Hi! I’m Amber and the voice behind The Autoimmune Advocate, a space that centers around self-love, growth, and mindset. I created this space not only to share my journey, but to give hope to other fellow chronic illness warriors who might feel a little alone in the world of invisible illness. I am a certified holistic health coach, wellness and lifestyle blogger, chronic illness advocate, co-founder of The Invisible Diaries, and founder of the Secret Spoonie Society, a platform focused on connection, community, collaboration, and skill-building for chronic illness management.
Now that the official stuff is out of the way, here are a few random things that might help you to get to know me better:
- I am a wife, married to the love of my life, and am a mom to a sixteen year old boy who is amazing. (Whew, that was tough to write! I don’t feel like I have a kid that big!)
- I am a Florida native, but have lived in 3 different states and dozens of cities throughout my life (Kansas, Indiana, and Ohio), and now reside in my childhood hometown and love it.
- I started out as a classical opera vocal music major before pivoting and eventually going to school for radiography. Now I am applying to nursing school in the Spring, because I will forever be a student, and looking for ways to contribute to the healthcare field, and fellow humans, and the chronic illness community.
- I love to read, write poetry, and journal.
- I am a paper planner and journal junkie, and love all things related to both (for my fellow plan-nerds, I am currently in a Hobonichi Cousin Avec for 2020, but will be moving into a Jibun Techo Biz A5 Slim with a little dabbling in digital planning for 2021).
- I love participating in triathlons and Disney races, and am hoping to be returning to both next year.
- I was diagnosed with my first major chronic illness (Interstitial Cystitis) in 2010, after complications from PCOS landed me in the hospital with a ruptured ovarian cyst.
- I became a health coach first and foremost because I couldn’t find the resources I so desperately wanted at the time to assist in whole body wellness and healing for my invisible illness.
- Coaching has taught me that healing isn’t linear, and that every journey is unique. Just like with chronic illness, there isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” approach to wellness, and our process of healing should be as customized as we need it to be to meet our individual needs.
- I love helping and connecting with others.
- I would love to connect with YOU, so make sure to say “hi!”
Amber Marie 