A Chronic Entrepreneur: Michelle Irving
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.
What is your diagnosis story? How old were you?
I was 35 at the time of diagnosis which was in 2005. My diagnosis is an autoimmune condition where a protein in my blood attacks my liver cells. I also have Migraine Associated Vertigo (MAV) which onset in 2016 at the age of 45.
Did you go through any sort of 12-stages of grief with the diagnosis or take it in its stride?
I have always been very clear on my values and what life is for me (I have a degree in philosophy). So while this was frightening given the autoimmune condition is life threatening and cannot be cured, only managed - I leaned into my inner conversation about “what is the good death?”, and this guided all of my actions from then. Of course there was grief and struggle and at times denial - but in the end I have learned to use the experience to connect more deeply with my own power.
What would you say to your ‘first-diagnosed’ self, or someone else who has just been diagnosed with a chronic illness?
While this is scary, frightening, and feels unreal, this experience is also a doorway into your deepest power. Your vulnerability and strength will become your guidance system. You are going to become so deeply connected with yourself that many more possibilities and doors will open for you. It is safe for you to travel through this unknown experience in your life.
Are you on any treatments? What modalities are in your wellness team?
I'm on medication for both my conditions, plus I have a regular weekly massage that helps with the neck tension from my vertigo.
What is a ‘bad day’ for you? How do you look after yourself on a ‘bad day’ or a day that is particularly stressful?
A bad day looks like waking up with vertigo and feeling like I am falling even though I am lying flat in bed. This will often be accompanied by the inability to walk or walking with great difficulty because I feel like I am physically on a boat at sea. On these days my anxiety rises - which is a natural byproduct of having a migraine so I will talk very gently with myself saying “while I know it feels like this will go on forever, it won't, it will pass.It may take a couple of days but I am safe, it is OK and my life is not over.” My partner will be present with practical and emotional support - often simply holding my hand which means so much.
How did the path of entrepreneurship come to you?
Women, friends, and acquaintances started asking me for advice and guidance about how to live with their own chronic illnesses or life-threatening diagnosis (ie Breast Cancer). I continued to get feedback about how helpful my perspective was - it became clear I should look at this in a more formal way. I built a series of workshops to guide women into their own power and cover off the practicals - like what to say, to who, and when. I also built a map for what I think of as the 4 emotional stages of chronic illness, and I still use this myself as well as teach it now in my online programs for women.
What does a typical day in business look like for you? How does your chronic illness influence what your typical day looks like? Is your day-to-day routine pretty consistent or does it change?
My days are pretty consistent because my whole business is not only built around my experience of chronic illness and what I need but also all my clients live with chronic illness - so my world is expansive in this way. Personally when I wake up, I journal for an hour or so - this connects me to any information from the dream states and my own feelings about where I am emotionally, physically, financially and in my relationships. After this - I usually have a client call or business meeting online around 10am. Most of my clients are based in the USA. Generally I only do one individual or group call per day, maximum 3 days a week. Thursday is my day off and it's a rest, restore, watch tv, cocoon day. Friday is a “personal catch-up day” and “professional development day” (I am in a couple of USA business groups). In between all of this I fit my medical appointments. Weekends are rest and connecting with friends.
What have you learnt about yourself through your entrepreneurship journey? How have you changed, if at all in your relationships, decisions, what you value/your life philosophy?
I ran a philosophy-events business for 15 years before now running a business mentoring women living with chronic illness. I love the entrepreneurial journey because my whole life becomes filled with creative freedom. Being an entrepreneur is really the biggest personal growth course you can take. Plus having a thriving business around chronic illness is almost magical. All of my decisions are guided around “what is the easiest way for me to do this?” - so that it is easy for me and others.
What has been your most memorable moment in business from the last 2-3 years?
I have two memorable moments: The first is creating a chronic illness global online summit called “The Pyjama Interviews” in 2021 which is now an annual event. It was so wonderful to create a space for the real, raw truth of chronic illness to be visible and to have had the opportunity to interview high-profile and 'every day' magnificent women about their experience. The second most memorable moment is mentoring my first group of women through my 6 month program “Queen of the Underworld”. To see the beautiful transformation in women's experiences of themselves, in their relationships, and in exploring meaningful work that works for them and their bodies feels like the culmination of a long road of wisdom for me - now out in the world.
Best & worst bits of being A Chronic Entrepreneur?
I think one of the most challenging aspects of being a chronic entrepreneur and a pioneer in the chronic illness space is loneliness. Creating work that has never existed in the world before and then the deep process of sharing that takes a lot of inner pep talks! The best bit of being a chronic entrepreneur is connecting with women writers, advocates, speakers, and podcasters across the world who also live with chronic illness.
Are you a 5-year planner or are you winging it?
I have a broad global vision and winging the steps in-between.
What are you looking forward to in the next 6 months-1 year?
We’ll be launching the first stage of our Global Platform in the next 12 months and I am looking forward to connecting more magnificent women with each other. The writers, the podcasters, the coaches, the entrepreneurs and all of us being in community together. Plus I am looking forward to all the naps I will be taking in-between creating this!
Who are your back up dancers?
My biggest supporter is one of my closest friends who said I should be hosting a podcast, and championed me even when I fought him every step of the way. He also has the grace not to say "I told you so". I have a beautiful group of other close friends who have been there in the most difficult times including when I was bed bound for months in 2012 and 2016. It's a small group but having to ask for help taught me a lot about relationships.
Who are your ultimate dinner party guests, (dead or alive), and who would you seat on either side of you?
Sarah Ramey (author of The Lady's Handbook for Her Mysterious Illness), one of my favourite people in the world. My co-founder for the Global Alliance Jenn Sharpe, because meeting her in person all the way from Washington DC would be AWESOME!. And then to be quite honest I would ask my friends, because they open my heart to love and they are magical, creative people themselves. I learn so much from being with them.
Where can people find you online?
https://michelleirving.com.au
https://www.instagram.com/michelleirvingofficial/
https://business.facebook.com/MichelleIrvingOfficial
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleirvingofficial/