How Chronic Illness Affects Your Body, Mind & Relationships | Nikki Roberts

**What happens when chronic illness, fertility struggles, and a hysterectomy force you to let go of the life you planned… and rebuild from scratch?** In this episode of the Tell Me About It podcast, your host Cait Muir sits down with Nikki Roberts - a former high-achiever turned chronic illness advocate. Together they unpack her journey through endometriosis, multiple surgeries, hysterectomy, miscarriage, and navigating life with invisible disabilities. You’ll hear stories ranging from medical gaslighting and traumatic healthcare experiences to the emotional toll of losing fertility and redefining success. You’ll also hear how Nikki transitioned from a science-driven mindset to embracing holistic healing, nervous system regulation, and a more intuitive approach to health. **Tune in to discover** ✅What it really feels like to live with chronic illness and invisible disability ✅The emotional impact of hysterectomy, menopause, and fertility struggles ✅Why so many women experience medical gaslighting… and how to actually advocate for yourself ✅The link between trauma, stress, and physical health (nervous system dysregulation) ✅Moving from perfectionism and burnout to acceptance and slower living ✅The gap between Western medicine and holistic healing approaches ✅Why women’s pain is often dismissed - and what needs to change ✅Using humor and storytelling as powerful coping tools **Key moments:** 00:00  Intro 00:01:00 Meet Nikki Roberts 00:02:23 Janice the ovary 00:06:00 Two uteruses three kidneys 00:11:38 Pap smear horror story 00:19:30 Hysterectomy grief 00:32:14 Science meets woo-woo 00:36:30 BMI scale exposed 00:41:30 Palliative ward wake up 00:54:20 What RA actually is 00:58:30 Spinal surgery 01:04:00 Losing Erin 01:17:00 Mermaid energy 01:22:00 Redefining success If you've ever been told your pain is “normal” or your dreams need to shrink to match your diagnosis - press play. \- **👉Find out more about how we can work together:** https://iconiccoaching.com.au/coaching/ \- 👉Connect With Nikki Roberts https://www.instagram.com/mamas.rheum/ https://www.instagram.com/fullysick.life/ \- **👉Here’s how to connect:** https://www.instagram.com/tellmeaboutit\\podcast https://iconiccoaching.com.au