How Chronic Illness Changes Our Definition of Ambition and Drive

This week on Calling in Sick, I’m getting real about something I never thought I’d question: Am I still ambitious? There was a time when I crushed my to-do list before lunch, never let an email sit unanswered, and found purpose in being productive. But now? I procrastinate. I forget things. I carry a running to-do list that I never finish. And between the brain fog, pain, meds, and fatigue… I started to wonder if I’d lost my drive entirely. But then it hit me… maybe ambition just looks different now. In this solo episode, I’m opening up about: 💭 What it’s like to lose your “high-functioning” self 💊 The quiet shame of feeling dulled by meds 🔥 How chronic illness reroutes your ambition from speed to survival 🌱 Why softness, slowness, and intention might be the new success 📺 Plus: My current comfort-watch in the One Brain Cell segment (spoiler: it’s called warm hug in TV form) This one is for anyone navigating big identity shifts—especially if you’ve had to ask yourself: “Who am I without the hustle?” My answer? Darling... you’re not behind. You’re becoming. xx, Alex 💛 💬 Comment: Do you feel like your ambition or drive has changed since getting sick? How have you redefined success? TIMESTAMPS: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling In Sick 00:00:35 Life Update: Becoming a Procrastinator!! 00:02:58 Alex’s Picks of the Week: Hilma Supplements + DoBites 00:06:11 The Old Version of Me: Urgency, Output, Identity 00:08:25 Grief & the Unbecoming of the Old Alex 00:11:00 Discovering the New Me -- Freedom After Grief 00:17:30 Chronic Illness Management vs. Urgency 00:20:20 One Brain Cell Segment: Love on the Spectrum 00:23:59 THANK YOU!!!! ---------------------------------------------------------------- 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://substack.com/@callinginsickpod? ---------------------------------------------------------------- Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/ Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/ Alex’s Picks of the Week: ✨ Hilma Supplements – gentle, clean symptom support https://rebrand.ly/6tq0q7k Use code ALEXANDRA20 for 20% off!! ✨ DoBites – functional, top-8 allergen-free snack bites for energy & focus https://amzn.to/3G6bQGt #podcast #podcastclips #podcast #podcastclips #ChronicIllness #AutoimmuneDisease #SelfWorth #SuccessMindset #ChronicPain #ChronicFatigue #SpoonieLife #HealthJourney #SickGirlLife #CallingInSick #SpoonieSupport #ChronicIllnessAwareness #ChronicWarrior #FlareUpTips #MedicalJourney #DisabilityAwareness #selfworth #selflove #success #hustleculture #ambition #drive #success #urgency Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices