10. Chronic pain, motherhood, and the power of asking for help with Alice Atkins

TW: mental heal, anxiety and postpartum strugglesToday's guest is someone whose story I think so many people will quietly relate to.On the outside, Alice Atkins a devoted mum, partner, and friend, someone who shows up for the people she loves with so much care and consistency. But behind closed doors, her journey has also been one of navigating the highs and lows of mental and physical health, learning how to steady herself through change and figuring out what it really means to feel grounded. What I love about her story is that it's not about perfection or having everything figured out. It's about resilience, self awareness, and the ongoing work of creating a life that feels calm, healthy, and sustainable.For nearly 19 years, she's quietly battled invisible chronic conditions and mental health challenges. Experiences that have shaped so much of her life yet largely remained hidden. And that's really what the Behind Closed Doors podcast series is all about.In this episode she shares:-     How chronic pain, anxiety and postpartum struggles shaped her experience of motherhood.-     Why asking for help became one of the biggest lessons in her healing journey.-     How she learnt to stop seeing herself as fragile and recognise her own strength.-     Why motherhood changed the way she defines success and self-worth.-     How speaking openly about her struggles helped her connect more deeply with the people around her.-     The simple ways she regulates her nervous system and protects her wellbeing when life feels overwhelming.-     Why finding the right support network made such a difference in her recovery.-     The advice she'd give anyone navigating chronic illness, mental health challenges or a difficult season of life.Key Quotes"We were never meant to do this alone.""When we all stop pretending, that's when things really start to change.""People often don't know what you are carrying until you tell them."More about AliceFollow Alice on Instagram and her podcast on Instagram.And listen to Behind Closed Doors here.You can get involved with the podcast online Website https://herethereeverywhere.com.au/Instagram https://www.instagram.com/here_there_everywhere_aus/FB group https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CWFAe3LkU/?mibextid=wwXIfr Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.