The StrongHER Side Project

Kate Ivey is the founder of Kate Ivey Fitness a thriving online fitness platform operating across New Zealand and Australia. She runs a rural farm in the South Island of New Zealand with her husband and three teenagers, including her 15 year old daughter Olivia who has autism. Behind the successful business is a journey most people never see. Kate has navigated the heartbreak of watching her daughter struggle in mainstream school, made the impossible decision to homeschool, and spent a year where Olivia couldn't even go out in public. Through it all, Kate has learned to redefine what success looks like, let go of society's expectations, and build a life centered entirely around her daughter's happiness. Kate's story will change the way you view your priorities, your grief, and what it means to create a good life when nothing looks the way you expected it In this episode we talk about: The moment Kate realized her daughter had autism and what the diagnosis process looked like Why mainstream school stopped working and the impossible decision to homeschool The grief, guilt, and isolation of raising a child whose life looks different from what you expected How Kate navigated running a business while homeschooling and trying to stay afloat The year Olivia couldn't go out in public and what that did to the whole family Finding Olivia's passion for art and building a community around it Why happiness became the only goal that mattered The importance of exercise for mental health, productivity, and long-term wellbeing Kate's new business Hi Olivia Online and how she's using art to create education and connection for her daughter This episode is for you if: You're a mum raising a child with autism or additional needs who is struggling in mainstream school You've had to make the impossible decision to homeschool and you feel isolated and overwhelmed You're grieving the life you thought your child would have You're trying to run a business while being present for a child who needs you constantly You feel guilty for feeling grief when your child is still here You're living rurally and feel isolated by your circumstances You're searching for your child's passion or purpose when nothing seems to work You need permission to stop chasing society's expectations and start chasing happiness instead Whether you're navigating autism, ADHD, intellectual disability, or any condition that makes your child's life look different from the norm, this conversation will meet you exactly where you are. CONNECT WITH KATE Follow Kate Ivey on Instagram: @kateiveyfitness Join her fitness programs: kateiveyfitness.com Follow Olivia's art journey: @hioliviaonline   DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE RESOURCE We discovered this planning system from billionaire Jesse Itzler and adapted it specifically for disability mum life. Plan your year with purpose, not pressure. 👉 Download your free Yearly Planner here https://www.strongherside.com/yearplanner CONNECT WITH US 📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strongherside/ 🎙 Watch the full episode on YouTube 📧 Partnerships & Media: vanessa@strongHERside.com P.S: Don't forget to: ✔️ Hit follow on our channel ✔️ Share this episode with a Mama who needs to hear it ✔️ Let us know what resonated with you We love you. Thank you for being part of this community. Note: The information provided on this podcast is for general educational purposes only and does not take into account your personal situation. It is not a substitute for professional advice. We recommend you seek a medical or healthcare professional if you are seeking advice, diagnosis or treatment.   CHAPTERS:   00:00 Intro: Welcome Kate Ivey 01:41 The Diagnosis: When Olivia Started Regressing and How Kate Knew Something Was Wrong 09:32 The Grief and Guilt: Why It Feels Like Grief Even Though Your Child Is Still Here 16:04 When School Stopped Working: The Breaking Point and the Decision to Homeschool 24:16 The Holding Pattern: A Year of Isolation When Olivia Couldn't Go Out in Public 30:43 Finding Help: Why Therapy and Mindset Coaching Changed Everything 37:09 Exercise as Medicine: Why Movement Is Essential for Mental Health and Your Future Self 40:56 Hi Olivia Online: Building Community Through Art and Creating Purpose for Her Daughter

We're celebrating Vanessa turning 40 by doing something a little different — getting brutally honest about our biggest failures as parents, business owners, and friends. Vanessa's just back from her weekend away in New Zealand kicking up her heels with her sisters (and yes, there's a hilarious photo of Andrew delivering her a Valentine's Day gin and tonic in sunglasses as we started recording - that you need to see). To celebrate, we're doing the viral "Museum of Failures" trend, peeling back the curtain on the moments we'd rather forget but have learned the most from. From forgetting to pick kids up from school to missing a broken collarbone for 12 hours, from burnout and tax debt to one-sided friendships that took years to walk away from — nothing is off limits. This episode is equal parts hilarious and deeply practical. Because if our failures can help another mum avoid the same mistakes, then they were worth something. What You'll Learn: How to spot when you're burning yourself out in business (and what to do about it) The red flags of one-sided friendships — and how to set boundaries without guilt Why you need to know your business finances intimately (even if you hate numbers) The importance of doing your due diligence before going into business with someone How to automate the repetitive parts of your life to get your time back Why paying yourself from your business matters (even if it's just 10%) The three-strike rule for testing if a friendship is healthy or draining you Key Takeaways: Every mum has parenting fails. You're not alone. We've all been there. Burnout isn't a badge of honour — it's a warning sign you've ignored your boundaries for too long. Not everyone can come into your next season. And that's okay. Know your worth. Set your boundaries. Protect your energy. Comparison is the thief of joy — especially in friendships where someone's always one-upping you. Whether you're raising kids with additional needs, starting a business, or just trying to figure out which friendships are worth holding onto — this episode is for you. What You'll Learn: How to spot when you're burning yourself out in business (and what to do about it) The red flags of one-sided friendships — and how to set boundaries without guilt Why you need to know your business finances intimately (even if you hate numbers) The importance of doing your due diligence before going into business with someone How to automate the repetitive parts of your life to get your time back Why paying yourself from your business matters (even if it's just 10%) The three-strike rule for testing if a friendship is healthy or draining you Key Takeaways: Every mum has parenting fails. You're not alone. We've all been there. Burnout isn't a badge of honour — it's a warning sign you've ignored your boundaries for too long. Not everyone can come into your next season. And that's okay. Know your worth. Set your boundaries. Protect your energy. Comparison is the thief of joy — especially in friendships where someone's always one-upping you. Whether you're raising kids with additional needs, starting a business, or just trying to figure out which friendships are worth holding onto — this episode is for you. This is episode 16 — and we're so grateful you're here with us.   📅 DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE RESOURCE: We discovered this planning system from billionaire Jesse Itzler and adapted it specifically for disability mum life. Plan your year with purpose, not pressure. 👉 Download your free Yearly Planner here https://www.strongherside.com/yearplanner    CONNECT WITH US: 📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strongherside/ 🎙 Watch the full episode on YouTube 📧 Partnerships & Media: vanessa@strongHERside.com P.S: Don't forget to: ✔️ Hit follow on our channel ✔️ Share this episode with a Mama who needs to hear it ✔️ Let us know what resonated with you We love you. Thank you for being part of this community.

You know what's wild? I woke up one day with what I thought was a spider bite on my face. Turns out it was shingles. When the doctor asked if I'd been stressed lately, I laughed. My son was scheduled for his quarterly post-cancer scan, he'd been feeling unwell with the same symptoms that led to his diagnosis two years ago, and my cortisol was through the roof. The doctor's advice? "You're going to have to learn to not worry about these scans." Yeah, thanks for that genius insight. But here's the thing - he was right. Not in the way he said it, but in the wake-up call it gave me. Because every emotion you feel manifests itself somewhere in your physical body. And if you're a mum raising a child with a disability, medical complexities, autism, or any additional needs, you know exactly what I'm talking about. That tightness in your chest that never fully goes away. The shallow breathing. The shoulders that live permanently up by your ears. In this episode, I'm getting real about living with a heightened nervous system and what I call "scanxiety" - that constant low-lying anxiety that comes with quarterly scans, therapy appointments, and just the daily reality of keeping a medically complex child alive and thriving. I'm sharing my personal journey through my mum's cancer relapse and death, my son's cancer diagnosis and leg amputation, and how my body literally stores that trauma and fear. But this isn't just me venting (though there's some of that too). I'm breaking down five actual strategies that are helping me take back some control: → The One-Minute Interoception Practice from neuroscientist Andrew Huberman - how tuning into your body's signals can interrupt the stress spiral → How to hack your vagus nerve to literally tell your brain "we're safe now" even when everything feels chaotic → Lewis Howes' powerful reframe on fear vs faith and why our anxiety is often about past pain, not future possibilities → The Fear Sit Down technique and Joy Conditioner exercise for managing worst-case scenario thinking → Why what you're eating and scrolling is either feeding your anxiety or fighting it - insights from gastroenterologist Dr. Will Bulsiewicz I'm referencing the research from "The Body Keeps the Score" by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, Andrew Huberman's work on the brain-body connection, Lewis Howes' "The Greatness Mindset," and Dr. Will Bulsiewicz's gut health research. But I'm translating it all into language that makes sense for exhausted mamas who don't have time for jargon. If you're tired of being told to "just relax" or "try yoga" or "practice self-care" when you're living in survival mode, this episode is for you. If you've ever felt like your body is betraying you because it won't stop being on high alert, you're not alone. And if you're raising a child who needs extra everything while trying not to completely fall apart yourself, I see you. Join our community - sign up to receive our weekly newsletter where we connect with mums who are raising children with disabilities and share exclusive resources, what we are advocating for on your behalf, and so much more. Because you shouldn't have to do this alone.   More ways to connect with us:  📅 DOWNLOAD OUR FREE YEARLY PLANNER We stole this planning system idea from billionaire Jesse Itzler and adapted it specifically for disability mum life. Plan your year with purpose, not pressure. 👉https://www.strongherside.com/yearplanner    CONNECT WITH US: 📱 Instagram: @strongherside 🎙️ Watch the full episode on YouTube  📧 Partnerships & Media: vanessa@strongHERside.com   P.S: Don't forget to: ✔️ Subscribe to our channel  ✔️ Comment below and let us know what resonated with you   We love you. Thank you for being part of this community.

In this episode, Collett Smart, Host of Raising Teens, psychologist, qualified teacher, speaker, and internationally published author, brings her deep expertise in healthy relationships to a powerful conversation with Hannah Gair. Hannah shares her journey of raising her son with Fragile X syndrome, offering an honest and deeply human insight into motherhood, resilience, identity, and strength shaped through unexpected circumstances. This conversation is rich with real-life reflections and meaningful takeaways, leaving listeners with perspective, compassion, and a renewed appreciation for the quiet strength carried by so many families. An episode that will stay with you long after it ends. This episode is from the Raising Teens Podcast with Collett Smart, a Hope Media podcast.  Host Collett Smart is a psychologist, qualified teacher, speaker and internationally published author, who offers advice on healthy relationships. Learn more about Collett’s work here: https://hope1032.com.au/raising-teens/  📅 DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE RESOURCE BELOW We discovered this planning system idea from billionaire Jesse Itzler and adapted it specifically for disability mum life. Plan your year with purpose, not pressure.   👉https://www.strongherside.com/yearplanner    CONNECT WITH US: 📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strongherside/ 🎙️ Watch the full episode on YouTube  📧 Partnerships & Media: vanessa@strongHERside.com P.S: Don't forget to:   ✔️ Subscribe to our channel    ✔️ Comment below and let us know what resonated with you   We love you. Thank you for being part of this community.   Note: The information provided on this podcast is for general educational purposes only and does not take into account your personal situation. It is not a substitute for professional advice. We recommend you seek a medical or healthcare professional if you are seeking advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Episode Summary: What happens when two women strip back the polished version and share the raw truth? Vanessa opens up about falling pregnant at 18, facing judgment, and raising her daughter solo while building an incredible life. Hannah shares her journey through childhood sexual abuse, foster caring before becoming a mum, and finding her calling in empowering women. This isn't your typical getting-to-know-you chat—it's two best mates diving deep into teenage motherhood, trauma recovery, navigating young adult kids, and what real strength actually looks like. You'll hear honest conversations about rejection, resilience, and reclaiming identity beyond motherhood. Key Takeaways: Vanessa reflects on her journey of becoming a mother at 18 and the societal judgment she faced, emphasizing values and determination. The evolution from controlling parent to supportive mentor is discussed, focusing on empowering young adults in their financial and personal growth. The podcast underscores the vital role of self-awareness and authenticity in pursuing life goals, free from the need to prove anything to others. There is a critical discussion on the invisible load women carry and the importance of seeking help and staying true to oneself. The hosts advocate for a global sisterhood, providing a supportive network for mothers raising children with disabilities. Notable Quotes: "My promise was that she was going to have an amazing life and a successful life, and that I was going to make her proud." "A woman who is at ease with herself is the most beautiful type of woman." "If I just didn't tell anyone what I was doing, would I still make the same daily decisions?" "We are applauded when we hold responsibility. Well, we are applauded by frameworks when we don't ask for help." "You attract everything. It's pretty interesting when you go out there as a teenage mum or as a mum in her early twenties." Resources: The Book "The Barefoot Investor" by Scott Pape, The Book "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill.

There's a reason certain women are always described as strong. We're the ones who don't fall apart. We keep going when things get hard. We don't make our needs visible. And over time, that behavior gets rewarded—people rely on us, trust us, lean on us. But here's what almost no one talks about: When strength becomes the thing people expect from you, your nervous system never gets the message that it's safe to stand down. I'm Hannah, and in this episode, I want to talk about what that does to a woman—what that does to YOU—especially as a mom carrying more than most people will ever see. Follow us on Instagram @strongherside for daily encouragement and real talk for special needs mamas. And download our FREE "Planning Your Year with Purpose" workbook—created for mums like us, not Navy SEALs! Find the link right here.  Because strength isn't just a personality trait. It's a biological response. Your body releases stress hormones to help you cope, to problem-solve, to survive moments of pressure. That's healthy in short bursts. But when life keeps asking more—the appointments, the advocacy, the emotional labor, the uncertainty, the heavy responsibility—our system adapts. It stops cycling back to rest. And when that happens, something subtle but dangerous occurs: Coping becomes normal. And when coping becomes normal, you stop noticing how much of yourself you're giving away. This matters because women don't usually burn out loudly. We burn out quietly. We keep showing up, keep functioning, keep being "fine." But on the inside, we might feel emotionally flat, disconnected from joy, exhausted in a way that sleep doesn't fix. I'm not speaking from theory alone. I live this. I have a son with special needs. I'm constantly dealing with systems, navigating his unpredictable behavior and resistance. Getting out the door most days is a struggle. When we're out, I'm quietly calculating: How long is this going to last before I need to go home? How long before he's done and our family plans fall apart at the seams? As a mother navigating a child with additional needs, I try to anticipate needs before they arise—just like you do. You're managing everybody else's emotional safety, trying to hold it all together while you've got this clenching inside your stomach, this knot where you're holding your breath, hoping it's all going to work out just this once. If you're listening thinking, "Yep, that's me," I want you to hear what comes next really carefully: You were never meant to be this strong. Strength was meant to rise in moments of necessity and then soften when safety returned. But for many of us—especially special needs mamas—safety never fully arrives. So strength stays. And when strength stays too long, it stops being supportive and becomes exhausting. Here's the trap: The world starts to know you as the reliable one, the capable one, the strong one, the resilient one. And slowly, often without realizing it, you stop asking for what you need. Not because you don't need it, but because you've learned not to expect it. That's when survival becomes identity. And identity is very hard to outgrow. This is where you tell the truth about how you're truly coping. Because sometimes we live masked. Sometimes it's easier to stay on autopilot because taking a breath and actually reflecting on how we feel is harder. Strength is not who you are—it's how you've responded. And responses can change. You are not meant to live in permanent readiness. You're not meant to organize your life around endurance. You're not meant to be applauded for how much you can carry. Your next chapter doesn't require more strength. It requires more safety. When the nervous system feels safe, creativity returns. Presence returns. Joy returns. Your sense of feeling connected to who you are and to those around you returns. This isn't about doing less—it's about doing what's sustainable. Because no woman thrives in survival mode, no matter how capable you've become. So let me ask you gently: Where in your life are you being strong out of habit, when what you actually need is support? Not rescue. Not collapse. Support. Because support doesn't make you weak—it makes growth possible. If nothing changes, this is the cost: You don't fall apart. You fade. And fading is harder to notice than breaking. Let me say this clearly: You don't owe the world your exhaustion. You don't owe your children your depletion. You don't owe anyone proof of how much you can endure. What your family needs most is not your survival—it's your presence. If something's stirring in you right now—not panic, not pressure, but recognition—that's not random. That's the part of you that knows this season is asking for something different. You don't need to fix yourself. You don't need to wait for everything to fall apart. This isn't a breakdown. It's a becoming. An invitation to stop organizing your life around coping and start building it around truth. You don't have to walk this next chapter alone. Not because you can't, but because you don't have to anymore. Strength kept you here. Safety will take you further. You're allowed to change before everything collapses. You're allowed to put your needs on top of the priority list. The bravest women are not the ones who hold it all together—they are the ones who choose to be held. The world does not need more strong women who disappear. It needs whole women who rise. You cannot disappear. And if you are disappearing, this is your gentle call to come back. You were never meant to be this strong. You were meant to be supported enough to become everything you are created to be. 2026 is an invitation to journey with us, to join our community, to realize that you have a sisterhood here who shows up because you're that important. Follow us on Instagram @strongherside for daily encouragement and real talk for special needs mamas. And download our FREE "Planning Your Year with Purpose" workbook—created for mums like us, not Navy SEALs! Find the link right here.  I'm so excited to be doing 2026 with you. Let's blow the dust off your dreams and enter this year supported. Keywords: special needs mom, burnout, mom burnout, nervous system regulation, chronic stress, maternal mental health, disability parenting, caregiver burnout, mom overwhelm, emotional exhaustion, setting boundaries, self care for moms, trauma response, strength and vulnerability, special needs parenting, complex needs, additional needs, advocating for your child, medical appointments, invisible load, mental load, survival mode, finding yourself again, mom identity, postpartum identity, support for moms, community for special needs moms, you are not alone, permission to rest, putting yourself first, mom guilt, compassion fatigue, secondary trauma, autism mom, disability mom life, chronic illness parenting, medically complex child

Mama, we see you. We know your calendar is filled with therapy appointments, medical visits, and school meetings—not exactly the glossy goal-setting life Instagram shows us, right? Traditional goal-setting wasn't designed for us. It assumes control we don't have, focuses on achievement when we're in survival mode, and completely ignores the invisible work we do every single day. That's why we're doing things differently. In this episode, we're sharing 7 mindset shifts and 5 practical steps to help you plan your year in a way that actually honors YOUR reality as a special needs mom. We're talking about purpose over perfection, compounding over completion, and building your life resume, not just your work resume. If you know a Mum who is raising children with additional needs, we would love it if you shared this podcast with her.  She will greatly appreciate you thinking of her.  In this podcast episode we discuss: How to "get lighter" without adding more to your plate  The compassionate year review that celebrates survival AND growth The Japanese concept of Misogi—your ONE big thing for 2025 The Rule of 6: mini-adventures that break the pattern (backyard picnics totally count!) How to stack winning habits one quarter at a time without burnout The 8 Life Boxes framework for mapping what truly matters We're not here to help you crush goals or become someone new. We're here to help you move YOUR world forward, one intentional step at a time—even when tomorrow is unpredictable. Ready to plan your year with purpose? Download our FREE Planning Your Year with Purpose workbook—complete with a 30-day checklist, and all the frameworks we discussed.  Connect with us on Instagram @strongherside and subscribe on YouTube @TheStrongHERSide for more encouragement, practical strategies, and real talk for special needs mamas. You're not alone in this, Mama. Let's make 2026 better—not perfect, BETTER. Hann & Nessy 💛

Episode description: What a whirlwind 2025 has been for us! As we sit down to reflect on the past months, we want to share the challenges, triumphs, and the heart behind our mission to empower mothers—especially those of you navigating the complexities of raising children with disabilities. Join us as we unpack our journey and look ahead to what's coming next. Download our free guide to Preparing Calm for Christmas: www.strongherside.com/calm  A Year in Review We can't believe how far we've come in just four months of active execution. "It has been quite a year," Hannah says, though the vision and mission have been brewing in our hearts for much longer. We've stayed intensely focused on our mission, committed to making a real impact in the lives of moms who need it most. The Mission Behind the Movement This work isn't about us—it's about YOU, our mums. We're building a movement to support mothers facing similar challenges in raising children with disabilities. "This mission is not about us; it's about our mums," Hannah explains. We feel a deep responsibility to uplift and edify our community. For Vanessa, it's about aligning her values with a cause that resonates in her soul. Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strongherside  Our Aha Moments Vanessa shares her journey of commitment to this podcast: "When you came to me with your mission and vision, I just wanted to get behind you." Her experiences as a mother of children with disabilities showed her how important this message truly is. It was such a pivotal moment that she shelved her own business plans to fully commit to Stronger Side. We knew this was something greater than ourselves. Join Us We're inviting you to engage with this mission. Community and support are everything, and we want to hear from you—share your experiences, connect with other mums, and know you're not alone. "Our message is needed, and our audience needs that community," Vanessa says. We're building this together. Looking Ahead Our journey is just beginning. We've laid the groundwork for a movement that empowers mothers and creates a supportive community where you belong. We're committed to this mission with our whole hearts, and we invite you to join us in making a difference. Remember: alignment with your values matters, community is powerful, and stepping into a mission that resonates with your heart changes everything. Download our free guide to Preparing Calm for Christmas: www.strongherside.com/calm 

In this episode, Hannah sits down with Alex, a personal trainer and advocate living with autism, to explore the complexities and nuances of his journey. Alex shares his personal experiences growing up with autism, elaborating on the unique challenges and insights that have shaped his life. He emphasises the importance of understanding communication styles and the critical role of empathy and patience in engaging with neurodivergent individuals. Delving into the societal challenges faced by those on the autism spectrum, Alex discusses his work with Weflex, where he helps neurodiverse kids enhance their social skills and physical well-being. He touches on the power of creative outlets such as gaming and music as coping mechanisms, along with valuable psychological tools that facilitate personal growth. Alex's narrative is a compelling reminder of the potential locked within neurodiverse communities, advocating for better awareness and inclusion to bridge gaps in understanding. About the Guest: Alex is an inspiring individual navigating life with autism. At the age of 22, Alex is a personal trainer and support worker at Weflex, an NDIS-accredited company focused on helping neurodiverse individuals. With a deep sense of understanding and empathy, Alex shares his journey, offering insights into living with autism and advocating for a more inclusive society. His passion lies in guiding children with disabilities to find their place in the world, leveraging his own experiences to make a substantial impact. Key Takeaways: Alex highlights the importance of understanding body language and tone for autistic individuals, underscoring the need for clear and calm communication. The role of creative outlets like gaming and music in providing solace and self-expression for neurodiverse individuals. An emphasis on societal inclusion, aiming to provide better life opportunities and extend the average lifespan of those with disabilities through fitness and supportive environments. Alex's personal journey through social anxiety and the psychological support that has helped him develop coping mechanisms. Advocacy for empathy and respect when engaging with neurodivergent individuals, stressing that they seek the same emotional connections as everyone else. Notable Quotes: "For us, it's not what you're saying, it's how you're projecting yourself… that can cause sensory overload." "I've realised now how beneficial having proper health professionals was… knowing how to approach conflicts." "Really try to recognise when your stress cup is overflowing and know your limits." "People like us are very creative… it's being sucked into a different reality." "We still want the same things in life that anyone else does."

Welcome back, Mama. We're so glad you're here. Today's conversation is big and sobering—we're shining light on the financial crisis disability mums face when raising children with additional needs. This isn't about fear or guilt, it's about truth. Because when we name what's happening, we create space to change it. We're unpacking the real financial burden, why mothers are hit hardest, how single parenthood intensifies the strain, and the hidden poverty reality no one talks about. If you're carrying this weight, you're not failing—you're operating in systems never built to support us. You're seen here, and together we're creating change. Key Takeaways: Raising a child with a disability incurs overwhelming financial challenges, costing three to four times more than caring for a neurotypical child. Many mothers face reduced employment opportunities or leave the workforce entirely, exacerbating financial pressures and long-term career impacts. Single mothers of children with disabilities face the highest poverty risks globally, as 80-90% of caregiving falls to women. The stigma and invisible burdens of caregiving create isolation but also highlight the necessity for organised advocacy and systemic change. Awareness and advocacy efforts are crucial, with a call to action for creating supportive policies and community networks to support these mothers better. Notable Quotes: "Global research shows that raising a child with a disability costs three to four times more than raising raising a neurotypical child." - Hannah Gair "Many mothers provide up to 20 to 70 hours of unpaid care every single week. Now that's equivalent to a second job, but with no paycheck, no leave, no superannuation and no end date." - Hannah Gair "Single mothers raising disabled children face some of the highest poverty risks globally." - Hannah Gair "We are a stronger sisterhood when we link arms together and we can create change when there is a greater number of us." - Hannah Gair "You are doing the work of multiple people on broken sleep and with a heart full of love and a calendar full of responsibilities." - Hannah Gair

Join Hannah Gair as she converses with Graeme Cowan, a key figure behind Australia's R U OK? movement. Graeme shares his personal journey through depression and his insights on mental health, emphasizing the importance of community and self-care. With practical advice for carers, especially moms raising children with disabilities, Graeme offers strategies for maintaining mental well-being, such as identifying the 'one thing' that brings joy and balance. This episode provides guidance on recognizing signs of depression and taking steps to seek help in challenging times, with a focus on meaningful connections. Key Takeaways: The Power of Connection: Graeme highlights the role of supportive relationships in mental wellness, urging people to prioritize community and friendships. Identifying Personal Warning Signs: Recognizing and addressing early symptoms of mental struggles is crucial to managing one's mental health. Prioritizing Self-Care: Graeme stresses that "self care isn't selfish," emphasizing the need for carers to maintain their own well-being to effectively support others. Finding Your "One Thing": Discovering a personal practice that brings joy and calm can greatly contribute to overall happiness and resilience. Reach Out for Help: Recognizing when professional help is necessary and the importance of preparing for a productive mental health discussion with healthcare providers. Notable Quotes: "I have profound relief that I didn't put my family through the same thing." "Self-care isn't selfish. We can't help others if our own fuel is running out." "People don't talk about it or if they are going through it, they think they're the only ones going through it." "Recognizing the early warning signs because the earlier we get it, the quicker we turn it around." "If you let your own fuel run out, you're no good to anyone." Resources: Graeme Cowan on LinkedIn for more insights and updates about his initiatives. R U OK? Day: ruok.org.au Book: "Back from the Brink: True stories and practical help for overcoming depression and bipolar disorder" by Graeme Cowan Robert Waldinger's TED Talk on happiness: What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness

The diagnosis changes everything. In this raw and honest episode, Hannah opens up about the grief that no one warns you about—the kind that comes when your child is diagnosed with a disability or additional needs. She shares her own story of receiving her son Sunny's intellectual disability report, the waves of chronic sorrow that resurface at every milestone, and the sacred journey of rebuilding yourself around loss. We're walking through the five stages of grief—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance—and what they actually look like for mothers raising children with autism, cerebral palsy, fragile X, global developmental delay, and complex needs. Because grief isn't weakness, it's your nervous system processing change. You'll hear about finding safe people, reclaiming your identity beyond the carer role, creating meaning from hardship, and learning that joy and grief can coexist. This isn't about moving on—it's about learning to live and love again in your new reality. You're allowed to grieve. You're allowed to heal. And you're not alone in this. When one of us heals, we all rise.   If you know a Mama who needs to hear this please send the episode to her. Globally, there are 240+ million children living with disabilities, and behind every one of them is a mother who is longing to be seen, heard and connected with. Our mission is to impact the lives of 1 million of these mothers.  How can you help? Share this podcast!  Visit us on Instagram @strongherside    Connect with us www.strongherside.com

This episode is one I've been sitting with for a while, and I knew it was time to have this conversation with you. We're talking about self-worth – but not in a superficial way. I'm talking about the deep, often confronting truth that so many of us as mothers, particularly those of us raising children with disabilities or additional needs, have quietly handed our value over to everyone and everything else. Our achievements. Our children's progress. Our appearance. The approval of therapists, educators, family members. And somewhere in all of that giving, we've completely lost sight of who we are. Here's what the research tells us: 70% of women tie their self-worth to achievement and the approval of others. When those external measures shift – when our bodies change, when our child's diagnosis arrives, when we're no longer producing or achieving in the ways we once did – our sense of value can collapse with it. We've been measuring ourselves against the wrong standards, and it's absolutely exhausting. In this episode, I walk you through the difference between your true self and your performed self, why belonging built on imitation is actually bondage, how to identify whose approval you've been chasing, and why your worth was never lost – it's simply been waiting for you to remember it. Because here's the truth I need you to hear: you are not your productivity, you're not your child's behaviour or progress, you're not your relationship status, and you're certainly not defined by how well you're managing in the eyes of others. This is for every mother who has whispered "what happened to me?" in the quiet moments. It's time to remember who you are. Keywords: self-worth, mothers of children with disabilities, disability parenting, self-esteem for mums, maternal mental health, special needs mums, burnout in mothers, people pleasing, comparison culture, social media impact, authentic self, performance-based living, approval seeking, self-compassion, personal growth for mothers, emotional wellbeing, boundary setting, positive self-talk, affirmations, chronic fatigue in mothers, caregiver burnout, Brene Brown, emotional agility, true belonging, self-abandonment, forgiveness and guilt, additional needs parenting, strong mother community

  In this episode, Hannah flies solo and challenges the myth that Mama’s who suffer from burnout are seen to be weak.     Up to 77% of parents of children with complex care needs experience parental burnout - a level of chronic exhaustion, emotional distance and overwhelm far higher than in the general parenting population. (Journal of Child and Family Studies, 2004)   Hannah unpacks the topic of burnout and the emotional and physical toll of constant vigilance, the invisible load of emotional labour, and the systemic barriers that often exacerbate stress.    Hannah shares personal insights on identity erosion, the societal pressure of the "strong mom" narrative, and the chronic stress that can lead to emotional exhaustion.    Hannah emphasizes the importance of community support, self-care, and reaching out for professional help.    This episode is a connection point for mothers feeling isolated, offering a reminder that they are not alone and burn out is often felt the most by mothers who love over and above.     Listen in to explore the signs of burnout and discover ways to reclaim joy and resilience.    Follow us on Instagram @StrongHERSide   Support the podcast and help us reach 1 Million Mama's around the world who are raising children with additional needs.    Learn more at www.stronghersidepodcast.com Keywords: burnout, emotional exhaustion, invisible load, systemic barriers, identity erosion, chronic stress, self-care, community support, resilience, joy, vigilance, emotional labor, societal pressure, professional help, isolation, caregiving, advocacy, emotional detachment, perfectionism, self-criticism, cognitive overload, loss of joy, survival mode, Stronger Side podcast.

When you know something isn’t right, trust that inner voice. In this powerful episode of The StrongHER Side Podcast, host Hannah Gair sits down with Tennessee mum Moriah Zwick to share the remarkable story of her son Noah, diagnosed with MEF2C haploinsufficiency syndrome, a rare genetic disorder affecting fewer than 400 people worldwide. Through honest, tear-filled conversation, Moriah opens up about the earliest signs she noticed—weak muscle tone, lack of eye contact, endless crying—and the frustration of being dismissed by doctors who told her “just keep swaddling.” She explains how one mother’s intuition and persistence led to life-changing answers after months of searching, misdiagnoses, and emotional exhaustion. Together, Hannah and Moriah explore what it means to advocate for your child, to face grief after diagnosis, and to find identity and hope when life looks nothing like you imagined.  They talk about the emotional toll of caregiver burnout, the strain on relationships, and the courage it takes to keep showing up—day after day—for a child with special needs. This conversation is a must-listen for any parent navigating rare diseases, medical advocacy, or the hidden weight of special-needs parenting. You’ll hear practical advice on how to push for answers, build community, and release guilt, plus simple ways to refill your emotional cup when you’re running on empty. Follow Noah's Story:  Connect with Moriah on IG @holistically.special Do you know a Mama who could be encouraged by Moriah's story?  Share this podcast with her and help us impact the lives of 1 Million Mothers around the world who are raising children with additional needs Do you know what would really help us out? Please take 30 seconds to leave us a rating and share this episode with someone, it would mean the world to us.    Keywords: MEF2C haploinsufficiency syndrome, rare genetic disorder, special needs parenting, caregiver burnout, motherhood podcast, mothers raising children with disabilities, carer support, advocacy for children, grief and acceptance, mental health for moms, StrongHER Side Podcast, trusting mother’s intuition, disability awareness, parenting a child with disabilities, resilient motherhood, self-care for caregivers, faith and hope in parenting, women’s stories podcast, raising a child with rare disease, MEF2C awareness, family resilience, special needs mothers community, emotional healing for parents.

When Everything Fell Apart, She Found Her Courage — and a New Beginning   On today’s episode of The StrongHer Side, we take a deep dive into the transformative power of courage and how creativity can bring our minds and hearts back into focus.    Hannah openly shares practical strategies for cultivating a strong mindset, being present in the season you are in and being intentional with your small, daily acts which build healthy habits and stronger mental health.     They discuss the challenges faced by mothers, especially those raising children with disabilities, and the significance of embracing different seasons of life while pursuing dreams. The conversation emphasizes the power of choice, courage, and the need for discipline in achieving one's goals.   Hannah reminds us to lead our lives with grace and empathy and reminds us that us Mama’s are doing our best, however that looks for each individual.    By the end of this episode you will feel like that light of yours which has been dimmed is glowing up just that little bit more.   Takeaways   Hannah has rebuilt her life from difficult circumstances. The importance of dreaming big despite life's challenges. Courage is essential for taking risks and pursuing dreams. Mindset plays a crucial role in overcoming adversity. Every individual has the power to choose their response to life. Starting small is key for mothers with limited time. Embracing the current season of motherhood is vital. Discipline is necessary to execute dreams and goals. Sharing personal stories can empower and inspire others. Patience is required as dreams unfold in their own time.   Keywords resilience, mindset, motherhood, dreams, overcoming adversity, personal growth, courage, hope, business success, parenting

In this heartfelt conversation, one Mum shares her journey of navigating unexpected diagnoses for two of her children, within weeks of each other. The discussion delves into the emotional turmoil of being in shock and wishing you could unhear news, the importance of maternal intuition, and the coping mechanisms that helped her and her family through these challenging times.  Vanessa shares her survival tactics of learning how to focus on resilience, vulnerability, and community support, and in the deep discussions, Hannah and Vanessa discuss and emphasize the need to embrace gratitude and set boundaries while navigating the complexities of motherhood in the face of adversity. About The StrongHER Side Podcast: The StrongHER Side is a groundbreaking podcast and global movement created for mothers raising children with disabilities.  We explore the raw, real, and often unspoken side of caregiving—identity loss, emotional burnout, invisible labor, daily challenges, and the fierce resilience it takes to rise through it all.  Hosted by Hannah Gair, a mother, advocate, and advisor,  The StrongHER Side gives voice to the women behind the care plans, through expert interviews, solo deep dives, and the stories of other incredible mothers walking this journey.  This isn’t just a podcast, it’s a lifeline, a transforming of the way mother's see themselves and their role, and creating ripple effects of hope, empowerment, and resilience across families worldwide Our purpose is to see mothers who are often unseen. To give voice to her stories that too often go unheard. To remind every mother raising a child with disabilities that she is not invisible, not alone, and not without value. We exist to create a movement where mothers feel truly connected, equipped, and empowered, with practical tools, heartfelt conversations, and a global sisterhood that stretches far beyond borders.​ Our purpose is simple yet powerful: to help one million mothers rise in courage, in identity, and in hope.​