What is it really like to navigate chronic illness while being a college athlete, and what is it like to support a friend through it?

In Episode 4 of The Chronic Fighter, I sit down with two of my best friends and former college soccer teammates, Carly and Syd. They saw firsthand how much my health changed throughout college, from playing collegiate soccer to becoming bedridden.

We talk about the realities of balancing athletics and chronic illness, learning when to listen to your body, the power of opening up and letting others support you, the fear of being a burden, and what it really looks like to be there for a friend through different seasons.

This conversation is a reminder that good friends see the person, not just the illness.

What You'll Hear in This Episode

• 00:00 – Welcome and introducing my friends, Carly and Syd
• 03:45 – How my health changed from freshman to sophomore year of college
• 10:50 – Opening up to my friends about my health
• 16:29 – The impact of sharing my story online
• 21:15 – How my torn labrum impacted my soccer career and health
• 31:34 – How I had to fuel my body to play soccer
• 35:56 – Behind the scenes of an athlete with chronic illness
• 44:20 – What soccer meant to me
• 49:34 – How my friends really felt about my health
• 53:00 – Advice on how to support a friend with chronic illness
• 1:04:44– What chronic illness has taught us
• 1:06:42 – Looking back on our college experiences

Biggest Takeaways
✔ Chronic illness can change from season to season. Your health, abilities, and needs can look completely different at different points in your life.

✔ You don’t always know what someone is going through. So much of what it takes to manage chronic illness happens behind the scenes, even when someone looks okay from the outside.

✔ Needing support doesn’t make you a burden. You don't have to hide what you're going through because you’re afraid of holding others back. Opening up about your health can help the people closest to you understand and support you better.

✔ Wins can look different with chronic illness. On a difficult health day, getting to the kitchen, eating a good meal, making dinner, or finding one small thing that brings you joy can be a win.

✔ Supporting a friend doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes the most meaningful support is simply reaching out, listening, and letting someone decide how much they want to share.

✔ It’s okay for your passions to evolve. What gives you a sense of purpose may look different throughout each stage of life, but finding something you care about can bring joy and direction, especially when other parts of life feel uncertain.

Resources Mentioned:
The Chronic Fighter: Health coaching, membership, and additional resources: https://thechronicfighter.com

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If You Enjoyed This Episode

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Whether you’re navigating chronic illness yourself or supporting someone through it, I hope this episode is a reminder of how much connection, understanding, and support matter.

Thank you for listening, and I'll see you in the next episode.