In this episode, Debbie and Katy start by sharing light-hearted moments, including stories about Pancake Day and how Debbie met her husband. Katy talks about her recent experiences with tennis and netball while managing ongoing foot pain despite using orthotics.
The conversation explores who inspires them, a common theme is those who are living with long term diseases anddrawing inspiration from athletes like Caroline Wozniackiand actor Kathleen Turner. They go on to compare chronic illness management to the mental and physical strength required in professional sports. They also explore how the 1% trend, by doing 1% more to make yourself better each day, can be helpful for people living with IA, but recognise that sometimes you can feel like going backwards.
They discuss the pressures of the “perfect body” shown through social media, and they encourage realistic expectations. They highlight the value of self-acceptance and learning to appreciate your body, especially as having inflammatory arthritis has already put your body through a lot. The episode concludes with reflections on parenting with inflammatory arthritis and fostering resilience in the next generation.
Key Topics Discussed:
✅ Managing Inflammatory Arthritis – The impact on mobility, ongoing pain, and frustrations with medical assessments.
✅ Finding Inspiration in Athletes – Lessons from sports stars like , Andre Agassi, Rafael Nadal and Caroline Wozniacki on perseverance.
✅ The Power of Small Changes: 1% – How making incremental improvements can lead to long-term benefits.
✅ Balancing Life & Chronic Illness – Navigating social expectations, personal goals, and physical limitations.
✅ Parenting & Support Networks – The importance of community and encouraging resilience in children.
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Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. We talk about our personal health journeys and the podcast is not intended to provide professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We are not medical professionals and in no way claim to be medically trained. The podcast does not take responsibility for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of the podcast. The podcast does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of third-party content.
For more information, head to https://inflammatoryarthritis.org/
A Boutique Broadcast production for Inflammatory Arthritis UK
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