A Chronic Entrepreneur: Samantha Gemmell
Samantha Gemmell is one of those humans who found a way to combine all her passions and make a living from them. She is a nutritionist, writer and speaker who works closely with women across the globe, particularly those living with chronic illnesses. Sam was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) when she was 22 and largely manages the condition through an approach built on her knowledge of health and wellness, including nutrition, myotherapy, massage and meditation, as well as, most importantly, listening to her body. Discover Sam’s story below and find out more about her work as an entrepreneur here.
What’s your Chronic?
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (classic/hypermobile) and associated dysautonomia.
Also a thyroid cancer survivor.
Where were you when you were diagnosed?
For my EDS, I was 22, studying my first year of nutrition, and stressed to the max because I was at uni four days a week and working three days a week to make ends meet. The stress triggered a cascade of joint subluxations throughout my body, and the rest of my symptoms followed over the next year.
What makes you an Entrepreneur?
I think my fire and passion are very typical of an entrepreneur. I get excited, I have big amazing ideas, and they don’t always pan out – but that’s ok, because by the time I know that, I’ve already jumped onto the next one.
What came first, the chronic or the entrepreneurism?
I think they sort of grew together, like a vine entwined around a tree. My initial passion would never have grown if I didn’t have the experience of chronic pain and illness, and I wouldn’t have been so chronically ill if I wasn’t passionate about what I was doing at the time.
What do you wish you’d known before?
That a chronic condition doesn’t mean being chronically ill or unable to achieve things.
Did you go through any sort of 12-stages of grief with the diagnosis or take it in its stride – how did the process manifest itself – did you immediately reassess your life?
Funnily enough, both times I was diagnosed, I knew instinctively that something was wrong, and the diagnoses were more of a relief than anything.
Down the track, I’d get down, because I’d think about how it would restrict my life. For example, I thought I would have to miss out on activities such as skydiving, martial arts and the like because of the risk of early-onset osteoarthritis.
But then I realised I could either stop doing things and still get arthritis, or I could do all the things I love and get arthritis – it’s pretty obvious which is preferable! Nowadays, I like to focus on all the ways my life is unrestricted.
Did you seek out or join organisations representing your chronic for support or did you find comfort and answers elsewhere – what would you recommend in hindsight?
Originally I sought out groups and information. But then I found that many support groups were so negative and focused on the bad, without acknowledging victories and actually supporting. I actually wrote an article for The Mighty about why I left the majority of support groups.
Nowadays, I have a friend who is also my myotherapist who I whinge at sometimes, but overall we motivate each other to keep going and keep kicking goals. I’d recommend finding whatever works for you.
What would you say to your younger self?
Life seems to suck right now – and that’s perfectly ok. You can’t appreciate the sunshine without some rain.
How have you changed, if at all in your relationships, decisions, what you value?
I’ve learned to not waste energy on toxic people. I had some very toxic, and in one case nearly deadly, relationships in my teens and early 20s.
But now I’ve figured out that I deserve so much better than that, even if I’m not always 100% healthy.
I’ve stopped apologising as often for my perceived shortcomings, and I value the little things – a sunny day in winter, or a beautiful view on the way to work, or being able to get paid whilst rocking pyjama pants.
What advice do you have for others?
Find a way to infuse your passion into your life. Whether this means studying it, working in it, having it as a hobby, or surrounding yourself with it.
I’m lucky that my passions – writing, nutrition, wellbeing and speaking – all fuse beautifully in my life and I’m able to work with each of them. Getting up in the morning is a lot easier if you have purpose to look forward to.
What is your life philosophy and has this changed?
To start with, I think I was just busy trying to figure out what my life philosophy was – not many people in their early 20’s have any clue about this!
Now, my philosophy is to tune into myself, accept that my needs are individualised to me, and to look after myself so that I can love and care for others. I ask myself regularly what I want my life to look like – then I work towards that however I can.
I have a few little sayings that support me – ‘there’s a silver lining’, ‘this, or something better’, and ‘just keep swimming’!
Are you on any treatments?
The majority of my approach is a natural health and wellness approach. Very occasionally I require painkillers for bad flares, but generally I manage well with nutrition, myotherapy, massage, meditation and pacing myself.
What is a ‘bad day’ for you?
It could be a joint that is locked out of place, or blood pressure so low I can barely stand, or just overwhelming fatigue and physical depression.
Whatever it is, it only becomes a bad day in my mind when it greatly interferes with my ability to work or play.
What do you do on a ‘bad day’?
I tune into my body. If I need sleep, I go with that. If I need to feel nurtured, I whip up a juice, smoothie or herbal tea, have an Epsom salt bath and read a book, or just cuddle with my staffy until I feel better.
And if all of that seems unbearable, I hop into bed, pop on some heavy blankets and an eye mask, and put on a guided meditation to help me feel grounded.
Work will generally be put on hold. If it can’t, I do the bare minimum before retreating.
How do you deal with stress?
Meditation, and keeping perspective. Deep breathing helps me deactivate the ‘fight or flight’ nervous system response. Remembering that most of the things stressing me won’t matter in a few weeks or months helps me to see that they aren’t worth the energy of stressing.
Who are your back up dancers?
My mum, who also has EDS. My staffy, who gives the best cuddles ever and is by my side whenever I’m home. My partner, who is always supportive and happy to give me a bit of TLC when I need. A few uni and business friends also help out.
Best bits of being A Chronic Entrepreneur?
Inspiring others, both healthy and not as healthy. I get the chance to inspire holistic health students, friends, family, colleagues and complete strangers through my work.
Worst bits of being a Chronic Entrepreneur?
Working solo can suck sometimes, as can feeling bad about not doing enough work on a bad day. But it’s all part of the package, and there are always ways to fix it.
Are you a 5-year planner or are you winging it?
I like to make a plan and then watch as the universe laughs at the plan and throws something completely different my way instead.
Dream weekend plans and have these changed?
Weekends aren’t really a thing for me, as my partner is in hospitality. So usually I just go with the flow of whatever I want to do at that time. Sometimes, it’s just relaxing at home. Other times, it’s meeting up with friends or hitting the farmer’s market.
Ultimate dinner party guests?
Gorgeous ladies that are heart-centred biz geniuses – Melissa Ambrosini, Lisa Messenger, Tash Corbin, Denise-Duffield Thomas and Isiah McKimmie all come to mind!
Then I’d mix in some lovelies who are on a similar level to my biz, so we can all learn from each other’s journeys.
What next?
I’ll continue to grow my nutrition and writing branches, then see what blossoms next!
Where can we find you?
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/samanthagemmellnutritionist
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/samantha_gemmell_nutritionist/
Linkedin /https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthagemmell/
Find Samantha on Instagram here, Facebook here and LinkedIn here. And let us know what you think below and share your story with us on Instagram tagging @achronicentrepreneur and using the hashtag #achronicentrepreneur.
