17. Learning to Stop: Vanessa Ogbonna on Chronic Illness, Identity & Life After Professional Football

Episode Description:This week on the Wellness Script podcast, we're joined by Vanessa Ogbonna - content creator, TV presenter, former semi-professional footballer, public health graduate, and one of the most refreshingly honest voices in the wellness space right now.Vanessa is known to many from winning The Traitors Ireland, but her story goes so much deeper than that. After getting Covid in January 2021 during pre-season, Vanessa began experiencing symptoms that would eventually lead to a diagnosis of lupus - an autoimmune condition - as well as sports-induced asthma. All while filming, playing football, and pushing through in true athlete fashion. Her body, eventually, had other ideas.In this conversation, we get into what it really looks like to navigate wellness with a chronic illness, why Vanessa draws such a clear distinction between fitness and wellness, and how losing her identity as a footballer forced a massive - and ongoing - reinvention.This one is packed with honesty, insight, and plenty of moments that will resonate whether or not you've ever kicked a ball in your life.In this episode, we cover:What wellness actually means to Vanessa right now - and why it changes with each season of life.Her lupus diagnosis, and how she pushed through symptoms for far too longThe difference between fitness and wellness (and why that distinction matters)Identity loss after leaving professional sport, and the long road to acceptanceGrowing up as an athlete and performing for love vs. performing for joyWhat it means to fundraise and train for the Dublin City Half Marathon with a chronic illnessAnti-inflammatory eating, gut health, alcohol, and why she keeps it practical - not perfectRepresentation in healthcare, women's health in Ireland, and why she chose public healthWhy community is now a core part of her wellness philosophyHer advice for anyone navigating health challenges, career pivots, or big life transitionsOur SponsorThis episode is brought to you by Sona Vitamins, Ireland’s longest established nutritional supplement producer.Find Sona online at sona.ie, in pharmacies nationwide, and in selected health stores.Use SONAGIFT at checkout to have a free gift added to your order.Gift selected by Sona. Terms and Conditions apply. While stocks last.⁠⁠⁠https://bit.ly/wellness-script⁠⁠⁠ Resources & Links:🔗 Find Vanessa:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heyitsmenesser/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heyitsmenesserLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/vanessa-ogbonna-687267131🔗 Mentioned in this episode:Lupus Ireland — Support and information for people living with lupus in IrelandPlan Ireland — The charity Vanessa is fundraising for via the Dublin City Half MarathonDublin City Half Marathon — Registration and infoWHO Definition of Health — Referenced at the top of the episode🔗 Topics discussed:Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus / SLE) — HSE InfoSports-induced / Exercise-induced asthma — Asthma Society of IrelandAnti-inflammatory eating — Harvard Health: Anti-Inflammatory DietThe Traitors Ireland (TV show)