Living with chronic illness often means learning to adapt, and few exemplify this better than Caitlin, a slow travel nomad and empowerment coach who works primarily with individuals navigating chronic illness and neurodiversity. On our recent Spoonie Sisters podcast episode, Caitlin shared her journey of balancing entrepreneurship, self-care, and chronic illness management while embracing life on the move.
Caitlin’s background in environmental engineering gave her a foundation in problem-solving that she now applies to life with chronic illness. Her passion for waste management and recycling reflects her deep-rooted desire to contribute positively to the world, a value that has only intensified as she’s navigated her health challenges. When she describes her slow nomad lifestyle, it becomes clear that this isn’t just about travel—it’s about intentional living. She stays in places for months at a time, immersing herself in local cultures while managing her energy levels in a way that suits her fibromyalgia and other chronic conditions.
One of the most powerful insights Caitlin shared was about her experience in startup accelerator programs. Like many entrepreneurs with chronic illness, she initially tried to keep pace with healthier founders, pushing herself to the point of severe illness. This burnout became a turning point where she realized entrepreneurship would need to look different for her—and that perhaps this difference wasn’t a weakness but a strength. The hustle culture so prevalent in business isn’t sustainable for anyone, but those with chronic illness are often forced to recognize this truth earlier than others.
The conversation turned to nervous system regulation, a framework that has transformed Caitlin’s approach to managing chronic pain and energy. She explained the window of regulation (also known as the window of tolerance), developed by Dr. Dan Siegel, which describes the optimal zone where we can manage stress and emotional arousal. For those with chronic illness, learning to identify when you’re entering fight-or-flight or freeze responses can be crucial for preventing flares and managing symptoms. Caitlin emphasized that different tools work for different people, and part of the journey is discovering what helps your unique nervous system return to regulation.
Perhaps most inspiring was Caitlin’s perspective on boundaries. She’s moved away from over-explaining her limitations and instead focuses on setting clear boundaries as an act of self-respect. Being around others who excel at boundary-setting helped her develop this skill, showing that sometimes we need models to emulate as we learn new ways of being. Her insight that people who set good boundaries also tend to respect the boundaries of others highlights how these skills create healthier relationships all around.
When discussing mental health challenges, Caitlin touched on her experience with misdiagnosis and medication. Her story of being placed on multiple medications that worsened her condition rather than improved it resonated deeply. Her emphasis on quality of life over labels and diagnoses offers an important perspective for anyone navigating the healthcare system with complex conditions. The conversation served as a powerful reminder that patients need to be active participants in their care, questioning treatments that don’t improve their well-being.