Sasha Pieterse-Sheaffer on Chronic Illness, Identity & Healing in the Public Eye

This week on Calling in Sick, I’m joined by the one and only, Sasha Pieterse-Sheaffer — who you might know from her starting role in Pretty Little Liars or Inherent Vice. Today, Sasha spends her time as an actor, podcaster, founder, advocate, and fellow chronic illness warrior. We sat down and talked about her real life plot twist: getting diagnosed with PCOS and epilepsy, navigating autoimmune symptoms, and redefining herself while the world was watching. We also chat:🎥 What it was like getting sick in the public eye, without a formal diagnosis🗞 The internet’s reaction to body changes — and reclaiming the narrative👶 Motherhood, identity shifts, and the “new you” that chronic illness brings💬 The mantras, mindsets & moments that get her through the hard stuff Sasha shares her raw truth about rebuilding trust with her body, the hardest lessons she’s learned, and the surprising silver linings she’s found along the way. Whether you're in the thick of chasing a diagnosis or learning to live life on new terms, this episode is a gentle reminder: you are not alone, and healing doesn’t mean going back — it means going forward as someone new. Thanks for Calling in Sick with us 💛xx,Alex 💬 Comment prompt for socials:What’s one thing chronic illness has taught you about who you are? TIMESTAMPS: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling In Sick! 00:01:44 Alex’s Picks of the Week (Merit, SuperGoop) 00:03:01 Introduction to Sasha Pieterse-Sheaffer (PCOS & epilepsy) 00:10:20 What it was like getting sick in the public eye, without a formal diagnosis 00:34:43 Motherhood, identity shifts, and the “new you” that chronic illness brings 00:49:10 The mantras, mindsets & moments that get her through the hard stuff 01:12:12 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://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: ✨Merit, The Uniform Tinted SPF 45 — https://go.shopmy.us/p-19230899 ✨SuperGoop Glow Oil SPF 50 — https://go.shopmy.us/p-14387605 Guest Information: • Find her on IG - https://www.instagram.com/sashapieterse/?hl=en • Listen to her Podcast, Women in the Nude - https://www.youtube.com/sashapieterse • Shop her Beverage, Hippie Water - https://www.hippiewater.com/ • Checkout HotStart VC - https://www.hotstart.vc/ #podcast #podcastclips #ChronicIllness #AutoimmuneDisease #ChronicPain #ChronicFatigue #SpoonieLife #HealthJourney #CallingInSick #SpoonieSupport #ChronicIllnessAwareness #MedicalJourney #DisabilityAwareness #SurvivalMode #IdentityShift #medicalgaslighting #womenshealth #SashaPieterse #CallingInSickPodcast #ChronicIllness #AutoimmuneAwareness #PCOSAwareness #MotherhoodAndIllness #SpoonieSupport #IdentityShift #InvisibleIllness #ChronicIllnessWarrior #SpoonieLife #MentalHealthMatters #HealingJourney #ChronicFatigue #BodyChanges #MedicalGaslighting #WomensHealth #ReclaimYourBody ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices