Take 20: Health Podcast Series | EP03: My Journey with Autoimmunity | with Samantha & Alkesh

Summary

In this heartfelt video script, the narrator candidly discusses their challenging journey with an autoimmune disorder, the impact on their career, and the mental and physical struggles they faced. They share their initial denial, feelings of guilt, and the transformative process of reframing their perspective on success and health. The script highlights the importance of patience, self-reliance, and celebrating personal achievements, offering valuable insights to those navigating similar health challenges.

Takeaways

• 🎬 The speaker had to balance a physically demanding role in 'Citadel' while dealing with health issues, highlighting the challenges of working through personal struggles.
• 🤕 During the filming, the speaker experienced health crises, including a concussion and spasms, which were exacerbated by the intense physical requirements of the role.
• 🏥 There was a reliance on traditional medical treatments like medication and IVIG, but after a year without significant improvement, the speaker felt a sense of hopelessness.
• 🔄 The speaker underwent a transition in their approach to health, moving away from traditional medicine to explore alternative routes towards remission.
• 🚫 The speaker had to take a break from a successful career, which was a difficult decision but ultimately beneficial for their health journey.
• 💪 A strong sense of determination and goal-setting played a crucial role in the speaker's decision to prioritize health and work towards recovery.
• 🧘‍♂️ The journey towards better health involved a significant mental shift, including dealing with guilt, self-blame, and eventually finding mental clarity.
• 🌟 The speaker found value in reframing their perspective on life's challenges, seeing roadblocks as opportunities for redirection towards a greater purpose.
• 📝 The practice of gratitude and positive affirmations upon waking was adopted to combat morning anxiety and has significantly reduced stress.
• 🤹‍♀️ The experience taught the speaker patience and resilience, leading to a decreased dependency on external validation and a more self-reliant approach to life.
• 🏆 The speaker realized the importance of self-celebration and giving oneself credit for achievements, which was previously overlooked.

Q & A

What challenges did the speaker face during the shooting of 'Citadel'?

The speaker faced physical challenges during the shooting of 'Citadel' due to the action sequences involved, which were strenuous. They also had to deal with health issues like spasms, cramping, and a concussion, which made it difficult to complete the shooting.

How did the speaker's experience with an autoimmune disorder affect their mental state initially?

Initially, the diagnosis was hard for the speaker both mentally and physically. They had big goals and struggled to accept the diagnosis, hoping it would be a temporary condition that could be resolved with a week of medication.

What was the speaker's initial reaction to their autoimmune disorder diagnosis?

The speaker initially refused to accept the diagnosis, believing they would be back to work in a week. They questioned why they were the ones affected, feeling it was unfair given their dedication and good intentions.

How did the speaker's perspective on success change after their health challenges?

The speaker's definition of success shifted from achieving blockbuster hits to a more personal and internal sense of accomplishment, valuing health and personal well-being over external achievements.

What was the speaker's approach to dealing with their autoimmune disorder after traditional medicine didn't provide the desired results?

After a year of traditional medicine without significant improvement, the speaker took a break from work to focus on their health, adopting a functional medicine approach and making lifestyle changes.

How did the speaker's work ethic and dedication to their goals influence their initial response to the autoimmune disorder?

The speaker's strong work ethic and dedication to their goals led them to initially downplay the severity of their condition, planning to return to work quickly and not wanting to accept the limitations it imposed.

What was the impact of the speaker's health condition on their work during the shooting of 'Kushi'?

The speaker had to manage their health condition while shooting 'Kushi', which involved a lot of physical activity. They had to take a lot of medication and deal with spasms and cramping during the shoot.

How did the speaker cope with the mental stress and anxiety related to their health condition?

The speaker started practicing gratitude journaling and positive affirmations as soon as they woke up, which helped reduce their morning anxiety. They also learned to be more patient and resilient.

What advice does the speaker have for others going through similar health challenges?

The speaker advises others to be proud of themselves for making it through each day, to seek a sense of purpose in their struggles, and to consider alternative approaches to managing their health if traditional methods do not work for them.

What personal changes did the speaker make to improve their mental and emotional well-being during their health journey?

The speaker started practicing gratitude and positive affirmations, learned patience, and worked on becoming more self-reliant, which contributed to their resilience and overall well-being.

How did the speaker's definition of success evolve after their health challenges?

The speaker's definition of success evolved from external achievements like blockbuster films to a more personal and internal sense of accomplishment, focusing on health and personal growth.