The Hurdle2Hope® Show

What happens when advocacy is met with silence? 

In Episode 76 of Wellbeing Interrupted, I reflect on how emotionally draining it can be when we share our stories, speak up for what matters—and are met with silence. 

Following the powerful conversations in Episodes 74 and 75 about the NDIS pricing changes, I share how I’ve been feeling flat. The silence from decision-makers has been deafening, especially when participants and practit...

What happens when support you rely on is at risk? 

In Episode 75 of Wellbeing Interrupted, I speak with disability advocate and NDIS participant Jarrod Sandell-Hay about the upcoming changes to NDIS pricing—and why they matter so much. 

Jarrod shares how Allied Health support has helped him stay well and independent, and why cuts to services could mean people miss out on the care they need. We talk about what’s changing, what it mean...

What happens when disability support is slashed? 

For me, it’s the fear of losing my independence. Of no longer being able to walk. 

In Episode 74 of Wellbeing Interrupted, I speak with neurodivergent therapist, educator, NDIS participant—and parent to a young NDIS participant—Giarne Ashby about the very real consequences of the upcoming changes to disability support in Australia.  

These aren’t just policy tweaks they are life-alteri...

Have you ever had to ask yourself: “Is this career worth getting sick for?” 

In this solo episode, I take you behind the scenes of a new project launching the Hurdle2Hope Journal on LinkedIn and share the very first entry that sparked it all. It’s a raw reflection on career, chronic illness, and the pivotal question that changed the course of my life. 

This episode is especially for those living with a health condition, navigating th...

Are You Struggling to Sleep Well? 

 
In this episode of Wellbeing Interrupted, I sit down with Ahna de Vena — a global sleep health leader, educator, and founder of the Sleep & Dream Foundation and REVIVE Global — to talk about why so many of us find sleep difficult, and what we can actually do about it. 

If you’ve ever felt wired at bedtime, scared of the night, or just plain disconnected from rest — this episode will help y...

Today is World MS Day — and this year’s theme is “My MS Diagnosis.” 

So I thought… it’s time to share mine. 

In this solo episode, I reflect on being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at just 22 years old. It was quick and clinical—but the emotional impact was anything but. For a long time, I felt like my future had disappeared. 

This isn’t just a story about symptoms or medical tests. It’s about what happens after. About the mindset ...

What if AI could help you manage your illness — without overwhelming you? 

In this solo episode, I reflect on my time at the Digital Health Festival and explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is already transforming healthcare — and how it can actually help those of us living with chronic illness or fatigue. 

From getting my Starlink internet set up to choosing a washing machine that works with MS and off-grid living, I share how t...

Is the 24/7 news cycle draining your energy? 

In this episode of Wellbeing Interrupted, I share what changed for me when I stopped watching the news—and how it’s supported my healing in ways I didn’t expect. 

Discussing an article from Mayo Clinic and my own lived experience with MS and Stage 4 breast cancer, I talk about the toll that constant noise, images, and updates can take on our nervous systems—and what we can do instead. 

I a...

How do you feel on Mother’s Day? 

A question often not asked. 
Conversations not always had. 

This week I’m prioritising my own wellbeing—and revisiting one of my most vulnerable episodes to date. 
As Mother’s Day approaches, I reflect on a deeply personal part of my story: the grief that came with the decision not to have children, and how illness shaped that path. 

Whether you're living with a health condition, sup...

How did you feel when you received a life-changing diagnosis? 
 

Shocked? Numb? Like the ground had shifted beneath you? 

In this episode, I share how the lessons I learned from living with MS helped me navigate my stage 4 breast cancer diagnosis. The one thing that stood out—and truly worked—was creating an environment that protected my energy and supported my healing. 

If you LOVED the episode, share it on your Instagram stories...

Have you ever felt like you were trying to be resilient—but it just wasn’t working? 

Maybe you were doing your best to push through a health challenge, hold it together, or stay strong—only to feel like it still wasn’t enough. 

In this episode of Wellbeing Interrupted, I’m sharing why the advice to “be resilient” often feels like pressure instead of support—and what true resilience really looks like when you’re living with a chr...

Have you ever felt like being positive just isn’t enough? 

 
Maybe someone told you to “just stay positive” at a time when life felt anything but okay. 

In this episode of Wellbeing Interrupted, I’m opening up about the pressure to perform positivity—especially when living with a chronic illness—and why authenticity is far more healing than forcing a smile. 

If you LOVED the episode, make sure you share this on your Instagram stor...

Are you feeling stuck in life with your health condition? 

Mariah MacInnes returns to Wellbeing Interrupted (first heard back in Episode 18 — my very first guest!). A year on, Mariah continues to embrace life as a digital nomad — a life worlds away from the hospital bed she found herself in after undergoing a Whipple’s procedure in her twenties. At that time, she felt completely lost and unsure how she could possibly move forward. 

I...

Do you believe in unconscious bias? 

In this solo episode, I share a moment that made me stop and think. While representing Hurdle2Hope® at a recent health event, I noticed how quickly assumptions were made — not out of malice, just habit. 

It’s something many of us living with illness or disability experience. And when you add gender into the mix? The bias can be subtle… but it’s there. 

This isn’t about blame. It’s about gently noti...

Who supports the people who support us? 

In this episode of Wellbeing Interrupted, I unpack why burnout in healthcare, disability, and aged care is more than a workplace issue — it’s a care crisis that affects us all. Whether you rely on frontline support or work in the sector yourself, this is a conversation we need to have. 

I also share how the Hurdle2Hope® Roadmap can help staff move from crisis to growth — and what small action...

What if mindset—not your body—was the biggest thing holding you back? 

Louise Butcher is back on Wellbeing Interrupted, and in this follow-up to Episode 60, we go even deeper. This time, it’s not about marathons or world records—it’s about what happens when you stop letting other people’s opinions define how you feel in your body. 

And if you haven’t yet listened to last week’s chat in Episode 60, we highly recommend you hit pause an...

What if losing your breasts led you to discover your greatest strength? 

Louise Butcher is back on Wellbeing Interrupted, and her story is more powerful than ever. After making headlines as the first woman to run the London Marathon topless post-mastectomy, Louise has since broken records, sparked global conversations, and challenged the way we think about body image, confidence, and femininity. 

Key Episode Takeaways 

• From Breast...

Can creativity truly be a tool for healing? 

In this episode of Wellbeing Interrupted, I sit down with Debbie Crouch, a creative community expert, artist, and recovery coach who founded Art for Wellness. Debbie’s journey is a powerful testament to how creativity can support emotional healing, particularly for those navigating health conditions or past trauma. 

Growing up, Debbie loved art, but after a teacher told her she would never...

Are your symptoms real if no one can give you a diagnosis? 

Have you ever felt like something was wrong with your body, but no one could give you answers? You’re not alone. The journey to a diagnosis can be frustrating, exhausting, and emotionally draining. 

In this episode of Wellbeing Interrupted, I reflect on my conversations with Ronni Morgan (Episode 47) and Katerina Vujić (Episode 56), who both faced long, difficult roads to un...