Thrive with Angela
Having chronic pain and fatigue syndromes like fibromyalgia and ME/CFS is exhausting on all levels – mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual. A variety of symptoms complicate day to day and even hour to hour functioning. It can take months or years to get a proper diagnosis. And, with an “invisible” illness, we often don’t get the support we need. I can help you develop strategies to better manage your illness and build a more meaningful life.
Wellness for Chronic Conditions & Midlife
Wellness is a positive, holistic approach to health that focuses on physical, mental/emotional, spiritual, and social well-being. It involves progressive, responsible choices that improve symptoms, alleviate stress, and enhance lived experience. To do that, coaching focuses on the following areas.
- Identity: Rewrite the story of who you are and what you (can) do.
- Resilience: Develop adaptability and resilience to manage change and uncertainty better.
- Pacing: Pace yourself rather than trying to get everything done on a “good” day.
- Boundaries: Prioritize your health and wellbeing.
- Self-Advocacy: Partner with your healthcare team to improve outcomes because you know your body better than anyone else.
In this approach to wellbeing, I use the Iceberg Model with the Above the Line/Below the Line framework to illustrate inner and outer work. The outer work (above the line) is, as the saying goes, the tip of the iceberg. To change behavior and improve communication and relationships, below the line work must be done first.
In order to prioritize your health, pace yourself, set boundaries, and advocate for yourself and your needs, first you work on your inner self. This involves letting go of who you used to be, what you could do, the life you wanted to have, and accepting yourself and your life now. It involves committing to take responsibility for your wellbeing. In some cases, fibromyalgia and ME/CFS are a result of trauma so working through the effects of that trauma are part of growth.
Beyond navigating grief, managing stress, calming the nervous system, modifying limiting thoughts and beliefs, moderating your inner critic, aligning outer behavior and goals with inner values, developing change and growth mindsets will increase adaptability and resilience. Working on yourself will prepare you for dealing with the outside world on your terms.
Since pain and energy can fluctuate from day to day or hour to hour, being flexible and adapting to your abilities on any given day – along with pacing – will help you do more of the things that are important to you. Building resilience helps you quickly get moving again after challenges. These two qualities are on the line between the top of the iceberg and all that is below because these traits help you act in the world in ways that are self-honoring and self-affirming.
Above the line starts with pacing to prevent setbacks including post-exertional malaise. Prioritizing your health and wellbeing means engaging in self-care and setting boundaries to protect your energy and hold flare ups at bay. It also includes learning to advocate for yourself with healthcare professionals, people at work, and friends and family.
My Success Story
I am a Holistic Resilience Coach helping midlife women with Fibromyalgia and ME/CFS regulate their nervous systems, practice deep self-compassion, and navigate major life transitions.
I’ve been where you are. By the time I reached midlife, I had fibromyalgia, IBS, major depression, and was in early menopause! I was also grieving my dog Jack, my brother, and my mother. It was a rough time and all that stress took a toll on my physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social well-being.
The following practices have made an incredible difference in my life. I’m not pain or exhaustion free but I manage and I’m building a meaningful life.
- Addressing what most needed to be addressed in the moment – one thing at a time, one after the other.
- Working on myself holistically – physically, mentally/emotionally, spiritually, and socially – including setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and pacing myself.
- Giving myself a lot of grace through self-compassion and patience.
- Allowing myself to rest when I needed.
- Practicing meditation and using guided visualizations.
- Sharing my struggles with, and getting support from, family and friends.
- Permitting myself to occasionally wallow for only a day or two and then getting right back to work.
My experience gave rise to a desire to help others experiencing the same struggles. Below you can see how my clients have transformed their lives, or explore how we can work together to map out your own path to wellness.
Client Success Stories
Sherri B.
“Angela has a talent for bringing a calming effect over chaos. Her patience and compassion are one of the first things that resonate from Angela. As a life coach and mentor she has guided me through the rough patches in my private, academic, and professional life. Angela’s guidance, compassion, and wisdom have given me the confidence I needed to overcome difficult times and prosper.”
Jim L.
“I had the pleasure of working with Angela, and I was impressed! Angela was patient and thorough as she helped me see my blocks and then helped me work through them. Since our time together I have achieved 3 goals that had eluded me in the past, and I was also able to set larger goals which will allow me to continue to grow my small business.”
Susan P.
“Angela has a calming style that is a beautiful mix of listening, wisdom and compassionate support for my goals.”
TiNesha H.
“I worked with Angela on a goal I had for a long time. She helped me to break down my goal into smaller steps and create realistic weekly tasks. We also worked on things that prevented me from completing tasks. I learned how to make adjustments to stay on track. While working with Angela, I learned to feel better about taking time for something that was important to me.”
Ready to find your own sustainable cadence?
You don’t have to navigate the unpredictability of chronic illness or midlife transitions alone. My experience and education can help you reclaim your life, calm your nervous system, and rewrite your story.
Because everyone’s energy levels and needs are entirely unique, I offer two distinct, customizable ways we can work together 1:1.
Not quite ready for 1:1 coaching, or just want to chat first?
Our call is a completely cost-free, zero-pressure space to talk about what you’re going through and see if we’re a good match. No sales pitches, just a supportive conversation tailored to your energy.
Feel free to browse my blog and free resources at your own absolute comfort level.
