Part One.

We dive into an extraordinary journey of resilience with Athena Brownson. At the peak of her real estate career—feeling invincible and unstoppable—Athena’s life took an unexpected turn. Strange health issues appeared, and she was eventually diagnosed with Lyme disease, a condition that would change everything.

For the past eight years, Athena has lived in chronic pain, relying on plasma transfusions four days each month just to keep going. Her life now revolves around battling this disease, something she never imagined facing. As she says, “If life didn’t give us adversity and challenges…”

This story is too powerful for just one episode.

Today, in Part 1, Athena shares her experience with Lyme disease—a condition that remains poorly understood but has profoundly impacted her health. She’ll talk about how she caught it, what she’s endured, and the fight to survive.

In Part 2, airing tomorrow, Athena will reveal how she not only survived but found ways to thrive, rebuild her support system, and grow her career once again.

Key Highlights of Our Interview:

The Hidden Threat of Lyme Disease

“I had no idea what Lyme disease was before I was diagnosed with it. It’s the fastest growing epidemic in the United States, and it can turn life upside down.”

From Athlete to Survivor

“My life has made a complete 180 from being a professional athlete to just trying to get through each day. It’s a nightmare I wouldn’t wish on anyone.”

When Life Becomes a Series of Challenges

“It’s hard not to get stuck in the mud when you’re dealing with something so challenging and constant… chronic pain, chronic fatigue, enough to make anyone want to stay in bed and not do anything.”

Creating a Toolkit for Every Day

“How do we pivot our mentality? How do we create our toolkit of things to get us through each day, even when we don’t want to? Sometimes it’s as simple as blasting favorite music or making a great cup of coffee.”

Becoming Your Own Biggest Advocate

“With Lyme, I’ve learned that you have to be your own biggest advocate. It’s about mental resilience, surrounding yourself with the right people, and finding those anchors to push forward.”

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