When My Body Said No | Chronic Pain in Black Women with Fawn Walker Montgomery

This episode is part of the 26 Black Women Storytelling Series, where Black women share what being strong has cost them (including how chronic pain in Black women is often ignored or misunderstood), and the kind of support that could have made a difference.  In this conversation, Fawn Walker Montgomery shares what it cost to keep pushing through pain and what happened when her body finally said no. Fawn has spent most of her life showing up for others as a community organizer, advocate, and leader in the fight for justice. But behind the work was a body that was breaking down. From being dismissed in medical spaces, to living with undiagnosed endometriosis, to becoming what she describes as “indispensable and invisible at the same time”, this conversation explores the real impact of chronic pain in Black women and what it means to not be believed. We talk about burnout, self-advocacy, and the moment she realized that the relationships around her were often tied to what she could give, not how she was being supported. This episode is also a reminder that your body is always communicating even when you’ve been taught to ignore it. And sometimes listening is the first step toward healing. Fawn’s story also reflects a deep need for Emotional Safety – the kind of support that allows you to be believed, held, and heard without having to fight for it. If you’ve ever felt like your body was trying to tell you something,  or like you’ve had to push through pain just to keep going, this conversation will stay with you. And if you’ve ever felt like you needed support but couldn’t quite name what that looks like for you, you can take the Support Languages™ assessment at shadesofstrong.com/supportlanguages. About Fawn Walker Montgomery Fawn Walker Montgomery is a community leader, organizer, and advocate who has spent years showing up for her people – fighting for justice, building, leading, and carrying a lot along the way. She’s served as a councilwoman in McKeesport, made history as the first Black woman to run for a State seat in the Mon Valley without a major party endorsement, and continues her work through Fawn Walker Montgomery Consulting and as the CEO and Co-Founder of Take Action Advocacy Group (TAAG). But behind all of that work is a woman who has had to learn how to listen to her own body. After years of pushing through, Fawn now speaks openly about her experience with endometriosis… sharing what it looks like to care for yourself while still being committed to your community. She is the author of Healing In The Fight: A Black Woman’s Journey With Endometriosis and Radical Self-Care – a reflection of both the work she’s done in the world and the work she’s had to do within herself. Healing In The Fight is available wherever books are sold. Connect with Fawn Walker Montgomery: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Substack Come back every weekday for a new Support Pause — short, soul-soothing reflections made just for you. About Shades of Strong®Shades of Strong® is a space where Black women come to breathe, reflect, and reclaim strength without the struggle. Support Pauses are short, soulful reminders that you don’t have to carry it all alone. New episodes drop every weekday. Resources to Support You: Black Women Storytelling Series Schedule a 1:1 Support Session Get the Guide: “You Know Your Support Language™—Now What?” Take the Support Language™ Quiz. and learn how you actually receive support best. Get Support Right in Your Inbox: Gentle words, real-life reflection, and soft reminders every week   Download Sistah’s Connect Radio in the Apple Store Download Sistah’s Connect Radion in Google Play Let’s Stay Connected: Subscribe to Shades of Strong on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform  Share this episode with a sista who’s tired of being the strong one Leave a review if the episode spoke to your spirit — it helps more Black women find this space Submit your questions to [email protected] Follow Shades of Strong on Instagram for daily reflections on what it means to be suppoted www.shadesofstrong.com Shirl  is the creator of Support Languages™ and host of Shades of Strong® — a movement shifting the narrative from Strong Black Woman to Supported Black Woman™ through language, rest, and real support.