Becoming Avery with Avery Thatcher
Host Lisa Helton
January 2nd, 2024
January 2nd, 2024
In this deeply personal and transformative episode, Heather takes viewers on a poignant journey of self-discovery, resilience, and the power of embracing change. Heather begins by sharing the universal experience of questioning one's identity and the profound impact that life's struggles and traumas can have on shaping who we become.
The turning point arrives on December 25, 2018, when Heather's life takes an unexpected turn after a relentless night shift in the pediatric ICU. A concerned Charge Nurse notices her deteriorating health and insists she takes a break. What follows is a whirlwind of medical challenges, surgeries, and a life-altering diagnosis of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.).
Heather, now confronted with the stark reality of a chronic illness and permanent disability, embarks on a three-year journey to reclaim a semblance of normalcy. Yet, in September 2021, she confronts a pivotal realization – the person she once was no longer exists.
The decision to shed the name Heather after 37 years becomes a symbolic act of reclaiming agency over her identity. Renamed Avery, The now Avery embarks on a quest to rediscover herself, her body, and her place in the world. The episode delves into the emotional and psychological challenges of dissociation from one's former self, exploring the impact on mental health through PTSD dreams, intrusive thoughts, and anxiety.
With the support of her husband and therapist, Heather takes viewers through the process of choosing the name Avery. The episode captures the initial strangeness of self-identification with a new name and the eventual beauty of feeling at home in one's body again. Avery shares her journey of connection, self-love, and the courage to start fresh, learning new habits and strategies that align with her current capabilities.
"Metamorphosis: Becoming Avery" is a touching narrative of resilience and the profound beauty that arises from embracing change. Viewers are invited to witness Avery's courageous transformation and reflect on the significance of finding one's true self. The episode concludes with a heartfelt message of gratitude, inviting viewers to be a part of Avery's ongoing journey with much love and understanding.
The turning point arrives on December 25, 2018, when Heather's life takes an unexpected turn after a relentless night shift in the pediatric ICU. A concerned Charge Nurse notices her deteriorating health and insists she takes a break. What follows is a whirlwind of medical challenges, surgeries, and a life-altering diagnosis of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.).
Heather, now confronted with the stark reality of a chronic illness and permanent disability, embarks on a three-year journey to reclaim a semblance of normalcy. Yet, in September 2021, she confronts a pivotal realization – the person she once was no longer exists.
The decision to shed the name Heather after 37 years becomes a symbolic act of reclaiming agency over her identity. Renamed Avery, The now Avery embarks on a quest to rediscover herself, her body, and her place in the world. The episode delves into the emotional and psychological challenges of dissociation from one's former self, exploring the impact on mental health through PTSD dreams, intrusive thoughts, and anxiety.
With the support of her husband and therapist, Heather takes viewers through the process of choosing the name Avery. The episode captures the initial strangeness of self-identification with a new name and the eventual beauty of feeling at home in one's body again. Avery shares her journey of connection, self-love, and the courage to start fresh, learning new habits and strategies that align with her current capabilities.
"Metamorphosis: Becoming Avery" is a touching narrative of resilience and the profound beauty that arises from embracing change. Viewers are invited to witness Avery's courageous transformation and reflect on the significance of finding one's true self. The episode concludes with a heartfelt message of gratitude, inviting viewers to be a part of Avery's ongoing journey with much love and understanding.
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About Avery:
Early on in her career as an ICU Registered Nurse, Avery noticed that the majority of the reasons her patients found themselves in the ICU were because of illnesses and diseases that could be linked to chronic stress. In 2015 she decided to get out of the reactive side of medicine, and although she was practicing what was preached as the best ways to manage stress, in 2018 Avery burned out and experienced a significant health event that led her to make some radical shifts. Since diving back into the research and discovering the missing pieces of the puzzle Avery has been showing high achievers how to recover from burnout and optimize their habits so they can elevate their impact and make a difference in their corner of the world.
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