Pod intro

Imagine living with conditions that mean the thing that you love to do that brings you peace, sanity and good mental health is also the thing that will then knock you off your feet.

Today I talk with Katie Love about living with EDS and TOS and despite this, having the fortitude to send it on her mountain bike and do what she can, when she can. We chat about the layers of thought that go into daily decisions and activity and the constant balancing act she is navigating in regards to her energy, body and mind.

Katie shares how mountain biking allows her to blend in with the crowd, she is not ill Katie when she is on her bike, she is just Katie.  It almost provides a shield from pity and self consciousness, something I am certain we can all relate to in some shape or form. 

Katie is a bloody trooper and this episode will inspire the socks off you.

The Guest: 

I am using cycling as my escape and therapy due to having multiple conditions that effects me physically and mentally and aim to inspire those like me to get out and ride when you can.

Follow Katie : @the_exhausted_cyclist on Instagram , @KaTiE_lOvE_ on Twitter

You can check out Katie's blogs here: Katie's Website

Take away's from the episode:

• The fortitude of humans is incredible. When you are healthy you are free.

• Bikes allow you to blend in with the crowd, they allow you to just be you, you are not what holds you back when you are on a bike, you are free. This offers the best escapism from reality which is often needed when you are dealing with everything life throws at you.

• The thought processes around juggling your energy are exhausting, it is not only the 'obvious' that affects people with health conditions, the mind game is by far the biggest battle and so draining.

Useful Links:

You can read a blog about Katie where she talks about life for Rider Resilience Katie Love - A Love Story — Rider Resilience

To find out more about Ehlers danlos syndrome (EDS) check out: What is EDS? - The Ehlers Danlos Society

To find out more about thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) check out:  Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment

To find out more about dysautonomia check out: Dysautonomia International:

If you want to get out on your bike and need some riding buddies then check out some local mountain bike groups.  They create opportunities for connection, a sense of belonging and friendships.  

MTB Chix and Trails are really active on facebook https://m.facebook.com/groups/370678596444806/  

Trail birds, a midlands based group with members all over https://en-gb.facebook.com/groups/trailbirds/about/.  

Cycle sistas are based in Essex https://www.instagram.com/the_cycle_sistas/?hl=en

Girls Alive are a community aimed at getting women outdoors and hold regular mtb rides in Surrey- https://www.facebook.com/girlsaliveuk/?locale=en_GB

Get following GOW podcast at https://www.instagram.com/girlsonwheelspodcast/ or https://www.facebook.com/girlsonwheelspodcast/ and Shawnee https://www.instagram.com/_shredlikeagirl/   for news on group rides and social events.  

The Pod:

Don’t forget to head on over to the GOW website https://www.girlsonwheelspodcast.co.uk/ and subscribe to the newsletter, you’ll be updated on upcoming guests and episodes and get a chance to get involved, either by suggesting topics, guests, coming on to share your story, or joining the panel for random episodes.  

If you liked what you heard please rate the pod and leave me a review on podchaser https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/girls-on-wheels-4953647 and the app you listen on.  It will help the show to grow and make me do a happy dance.

Don’t forget to hit subscribe on your favourite podcast app too so you don’t miss the next episode.

Huge thanks to the pods number one supporter Shawnee at Shred Like a Girl.  Go check out her awesome womens mtb clothing and join the community https://shredgirl.com/ 

Girls on wheels coming at yaaaaaaaaaa.

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