The holiday season can be a wonderful time filled with family, friends, and festive cheer. But for those of us living with chronic illness, it can also bring unique challenges: packed schedules, increased stress, and the struggle to balance enjoyment with energy conservation. The good news? With...

When you’re living with a chronic illness, life often feels like a marathon, not a sprint. Between doctors' appointments, managing symptoms, and staying on top of your daily life, it’s easy to feel like the hurdles just keep coming. And, with the world throwing us its fair share of...

When it comes to managing chronic illness, most of the advice out there focuses on the physical: medication, treatments, and endless doctor appointments. And while these are essential, I’ve learned the hard way that they’re only half of the equation. What’s often missing is the...

I was in my late 30s, sitting at my desk, staring blankly at the screen. My body felt like it was shutting down—overwhelming fatigue, brain fog, and complete lethargy. But the worst part was my mental state. I was completely overwhelmed and on the verge of losing my job. My mind was...

If you’re living with chronic illness, you’ve probably built a handful of go-to coping strategies over the years. Maybe it’s rest days when your body needs a break, or distracting yourself with a book when pain flares up. For a while, these strategies may have been...

When we think about chronic illness, most of us focus on the physical symptoms—pain, fatigue, and discomfort. But there’s a powerful, less obvious factor at play: your brain. Neuroscience shows us that the brain and body are in constant conversation, and when you’re living with...

Planning a holiday should be exciting, but if you have a chronic illness, there’s often a bit more to think about. While the thrill of getting away is real, keeping yourself safe and healthy on your travels is just as important.

You don’t want to find yourself stuck overseas, needing...

For years, I’ve carefully balanced two distinct worlds. One is my personal life with congenital heart disease (CHD), navigating countless medical appointments, surgeries, and the daily realities of living with a chronic condition. The other is my professional world, focused on policy,...

When people ask why I’m travelling 10,000 miles to give a 12-minute talk in the United States, my answer is simple: it’s about the importance of lived experiences and mental health. These aren’t just buzzwords; they’re the heartbeat of everything I do. As someone who has...

Travelling long distances can be challenging, especially when you’re dealing with a chronic illness. As I prepare for my upcoming trip from Australia to the USA, I’ve put a lot of thought into what I’ll need to stay comfortable, healthy, and organised. Here’s what...

In exactly a fortnight, I’ll be heading to the USA for two significant speaking engagements. First, I’ll be presenting at the Cardiac Neurodevelopmental Outcome Collaborative (CNOC) in St. Louis, Missouri, an event that brings together experts, researchers, and advocates dedicated to...

I’m beyond thrilled to announce that my book, "Your Ultimate Surgery Success Guide," is officially launched in paperback on Amazon and available worldwide!

This book isn’t just another surgery handbook—it’s a lifeline for anyone facing surgery, packed with everything I...