The Invisible Condition Podcast

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You are taking a shower, wash yourself down there and notice a lump so you go to your doctor. The doctor isn't concerned but decides to send you for some tests. Next thing you realize, at 32, you have testicular cancer and are now in a battle for your life.

Chris Ho has battled testicular cancer not once, but twice. In this episode, we talk about the importance of permission, sharing, healing, and community.

We know that not everyone wants to hear our stories. And to us, that's something we cannot control. But, when someone invites us to share, Chris's take is to start small, be honest, and allow others to get curious.

Chris Ho - Bio

Chris Ho is a certified leadership coach and consultant with FranklinCovey along with his own practice at ConsciousStudio.ca focused on leadership, talent and culture development. 

Motivated by his 15 + years of leadership experience combined with his personal health challenges, Chris’s mission is to help inspire, connect and support people within organizations to achieve the results they are looking for. 

Chris's personal experiences as a 2-time testicular cancer survivor and past caregiver to his late father have shown him that perspective is everything, especially when it comes to realizing your potential while making the most of today. 

Within his community, Chris proudly volunteers with the BC Cancer Agency and Foundation whose goal is to improve cancer experience between patients, caregivers and care workers. Chris is also passionate about volunteering with NextGenMen, an organization focused on helping men have healthy conversations about masculinity and Movember and its awareness for men's mental and physical health. 

Chris can be found living in the moment with his wife Maggie, their two boys Caden and Liam and their fur babies Sam and Zoe in the River District in Vancouver BC.

Show Themes:

• Embracing Vulnerability and Openness 
• The Power of Support and Compassion 
• Living in the Moment and Self-Care 
• Encouragement for Sharing and Overcoming Challenges 

Contact Links:

Website - The Conscious Studio

LinkedIn - Chris Ho

Resources:

Next Gen Men

BC Cancer Foundation

Tim's Info
Invisible condition - Website
LinkedIn

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Thanks for listening, I appreciate you!
 
Support the Show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/timreitsma

• Website: invisiblecondition.com
• Subscribe: invisiblecondition.com/subscribe
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4kDTQ9eTFpWFDID9vsXFxW
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-invisible-condition-podcast/id1703432562

Social Media

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invisible_condition/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Invisible_Condition

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Resilience is the ability to work through a crisis and return to a pre-crisis state. That’s a simple definition, but what does resilience really mean in a world full of complexity?

The American Psychological Association defines Resilience as "the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioural flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands".

In this journal entry, I share a framework I use to bounce back to a pre-crisis state - Reframe, Reflect, and Reachout.

Support the show

Thanks for listening, I appreciate you!
 
Support the Show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/timreitsma

• Website: invisiblecondition.com
• Subscribe: invisiblecondition.com/subscribe
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4kDTQ9eTFpWFDID9vsXFxW
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-invisible-condition-podcast/id1703432562

Social Media

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invisible_condition/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Invisible_Condition

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When you are 17 and live with Type 1 Diabeties, what do you do? You aim to change the world and bring an end to the stigma that surrounds invisible disabilities, illnesses, diseases and conditions.

Jenna Shares openly how her invisible condition doesn't define who she is. Sure there are limits to what she can do but that hasn't stopped her from becoming a fierce advocate and a volunteer  firefighter! Jenna shares her story of faith, trial, and how she is bringing awareness to invisible conditions.

Resources

• What is type 1 diabetes? - Mayo Clinic
• Blue Balloon Project - Video

Show Notes and highlights:

• Diagnosed at three years old at the time being raised by a single mom of three.
• Living with diabeties hasn't defined who Jenna is.
• Being surrounded by people who have been curious has allowed Jenna to have the confidence to share.
• Jenna faced stigma and was told "It's not invisible" because I can see your site.
• Jenna's awareness allowed her to respond with grace and courage. 
• Life is full of opportunity, don't let your condition slow you down.
• Look to God

What we talk about:

• Invisible Condition
• Invisible disability, invisible illness
• Disability awareness
• Type 1 diabetes
• The power of telling your story
• Not being defined by your disability

Where to find us:
https://www.invisiblecondition.com/
https://www.instagram.com/invisible_condition/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/timreitsma/

What is an “invisible condition”?

An invisible condition is an illness or health condition (physical or mental) that isn’t seen from the outside. This may include, but is not limited to autoimmune disorders, mental illness, neurodiverse conditions, chronic pain or fatigue, trauma, cancers, and brain injuries.

Invisible condition is an inclusive term that encompasses invisible illness, invisible disability, and invisible disease.

Support the show

Thanks for listening, I appreciate you!
 
Support the Show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/timreitsma

• Website: invisiblecondition.com
• Subscribe: invisiblecondition.com/subscribe
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4kDTQ9eTFpWFDID9vsXFxW
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-invisible-condition-podcast/id1703432562

Social Media

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invisible_condition/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Invisible_Condition

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Every Wednesday, I release an episode with a guest. Someone who lives with an invisible condition, a caregiver, or a medical professional. We share stories, give insights, and create opportunities to get real, vulnerable, and make connections.

On Fridays, I plan to release a short (10-minute) solo episode where I share some of the many thoughts swirling around in my mind.

This week, I share vulnerably about my struggle with mental health as well as my son's. What if we create workplaces and schools where it is OK to not be OK? Imagine walking into the office and when someone asks you "how are you", you answer with truth. Maybe you are fantastic and maybe you aren't.

In Canada, 75% of all suicides are men. This stat scared me and is driving me to action. So, let's stop hiding, let's start sharing!

Definition:
An invisible condition is an illness or health condition (physical or mental) that isn’t seen from the outside. This may include, but is not limited to autoimmune disorders, mental illness, neurodiverse conditions, chronic pain or fatigue, trauma, cancers, and brain injuries.

Links:
https://mentalhealthcommission.ca/
https://ca.movember.com/
https://www.wellnesstogether.ca/en-ca/
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help

Support the show

Thanks for listening, I appreciate you!
 
Support the Show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/timreitsma

• Website: invisiblecondition.com
• Subscribe: invisiblecondition.com/subscribe
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4kDTQ9eTFpWFDID9vsXFxW
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-invisible-condition-podcast/id1703432562

Social Media

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invisible_condition/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Invisible_Condition

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What do you do when you lose trust in your bowels? Jodi Ekk, diagnosed with Colitis talks about how her faith has allowed her to let go of one career and pursue something completely different. A change in identity, making an impact. And the freedom to say, “Excuse me, I need to run.”

Resources

• https://crohnsandcolitis.ca/
• https://www.webmd.com/ibd-crohns-disease/crohns-colitis-difference 

Show Notes and highlights:

• Colonoscopy pro tips - warm apple juice, cold prep, and bundle up!
• Advice for people who need accommodations - Don’t wait for a diagnosis before asking for accommodations.
• Jodi felt she waited too long for the doctors to tell her what to do versus going ahead and asking the workplace for what she needed.
• We need to also advocate for yourself and follow up with a medical team.
• Don’t focus on the outcome, focus on what we can do with what we have
• Be confident in sharing our personal stories and educating people
• Get a sense of whether other people are interested or open to hearing about your condition
• Hope and encouragement - hope beyond what we see in front of us
• Look to God

What we talk about:

• Crohn's Disease and Colitis
• Invisible illness and invisible disabilities
• Workplace Accommodation
• Faith, trust, identity, and hope
• Gratitudes instead of fear

Where to find us:
https://www.invisiblecondition.com/
https://www.instagram.com/invisible_condition/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/timreitsma/

Support the show

Thanks for listening, I appreciate you!
 
Support the Show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/timreitsma

• Website: invisiblecondition.com
• Subscribe: invisiblecondition.com/subscribe
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4kDTQ9eTFpWFDID9vsXFxW
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-invisible-condition-podcast/id1703432562

Social Media

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invisible_condition/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Invisible_Condition

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Hey everyone, Tim here, host of the Invisible Condition podcast, where we talk about unusually normal things. The thing we talk about today is strokes. Now you might associate strokes with middle-aged people, or older people, but do you associate strokes with younger people? My guest today was in university when he had a stroke. Healthy guy, active guy, who woke up one morning, and just wasn't feeling right. He asked his friends if...

He seemed off if he seemed different. And they all said, no, probably just tired because we've been up late studying for exams, but he just knew something was wrong. Even the ambulance attendants thought he was just trying to get out of an exam. Nitai's life completely changed. He now lives with the lasting impact of having a stroke, but he hasn't let that slow him down. We talk about how he now manages his life.

And that is a life full of gratitude. And we even get into some of the tools that he uses in his life. So in this episode, I know that you won't just be inspired, but there are actionable takeaways. For me, it's just remembering every day and every evening what I'm grateful for. So as always,

If you listen to this episode and you have questions or comments, if you just want to share your story, but don't know how, please reach out to me at invisiblecondition.com

LinkedIn
Instagram

Support the show

Thanks for listening, I appreciate you!
 
Support the Show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/timreitsma

• Website: invisiblecondition.com
• Subscribe: invisiblecondition.com/subscribe
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4kDTQ9eTFpWFDID9vsXFxW
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-invisible-condition-podcast/id1703432562

Social Media

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invisible_condition/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Invisible_Condition

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Living in a constant state of problem-solving. Silently living in crisis mode. But then something changed. Being diagnosed with ADHD changed Rosanna’s outlook on life and work. From living in a state of feeling imperfect to embracing her imperfectness. Getting curious about herself, and leaning into what makes her thrive has helped Rosanna Campbell build a thriving freelance career.

In our conversation, Rosanna shares authentically and vulnerably about her struggles, her diagnosis and how she embraces what makes her so awesome! I think she is awesome! What’s great about Rosanna is that she is so willing to share and give back. We will spend time dreaming of the future. A future where there is no more stigma around bringing our whole selves to the workplace.

Rosanna's contact information: LinkedIn

Support the show

Thanks for listening, I appreciate you!
 
Support the Show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/timreitsma

• Website: invisiblecondition.com
• Subscribe: invisiblecondition.com/subscribe
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4kDTQ9eTFpWFDID9vsXFxW
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-invisible-condition-podcast/id1703432562

Social Media

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invisible_condition/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Invisible_Condition

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Through the power of sharing my story on LinkedIn, a ghost writer who use to write under my name reached out, said he use to be me and proceeded to share his story about living with hemophila. 

But the random encounter isn’t the theme of todays show. 

Imagine with me for a moment. You have a child who is born hemophiliac and you ask yourself, do you pad the world or pad your child? Shaun’s parents raised him to embrace the world, not fear it and this has shaped his entire outlook. He knows his limitations but he also knows his strengths. He was raised to embrace his condition and not fear what might be to come.

So, do you pad the world or pad your child?  Stay tuned to hear Shaun’s amazing outlook on life and hear his encouragement to bring visibility to invisible conditions.

Bio:
Shaun Bernstein is a journalist turned lawyer turned content writer. He is the founder and Chief Storyteller of The Write Stuff Agency, where he's proven that when you found your own company you can make up your own job title. 

His work includes writing websites, blogs, articles, and other assorted publications for clients across a wide range of industries. 

A lifelong hemophiliac and former employment lawyer, Shaun has a passion for supporting those with invisible illnesses, whether through patient advocacy or policy change. 

When he's not busy writing or bleeding, he and his wife play an inordinate amount of trivia in and around Durham Region, Ontario. 

Shaun’s contact information: Website | LinkedIn

Support the show

Thanks for listening, I appreciate you!
 
Support the Show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/timreitsma

• Website: invisiblecondition.com
• Subscribe: invisiblecondition.com/subscribe
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4kDTQ9eTFpWFDID9vsXFxW
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-invisible-condition-podcast/id1703432562

Social Media

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invisible_condition/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Invisible_Condition

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Hey Tim here, host of the Invisible Condition podcast, a show where we talk about unusually normal things. So before we get into all the episodes that are coming, I wanted to take a moment and share this space with my wife, Tania. 

We want to talk about the point and the purpose of the show. And well, what you're going to get out of this. You know, we want to do more than inspire. We want to change the world. And how are we going to do that? We're going to tell stories from people who live with an invisible condition and hear from caregivers, professionals, and those who have an idea about how we can kill the stigma that surrounds sharing about our normal. 

The past few years were a rollercoaster. In addition to being severely sick physically, I was sick and tired of holding it all in. All the fear of judgment by others who lack understanding or awareness about my condition. With all my appointments, I had to manage and endure, constantly having to get a camera up my, well, let's just call it a colonoscopy. Getting syringes in my bloated knee to drain the excess fluid, and being hooked up to IVs to get new medication, new blood, and new iron. 

With all that real stuff I had to deal with, I was done trying to come up with creative ways to avoid talking about my condition, and all my medical appointments in order to make other people feel more comfortable. So I started to be more open and candid with friends, coworkers, and relatives about what I was going through physically and mentally. 

I started posting on LinkedIn about what I was going through and my frustrations with society when it comes to invisible conditions. It was scary and, oh man, it was hard. Yes, I did face judgment and discrimination. But I also found connections with so many people who responded by telling me that they too have an invisible condition but are too afraid to share. 

Fearing that they'd lose their job, lose relationships, fear of judgment, or being treated differently. Last winter, I literally could have died if I didn't get the proper medical intervention in time. And now after surgery and being on a new medication, I have some quality of life back. And I don't want to waste it. There's no cure for Crohn's disease, but hey, I've got to at least make it count for something good in this world.

Support the show

Thanks for listening, I appreciate you!
 
Support the Show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/timreitsma

• Website: invisiblecondition.com
• Subscribe: invisiblecondition.com/subscribe
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4kDTQ9eTFpWFDID9vsXFxW
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-invisible-condition-podcast/id1703432562

Social Media

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invisible_condition/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Invisible_Condition

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So, what does it mean to be a normal person? One definition I found says “A normal person has no serious physical or mental health problems”. So, I guess this means I am not normal!

But here on the Invisible Condition podcast, we talk about unusually normal things. That’s right! 

Over 80% of our population lives with a physical or mental condition and a large proportion of us have something that is invisible. 

Soon after I shared about my health journey, many people, friends, and strangers reached out to thank me for stepping out so vulnerably. People started messaging me about their invisible condition journeys and a common theme started to emerge.

Fear! 

Fear of sharing because of the stigma attached. They feared judgment, they feared losing their jobs, they feared rejection, they feared “making others feel uncomfortable"! People are suffering in silence. They are isolated.

Our purpose is to invite people to tell their stories. Let’s start sharing our unusually normal experiences around invisible conditions so that we can break down barriers. Let’s stop hiding.

My hope is that Invisible Condition will be a platform where people can feel seen, supported, and empowered. I also hope for change—to create a more EMPATHETIC, authentically curious, and inclusive society.

Because EVERYONE DESERVES TO FEEL THEIR NORMAL

Support the show

Thanks for listening, I appreciate you!
 
Support the Show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/timreitsma

• Website: invisiblecondition.com
• Subscribe: invisiblecondition.com/subscribe
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4kDTQ9eTFpWFDID9vsXFxW
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-invisible-condition-podcast/id1703432562

Social Media

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/invisible_condition/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Invisible_Condition