Neurological System — Chronics — A Chronic Entrepreneur

Michelle Irving is a gifted teacher, speaker, writer and mentor. Having been diagnosed with an autoimmune condition of the liver at age 35 and Migraine Associated Vertigo at 45, Michelle has learned to take in her experience with chronic illness throughout the years and use it to connect with herself in levels she never knew she could. Now, Michelle is determined to guide women around the world who are also experiencing illness and help them be able to reach new levels of inner-power, love, and acceptance for themselves.

A Chronic Entrepreneur: Brenda Moore

Brenda Moore is the successful and thriving founder of Happen Consulting. Most of us have experienced a migraine or a few in our lives as a result of stress, sensory overload or hormonal changes. We take a day or two off to rest up and come back stronger. For Brenda however, these migraines became so frequent and so disabling that she was forced to resign from her job. She likely didn’t see it this way at the time, but this moment marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter for her as the circumstances allowed her to begin her entrepreneurial journey and gave her the flexibility to mould her days in a way that’s sustainable for her and her health.

Neurological SystemByzantine Design11 November 2022migraines, chronic migraines, migraine

A Chronic Entrepreneur: April Dawn White

April Dawn White took what she thought would be a short medical leave of absence from her job as a pharmacist in January 2016, after experiencing symptoms that she thought she would be able to quickly resolve. Little did she know that she would be unable to return to work as her health declined rapidly and she was diagnosed with a rare neuromuscular disorder. Through this period of grief, she found solace in journaling and writing, which helped her process her thoughts and emotions. White was eager to “name it, claim it, and move on” from her past… But little did she know that she would eventually return to her old life again through authorship.

Now, April Dawn White is a writer at aprildawnwhite.com and other publications, and author of the new book, ‘Destination Hope: A Travel Companion When Life Falls Apart (Ambassador International, Sept. 2021)’ which ‘offers camaraderie and a beacon of hope for women who feel alone in loss, struggle, or change of circumstance.’ Read on to learn more about April Dawn White’s inspiring story.

A Chronic Entrepreneur: Justine Martin

Justine Martin is a professional artist, art wellness teacher, author, and resilience consultant and speaker. Being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2011, her successful corporate life was turned upside down. She has since battled three primary cancers at once and since then has overcome a long list of medical conditions. Entrepreneurship came naturally to her as she broke free from her “survival mode” in order to achieve the big dreams and goals that she set for herself. It wasn’t until she was diagnosed with her chronic that the entrepreneurship path truly took on its full meaning in Justine’s life.

Cancer, Nervous System, Neurological System, Immune SystemDara Shashoua15 November 2021Multiple Sclerosis, Cancer

A Chronic Entrepreneur: Sophie

Sophie’s diagnosis took place whilst she was working in a demanding corporate role - where she had to manage the guilt of feeling like a slacker due to her need to take sick days off work, combined with the frustration of being in an unempathetic work environment and the confusion of not yet having a diagnosis. Through the process of being diagnosed, Sophie realised the problem was never her illness, but rather the environment she was in; an organisation that always expected “overtime and more.” After being diagnosed, Sophie quit her job and then switched to freelancing as a social media manager, which helped her build on her existing skills and eventually lead her to start her own business, Kitsune Creative Co, where she now has the ability to create a successful and rewarding career, but also put her needs first when required.

A Chronic Entrepreneur: Ilana K

Ilana K is a kinesiologist who has gone on a long health journey since her early childhood. Since hitting “rock bottom” and having to completely upend her life to focus on recovery, Ilana’s career has taken a full 180 degree shift from being in the corporate finance industry as a financial analyst, to now practising kinesthesiology where she helps people reclaim their health, wellbeing, inner joy and sparkle for life.

A Chronic Entrepreneur: Grace Quantock

Grace Quantock is a multi-talented woman who has built her life on her core values: compassion, ethical living and the wild world of possibility. She is the founder of Trailblazing Wellness Coaching and works as a wellness coach, motivational speaker (watch her TEDx talk here and below), writer and teacher. She also helps others create bespoke ethical gifts through her social enterprise, Healing Boxes.

A Chronic Entrepreneur: Kere Baker

Kere Baker is one of those humans who has an infectious personality, optimistic soul and wholehearted approach to life. She has built a lifestyle and a life, alongside multiple chronic illnesses, of which you’ll find out more about, and some incredibly hard moments that are hard to put into words which is why we’ll leave it to Kere to share her story in the way that feels right below

Nervous System, Neurological System, Reproductive SystemDara Shashoua17 September 2021Endometriosis, Fibromyalgia

A Chronic Entrepreneur: Olivia Djouadi

Olivia Djouadi was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was just one year old. She was told she wouldn’t live past 30. She made decisions and lived her life, studying, marrying her husband and having children, but it wasn’t until she passed that milestone – the age of 30 – that she finally realised she was going to live and began to live her life in a different way because of it.

A Chronic Entrepreneur: Tina Bruce

Tina Bruce embraced entrepreneurism after being diagnosed with Post-Herpectic Neuralgia (a condition caused by a Shingles infection). Now, Tina is a Melbourne-based yoga teacher – Restore A Yoga Mum – with a passion for bringing the benefits of slow, mindful yoga to her community. Her classes are all about restoration and relaxation, focusing on a deeper sense of wellness and balance. Thank you Tina for sharing your story with us!

Neurological SystemDara Shashoua6 August 2018Post-Herpetic Neuralgia

A Chronic Entrepreneur: Tina McDonald

Tina McDonald is the founder of Avalanche Coaching where she offers services in professional coaching and mentoring for businesses and individuals wanting to explore and reach their potential. When she was in a car accident that further aggravated her conditions, she realised something had to give. That’s when Tina made the decision to prioritise her family and her health, and left her job. What followed was her entrepreneurism which allowed Tina, in her words, to work alongside her conditions, not against them. Now, she makes time for her rewarding career in coaching, alongside making time for her family and listening to her body. Find out more and read Tina’s story below.

A Chronic Entrepreneur: Dara Shashoua

Dara Shashoua is the founder of Byzantine Design – a Melbourne-based store that curates tiles from across the globe to service Australia. She is also the founder of A Chronic Entreprenuer – which began out of her passion to share the stories of those living with chronic illnesses and how they’re thriving each and every day, by living their lives and doing what they love. Here, Dara shares her story of discovering her chronic – multiple sclerosis – how it’s changed her life and how she lives with it today.

Neurological System, Nervous System, Immune SystemDara Shashoua31 December 2017Multiple Sclerosis

Stories.