In this episode, Laura, Jen, and Maeghan reflect on what small daily habits make a difference in their well-being, discussing the concept of "three non-negotiables" to help manage chronic illness and mental health. They also dive into the complexities of healthcare systems, the challenges of accessing proper treatment, and the frustrating reality of needing financial resources to get the care you deserve. With Christmas around the corner, they also share their holiday traditions and plans—including Laura’s heated pool dreams, Maeghan's "Nomad Christmas," and Jen’s seafood-themed UK holiday.

Topics Covered:

• The importance of identifying three daily "non-negotiables" to maintain physical and mental well-being.
• How movement—whether spin class, walking, or swimming—helps reclaim a sense of control over your body.
• Laura’s journey back to swimming after past trauma and how it's impacted her healing.
• The harsh reality of healthcare disparities—why getting proper treatment often comes down to money.
• The frustrating experience of waiting for public healthcare in New Zealand, and the difficult choices patients have to make.
• How illness impacts relationships, from romantic partners to friends who step up when you need them most.
• Christmas traditions, from seafood feasts to chaotic "orphan" gatherings and the great Die Hard holiday movie debate.

Notable Moments:

💬 "I feel like some people walk and they get mindfulness. I need to power it out. Spin has been so good for that." – Laura on rediscovering movement.

💬 "If exercise were a drug, we'd be prescribing it." – Jen on how fitness impacts cancer recovery.

💬 "I only got better because I could afford an external nutritionist. What about the people who can't?" – Maeghan on the financial barriers to getting proper healthcare.

Takeaways:

🔹 Establishing small daily non-negotiables can help create stability in the chaos of chronic illness.

🔹 Movement—when possible—can be empowering and transformative for both body and mind.

🔹 Access to proper healthcare should not be dependent on financial resources, yet often it is.

🔹 Support systems, whether friends, partners, or family, are crucial when navigating illness.

🔹 Die Hard may or may not be a Christmas movie, but Love Actually and Spirited are definite holiday favorites.

Get in Touch:

We’d love to hear from you! If this episode resonated with you, email us at [email protected].

Taking a holiday break—see you in 2024, when Maeghan will officially be a married woman! Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and may your stockings be fuller than your medical bills.

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