In this episode, Emerson and Jessie continue their conversation with Noah, a 23-year-old former college gymnast from South Dakota, USA. In part one, Noah shared the story of how Long COVID reshaped his health and the steps he took to begin recovery. In this second installment, he reflects on what it meant to lose gymnastics – the sport that shaped his identity, and how he continues to rebuild a sense of purpose beyond competition.

Noah opens up about the emotional weight of losing his athletic career and a long-term relationship within the same year, describing how compounded grief shaped both his mental and physical recovery. He discusses how chronic illness has changed his perspective on resilience, community, and identity, and why he believes awareness and advocacy are essential for people living with Long COVID.

Together, the hosts and Noah explore themes of loss, personal growth, and hope – from the realities of being sidelined by illness to the collective power of the chronic illness community. 

You can find a written version of this episode with our sources on substack here. 

The transcript is available here. 

And you can view our glossary here. 

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Please note, that the information provided here is not intended to serve as professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have health related issues or believe that you are suffering from Long Covid, please contact a qualified health professional to get the personalized assessment, advice and treatment you need. We will not be liable for any direct, indirect or other damages arising from the use of this podcast. 

The views and opinions expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views of the podcast hosts or team.