About M.E. - A Spoonful of Recovery

Trigger Warning: Mental Health/Symptoms of Invisible Illnesses.

Belinda Norm is a Content Creator who quit her corporate job to pursue her dreams. She shares her journey so far, how to handle comparison and burnout.

You can find Belinda here:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@belindanorm

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/belindanormx

Haseel is the founder of Neurlogy Rehab in Canada, who specialises in movement disorders and FND (Functional Neurological Disorder). He shares the misconceptions about symptoms and treatment.

Website:

https://neurologyrehab.com/

neurologyrehab.ck.page

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/functionalneurologicaldisorder/

***Trigger Warning***: Mental Health, Racism, Discrimination, Symptoms of Illnesses.

Halima shares why wellbeing in the workplace is important and how she found her purpose in DE&I. 

Trigger Warning: Mental Health, Domestic Violence, Forced Marriages, Suicide Ideation. 

Sa'ad left home at a young age to prevent a forced marriage and a challenging household. He shares his experiences with a quarter of a million followers on TikTok and his journey of him finding himself. 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@saadmustafauk

Trigger Warning: Mental health, symptoms of illnesses. 

Holly Crosby has been working in mental health and wellbeing and predominantly working with workplaces. She shares her journey with battling illnesses and also the strategies that have been placed to help people. 

Website: https://thinkmeinfo.co.uk/

Trigger Warning: Mental health, racism, symptoms of illnesses and prejudice. 

Sharan was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease when she was a child and waited years for treatment. She shares her journey on acceptance, raising awareness on social media and mental health. 

Instagram: https://instagram.com/crohnsbabble

Trigger Warning: Mental Health, Symptoms of Illness, Racism and Discrimination

Deepanshi started her business 'Rain on Me' based on her late diagnosis and experience with medical teams. She now helps create safer spaces for young people around the world with their mental health. 

Website: https://rainonme.org/

Trigger Warning: Mental health, symptoms of illnesses.

Sarah was diagnosed with FND (Functional Neurological Disorder) which left her house-bound. She shares her journey from diagnosis to rehabilitation and how she started using YouTube to document her experience. 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SassyFNDLife

Trigger Warning: Grief & Mental Health

Adrian lost his girlfriend to a Brain Tumour which led him to set-up Mind Cafe Media and raising awareness on social media. He shares his journey of grief, mental health and his goals for the future. 

Website: https://mindcafe.co/

Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-IeznApP4CIAiPUYEKuh8A 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adriandrew__ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindcafemedia

Trigger Warning: Mental Health, Anxiety, Suicide. 

Dylan works within the Mental Wellbeing Service and shares practical things that can help and the stigma across the South Asian community. We discuss how far mental health conversations have really progressed. 

Trigger Warning: Mental Health, Symptoms of Illnesses. 

Sana began sharing her journey to getting a ADHD diagnosis on TikTok and built a community of people who were going through similar challenges. She talks through why she felt the need to have a screening, the stigma across South Asian communities and the impact on her daily life.

https://www.tiktok.com/@sanamajid_

Trigger Warning: Symptoms of illnesses and mental health. 

Georgia-Leah was diagnosed with FND when she was at university, she shares her journey of experiencing seizures, mental health challenges and looking to the future. 

Media attention from growing up in a well known family, ex-Neighbours star, model and actor, Nick Bracks shares his journey of advocating for mental health.

From a car accident that caught media attention in Australia, to raising awareness about mental health.

Website: https://nickbracks.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickbracks/

T/W Mental Health 

Oly had experienced intrusive thoughts from a young age and was eventually diagnosed with OCD, depression and anxiety. He shares his journey on creating Run 4 Your Mind. 

Website: https://run4yourmind.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/run4yourmind/

T/W Illnesses and Mental Health, Weight and Diet.

Zahra joins the podcast to speak about multiple diagnosis from a virus. She shares her experience of going through various tests, and how she manages her lifestyle. As an avid hiker she has built a following through her Instagram and shares how she still remains active.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/the_hillwalking_hijabi

T/W Mental health and illnesses. 

Reshma was diagnosed with Vitiligo at a young age and began raising awareness on TikTok. She shares her experience of mental health, cultural stigma and what helps her. 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@reshma.climbs

T/W Mental health and symptoms of invisible illnesses.

Mark decided to start a new business during the pandemic after hearing stories about students mental health and struggling with University life. He shares his journey of a diagnosis of Dyslexia. 

Resources: 

https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/ 

T/W Mental health and symptoms of invisible conditions. 

Katie Barber is a business owner, mother of two and in this episode discusses her diagnosis of Autism. We look at how the pandemic impacted her. 

https://katiebarbermarketing.com/

https://twitter.com/katiebarber_uk   

T/W Mental health & symptoms of invisible illnesses. 

Ellie runs her own PR firm and has been raising awareness about mental health and suicide prevention. She shares her experience of the pandemic and how we can help support each other.

T/W Mental health and symptoms of invisible conditions. 

Following her mental breakdown (which she now refers to as her mental breakthrough!), Jodie Hill decided to set up her own employment law firm where her values around mental health and diversity & inclusion would be the foundations of the firm and are embodied in everything she and the Tribe do.

Thrive Law was born in 2018 and is uniquely positioned as the only employment law firm that adopts this unique approach blending D&I wellbeing with employment law and HR advice, in the UK.

Jodie is passionate about creating an environment where both she and her team can Thrive. Her mission is to educate and empower employers to create their own thriving cultures.
Outside of Thrive, Jodie is the founder and chair, This is Me Yorkshire, a global business-led mental health initiative, she is a Law Car Champion, a member of Neurodiversity in Law, and in 2020 was appointed as a member of The Law Society’s Employment Law Committee. 

Jodie appears on regional and national TV and radio, most recently Channel 4’s Steph’s Packed Lunch.  She has appeared on BBC World and regional news, Sky News and ITV News as well as featured in the Guardian, Times, and Independent to name a few!

Jodie is also a proud ambassador for the Women in Law UK, was featured on the  Northern Powers future List 2019 and has been nominated for Northern Power Women’s Entrepreneur of the Year 2022.

Jodie is a keen advocate for all things D&I and well-being, writes regular print columns for the local and national press and is a legal expert for many radio stations across the UK.

T/W Mental Health & Symptoms of Invisible Illnesses. 

Yaya has been using TikTok to raise awareness about grief & depression. Having built a following he hopes to help change the stigma around mental health. 

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@yaya.a.shah

Farzana experienced various symptoms from a young age but was dismissed, after research and fighting over the years for a diagnosis, she received multiple ones. Even though she is mostly house-bound she has managed to graduate from a Masters and continue to work. 

T/W: Mental Health, Invisible Illness symptoms

T/W Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, Bereavement. 

Steve Phillip was working as a consultant when he received a phone call that changed his life forever. Having worked on suicide prevention by setting up The Jordan Legacy he shares how he helps raise awareness and the practical steps. 

Website: https://thejordanlegacy.com/ 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-jordan-legacy-foundation/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordanlegacyuk/ 

Yusra, shares her journey from a diagnosis for Endometriosis and whether or not she accepts it. She's managed to continue working and shares how she continues the conversations about invisible conditions. T/W Mental Health, Symptoms of Invisible Illnesses, Racism. 

Mick also known as my ex-colleague, discusses Autism, grief, running multiple businesses as well as raising awareness. 

T/W Mental Health, Bereavement, Politics, Symptoms of conditions/illnesses. 

Meet Georgia, Ex-Olympic Gymnast & her diagnosis of M.E. during the global pandemic. She shares her journey from getting a diagnosis, mental health and continuing to hold a full-time job.

T/W we discuss mental health and symptoms of invisible illnesses.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/_memyselfandwhy 

Kayleigh was diagnosed with Type 1 Bi-Polar as well as Anxiety and PTSD, but she is also a poet, short story writer and graduated during the global pandemic. We discuss her experiences and how she manages depressive episodes and mania. 

T/W we will discuss mental health and symptoms of invisible conditions. 

Meet Amo, Author of 'Walk Like a Man' and who also advocates for Cerebal Palsy, and disability rights in the UK. He shares his journey from a childhood diagnosis, his teen years and how he supports others.

T/W we discuss mental health, symptoms of invisible illnesses and disability rights. 

Website: https://amoraju.com/

Walk Like a Man Book: https://amzn.to/3OuuGqK

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amorajuofficial

Beth works as a creative type, she's a script writer, poet and has been seeking a diagnosis of Endometriosis. She shares her journey from the pandemic to her mental health experience. 

Trigger Warning: Symptoms of illnesses and mental health

Jack was initially misdiagnosed with MS and then later had a diagnosis of FND. He runs an online business and also helps raise awareness. Jack shares his journey from symptoms that felt like a brain tumour and how he began recovering. 

Wasifa was a Dentist when she became seriously ill and then diagnosed with chronic illnesses, she is now a blogger who advocates for others and helps them with an alternative way of thinking. 

https://www.sifascorner.com/ 

Anthony was working multiple jobs when he had a brain injury and later diagnosed with multiple illnesses including FND. He was on his way to become a global fashion photographer but had to adjust his life goals. 

T/W we discuss symptoms of invisible illnesses, mental health and discrimination. 

Just Giving Page: bit.ly/JustGivingAnthonyRoberts

Sophie Mei Lan was once on Britain's Got Talent and since then gone on to start multiple businesses, Vlogging, becoming a national journalist and a mental health advocate. Sophie shares her experience of multiple diagnosis and how she has managed to share her story with others. 

Trigger warning, we will discuss mental health, eating disorders, depression, anxiety and symptoms of illnesses. 

Website: www.mamamei.co.uk

Instagram: www.instagram.com/thesparklecoach

www.instagram.com/sophiemeilan_

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/MeiInternational

Charlotte was a Nurse when she had gradually gained diagnosis for multiple Auto Immune conditions. She also had developed FND & told initially it was nothing to worry about. She now manages two businesses after being asked to stop nursing for her own health. 

Aminur discusses why he's raising awareness about invisible disabilities after his sister Saarah passed away. She had been battling EDS from a young age and was often bed-bound, she was part of the Miss Universe competition and also had ambitions to raise awareness herself. 

Instagram: 

GoFundMe: bit.ly/GoFundMeSaarah

Instagram: https://bit.ly/InstagramAminur

TikTok: bit.ly/TikTokAminur

Krupa has was diagnosed with FMD and has experienced a challenging 8 years with the invisible illness. She shares her journey to getting a diagnosis. 

Martin also known as 'Paused M.E.' on Instagram, shares his experiences of being diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Martin was on a trip with a friend where he became ill and became bed-ridden. He now campaigns to help others and raise awareness using his platform. 

I had an amazing opportunity but my FND brain let me down, so I decided to share with strangers on the internet that i'm not doing so well. 

Sian was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and seeking a diagnosis of ADHD. She discusses running her own business, being a mother of two and her experiences with invisible illnesses. ***Trigger warning*** She will discuss miscarriages. 

Website: https://www.sianmurrayhuynh.com/

Twitter: @SianAEMurray 

Katie was diagnosed with FND in March 2020 during the global pandemic. She has continued to work part-time at the Children's Hospital as well as homeschool her children. In this episode she shares her experience with FND and her symptoms. 

Jason Mountford a financial expert, shares his tips on how to help manage your finances especially if you have been diagnosed with a chronic/invisible illness. 

Many of us will have heard the same phrases such as:

-"It's all in your head"

-"Be more positive"

-"Ignore your symptoms"

But what can be done in the meantime whilst some of us battle specialists. 

Tanya Marwaha is the Founder of Championing Youth Minds www.championingyouthminds.com which helps raise awareness about mental health amongst young people. She uses her platform to help others who may be struggling with anxious thoughts and shares her experiences.  www.instagram.com/championingyouthminds.

This one is for those of us who may struggle with body image in general but also after being diagnosed with a chronic/invisible illness. Olga was one of the few people who witnessed some of my symptoms. 

In this episode, I go through my goals and how I have come to terms with managing them compared to last year and well my previous life. If you would like to know more about the About M.E. movement take a look at www.aboutme.group. 

Accepting a condition is one thing but we are often faced with lots of judgement and looking at how we can reinvent outrselves. It's all well and good asking someone to be positive but that will not help that person eradicate their pain.

I have often felt judged by people because i'm not the girl who is travelling around the world solo, nor running a social media business or flying my drone. Sometimes making it out of bed standing withut dropping is an achievement. 

"You look fine though" I don't know what symptoms I will experience everyday, and this can be challenging to explain to people who aren't experiencing the same pain. So who do you turn to and where?

How do you learn to accept a diagnosis when you have grown up healthy and all of a sudden being told something is in your head to being told you have a rare brain condition. If you have had any experience of chronic pain you've probably been told to:

"It's all in your head"

"Just be more positive"

"Get some hobbies" 

I have had FND for over a year, I was told i'd be better within a few weeks. Here's to navigating through an invisible illness. 

This is an introduction to the reasons why About M.E.- A Spoonful of Recovery was created and how we aim to raise awareness about invisible illnesses.

Dropped on my bedroom floor and decided to start using my voice.