Kwame Appiah (Love is Blind) Opens Up About Chronic Illness and Healing

This week on Calling in Sick, I’m joined by the incredible Kwame Appiah—someone you might recognize from Love Is Blind (Season 4), but today, we’re going far deeper than reality TV. Kwame opens up about his real-life health journey: the early signs he ignored, the emotional toll of not having answers, and what it meant to finally get a diagnosis—and then face the hard work of rebuilding from there. We talk about the frustrations of navigating a broken healthcare system, the grief and grit that come wit h chronic illness, and how healing isn’t just physical—it’s emotional, relational, and deeply personal. My favorite part? Kwame’s take on gratitude, growth, and positivity. We also dive into how illness reshapes not just our bodies, but our relationships—with others and with ourselves. In this episode, we unpack: ⚡️ The moment Kwame knew he couldn’t keep ignoring his body 🌀 The emotional rollercoaster of chasing a diagnosis 💬 How his relationship with Chelsea evolved through it all 🧠 The shift from shame to self-trust 📺 Plus: our favorite shows in this week’s One Brain Cell segment (spoiler: we couldn’t pick just one) This episode is vulnerable, honest, and a reminder that chronic illness doesn’t define you—but it can transform you. As always, sending my love! xx, Alex 💛 💬 Comment Prompt: What’s one health lesson you had to learn the hard way—but now wouldn’t trade? Timestamps: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling In Sick! 00:01:18 Alex’s Health Update 00:03:40 Alex’s Picks of the Week (Broc Shot, Loftie Alarm Clock) 00:06:33 Introduction to Kwame Appiah (Season 4 of Love Is Blind) 00:12:35 The moment Kwame knew he couldn’t keep ignoring his body 00:17:57 The emotional rollercoaster of chasing a diagnosis 00:38:13 How Kwame’s relationship with Chelsea evolved through it all 00:48:25 Kwame’s take on gratitude, growth, and positivity 00:55:00 One Brain Cell Segment: Our favorite shows (spoiler: we couldn’t pick just one) 01:04:36 Thank you for listening! ---------------------------------------------------------------- Stay connected and follow social: • Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/ • TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod • Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568 • Substack - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/ Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/ Alex’s Picks of the Week: (Both included in this week’s giveaway!) • Broc Shot – https://brocshot.com/?ref=ALEX15 — 25% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER! — Your daily broccoli sprout shot for detox & anti-inflammatory love • Loftie Alarm Clock – https://byloftie.com/ALEXWILDESON — 15% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER! — Because waking up slowly is an act of self-care #podcast #podcastclips #ChronicIllness #DuvetDay #RestWithoutGuilt #SelfCare #AutoimmuneDisease #SpoonieLife #SickGirlEra #CallingInSick #DisabilityAwareness #ChronicFatigue #InvisibleIllness #Burnout #RestIsProductive #HealthJourney #SpoonieSupport #FlareUpTips #MentalHealth #KwameAppiah #HealingJourney #InvisibleIllness #ChronicIllnessAwareness #SpoonieSupport #DiagnosisJourney #ChronicPain #SelfWorth #AutoimmuneDisease #EmotionalHealth #RelationshipGoals #MentalHealthMatters #HealingInPublic #HealthJourney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices