Stubbornly Vertical

Hospital wards aren't exactly known for being fun... but that didn't stop me from finding reasons to keep my sense of humour. In this episode, I share how humour, imagination, and a cast of unforgettable characters helped me stay positive during one of the most challenging periods of my life. From "Voldemort" and the "Dementors" to my fellow patients, "The Fairy Do...

Although unlike Eminem, I have not returned with a chart-topping album. Just mild chaos, several life updates, and a suspicious amount of caffeine. But yes, after nearly a month away from the podcast, I am finally back behind the microphone… and I’ve definitely got a few things to tell you about!

Sometimes motivation doesn’t come from discipline: it comes from something that hits you at the right moment. For me, it was Rocky Balboa! Not just the story, but the music behind it; the energy, the build, the feeling. In this episode, I talk about how that combination helped me reset, refocus, and start moving forward again.

After a difficult consultant appointment, I found myself slipping into a place I don’t often go: fear, doubt, and a spiral of “what ifs.” It’s something many of us face, but rarely talk about openly. In this episode, I share what that felt like, what pulled me out of it, and the small but powerful moments of hope I found along the way; from unexpected wins to taking literal steps forward on the be...

My first consultant appointment after hospital and rehab, armed with questions, cautious optimism, and a hopeful outlook that may or may not survive contact with reality. We talk progress, CK levels that refuse to behave, the realities of long-term treatment, and why optimism still feels like a sensible strategy. Also featuring: returning the four-wheel walker, kind rehab faces, and the unexpected...

A sudden diagnosis of myositis left me unable to walk, lift my arms, or even eat and drink, safely! And facing ten weeks in hospital that changed everything in my life! In this honest and deeply personal episode, I share the reality (to me) behind the word “hospital”: the loss of independence, the unexpected moments of hope, and the determination it took to walk again out of rehab just four weeks...

Welcome to the extra episode of Stubbornly Vertical:  “A thought… You may agree or not, but I will share it anyway!” . A short and honest reflection, on how the disease may shape our daily routines, challenge our strength, and test our patience, but it does not own our identity, our ambitions, or our sense of purpose.  So here is a thought… you may agree or not, but I will share it anyway!

Before November 2025, I had never heard the word  myositis . Like most people, I assumed that if something serious ever happened to my health, there would probably be warning signs, risk factors, or at least some kind of explanation. There weren’t. In this episode, I want to introduce you to myositis — what it is, how it affects the body, and how my own journey with it began. I’ll also share how q...

A short intro on the raison d'être for my podcast! It is a bumpy, sometimes uncomfortable, (and a bit gross ) story, but I hope it will inspire you, make you laugh, and give you an insight into life changing experiences and how they can positively shape our lives, even when all hope seems lost.