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In the latest episode of Wellbeing Interrupted, Teisha Rose delves into a powerful conversation with Mariah MacInnes, continuing the exploration of her inspiring Hurdle2Hope® story. Having faced a major health challenge in her twenties, Mariah's journey exemplifies resilience, growth, and the importance of expanding one's comfort zones post-recovery. Join us as we uncover how these experiences have not only shaped Mariah’s present but have also prepared her for a future filled with hope and unwavering spirit.

Expanding Comfort Zones After Major

Surgery The path to recovery following a significant medical procedure like the Whipple’s is daunting. Mariah shares her personal experiences of gradually pushing her boundaries, beginning with small, manageable steps. An example of this was her first trip out to a local shopping centre after prolonged hospitalisation, which, despite the anxiety and physical challenges, marked a significant milestone in her recovery journey. These moments, though fraught with difficulty, highlighted the crucial role of stepping out of comfort zones in fostering healing and rediscovery of life’s possibilities. Building Resilience Through Health Challenges Resilience often emerges from necessity, and Mariah’s journey exemplifies this. Throughout the podcast, she reflects on the gradual challenges she faced, from the initial stages of her recovery to undertaking activities many often take for granted, such as traveling and physical exercise. Her actions are more than mere steps towards recovery; they represent a determined refusal to be defined by her condition. Mariah’s story underscores how facing ongoing challenges and embracing the unpredictability of life can significantly strengthen resilience.

The Role of Community and Storytelling in Healing

One of the most striking aspects of Mariah’s recovery was the role of community—both in the form of personal support from family and friends and through connections with others who had undergone similar experiences. Hearing others' stories of resilience and recovery played a crucial role in her healing process, providing both inspiration and a sense of belonging to a community that understands the unique challenges posed by major health events. This communal support underscores the importance of not isolating oneself during recovery and the power of shared experiences in fostering resilience.

Reflection and Personal Growth

Reflection is a powerful tool in understanding and processing one’s journey through health challenges. For Mariah, reflecting on her experiences has not only helped in acknowledging her growth but has also prepared her for future uncertainties. The act of looking back and recognising the hurdles overcome can be a profound source of strength and motivation, helping individuals like Mariah to forge ahead with confidence and purpose.

Mariah’s Continued Journey and Hopes for the Future

As Mariah steps into a new decade of her life, her story continues to evolve. Now more than ever, she is committed to living without regrets, seizing opportunities, and embracing life to the fullest, despite its inherent challenges. Her story is a beacon of hope for anyone facing significant life hurdles, demonstrating that it is possible to emerge stronger and with a renewed zest for life.

Conclusion

Mariah MacInnes' journey through a Whipple’s procedure and beyond is a profound narrative of resilience, hope, and renewal. Her experiences underscore the transformative power of a healing mindset, the importance of community, and the courage to continually push personal boundaries. Her story is not just about recovery; it’s about transformation and the relentless pursuit of happiness against the odds. If Mariah's story has touched you or if you find parallels with your own life’s hurdles, share this story, and let’s spread the message of resilience and hope far and wide.

Show Resources

Podcast Website: Wellbeing Interrupted

Follow Mariah on Instagram: @mariah_contentqueen

Learn more about Mariah's Business and Resources: Content Queen Mariah

Transcript of Episode 19: Resilience Unveiled: Exploring Health Challenges and Personal Evolution

Hey there, Teisha here.

Welcome to Episode 19 of Wellbeing Interrupted. As I sit here, talking into a lapel mic into my iPhone, because if you've been following me on Instagram @Hurdle2Hope, you will know that this week has been a massive week with the move to our block of land, where we're half camping out, half living a little bit civilized. It’s been such an amazing experience, but I didn't want all of this to stop me from bringing to you this episode.

So if you've listened to last week's episode, we shared Mariah MacInnes's amazing Hurdle2Hope story. If you haven't had a listen, listen now and then you'll know more about what we're discussing in Episode 19, because today we're shifting our focus to explore how Mariah has built her resilience to navigate future health challenges. So we'll start by delving into her approach to expanding comfort zones after major surgery. Then we'll discuss how she's built resilience through her new challenges that keep coming, particularly relevant—I mean relevant to all of us, but I think what I like is Mariah's doing all of this in her twenties. She's just turned 30, so she was doing all of this in her twenties. And sometimes that's really challenging for people at a younger age to deal with these massive challenges. I know it was for me in my twenties with MS. And finally, we'll reflect on Mariah's journey of personal growth, the importance of reflection, even if that brings us to tears sometimes, because during those reflective periods, this is where we really learn and grow. So looking forward to this episode…

Wellbeing Interrupted Intro

Welcome to Wellbeing Interrupted, the podcast dedicated to exploring the transformative power of a healing mindset. I'm Teisha Rose, your host and the founder of Hurdle2Hope®. If you're on a quest to not just survive, but thrive after a life-changing diagnosis, then you're definitely in the right place. Living with MS and now stage four breast cancer has taught me a vital lesson in the face of a life-changing illness. Our mindset is everything. Each week, I'll share insights, tips and strategies to help you build a happier, healthier, more balanced life. So let's begin your journey from hurdle to hope starting right now.

Expanding Comfort Zones After Major Surgery

Teisha: I love how Mariah talks about the power of expanding your comfort zone. Today, she shares her journey of recovery from a Whipple's procedure, detailing the small steps she took to slowly extend her boundaries. It's a beautiful testament to how embracing new experiences can help you rediscover life again. Let’s hear from Mariah on how she navigated these challenges.

Mariah: One thing that you mentioned, like that small step kind of thing, your comfort zone increases, so yes, like I remember when I was in hospital and we went to go to the local shopping centre. And mum's like, we'll get your nails done because I could do day out outings because I was in hospital bloody way too long, for they're like get her, she's she's like get antsy.

But I have the anxiety attack, and I could, I'd vomit, and I couldn't, unlike they'd have to give me my lemonade icy pole that I told you is a really comfort for me. Yes. And I would try and get through it. And then finally, I'd be able to sit in the chair and get my nails done. I’ll get my eyebrows on, my thousand wild, you know, every... my mum couldn’t brush my hair, like, because it was super long.

Um, so yeah, like I think you expand your comfort zone with time, with anything. Like, And but especially when you’re, you know, you’ve got this life-changing illness, you’ve got to think about other things. You just, I try to just try and slowly increase my comfort zone and increase, increase, increase, and then you kinda get to this point where you think, oh yeah, I can do that.

And then your body reminds you that maybe you can’t, like, you know, or maybe that wasn’t a good idea, or you know I did a sky dive last year, and I thought, oh I didn’t ask my doctor, but anyway, I just did it. I’d already done it before a couple of times, so I sort of knew what to expect. But you know, like you just slowly grow that comfort zone, and then you start to realise like, uh, I can do, you know, what what's the people can do.

And I think also listening to other people’s stories really helped me. Like I didn’t know many people that had Whipple's, but then when I did connect, I met this one woman. She still does like CrossFit and like goes on hikes. And I’m like, that’s amazing. Like, you have this massive scar and like half of your organs gone. Like, but you still, you know, you crushed in. And that’s my next motivation. Actually, my biggest comfort zone thing I’m working on now is exercise.

Yes. Yeah, because it’s been, I used to go to the gym a lot. I used to be like that, like muscle run ten kilometre type of girl. And I haven’t settled in a gym in. We did a couple of gyms while we had a few hotel gyms while we’ve been driving. I just, I just don’t do it. I can’t build a consistent routine. So that’s my next comfort zone because I get like really unsure, then I get a bit sore. And then I’m like, oh, I don’t know. Um, so that’s my, my next thing.

SECTION 2 Building Resilience Through Health Challenges

Teisha: I love how Mariah talked about the power of expanding your comfort zone. I always talk about stepping out of your comfort zone but I really like the way she explains it. So she shares how her journey of recovering from that massive Whipple procedure really involved small steps she took to slowly extend her boundaries. And it's such a beautiful testament to how embracing new experiences can really help you rediscover life again. So let's hear from Mariah on how she's navigated the massive challenges of going from lying in the hospital bed recovering from major surgery to slowly getting out of the hospital and enjoying life again.

Teisha: But I think too, what's important to highlight is why I wanted you on here as a guest. You've experienced so much in your twenties. Sometimes we think it's not fair, but hey, it happened. And that sets you up for the rest of your life, to do things very differently. For me, I always think, well, I had my midlife crisis at twenty-five. That's when I spent so long in hospital and all. And do you see that as well? Like that's almost the jolt thinking, "Well from now on, I'm not going to live life with regrets. I'm going to take my opportunities, I'm going to do things that other people without MS, without going through a Whipple's procedure, without cancer, might not have the confidence to do." So, does that sort of ring true to you?

Mariah: Oh yes. Like, you get a life perspective that you can't get otherwise. You know, I remember when I got the news that I potentially needed a Whipple's procedure and my Italian friend, we didn't know what to do. So he drove me to the beach, and we did a bit of meditation. And I said to him, "If I'm going to get half my organs removed, I better become famous. And I said I'm going to write a book on this one day." And as we speak, I'm going to write a book. I don't necessarily want to be famous, but you know, I think there's a reason why these things happen, unfortunately. It seems really hard to think, but the silver linings don't have to come right away, and they might not ever. And I think that's an important thing to remember too, but it came for me. And I, yeah, it made me see life differently. It's complete, like there are conversations I have with people, and they're like, "Yeah, wow. The wisdom that you get and the life experience that you get which is not always great, but you see things that not everyone sees. No, not at all."

Teisha: And I think too, let's finish on this topic of resilience. And you're touching on it, saying how much you've evolved. Resilience is a word that I like unpacking because lots of people say, "Oh, you're so resilient," and all. What does that mean? We are resilient when we're going through health conditions but only if we're willing to learn, grow, and keep evolving. So the person you are today, going through different challenges, is so different from the person you were. You know when all of a sudden, I've always had the same wrong. I think you corrected it. You know when the in the headlights, is it the deer in the headlights? Oh, deer in the headlights. And the deer in the headlights, you've got no idea what to do. And I think that's our silver lining because that is when something happens, any challenge happens, that we can bring to the table what we've learned. So, can you see that evolution? So if all of a sudden, you were to have a different surgery and we're not visualizing that happening. But you know we live with conditions where it goes up and down but hopefully, the downs aren't so low because we know how to respond. So, do you feel completely different to when you look at a photo of yourself lying in a hospital bed, after a Whipple's? Can you sort of think, gosh I wish I could say to myself there, not only will these amazing things happen and you'll marry a beautiful Colombian man, but you know you've learned so much to get you through those moments. So yeah, what are your thoughts on that?

Mariah: Yeah, this is interesting because I did end up having a second surgery and it was so easy. They inserted the NG tube because I ended up having a small bowel obstruction, but it kept untwisting until it sounds like I kept getting back in the hospital and they found it in Byron Bay in the tiny Byron Bay emergency. Just like you know, civil.

We went to Byron Bay on our way to move to the Gold Coast. We're literally right on the border. And mum's like, "I want to stop the environment because mum and dad drove up with us with the cars and everything." And I've never been and you can be neither, and I don't think my dad had.

So we'd booked a hotel and then that day we went to the lighthouse walk. And I had the twist that the bowel twisted, and I'll be vomiting at the top, and everyone's watching me like, "Oh jeez, that she couldn't handle the lighthouse walk. She's a bit unfit, isn't she?"

And mum and dad got the car, went to Byron Bay emergency and because every time I went to Sydney, the bowel had untwisted they never picked up on it because by the time I got through emergency at St V's, it's gone. But because it was in Byron Bay, and it was such a small hospital.

And as soon as I said Whipple's, I had no shoes on, my hair's a mess. So I'm like, "I really need some help. I've had a Whipple's," and they're like, "Get in that room now. Like there are people you know with broken arms, get her in now," and they found the small bandage I left an energy tube in my nose and rushed me straight to Tweed Heads, and I had surgery that night.

And it was just a breeze. Like I just knew like, "Yep, let's do it." And after my life changed like I could eat with it. Like I wouldn't have been able to go out for a day. On a day trip. Like it just I would have been sick.

You know I remember when Mitch came to visit me in Sydney when we'd just gotten together, but I moved to Sydney to see doctors and finalize everything. We'd go get an ice cream at Bondi, and I would be in the toilet vomiting. Yeah, I have to go home. Like we couldn't last the day.

And then we moved to the Gold unfortunately we had to move into the apartment without me because I was in hospital. But then when I got to the hospital back home, I was off painkillers, I think like out of hospital in three days, and I had been completely reopened again.

I got out of hospital in three days and was off pain relief within five. And Mitch was like, "Whoa, how did you manage?" And I think it's just like you just know how to do it and your body knows what to do.

Like you just, and it is that resilience. Like you know, and even I said to Mitch, "That's why women keep going back and having babies because you forget, but you build that resilience." People say it's the safest childhood.

Like, and you know, tomorrow unfortunately, the doctor said, "Hey look, we do need to do another surgery. Let's do it." Yeah. Yeah. That's right. That's I can do it. And I think that no matter what comes up, you just, yeah. You can do it.

You one hundred percent can. And I think even if the next challenge is harder because you've experienced that you had a next challenge that was harder but you get through it easier. Yep. Because you've done it.

Like and resilience is a wild thing and I think like, you know, you just, it's self-belief as well. Like I can totally do it. Like I can absolutely do this. And I think absolutely. Yeah.

And that there's that level of like try not to overthink it as well because of course, like we need to think things. But I think what really did help me during my recovery as well is I didn't over-analyze what a Whipple's was.

My mum Googled it. She's like, "I wish I didn't do…I never research anything." And you know sometimes ignorance is bliss. Sometimes you do need to learn some things. Yep. But I have people that contact me on TikTok, they've googled everything, they've researched everything.

They're like, "What about this? What about that?" And I just say, "Hey, you can do this. Just relax. Don't overthink it." Like I have a poor guy in Belgium that doesn't speak English that translates to me.

He's terrified. And I just say, "It's okay." He's had his surgery now. He does need chemo, but I think he's on a tablet. Like I don't know his process, but he's like, "Look, it's okay. You can do can one hundred percent do it."

Like if you know, just trust yourself. I think is it that you just have to trust yourself. Trust your body. Like it will heal if you let it.

Teisha: Yeah, absolutely and I think though that takes…time to actually focus inwardly, you know, and we say Google is horrendous at times, you know, but at times we need to know what's happening, but you still need to protect yourself as you enter that world. You know, of Google. It's like a balance between knowledge is power and ignorance is bliss. Yeah, it is, it is. And it says, but it's being you know just going to the sources that you trust or surrounding yourself with people that you trust what they're saying. So it was like well you've got this, you know I trust you as my surgeon. You've got it. Great. I don't need to find out what exactly you're doing because I'll pass out, you know, not do that. Don't tell that. Tell me after. Yeah, yeah. And all of that really then helps us deal with the uncertainty of life. Because not just our illness, we don't know what's going to happen in the next five, ten, fifteen years, but, you know, you're ready for it because you can do it. Which is amazing.

Reflecting on Health Challenges and Personal Growth

Teisha: As we wrap up my chat with Mariah, we shift our focus to the profound impact of reflecting on your journey. And sometimes this can be painful. It's not particularly nice sometimes to go back to those really stressful or traumatic times. But what I truly believe is that these times are when your insights are born. But the other benefit of reflection is that you can start acknowledging and appreciating your personal growth and evolution.

Teisha: So thank you, Mariah. We’ve been through your amazing

Mariah: Wild ride.

Teisha: Yeah, it is. But as I said at the beginning, you really in bottle, in bottle haha you took a drink then so I saw the bottle instead of embody, I said in bottle. You embody, um, what Hurdle2Hope means. You know you’ve gone through these really frightening, terrifying times. And you’ve now had all these amazing experiences, and it is good to reflect because—and Mariah hasn’t given half of what like, Mariah’s—we’ll give you the links. Where's your Instagram page for people to see? Because where Mariah is travelling, it is unbelievable like at the moment, I was chatting to Mariah yesterday because on her Instagram, they’re in Bolivia, but you think you know yeah they’re in a town. They’re in the town which is like a cartoon; I said there are no cars. They’re like cables between the peaks of mountains where they are. And there's houses all the way up and down the mountain. Like it is just something out of this world. So you’re not doing like, let’s go to a resort and kick back. No. You’re doing these amazing things. So where can people find you on Instagram? Because if you want to start living through Mariah like I am because I can’t do that now you know I’m buying an acreage so I can chill out and look at the stars. So yeah, where can people find you, Mariah?

Mariah: Yeah, so I’m on Instagram and it’s mariah_contentqueen is one word. And yes, I do post a lot of my travels. And I think like you know I just did a post that I’m gonna post today. And it’s like we do fast nomading. So we’re not in somewhere very long but it’s because it’s only like a five-year plan for us. Like our plan is to one day you know be somewhere by the beach and you know we do wanna settle but I think like and that’s the beauty of you know having your plan and your goal and what you wanna achieve because you can totally do it. And I think like yeah we’ve had some wild experiences. And what you said about reflection is like so true. Like Mitch, I did a video that they could switch has been listening to all my old podcasts from like not me podcasting meeting on other people’s podcast. Okay. And because he he’s doing my one of page on my website because it’s really good with that stuff. And he goes, you really did everything that you said on these podcasts. And this was pre knowing any health. And I’m like, it’s wild. Right. Like you just you don’t and that and that’s the power of reflection. Right. Like and sometimes it’s hard. Like some days I think back to everything that’s happened. And like my parents cry every time we talk about it. Like they’re traumatized. Every time I call them I’m like oh my god Guess what happened. They cry. Like they’re like Like what’s happening. Like uh severely traumatized my parents. Like but you know like when we do talk about it and and it is nice like even if you do cry going back to the crying thing you said like it’s so healing. Like how good is it. You have like a massive cry and then you can move through it. Like I think. But that reflection piece is hard as trauma traumatizing at times but Yeah, it it’s how you heal through the the the process like mentally because I think the the mindset and you say mindset is everything. It’s a hundred percent everything. Yeah. Like it’s no doubt about like you I’ve read so many books about how that mindset has you know put them in remission. Like we’ve read amazing books about that like of course other things, but that’s that belief and that mindset like, they’re not miracles. Yeah. Like they generally like there’s a reason why these like people...Yeah. End up in remission or you know cure it or whatever that their story is. Like it’s happened so much. So it’s like why can’t it happen to us?

Teisha: Yes. Yeah. A hundred percent, hundred percent, and, yeah, and that’s what we we visualize and you visualize that without the fear of thinking…knowing that within ourselves we're capable of responding to anything, you know, and we can get through anything and why focus on that. You know we’re we don’t need to focus on plan b. We’re we’re going and we’re going you know big and just living out lives. And that’s what's amazing and I really hope people listening to this are really, I don’t know if you know, we talk about you know do we like the word inspired but it is inspiring....... because…what you’re doing…is amazing. You know And…Yeah. It just is amazing because you’re not just taking on a Contiki tour. You are taking on, you know, massive, massive experiences. And that will, um just only add to you know all these tools you have you know for the rest of your life as well. So…well done you. So pleased that yeah we got to have this chat. And…I’ll be having Mariah back as well because...I think there’s really important piece that we can delve into a bit more about work because it is something that lots of people aren’t working in living with their illnesses and there’s so much we can do in that space. So yeah. So you’ll be hearing from Mariah more but for now, thank you so much for your time today, and, yeah, we’ll chat very soon.

Mariah: Thanks so much, Teish, for having me. I love the chat. I love a chat that I loved this conversation. So thank you.

Teisha: You’re welcome. Thank you…

Creating Your Hurdle2Hope® Story

So thank you for listening to another episode of Wellbeing Interrupted. Mariah truly is the perfect example of a Hurdle2Hope® story. And what today's episode really highlights is that we really do continue to grow and evolve when our lives are interrupted by a significant health challenge. And that evolution is our resilience. For me, this enables me to look forward with confidence, as I really do know that regardless of what challenges come my way, I will have insights and tools to have an impact on my experience.

And the good news is you can start your own Hurdle2Hope® story right now. You can do this by completing the quiz. So the quiz is called the Healing Journey Quiz, and you can access that anytime by visiting our website, hurdle2hope.com/quiz. The link is also in the show notes. Always remember, Hurdle2Hope is with the number two, so hurdle2hope.com/quiz. And why I keep pushing this quiz is because I get to find out where you are on your healing journey and what resources will help you to start moving forward. So that's it from me. I hope you have a great week, and we'll chat soon. Bye.

Thank you so much for joining me today on Wellbeing Interrupted. If today's episode inspired you or you think it could help others, please share it by tagging at Hurdle2Hope® in your Instagram stories, or just by telling a friend about it. To spread our message of healing and hope to those who need it most. Your ratings and reviews are invaluable by taking a moment to rate and review on your listening platform. You help us attract inspiring guests and create content that empowers all of us to thrive. Don't forget to follow me on Hurdle2Hope® for more insights. I'd love to see you there. Always remember to thrive after a life-changing diagnosis. Your mindset is everything.