S7 E1 - Early Onset Parkinson’s, Body Image & Turning Pain Into Purpose with Annmarie O'Connor

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of chronic illness, grief, loss, and disordered eating.Sometimes life doesn’t just change - it asks you to become someone new.In this episode, I sit down (again) with Annmarie O'Connor, someone who first joined me back in 2019, and whose life has transformed in ways neither of us could have imagined.Since we last spoke, Annmarie has been diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s disease. What follows is one of the most honest, raw, and deeply human conversations we’ve had on BeBelle. From the diagnosis, to finding purpose again through storytelling, she shares it all with such courage and clarity.This is a conversation about illness, but more than that, it’s about resilience, identity, and what it means to truly live when everything changes.✨ In this episode:Annmarie’s early symptoms and the long road to diagnosisWhat Parkinson’s actually is and why it’s often misunderstoodLiving with a progressive condition and the unpredictability it bringsThe reality of pain, fatigue, and managing symptoms day to dayWriting her book Twitch and turning pain into purposeDisordered eating, body image, and facing old patternsGrief, not just for others, but for past versions of yourselfThe power of visibility and breaking stigma around illnessWhat her friend’s passing taught her about life, friendship, and timeWhy “we all have a twitch” and how our stories connect usYou can find Annmarie here: Linktr.ee | Instagram | Website | TikTok____BeBelle is a podcast hosted by Sian Horn that dives into the stories of remarkable people behind their businesses. BeBelle is not a business podcast, it's about uncovering the moments of resilience, creativity and determination that have shaped these entrepreneurs. Sian is dedicated to empowering individuals in all aspects of life and believes in the importance of self-care, which manifests differently for everyone. Guests share their own self-care practices, offering listeners fresh perspectives on nurturing their well-being. Tune in to BeBelle for inspiring stories, actionable advice and thoughtful reflections on what it means to navigate life today.Join the BeBelle Community: bebelle.ie | @bebelle_podcast | ​@sian_horn | YouTube____This episode is brought to you by Skin Formulas, an Irish skincare brand created by skin experts and trusted by thousands of customers and skin clinics. Built on science, results and a deep understanding of skin health, Skin Formulas is designed to help you feel confident in your skin.Discover more at skinformulas.ie. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.