizzy Diaries, Exercise Physiologist Tové Wood is joined by the co-founder of Found Health, Arad Cohen-Halls, to explore the emotional side of chronic illness. Together, they discuss what it means to become an "expert patient", why navigating healthcare can feel like a full-time job, and how grief, identity, and productivity culture can all shape our mental wellbeing. They also share practical strategies for reducing the mental load, preparing for healthcare appointments, building sustainable self-care routines, and finding joy in everyday life, even when life looks different than you imagined. Whether you're living with POTS, dysautonomia, CAH, Long COVID, or another chronic condition, this conversation is a reminder that your experience is valid, your feelings are understandable, and you don't have to carry it all alone. In this episode, we cover: • The hidden mental load of chronic illness • Becoming an "expert patient" and navigating the healthcare system • Preparing for appointments and advocating for yourself • Grief, identity, and adjusting to a changing life • Practical ways to protect your mental wellbeing • Finding purpose and joy in the everyday Quote of the episode: "Healthcare is a two-way street. Ask questions." If this episode resonated with you, we'd love it if you subscribed, left a review, and shared it with someone who could use the reminder that they're not alone. This is not a subsitute for medical advice. Seek further support from your medical team if needed. If you feel you may benefit from the services at Found Health reach out to them: www.foundhealth.co.uk or  Tové  at www.tovewoodexphys.com

  5. 16 Jun

    Full Body Strength Workout at Home with Weights | Exercise Physiologist Guided

    Join me for a structured full body resistance workout designed to help you build strength, improve control, and feel more capable in your body.This session is guided by an exercise physiologist and takes you through a complete workout from start to finish, including a thorough warm-up, a targeted main strength block, and stretches to cool down and support recovery.This workout is suitable for home training with weights and can be adapted to suit your current level. Take your time, focus on good form, and rest as needed.What to expect:• Full body resistance training• Structured, guided session• Floor, kneeling, and standing exercises• Warm-up and cool-down includedAlways listen to your body and work within your limits. Consistency over intensity is key.Let’s get stronger together.

  6. 29 May

    Episode 16 - How to Advocate for Yourself Without Feeling Like a Problem

    Living with chronic illness often means learning how to explain, justify, track, and advocate for symptoms that other people cannot see. And honestly? It can be exhausting. In today’s episode of The Dizzy Diaries, we’re talking about self-advocacy, medical appointments, invisible illness, and the emotional weight of trying to be taken seriously while navigating conditions like POTS and dysautonomia. We discuss:✨ why advocating for yourself feels so difficult🩺 how to communicate symptoms more clearly📝 bringing notes, data, and questions to appointments💛 the emotional impact of feeling dismissed⚡ practical ways to navigate healthcare without burning out This episode is not medical advice, and every person’s situation is different. Please use any tools, ideas, or strategies in a way that feels safe, supportive, and appropriate for you and your healthcare team. If your nervous system has ever turned a simple appointment into a full psychological thriller… this one’s for you.

  7. 7 May

    A Soft Place to Land | Meditation for POTS & Chronic Illness (5 minutes)

    Today’s episode is a gentle pause. No clinical deep dive.No symptom management checklist.Just five quiet minutes to help your nervous system exhale for a moment. This episode is designed to feel like a safe little corner of the internet. A place to soften your shoulders, unclench your jaw, and remember that rest is allowed here. So grab your tea or coffee, your emotional support blanket, and settle in.

  8. 6 May

    Episode 17 - The Grief Nobody Talks About | Chronic Illness & Identity

    Chronic illness comes with grief that many people never see. Not just grief for health, but grief for energy, spontaneity, independence, old routines, future plans, and sometimes even the version of yourself you thought you would become. In today’s episode of The Dizzy Diaries, we talk about the quieter side of living with POTS, dysautonomia, and chronic illness. The emotional adaptation that happens alongside the physical symptoms. We discuss:✨ grieving your old life and identity💛 the emotional weight of limitation⚡ comparison, guilt, and invisible effort🌙 adapting to a slower life🕯️ finding meaning, joy, and softness again This episode is intended for emotional support, education, and shared experience. It is not medical or mental health advice. Please take what feels supportive, leave what doesn’t, and seek professional support if you need additional help. Sometimes life feels like it changed shape without your permission.

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About

Welcome to The Dizzy Diaries — the podcast that blends science with sparkle for anyone living with dysautonomia, POTS, and other chronic illnesses. Hosted by Tové, your resident POTS bestie, this show is equal parts real talk and relief. Think journal club meets slumber party. We will dive into the lived experience of life with an autonomic disorder: 💗 Honest chats about symptoms, flares, and weird body moments 💡 Easy-to-understand science and movement tips 🎙️ Light-hearted storie and Friday Fables This isn’t a substitute for medical advice — stay sparkly!

Information

  • Creator
    Tove
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    48
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Tove
  • Show Website
    The Dizzy Diaries

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