Behind Closed Doors
Behind Closed Doors is a podcast where I share my personal journey of nearly two decades living with chronic pain, mental health struggles, and sleepless
nights. It’s a raw, honest conversation about the realities many of us face but
rarely talk about openly.
The mission behind the podcast is simple, to create connection and
understanding. Everyone has a story, and often the hardest battles happen
behind closed doors. By sharing mine, I hope to shine a light on those silent
struggles, reduce the stigma around chronic illness and mental health, and
remind people they’re not alone.
Behind Closed Doors
The Night My Body Said Enough And The Journey To Rebuild Began
Episode 4
What happens when your body refuses to be ignored? On the outside, life looked picture-perfect new home, school milestones, and a sense of “normal.” But beneath the surface, my body was sending signals that grew louder and louder until I had no choice but to listen. In this episode, I share the year everything shifted, the moment my body finally said: enough.
Show Notes
Insomnia
If you're struggling with insomnia or feeling overwhelmed by poor sleep, I want you to know you're not alone. This episode reflects my story, but everyone’s path is different.
Below are some gentle, supportive ideas to explore if you're feeling stuck. They’re not prescriptions, just places to start:
- Speak to a GP or psychologist with sleep experience
- Acknowledge and journal your sleep thoughts, sometimes externalising the worry helps
- Look into Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)
- Try nervous system regulation tools like breathwork, vagus nerve exercises or yin yoga
- Learn about the mind-body connection through authors like Dr. Sarno, Nicole Sachs or Dr. Gabor Maté
- Explore sleep-focused resources like “The Sleep Book” by Dr. Guy Meadows
Please be kind to yourself. This stuff is hard. You’re not alone.
Living with chronic pain is exhausting, physically, mentally, and emotionally. If you’re dealing with it, you’re not alone. Here are some supportive ideas:
Mind-Body Connection
- The Way Out by Alan Gordon (on rewiring pain pathways)
- Healing Back Pain by Dr. John Sarno (explores emotional roots of pain; might resonate differently for everyone)
- Curable App, education and tools to manage pain with a mind-body approach
Body-Based Support
- Physiotherapy, gentle movement, or exercise that feels safe (even 5 minutes daily helps)
- Heat, hydrotherapy, walking, rest, simple but effective tools
- You don’t have to push through pain to make progress
Nervous System & Emotional Support
- Somatic therapy or trauma-informed counselling
- Mindfulness, grounding practices, journaling, or creative outlets to express what words can’t
Podcasts to Learn From (if you have the capacity)
- Tell Me About Your Pain (Alan Gordon & Alon Ziv)
- The Chronic Comeback (Phil Hatfield)
- Feel Better Live More Ep #472 (Professor Peter O’Sullivan on breaking free from chronic pain)
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