Episode 316 - The Athletes in Between: Netball, Chronic Illness and Finding a Way Back

What happens when the sport you love feels impossible, then becomes part of finding yourself again?In this episode, I talk with Becca Taylor, a netballer, former racing driver and sports photographer living with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, endometriosis and autonomic dysfunction.Becca shares how she progressed through the netball pathway as a teenager before stepping away from the sport and how years of unexplained symptoms, medical appointments and uncertainty made returning feel out of reach. After nearly a decade away, she began again: first standing in as a feeder, then playing a few minutes at goal shooter and eventually completing her first competitive match.They discuss the physical and mental realities of chronic illness, rebuilding trust in your body, managing training around fluctuating symptoms and knowing when adapting a session is the smarter choice. Becca also explains how open communication, flexible coaching and a supportive team helped make her return possible.You’ll also hear about Becca’s work gathering the experiences of netballers living with chronic illness, disability and neurodivergence and why athletes who fall between traditional able-bodied and para-sport pathways deserve better information, representation and support.This is an honest conversation about identity, self-advocacy and finding a different route back to the court.Follow Becca on Instagram and TikTok at @living_bex where you can also find her current netball survey.For more about Net Strength please go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.coachedbyleanne.co.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or find me on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.instagram.com/coachedbyleanne⁠