MORTAL AND STRONG - The Podcast

Voice No. 20....1/5th the way through our 100 Voices and here we have a very rare and unique Voice sharing insight into something hardly ever discussed or even known about. The delightfully optimistic and life-loving Sarah sharing her journey of having two very rare conditions (one of which linked to a genetic mutation) - HNPP (Hereditary Neuropathy With Pressure Palsies) and Hypermetabolism. These two conditions are unrelated but complicate each other. At 31 Sarah went from being a healthy mum with no health issues, began a weight loss journey which was a healthy choice in response to being overweight. However after a bought of Covid things went drastically wrong. In 6 months Sarah went from a size 18 down to a size 4. Even when Sarah stopped dieting the weight continued to fall, and was dismissed by many health care professionals labelling her as having an eating disorder. Eventually Sarah was diagnosed with hypermetabolism and her body needs 5000 (more than double) her daily requirements just to maintain her weight. As a result Sarah has a permanent Jej tube and is both tube fed and eats normally. In addition to this Sarah developed a foot drop, numbness and multiple neurological symptoms, resembling MS. Sarah was diagnosed with HNPP which for Sarah means she has demyelination of her peripheral nerves and a very severe form leaving her permanently disabled.Despite all this Sarah realised she had two options - to go on a negative spiral or choose a positive spiral. Sarah deliberately seeks joy in every single day and embraces life to the fullest. After facing her mortality several times, Sarah has such a powerfully strong philosophical approach to life "Everyone has two lives. The second one begins when you realise you only have one". Sarah's amazing story of strength includes how she copes as a parent with a disability, how she delivered her own baby and resuscitated him herself, and how she manages not only as a disabled mum but a disabled mum with a disabled child. Her strength and love of life is inspiring and we are honoured to have her share her story with us and be one of the Mortal And Strong charity ambassadors.Mortal and Strong is a campaign shining the spotlight on women facing their own mortality - those affected at a young age by a life changing illness or disease. 100 artworks produced by artists across the country along with a powerful photography series ‘Scars of Gold’ inspired by kintsugi. The voices will share their stories through the podcast released bi-weekly. Through the project Mortal And Strong will be featuring and collaborating with up to 20 chosen charities that are linked with the topics discussed in the project - to raise awareness of their work, fundraise for them with our exhibition and signpost people to right places for support. Founder & concept - Dr Liz MurrayPodcast Presenters for this episode - Dr Liz Murray & Laura Middleton-HughesPhotographer Sammy WestonFor more information on support available for these issues discussed in todays episode, including direction to medical information, visit our website. This episode is not intended as specific medical advice, always see your own GP/physician if you have any concerns regarding your own health. 

Another one of the 100 Voices and we have the fabulous and life-embracing Jules sharing her journey with incurable lung cancer. Jules was diagnosed 2 years ago in her late 30's with incurable lung cancer. The rare cancer had already spread to her pelvis, spine and more recently recognised her brain. Jules talks so openly and honestly about how she was immediately devastated, fearing she had months to live, and how the realisation that modern medications and the support of the palliative care team have allowed her to live well two years on. Whilst being honest about the realities of the medications, the highs and lows of being a parent with an incurable disease, Jules has adapted an incredibly inspiring philosophical approach to life and her mortality. Jules talks about the stigma of disease and the taboo subject of being told 'but you look so well'. Jules also discusses the prejudice surrounding lung cancer and having a less obvious cancer as a young woman, the prejudice of people presuming it is a smoking-related cancer and opens up the conversation to address the need to break these taboos in society. Honoured to have Jules as one of our Voices and Ambassador for Mortal And Strong.Mortal and Strong is a campaign shining the spotlight on women facing their own mortality - those affected at a young age by a life changing illness or disease. 100 artworks produced by artists across the country along with a powerful photography series ‘Scars of Gold’ inspired by kintsugi. The voices will share their stories through the podcast released bi-weekly. Through the project Mortal And Strong will be featuring and collaborating with up to 20 chosen charities that are linked with the topics discussed in the project - to raise awareness of their work, fundraise for them with our exhibition and signpost people to right places for support. Founder & concept - Dr Liz MurrayPodcast Presenters for this episode - Dr Liz Murray & Laura Middleton-HughesPhotographer Sammy WestonFor more information on support available for these issues discussed in todays episode, including direction to medical information, visit our website. This episode is not intended as specific medical advice, always see your own GP/physician if you have any concerns regarding your own health. 

Introducing another episode and another Voice of the Mortal And Strong 2024 campaign. This episode we speak with the lovely soul that is Sue. Sue is such a gentle soul and provides a real and honest insight into living with chronic pain as she was diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia two years ago. Trigeminal Neuralgia is an incurable condition whereby one of the nerves within the face causes intermittent attacks of pain. Nerve pain can be immensely debilitating, and Trigeminal Neuralgia has historically had a very unfortunate nickname within the patient community and medical community - known as the 'Suicide Disease' owning to a the disease having a stigma associated with it because the severity of pain leading to mental health problems for lack of a cure. Sue talks candidly about her resentment of such stigma, as it instantly detracts any hope when given the diagnosis. However Sue has a very pragmatic view; seeking alternative therapies and distracting techniques to help cope with the daily chronic condition. Sue is a lovely example of someone wanting to share their voice to advocate for change, reduce stigma and provide support and awareness.Mortal and Strong is a campaign shining the spotlight on women facing their own mortality - those affected at a young age by a life changing illness or disease. 100 artworks produced by artists across the country along with a powerful photography series ‘Scars of Gold’ inspired by kintsugi. The voices will share their stories through the podcast released bi-weekly. Through the project Mortal And Strong will be featuring and collaborating with up to 20 chosen charities that are linked with the topics discussed in the project - to raise awareness of their work, fundraise for them with our exhibition and signpost people to right places for support. Founder & concept - Dr Liz Murray Podcast Presenters for this episode - Dr Liz Murray & Laura Middleton-HughesWith thanks to Norfolk Farmhouse for providing the venue for this episode.Photographer Sammy Weston For more information on support available for these issues discussed in todays episode, including direction to medical information, visit our website. This episode is not intended as specific medical advice, always see your own GP/physician if you have any concerns regarding your own health. 

Welcome to Mortal And Strong the Podcast - Charity Spotlight special episodes...today featuring TimeNorfolk charity - a charity that provides free counselling and support to both women and men affected by pregnancy loss, at any time. In this episode Dr Liz Murray, founder of Mortal And Strong, is interviewing Fiona Gosden (CEO of TimeNorfolk). They talk in an open and real discussion about the complexities of society and current healthcare system and how difficult it can be for people to access support following a pregnancy loss. Fiona highlights an important issue of disenfranchised grief - the fact that people can experience grief that is not recognised by society. Together they talk about the different challenges people face (individually or as a couple) both immediately following a pregnancy loss, or later on in future pregnancies. The Tie Norfolk approach of providing a safe space that is confidential, non judgmental and non directional is so key. We are honoured to be collaborating with them as one of our charities.Mortal And Strong is a nationwide charity campaign raising awareness of women facing life changing and incurable disease at a young age. Using the power of art, photography and a series of interviews to share messages of strength and hope.Our main podcast episodes share the stories of 100 women affected by a wide range of health issues. As part of our campaign, founder and presenter Dr Liz Murray and photographer Sammy Weston are travelling around the country to interview these charities as part of a massive collaboration to put the spotlight on these charities: what they do, how they help and how people can access their services. We are so honoured to be collaborating with, and able to fundraise for, so many important charities. In this special feature episode we will be sharing the interview with one of our nominated charities. To learn more about the charity, or the Mortal And Strong campaign, please visit our website. Please also remember to like, subscribe to the channel and find us on all social media platforms!

Welcoming another Voice to our collection of 100 - Voice No. 17 the beautiful soul that is Claire W. Claire, in her 40's, is sharing her journey with secondary breast cancer. After finding a lump which would have been difficult to spot (only able to feel when leaning forward) - Claire thought things were going well. Initially told stage 1 and not needing chemotherapy or a mastectomy...Claire was discharged with Tamoxifen and felt like she could begin to look forward to living her life again. When symptoms began to grow and Claire couldn't keep putting them down to side effects of Tamoxifen, Claire repeatedly tried to seek help. It took many months before the healthcare team recognised that Claire's warning symptoms were in fact signs of metastatic disease. At which point Claire was admitted to hospital with life threateningly high levels of calcium, and was diagnosed with liver and bone metastases. Claire was devastated and immediately thought it was the end. After finding hope online and realising through social media campaigns that people were living well with secondary cancer, Claire faced more than 10 rounds of chemotherapy in a bid to reduce the mets. Claire's hair has just begun to regrow, and unfortunately found out days before the interview that she had not responded well to treatment and needs to restart chemotherapy again. This episode is a fierce example of how to find joy, optimism and continue to embrace life where and when you can as Claire has been one of the MAS supporters from the beginning. We are continuing to follow Claire's journey through this campaign and how she continues her journey. We are honoured to have Claire as one of our voices sharing her experience and where she has found hope and strength.Mortal And Strong is a campaign shining the spotlight on women facing their own mortality - those affected at a young age by a life changing illness or disease. Founded by Dr Liz Murray, this is a year long project sharing 100 Voices of real stories through our podcast, in conjunction with an innovative photo series 'Scars of Gold' inspired by Kintsugi to celebrate the scars both seen and unseen, as well as artists from all over the country producing 100 artworks. This project aims to raise money for charity, provide messages of hope, empowerment and support whilst also addressing social stigmatisation of disease. The project launched in 2024 focusing on Women's Health but every two years aims to address other health inequality issues. Podcast presenters Dr Liz Murray and breast cancer advocate Laura Middleton-Hughes present the 2024 series focusing on Women's Health with two episodes released every week leading up to International Women's Day 2025.For more information on support available for these issues discussed in todays episode, including direction to medical information, visit our website. This episode is not intended as specific medical advice, always see your own GP/physician if you have any concerns regarding your own health. 

Another insightful and importance episode in the series with the wonderful Ellie Howie. Ellie is Voice No. 15 of 100 for the 2024 campaign putting a spotlight on women facing incurable disease at a young age. In this episode Ellie shares her unique and personal journey of being diagnosed with the BRCA gene mutation putting her at a significantly greater risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer and other cancers. For Ellie's personal family history the major concern was the risk of breast cancer, having had several immediate family members affected, and died, from breast cancer. Ellie was thrust into the enormity of these decisions in her teens and was in her early 20's when facing decisions about genetic testing and opting to have a risk-reducing mastectomy. With so much discussion in the media currently about post-mastectomy reconstruction being a 'free boob job' this episode is so important at putting a spotlight on the significant trauma that these surgeries and conditions carry, the complexity of recovery. Ellie talks about being a trustee for the a BRCA charity, raising awareness and support for people who are going through these life changing decisions when diagnosed with being a carrier for a gene that increases the risk of cancer. Thank you to Ellie for being so honest and putting a spotlight on something that is still not widely understood or appreciated the significance to someone's life. Ellie's witty and uplifting positive mentality is everything Mortal And Strong is about, with the infamous quote in response to flippant comments/reactions of having a 'free boob job' being "Yes they're fake - ask me how!". This sums it up entirely, there is so much behind the reconstruction for anyone having a mastectomy, that needs better understanding in society.Mortal And Strong is a campaign shining the spotlight on women facing their own mortality - those affected at a young age by a life changing illness or disease. Using art & the power of voice to empower, support charities and change the narrative of social stigmatisation of disease. Founded by Dr Liz Murray and presented by Dr Liz Murray and Laura Middleton-Hughes with photographer Sammy Weston.For more information on support available for these issues discussed in todays episode, including direction to medical information, visit our website. This episode is not intended as specific medical advice, always see your own GP/physician if you have any concerns regarding your own health. 

Another episode of Mortal And Strong and today's episode is full of poignant reflections with a touch of dark humour. The wonderful and bubbly soul that is Jeannie, sharing her story of a de novo diagnosis of breast cancer. 5 Years ago, whilst enjoying life, working, a mum and wife - Jeannie was diagnosed with breast cancer that had already metastasised to the bones. Jeannie was breast-aware as had a strong family history of cancer, but despite this her usual breast symptoms meant it was spotted late. Jeannie shares the turbulent ride of coming to terms with a secondary cancer diagnosis; "grieving for the life you're not going to have anymore" and the feeling of living on 'borrowed time' as Jeannie has now surpassed her 5 year target. Jeannie talks openly and real about what it's like to live with secondary cancer; having a double life, the immense benefits of having a community of friends in the secondary community but the lows that come with experiencing more funerals at a young age. Jeannie shares with hilarious spirit her idea of a funeral that would capture the essence of 'Jeannie'. The beauty of how Jeannie articulates that despite preferring not to have cancer, that she wouldn't want to change anything, the intensity with which she now lives and enjoys life to its fullest is something she is actually grateful for. A wonderful insight into a view of living with an incurable disease that can help so many others.Mortal And Strong is a campaign shining the spotlight on women facing their own mortality - those affected at a young age by a life changing illness or disease. Using art & the power of voice to empower, support charities and change the narrative of social stigmatisation of disease.Founded by Dr Liz Murray. Podcast presenters Dr Liz Murray & Laura Middleton-Hughes. Photography Sammy Weston. Thank you to Norfolk Bound for providing the venue to film this episode.For more information on support available for these issues discussed in todays episode, including direction to medical information, visit our website. This episode is not intended as specific medical advice, always see your own GP/physician if you have any concerns regarding your own health. 

A new episode of Mortal And Strong and another Voice to add to the 100 being interviewed this season. Tracy W - sharing, amongst many things, her experience with connective tissue disease, heart disease including Atrial Fibrillation (AF) and heart failure brought on by an inherited condition putting her at increased risk at a young age. Tracy is a wonderfully positive spirited person who despite having a battle that can resonate with so many - in being belittled for years and having to fight to get a diagnosis, has still managed to stay positive and continuing to do the things she loves. Her hilarious anecdotes and stories of finding comfort in adopting new pets after receiving difficult medical diagnosis will leave you feeling moved and warm hearted. This episode covers so many poignant topics - from the long journey of how autoimmune diseases like Lupus and Sjogrens can gradually takes its toll, to the scary realisation of having a family history that puts you into the world of heart disease at a young age. We talk a lot on the importance of being an advocate for yourself, listening to your body and finding joy in life whilst also being strong at managing your own health. Mortal And Strong is a campaign shining the spotlight on women facing their own mortality - those affected at a young age by a life changing illness or disease. Using art & the power of voice to empower, support charities and change the narrative of social stigmatisation of disease. Founded by Dr Liz Murray, this episode is presented by Dr Liz Murray and Laura Middleton-Hughes. Photography by Sammy Weston.For more information on support available for these issues discussed in todays episode, including direction to medical information, visit our website. This episode is not intended as specific medical advice, always see your own GP/physician if you have any concerns regarding your own health.