34- Transforming our Difficulties into Motivation and Empathy

Ashley and Rebecca from The Crohn's & Colitis Dietitians talk about all things IBD-related. 

0-10 minutes:
We start off this episode talking about the delicious beverages we've been enjoying and some nice dairy free alternative milks and creamers. Ashley talks about her sleep struggles lately and how the summer heat is affecting her schedule. We talk about how we squeeze exercise into our busy schedules. 

10-21 minutes:
Everyone has their own journey with IBD. Ashley reflects on how much transformation has occurred since she was first diagnosed with UC about 12 years ago. We reflect on what we would tell our younger self at different stages in our life- for one, get the colonoscopy! We look back on unexpected weight loss and how it changed our perspective and made us appreciate our bodies and the healing process more. We discuss uncertainties and fears when we were first getting diagnosed.

21-29 minutes:
Rebecca talks about her first encounter with a GI doctor and how the bedside manner was terrible and discouraging to her. Sometimes that first experience can really set the tone and influence our path. Rebecca saw 3 more GI doctors while trying to figure out what was going on with her. She is grateful for the answers and clarity she has now. Ashley reflects on the fact that the difficulties she has experienced sparked motivation to help others experiencing the same type of challenges. She is grateful that she was able to transform that pain into motivation and that she now has an understanding of others experiencing the many depths of hardship with IBD and chronic illness. We now feel reassured knowing there are others to help with the IBD journey and find the next step, instead of being dismissed. We wish that this support was available when we were first diagnosed but we are proud of the guidance we can give to others. It is truly an honor and pleasure to work with our IBD clients! 

29-40 minutes:
Ashley and Rebecca talk about how they are proud to do the work they do and are grateful that they were able to merge their purpose and passion into a career. We recognize that some people can have a deep calling that is separate from their job and they don't necessarily have to be same thing.  Rebecca talks about how she is passionate about researching IBD and she will always be interested in learning more since she has the personal connection to it. We admit that having a career that is your calling may not always be glamorous and there are sometimes hard days but we always come back to it because it is so meaningful. Ashley talks about the decisions she isn't sure about, like maybe being a parent in the future. We talk about some comments or assumptions people make and how we hope there is more education around IBD in the future.