Margo Flanagan of Two Raw Sisters: Chronic Illness, Identity, and How Food Became Part of Her Healing #10

Welcome back to The WHOLEistic Psychology Podcast 🤍Today's conversation is one I have been so excited to share with you - and it genuinely did not disappoint. I'm joined by the incredible Margo Flanagan, co-founder of Two Raw Sisters, the New Zealand food and wellbeing brand she built alongside her sister Rosa. Together they've created five bestselling cookbooks, a podcast, cooking workshops around the country, and an app with over 850 recipes designed to make whole-food cooking feel genuinely accessible.But before all of that, there was a deeply personal health journey. Margo was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome at sixteen, navigated two years largely bedridden, and later faced an endometriosis diagnosis too. Through both of those experiences, food became one of her most powerful tools, which is a big part of the conception of the Two Raw Sisters brand! This episode is warm, honest, and deeply human. We go well beyond the brand, and I truly think a lot of Margo’s reflections are going to resonate with you.In this episode, we explore:✨ Margo's chronic fatigue syndrome diagnosis at sixteen: what her body was telling her, and the seven months of being dismissed before anyone listened✨ The identity crisis that comes with chronic illness, and how comparison with a high-achieving sibling added another layer ✨ How chronic illness reshapes your friendships when you're young, and the loneliness that comes alongside it✨ Margo's endometriosis journey - her path to diagnosis, the guilt she carries for having a smoother ride than many women, and why endo stage does not equal pain level✨ How food became medicine, and why it's so often the last thing we reach for when it should be the first✨ The Two Raw Sisters app — how it works, what makes it different, and why I genuinely recommend it to my own clients✨ The mindset tools Margo uses to manage self-doubt, protect her energy, and turn challenges into something she can grow from✨ The honest reality of building a business while navigating your own health, and what social media doesn't show you about someone else's successTo see more of the incredible Margo Flanagan and everything Two Raw Sisters has to offer, explore their app, cookbooks, and podcast at tworawsisters.com and follow along on Instagram @tworawsisters.Mentioned in this episode:Two Raw Sisters app — search by ingredients, filter for dietary needs, reduce decision fatigue at 5pmTwo Raw Sisters podcast episode with Lara Briden — how to talk to your GP about endometriosisLara Briden — author and naturopathic doctor specialising in women's hormonal healthDr Olivia Smart — Margo's gynaecologist recommendation for those navigating endo in NZWant even more WHOLEistic Psychology? Here’s where to find more support and resources:Website & Client EnquiriesLearn more about WHOLEistic Psychology and my fantastic team HERE.Join the NewsletterMy monthly(ish!) newsletter curated for you to show you all about mind-body wellness, through psychological tools, recipes, research and more! JOIN HEREBlogTake a read of my thoughts and learnings I want to share with you. READ HERE.