A Chronic Entrepreneur: Monique Phipps

Time and time again, when discovering the stories of the wonderful chronic entrepreneurs of which we’re so grateful to be able to share on this blog, the question of food and nutrition and the role it plays in our sense of wellbeing comes up. We’ve learnt about the impact and benefits of eating a nutritious diet, and the influence it can have on managing a chronic illness. This week, we share the story of Monique Phipps – a clinical psychologist living with Crohn’s disease. Monique didn’t want to use medication for her condition and treats it solely through a considered diet. After recognising the incredible power of the food we put in our bodies, she started her blog – The Nourished Psychologist – to combine and share her knowledge on psychology and nutrition and allow it to enable others to live better lives. Don’t forget to check out her delicious recipes too.

What’s Your Chronic?

Crohn’s disease.

Where were you when you were diagnosed?

In hospital, after a colonoscopy/endoscopy.

What makes you an Entrepreneur?

Not really sure! I have my blog and I run a small business from that.

What came first, the chronic or the entrepreneurism?

The chronic.

How did this path come to you?

After I made all the dietary changes that really helped me gain more control of my health, and I saw the changes it also brought to my family’s health, I decided to start the blog. I had never learned about nutrition when studying psychology but once I started reading for myself and saw the changes firsthand, I decided that this knowledge needed to be shared.

What do you wish you’d known before?

How much an impact food has on every aspect of your health and how big a difference yoga and meditation would make to my life.

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?

I had experienced symptoms and been given a different diagnosis for many years before this, and I’d been seeing a naturopath to help with that for years as well so it was actually just a new label for what I was already experiencing. Because I didn’t want to take medication, it did make me look more closely at other ways to stay well.

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?

I actually didn’t seek out anything other than a bit of ‘Dr Google’. I don’t think I would do anything differently, probably because I already had many years of experience with the symptoms anyway.

What would you say to your younger self?

Eat better!

How have you changed, if at all in your relationships, decisions, what you value?

I have learned that what other people think about my choices doesn’t matter and never to compromise my health and wellbeing just to please someone else or avoid having them make fun of the way I choose to eat and live my life.

What advice do you have for others?

Learn to listen to your body to find out what is right for YOU. Everyone is different. Find the way of life that works for you now, at this point in your life, and maintain the flexibility to change that if it stops working for you.

What is your life philosophy and has this changed?

Not sure I really have a life philosophy. Possibly do the best you can with what you have available to you at the time. And don’t give too many fucks to things or opinions that don’t matter. Do what is right for you.

Are you on any treatments?

No medication. I stick to a diet that is closest to full GAPS most of the time. As a strict rule I avoid gluten at all costs.

What is a ‘bad day’ for you?

Crohn’s wise, a bad day tends to be a bad few months which involves a lot of toilet time! These days it doesn’t happen very often. A bad day in general is too much stress, too much multi-tasking and not treating my husband and children very nicely.

What do you do on a ‘bad day’?

For a bad belly day I really pull back on what I am eating and make sure I am super strict for a while. For a general bad day I try to stop and breathe, go to yoga if I can, meditate and usually enjoy a glass of wine!

How do you deal with stress?

Regular yoga classes, meditation most mornings and breathing. Luckily my occupation means that I have plenty of stress management strategies. I just need to remember to implement them.

What are your greatest fears?

I don’t really have any.

Who are your back up dancers?

My husband and family and some amazing women that I have met through starting my blog.

Best bits of being A Chronic Entrepreneur?

Letting other people see that a diagnosis doesn’t have to stand in the way of anything and being able to share my experiences. Meeting some incredible people.

Worst bits of being A Chronic Entrepreneur?

I can’t think of anything bad!

Are you a 5-year planner or are you winging it?

Winging it for sure.

Dream weekend plans and have these changed?

Relaxing at the beach. They have changed since getting older and having kids.

Ultimate dinner party guests?

Jim Morrison, Maya Angelou, Nelson Mandela.

What next?

I am currently working on my doctorate and have several years to go on that! I’d also love to move out of Sydney at some point and possibly run a guest house or host some weekend wellness retreats.

Let us know what you think below and share your story with us on Instagram tagging @achronicentrepreneur and using the hashtag #achronicentrepreneur.