In this deeply moving and empowering conversation, Alice welcomes Katie to the Fertility Life Raft Podcast. Katie shares her unexpected journey through infertility, the decision to step away from treatment without a baby, and how she has built a joyful and fulfilling life on her own terms.

Together, they discuss:

The "escalator of life" and the social conditioning around marriage and motherhood

Two distinct chapters of infertility in Katie’s 30s

The intentional decision-making process before trying again in her mid-30s

The relief and grief that came with walking away from IVF

Creating Afterglow, Katie’s Substack community for women navigating life after fertility treatment

Why we need more honest stories about when treatment doesn’t work out

How acceptance, joy, and personal growth can coexist with grief

Katie’s story is an inspiring reminder that fulfillment and purpose don’t depend on following society’s blueprint, and that there is beauty in rewriting your own story.

Katie is the writer and founder of Afterglow, a growing Substack community for women who are considering stepping away—or have already stepped away—from fertility treatment. Through honest essays and personal reflections, she challenges dominant fertility narratives and creates a compassionate, uplifting space for those navigating life beyond IVF.

Follow Katie on Substack: Afterglow

Connect on Instagram: @afterglow_by_Katie

Listen to related episodes:

Jessica Hepburn

Kat Brown

Katie is a client and previous Life Raft member; you can click here to see what sort of support is available now: http://fertilityliferaft.com/everything

✨ “It’s such a personal decision to walk away, but for me it was about realising a baby would add to my life—not complete it.”

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