In this episode of Thrive with Sharon, I share my personal journey living with Ankylosing Spondylitis — from navigating chronic pain and spinal surgery to becoming a resilience coach supporting others with autoimmune conditions.

If you’re new here, this episode will help you understand why this podcast exists and why supporting people living with chronic illness is so close to my heart.

If you’re exhausted from carrying this alone, this conversation will feel grounding 💚

When you’re ready for personalised support, you can book a coaching session and we’ll create a plan that works for your body and your life. -> sjresiliencecoach.com/lets-talk

Take gentle care and keep thriving.

🌿 Let’s stay connected: Sharon Jones’ Pages

Rest isn’t aesthetic when you live with autoimmune disease.

It’s cancelled plans. Nervous system overload. Being forced to stop.

In this short episode, we explore:

• The difference between trendy self-care and medical necessity
• Why your body may be shutting you down
• The emotional toll of “managing fine”
• How to reframe rest as strategy, not failure

If you’re exhausted from carrying this alone, this conversation will feel grounding 💚

When you’re ready for personalised support, you can book a coaching session and we’ll create a plan that works for your body and your life. -> sjresiliencecoach.com/lets-talk

Take gentle care and keep thriving.

🌿 Let’s stay connected: Sharon Jones’ Pages

Struggling with chronic illness, fatigue, and overwhelm? You’re not alone.

In this episode, Janice Russell (Overwhelm Slayer) shares practical strategies to manage low energy, set boundaries, prioritise what matters, and navigate surgery + recovery without burning out.

✨ You’ll Learn:

✔️ How to manage overwhelm with chronic illness

✔️ Simple ways to protect your energy

✔️ How to say no without guilt

✔️ Creating support systems that actually help

💚 This Is For You If:

You’re living with autoimmune disease, burnout, or invisible illness and feel exhausted trying to keep up.

🌱 About Janice

Janice Russell is a Productivity Strategist and “Overwhelm Slayer” who helps people navigate life after a medical diagnosis, chronic illness, or brain-based condition.With over 20 years of experience across education, corporate environments, and professional organising, she specialises in:

Reducing overwhelm

Improving executive functioning

Creating sustainable systems for time, energy, and life management

Through virtual coaching and accountability, Janice supports clients to regain control without burning out.

🔗 Connect with Janice:

Website: https://janicerussell.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janicerussell/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/janice.russell.coach/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JaniceRussellCoachFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/JaniceRussellCoach

🎁 Free Resource: Information Overload: How to Develop a Personalised Approach to Calm the ChaosDownload: chaos.OverwhelmSlayer.com

🌸 Work With Sharon - Autoimmune Resilience Coach

If you're navigating chronic illness, burnout, or emotional overwhelm and need support that actually understands what you're going through…

Book your free clarity call:sjresiliencecoach.com/contact

🔗 https://linktr.ee/SharonJonesCoaching

💚 Support the Podcast

Follow Thrive with Sharon: Real Talk for Chronic Illness Warriors

Leave a review

Share this episode with someone who needs support

Book a coaching call if you're ready for deeper guidance

You’re not lazy.

You’re not failing.

You’re managing more than most people can see.

And you don’t have to do it alone anymore. 💚

If you’re living with autoimmune or chronic illness and quietly holding everything together while feeling exhausted underneath… this episode is for you 💚

In this short, grounding episode, Sharon shares:

• Why thriving isn’t about perfection
• How kindness and strategy protect your energy
• Why small steps matter more than “good days”
• A reminder that you’re not alone in this

Chronic illness can feel isolating ,especially when you’re masking how hard it really is. This episode offers reassurance and practical perspective to help you move forward without pushing yourself into burnout.

📌 Don’t forget to:

• Follow the podcast
• Leave a review
• Share this with someone navigating chronic pain
• Book a coaching call with Sharon if you're ready for deeper support

You do not have to build your life alone. 💚

Let's create a plan that works for your body and your life. -> sjresiliencecoach.com/lets-talk

🌿 Let’s stay connected: Sharon Jones’ Pages

In this episode of Thrive with Sharon: Real Talk for Chronic Illness Warriors, I sit down with Food Educator, Speaker, Author and business owner Amy Graves to talk about the real intersection of chronic pain, food science, medical gaslighting, and entrepreneurship.

Amy shares her journey of being diagnosed with various diseases and more.

After an injury in 2004 led to daily chronic pain, Amy had to rebuild her life, her expectations, and her business model around what her body could realistically sustain.

We discuss:

✔️ Living and working with CRPS

✔️ Medical gaslighting and navigating diagnosis

✔️ Running a business with invisible illness

✔️ The connection between chronic pain and food

✔️ Using peer-reviewed science to support health decisions

✔️ Creating a work schedule that respects your nervous system

✔️ Managing expectations when able-bodied standards don’t fit

Amy Graves is a food educator, speaker, and author of The Hidden Consumer: uncovering the power of health-conscious buyers. Amy’s blend of personal experience, rigorous research, and strategic insight positions her as a trusted authority for anyone looking to navigate the complexities of modern food labeling, improve personal health outcomes, or build brand loyalty among the often‑overlooked hidden‑consumer demographic. As a speaker, she educates audiences on how to read ingredient labels so they can make the best decisions for their health.

If you are:

• Managing chronic illness while working
• Struggling with people not understanding your limits
• Feeling dismissed by medical professionals
• Trying to build something meaningful while in pain

This episode will make you feel seen.

🔗 Connect with Amy:

Hidden Consumers Consulting

https://thehiddenconsumer.com/all-the-links

Thank you for listening gift, Food Tracking Journal plus bonus gift: https://amyspeaks.live/thank-you-for-listening-page

📌 Don’t forget to:

• Follow the podcast
• Leave a review
• Share this with someone navigating chronic pain
• Book a coaching call with Sharon if you're ready for deeper support

You do not have to build your life alone. 💚

Let's create a plan that works for your body and your life. -> sjresiliencecoach.com/lets-talk

🌿 Let’s stay connected: Sharon Jones’ Pages

Living through flares, setbacks, or surgery can quietly erode confidence.

In this episode, I reframe strength, healing, and resilience for people living with autoimmune and chronic illness. A powerful reminder that rest, boundaries, and self-compassion are signs of progress, not failure.

Download my free Spoonie Tools — journaling guides and daily practices to help manage pain, energy, and emotional load.

If you’re ready for personalised support, you can book a coaching session and we’ll create a plan that works for your body and your life. -> sjresiliencecoach.com/lets-talk

Take gentle care and keep thriving.

🌿 Let’s stay connected: Sharon Jones’ Pages

Australian summers can intensify autoimmune symptoms, pain, and exhaustion. In this episode, I speak directly to Melbourne autoimmune warriors navigating heat-related flares, emotional fatigue, and nervous system overload.

Learn practical strategies to manage symptoms while protecting your energy, identity, and mental wellbeing.

Download my free Spoonie Tools — journaling guides and daily practices to help manage pain, energy, and emotional load.

If you’re ready for personalised support, you can book a coaching session and we’ll create a plan that works for your body and your life. -> sjresiliencecoach.com/lets-talk

Take gentle care and keep thriving.

🌿 Let’s stay connected: Sharon Jones’ Pages

January can feel overwhelming when you’re living with an autoimmune condition.

In this episode, I share gentle, realistic ways to reset without pressure, guilt, or burnout. Designed for people navigating chronic illness, fatigue, and pain, this conversation focuses on pacing, self-trust, and sustainable resilience, without forcing a “new year, new you” mindset. 💚

Download my free Spoonie Tools — journaling guides and daily practices to help manage pain, energy, and emotional load.

If you’re ready for personalised support, you can book a coaching session and we’ll create a plan that works for your body and your life. -> sjresiliencecoach.com/lets-talk

Take gentle care and keep thriving.

🌿 Let’s stay connected: Sharon Jones’ Pages