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Shine the Spotlight: Unseen, Unspoken & Unstoppable
Welcome to Shine the Spotlight: Unseen, Unspoken & Unstoppable, the podcast dedicated to illuminating the stories that often remain in the shadows. Hosted by Nichi Morrin — clinical psychologist, sustainable health coach and consultant, author, and advocate for those facing invisible challenges — this show dives deep into the unseen experiences, unspoken truths, and unstoppable resilience of everyday people doing extraordinary things.
Each episode shines a light on voices that deserve to be heard, sharing raw, real, and inspiring conversations with individuals who have faced adversity, overcome invisible battles, or are advocating for those who feel overlooked. Our mission is to shine a spotlight where it is needed most, on what's hidden, and celebrate those who refuse to be held back. Whether it's living with an invisible condition, a story hidden in the shadows, a story unsolved, an unspoken truth, or the discovery of an unstoppable spirit. Let's raise insight, awareness, understanding, inspiration, and connection. Shine the Spotlight: Unseen, Unspoken & Unstoppable reminds you that you are seen, you are heard, and you are unstoppable. Join us as we shed light on what’s often hidden and celebrate the resilience of the human spirit.
Subscribe now, and together, let’s shine the spotlight where it’s needed most.
Shine the Spotlight: Unseen, Unspoken & Unstoppable
Ep. 18: When Our Teenage Daughter Had a Heart Attack: Three Commonly Misdiagnosed Conditions Impacting Lives
In this deeply personal episode, Nichi opens up about a terrifying moment no parent should ever face — the day her 17-year-old daughter had a heart attack that was initially dismissed as anxiety. This episode explores the dangerous consequences of misdiagnosis in women, particularly when it comes to three complex, invisible, and commonly misunderstood conditions:
SCAD (Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection), POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome), and EDS (Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome) or Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (HSD).
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- The symptoms and warning signs of SCAD, and how it differs from a typical heart attack or anxiety
- Why POTS is often misunderstood and dismissed
- How EDS affects connective tissue, and what physical signs to watch for in yourself or others
- The hormonal, genetic, and nervous system connections between these conditions
- The psychological toll of being dismissed, unheard, or misdiagnosed — especially in young females
- Why listening to your body and trusting your instincts can be lifesaving
Key Takeaways:
- SCAD is a real, life-threatening condition that can happen in healthy young women and is often mistaken for anxiety.
- Medical gaslighting is common — especially for women presenting with invisible or complex symptoms.
- POTS and EDS are often co-occurring and can dramatically impact quality of life when left undiagnosed or untreated.
- These conditions are not rare — they’re rarely recognised.
- Hormonal shifts, neurodivergence, and connective tissue disorders can play a role in cardiovascular and nervous system vulnerability.
- Advocacy matters: If something feels wrong, keep pushing. Your voice could save a life — including your own.
If this episode resonated with you, please share it with your daughters, friends, schools, and health professionals. The more we shine the spotlight on what’s been unseen and unspoken — the more unstoppable we become.
Thank you for listening to Shine the Spotlight: Unseen, Unspoken & Unstoppable. If this episode is for you please SUBSCRIBE to our show to stay informed. You are also keenly invited to give us a rating as well. It would make us super happy if you would like to follow us on social media to stay up to date and connected.
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/nichimorrin/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nichimorrin/
Store - To join our email list or to purchase Nichi's book Girl, Get out of the Freaking Car! - https://thesuccessfulzebrastore.myshopify.com/
TikTok - nichimorrin_zebradvocate
Psychology services - www.rewiredpsychology.com.au
Intro and Outro music: Inspirational Acoustic - Organic Harmony by Sonican; and Andrii Poradovskyi from Pixabay.
Disclaimer: This content is general in nature and intended for educational purposes only. It is not deemed as psychological treatment and does not replace the advice from your health professional or need for psychological treatment.