In today’s episode, I’m joined by a fellow member of the ‘Podcast Accelerator’ program and Host of ‘The Chronically Courageous' Podcast, Bonni Howard! 

Bonni is an absolute beacon of light in the chronic illness community and has continually displayed her ability to uplift and give others a platform throughout the time she’s spent as an advocate. For so many like her who live with ‘Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome’, feelings of isolation and lack of understanding amongst peers is all too common. Bonni aims to bridge that gap and create a sense of community amongst others in similar situations. It’s wonderful to see how those individuals are benefiting from her work and are feeling a genuine sense of camaraderie.

We also discuss what having ‘Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome’ entails, lessons Bonni learned from previous relationships, and why practicing gratitude and showing vulnerability is so vital to living a healthy life. We too often associate vulnerability with weakness and it could not be farther from the truth. The key to living courageously is learning how to balance those emotions and perceive them as strengths rather than something that limits us or needs to be dismissed. 

To hear more and to learn about Bonni’s story in further detail, tune in to Episode 13 of Uncover Your Magic! 

Some Questions I Ask:

• When did your mother start to take your pain seriously? (7:45)
• When did your diagnosis become clear to you? (10:06)
• Because it took so long to receive an official diagnosis, what were you doing during that time to cope? (12:02)
• What morning rituals do you practice now? (14:02)
• How long have you and your fiancé known each other? (21:57)
• Where do you see yourself in a year’s time after the pandemic has settled down? (28:40)
• What advice would you give to your twenty-year-old self? (35:20)

In This Episode You Will Learn:

• Background on Bonni’s early experience with chronic illness and addiction (3:12)
• What ‘Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome’ is (6:24)
• The reasoning behind Bonni’s advocacy (12:45)
• A breakdown of Bonni’s meditation practice (15:37)
• How Bonni’s workout routine has shifted since Covid-19 & How ‘Ehlers-Danlos’ led to her getting her hip replaced (18:24)
• How Bonni’s previous partners responded to her disorder & What she learned from those experiences (23:14)
• What the ‘Uncover Your Magic’ Podcast means to me (34:08)

Let’s Connect!

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram

Connect With Bonni Howard:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Podcast - ‘The Chronically Courageous’ 

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