Facing Adversity? Just Keep Swimming with Athena Brownson

Guest: Athena Brownson, Denver-based Real Estate Agent & Emerging DeveloperHost Christine McCarron welcomes Athena Brownson, a professional with over a decade of experience in Denver real estate and a background in interior design. A former professional freestyle skier, Athena’s life took a dramatic turn nine years ago when she began a grueling battle with Lyme disease and related autoimmune conditions. Her story is one of profound resilience, shifting from elite athletics to a fight for basic functionality.Athena also shares the origin of her name, honoring her Greek grandmother—one of the first female ophthalmologists on the East Coast. Carrying the name of the goddess of wisdom and war, Athena reflects this heritage through her fierce advocacy for her clients and her own health.Athena credits her professional skiing career for her foundational discipline. The sport taught her to manage fear, visualize success, and commit to "one more try." These traits became essential when a neck surgery triggered a systemic immune collapse. For years, tasks as simple as getting out of bed became monumental.During this dark period, real estate served as her "guiding light." The career provided necessary flexibility while offering a sense of purpose and human connection. Even when her physical world shrank, acting as a trusted advisor in her clients' largest financial transactions kept her anchored to the outside world.After years of feeling like a victim and noticing her illness-induced frustration affecting her professional relationships, Athena realized a shift was necessary. She moved from a reactive state to one of radical self-responsibility.Transformation didn't happen overnight; it was built on "micro-habits":Small Wins: Starting with manageable tasks like making the bed or a 5-minute walk.Compounding Growth: Embracing the idea of 0.5% weekly improvements rather than seeking instant gratification.Holistic Healing: Combining medical treatments with neuroplasticity work and EMDR therapy to move her body out of a chronic "fight-or-flight" state.This year marks Athena’s first significant recovery phase in nearly a decade. As her health returned, so did her ability to dream. While illness forced her into a "survival mode" focused on hospitals and transfusions, she has now returned to the high-level visualization she used as an athlete. She actively uses vision boards and sets audacious 10-year goals, including travel—which was previously impossible due to severe sensitivities.Athena notes that navigating darkness makes the light more precious. Her journey has transformed her into a more empathetic, patient, and self-compassionate person.The episode concludes with a message of persistence: "Just keep swimming." Athena emphasizes that growth rarely occurs in comfort; rather, it is forged through the curveballs life throws. Joy is found not by avoiding challenges, but by navigating through them with consistency and support.Overall Takeaway: Adversity is a catalyst for evolution. By blending physical care with mental and emotional work, Athena illustrates that the person who emerges from hardship can be wiser and more capable than the one who entered it.Connect with Athena: * InstagramLinkedIn