Living with a chronic condition – invisible to others - often means managing unrelenting pain, impaired daily function, diverse fears and isolation. Having lived with chronic illness and pain for 15+ years, wellness coach Marina Wildt shares her spine-chilling journey and what it took to get her back on her feet. Offering practical advice, she now helps others become “empowered patients.”

If you are new to podcasts, simply click on the arrow to listen to Marina and Mariette, or on the download button to download the conversation onto your device.

In ep. 193 of the weekly podcast series Calm, Clear and Helpful, Marina Wildt, a wellness coach specializing in chronic illness and pain management, discusses

• common misunderstandings regarding chronic illness and pain

• additional issues individuals with chronic illnesses may experience: fatigue, memory loss, brain fog, hypersensitivity to sound, light or colour, mental health challenges, etc.

• Marina’s chronic illness journey, including remaining undiagnosed for years, being paralysed from the waist down, being forced to leave school, and daily experiencing “a raw form of torture”

• Complex Regional Pain Syndrome or CRPS, the world’s most painful chronic condition

• generalised anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression following a diagnosis

• what supported Marina: specialised psychology, occupational therapy, hydrotherapy, yoga, lifestyle changes, stress management, self-awareness and accountability

• working in the magazine industry: the highs, and the upshot

• added challenges: cancer, lupus, fibromyalgia and Raynaud's phenomenon

• why healing is a non-linear, uncomfortable process, which involves bravely facing the unknown

• possible causes of chronic illness, including genetics, stress, trauma and lifestyle

• the role of complex trauma, especially in women

• a possible link with addiction

• getting a diagnosis: a gift and a curse

• managing chronic health conditions by 1. working through one’s fears 2. coping with unanswered questions and 3. achieving true lifestyle breakthroughs

• the Heal fellowship: a 12-step pledge

• healthy daily habits that can encourage healing.

In this episode, Marina mentions the work of Dr Gabor Maté, Dr Bessel van der Kolk and Christin Miserandino’s Spoon Theory.

Scroll down to find out more about Marina, including her contact details.

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About Marina

Marina, the founder of Heal, is an expert mental health professional and chronic illness patient that has spent 15+ years researching, learning and understanding how to live life to the fullest after overcoming some serious chronic health issues.

Marina offers one-on-one and group coaching; a free community with regular online support sessions, a podcasts series, resources, web articles, etc.; and a paid-for Premium Heal Membership.

Individuals interested in being coached can request a free introductory appointment.

Marina is also a qualified yoga instructor and is based in Johannesburg.

Website: https://www.healwithmarina.com/ - includes a free resource page

Facebook: Heal With Marina

LinkedIn: Marina Wildt

Instagram: Heal With Marina

Email address: info@healwithmarina.com

Phone number: +2710 591 2223 and Whatsapp number: +2772 381 3902

Physical address: Premier Health Centre, 13 Mackay Avenue, Blairgowrie, Johannesburg.

The free podcast series Calm, Clear & Helpful is available on iTunes, Spotify, Pocket Casts, Player FM and Iono.fm - I hope you’ll subscribe!

Original music by Mart-Marie Snyman

Thumbnail image: Pexels

Photograph of Marina Wildt: supplied