In Episode 28 of The Survival Project, Jonathan sits down with Karin O'Shea for a deeply moving conversation about living with chronic Lyme disease, years of misdiagnosis, neurological symptoms, medical gaslighting, and the fight to access life-saving treatment abroad after being failed by the healthcare system in Ireland.

Karin shares how her symptoms began in childhood, how she was initially diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and how her condition deteriorated into something far more severe, including vertigo, chronic migraines, memory issues, loss of motor function, inability to walk, and seizure-like episodes. After being told to simply “get comfortable” with a worsening condition, she took matters into her own hands, sent her bloods to Germany, and eventually travelled abroad for intensive chronic Lyme treatment that saved her life.

This episode explores the emotional and physical toll of long-term illness, the trauma of not being believed, the reality of living with invisible symptoms, and the strength it takes to rebuild a life after survival.

Karen also speaks powerfully about:

• chronic Lyme disease in Ireland

• neurological Lyme symptoms

• misdiagnosis and medical gaslighting

• fundraising for treatment abroad

• living with long-term nerve pain and fatigue

• pacing, rest, and invisible illness

• sleep struggles and nervous system healing

• finding purpose through yoga and chronic illness recovery

This is a raw, honest, and inspiring conversation about resilience, grief, identity, healing, and learning how to hold both joy and suffering in the same breath.

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