INTERVIEW: Struck by Lightning, Shaped by Loss | Emily’s Why Me Story

What Is Myasthenia Gravis? Symptoms, Treatment & My Story | MG Awareness Month

In this powerful MG Awareness Month episode of The Why Me Podcast, host Brianna Spurgeon shares her real-life experience living with Myasthenia Gravis — a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease that affects communication between the nerves and muscles. Brianna breaks down what Myasthenia Gravis actually is in simple, understandable terms while also opening up about her personal diagnosis journey, symptoms, treatment experience, respiratory challenges, chronic fatigue, fluctuating weakness, and the emotional realities of navigating life with a chronic illness. In this episode, listeners will learn about: * Myasthenia Gravis symptoms * AChR-positive MG * Ocular vs generalized MG * MG respiratory symptoms and muscle weakness * Brain fog and debilitating fatigue * IVIG, steroids, and Vyvgart Hytrulo treatment * Thymic hyperplasia and thymectomy * Autoimmune disease and chronic illness management * MG remission and progression * Mental health, fear, and uncertainty after diagnosis * Living intentionally through chronic illness Brianna also discusses the fear many newly diagnosed patients experience after researching MG online, the importance of finding trusted specialists and support systems, and how mindset, faith, and perspective have shaped her journey. This episode is designed for both the general public wanting to better understand Myasthenia Gravis and members of the MG community looking for a relatable lived experience. Through honest storytelling and education, The Why Me Podcast aims to create awareness, reduce fear, and remind listeners that they are not alone. For MG support, education, and resources, visit the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America.

Too Many To-Dos on Your Plate? | Why You’re Overwhelmed (Spoon Theory Explained)

In this episode of The Why Me Podcast, host Brianna Spurgeon explores the often-overlooked reality of everyday overwhelm and specifically end-of-school-year burnout, along with the emotional weight of daily mental load that builds during busy seasons of life. As schedules pile up, responsibilities increase, and capacity feels stretched thin, many people find themselves wondering why life suddenly feels like too much—even when nothing is technically wrong. Through a relatable real-life moment and the concept of Spoon Theory, Brianna Spurgeon breaks down why energy, patience, and emotional capacity can feel limited during full seasons of life. Originally introduced as a way to explain chronic illness and limited energy, Spoon Theory is reframed in this episode as a powerful tool for understanding burnout, stress management, and daily capacity for everyone—not just those with chronic conditions. This episode of The Why Me Podcast highlights the hidden weight of modern life, including mental load, comparison, parenting stress, seasonal transitions, and emotional exhaustion. Brianna also shares personal reflections on recognizing when she is out of capacity and learning to navigate life with more grace, awareness, and self-compassion. Listeners will gain insight into: * End-of-school-year burnout and seasonal overwhelm * Mental load and invisible daily responsibilities * Spoon Theory explained in a simple, practical way * Why small tasks can feel overwhelming when capacity is low * The impact of comparison in emotional exhaustion * How to recognize signs of being “out of spoons” * Gentle ways to approach rest, boundaries, and self-compassion Whether you’re navigating motherhood, work stress, chronic illness, or simply a full season of life, this episode of The Why Me Podcast offers validation, perspective, and a reminder that you are not alone in feeling overwhelmed. Brianna Spurgeon invites listeners to pause, reflect, and release the pressure of doing it all—because sometimes you’re not failing… you’re just out of spoons.

How to Advocate for Yourself When Something Feels Off

In this episode of The Why Me Podcast, Brianna explores one of the most surprising parts of sharing her health journey: just how many people quietly resonate with the experience of feeling “off” in their body without clear answers. From chronic fatigue and brain fog to feeling dismissed or brushed off in healthcare settings, this conversation reflects the emotional reality of navigating unexplained symptoms while trying to stay grounded, hopeful, and steady through uncertainty. Brianna also shares insights from her own diagnosis journey — including how she learned to advocate for herself, communicate symptoms more clearly, stay actively engaged in the healthcare process, and avoid tipping into overwhelm or obsessive searching while waiting for answers. This episode is not about fear or self-diagnosis. It’s about building trust in yourself, preparing with intention, partnering well with healthcare providers, and recognizing that your experience is valid even before everything is fully understood. Listeners will walk away with practical tools, reassurance, and a simple ChatGPT prompt they can use to help organize symptoms and communicate more effectively during medical appointments. Topics include: * chronic fatigue and brain fog * advocating for yourself in healthcare * anxiety vs. physical symptoms * tracking and organizing symptoms * navigating uncertainty * patient-provider communication * staying grounded during the diagnostic process * using ChatGPT as a health organization tool ChatGPT Prompt Mentioned in This Episode (copy/paste): I am experiencing ongoing health symptoms and need help organizing them so I can communicate clearly with my healthcare provider. Please help me: - Track symptoms over time - Identify patterns or triggers - Summarize my experience for an appointment - Create questions I should ask - Organize everything into a clear format Please do not diagnose me. I am only using this for communication and organization. Here are my symptoms, timeline, and experiences: Reminder: Awareness is helpful. Obsession is not. You deserve to be heard. You deserve to feel better.

The Psychology of Navigating Change: The 3 Phases We Move Through

In this episode of The Why Me Podcast, host Brianna Spurgeon explores the psychology of navigating unexpected change and the emotional and mental phases people move through when life shifts in ways they didn’t choose. Drawing on her background in strategy and transformation within large organizations—as well as her personal experience facing a long-term health diagnosis—Brianna breaks down how humans naturally respond to disruption, from initial shock and resistance to learning, orientation, and eventual integration. She reflects on how corporations invest heavily in structured change management systems to guide employees through uncertainty, while individuals in everyday life are often left without a framework or support system when facing personal upheaval. Through this lens, she introduces a simple three-phase model of change that helps listeners better understand what is happening internally during moments of fear, confusion, and transition. Brianna also discusses the psychological risks of information overload during uncertain times, including how comparison and exposure to extreme narratives can distort perception and increase anxiety. She emphasizes the importance of discernment, grounding information in personal context, and staying connected to what is actually true in one’s own experience. In the final phase of the episode, she highlights the process of integration and rebuilding—how people begin to reshape daily routines, redefine priorities, and live more intentionally within new circumstances. This episode offers a grounded and relatable framework for anyone navigating change, as well as for those supporting others through it, providing insight into how understanding the psychology of change can bring more clarity, compassion, and steadiness during life’s most uncertain moments.

What Is Life Asking of Me? | A Question for Burnout, Disruption, and Feeling Stuck in Life

In this episode of The Why Me Podcast, host Brianna Spurgeon explores a deeply personal reflection on burnout, disruption, and the search for meaning in everyday life through the lens of David Brooks’ book The Second Mountain. After reading one line—“What is life asking of me?”—Brianna begins to re-examine her own journey through corporate success, motherhood, identity shifts, and unexpected health challenges. What once felt like achievement and forward momentum slowly gave way to a deeper sense of disconnection, leading her into what Brooks describes as “the valley” between two mountains. Drawing from her experience in corporate America, stepping away from a high-achieving career, navigating early motherhood, entrepreneurship, and illness, Brianna reflects on the tension between external success and internal fulfillment. She unpacks Brooks’ framework of the “first mountain,” rooted in achievement, status, and identity, versus the “second mountain,” which centers on service, purpose, and contribution to others. Rather than offering answers, this episode invites listeners into a more grounded and honest question: What is life asking of me right now? This conversation is especially relevant for anyone experiencing burnout, life disruption, career dissatisfaction, or a sense of being “stuck” despite outward success. Brianna shares why this question has shifted her perspective on ambition, productivity, motherhood, and daily life—and how it has created a sense of peace in embracing a more present, service-oriented season. This episode is a reflection for anyone standing in transition—between success and uncertainty, exhaustion and clarity, or the first and second mountain. The Why Me Podcast invites listeners to turn hardship, disruption, and life’s unexpected detours into meaning, growth, and connection.