What if living with chronic illness could deepen, not derail, your power? In this episode, Dr Ariella sits down with Michelle Irving — founder of Career & Chronic and Chronic Illness At Work — to unpack practical ways women can protect their health, honour their ambition, and lead with sovereignty. We explore “badass boundaries” in the clinic, the crucial mindset flip from pleasing to patient autonomy, and Michelle’s elegant emotional map of chronic illness (from “at sea,” to “washed ashore,” to the “new forest,” to the “return to the village”). We also walk through a career roadmap that acknowledges off-ramps, on-ramps, “the new,” and long stretches of test-and-redesign — all in service of authentic leadership. Along the way, Michelle shares how somatic wisdom and lived experience can coexist with data, and why tools like Ovum give women a private, non-judgmental space to notice patterns, prepare for appointments, and be believed.

If you'd like to learn more about Michelle’s programs and resources, visit her website www.careerandchronic.com

To follow Michelle and stay updated on her programs, visit her LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleirvingofficial

And for resources mentioned in this episode:

The Emotional Map: https://www.careerandchronic.com/emotionalmap

The Career and Chronic Map: https://www.careerandchronic.com/career-map