The Thrive Programme Podcast
The Thrive Programme team’s new podcast offers engaging weekly episodes that delve into mental health topics, offering insightful discussions and practical tips. It promotes the core principles of the Thrive Programme, empowering listeners to take control of their mental well-being and build lasting resilience. Tune in for expert advice, real-life stories, and actionable steps to thrive mentally and emotionally.
The Thrive Programme Podcast
More Than the Outcome: Thriving Through the IVF Journey
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In this week’s episode, Lucy Wood is joined by Sue Tetley, who shares her powerful story of navigating the emotional highs and lows of IVF - and how learning to thrive transformed her experience along the way.
For Sue, the IVF journey had become an exhausting cycle of hope and heartbreak: trying, being disappointed, picking herself up, and finding the strength to try again. Alongside the emotional strain came the physical toll - endless appointments, procedures, and medications - yet still no positive result.
As a paediatric nurse, Sue was used to caring for others, but she realised she needed something more to support herself emotionally through the uncertainty she was living with. Discovering The Thrive Programme marked a turning point. Sue began to see that while she couldn’t control the outcome, she could influence how she experienced the journey.
By learning to manage her thinking, strengthen her self-belief, and focus on the control she did have, Sue took her power back. She built confidence in her ability to cope - no matter what lay ahead.
When the final round of IVF ended and the phone call she had been dreading finally came, Sue was able to feel calm. She had spent days mentally preparing, rehearsing the moment so she could meet it with emotional strength rather than fear.
Together with her husband, Sue chose to follow the path of adoption. After everything they had endured, she describes the process as feeling “easy in comparison,” and before long they were matched with their daughter.
Looking back, Sue reflects on the journey not only in terms of its challenges, but in what it revealed about who she is - strong, capable, and deeply resilient.
In this episode, we explore:
- The emotional reality of IVF and repeated disappointment
- How shifting your thinking can change your experience, even when outcomes are uncertain
- Finding control in situations that feel powerless
- Building emotional resilience through life’s toughest moments
- Moving forward with hope - and trusting your ability to cope
This is an inspiring conversation about reclaiming personal power, discovering inner strength, and recognising that even the hardest chapters can reveal just how resilient we truly are.
If you can relate, please get in touch – we’d love to hear from you.