Chronic Illness, Masking, and the Cost of Proving You’re “Enough” with Holly Blanc Moses

Chronic Illness, Masking, and the Cost of Proving You’re “Enough” with Holly Blanc Moses

What if the traits you’ve been praised for—resilience, determination, pushing through—are the very things that have been harming you? In this deeply honest conversation, neurodivergent therapist Holly Blanc Moses shares her journey through severe chronic illness, lifelong masking, and the relentless pressure to prove she was “good enough.” From nearly dying in graduate school to navigating medical trauma and ableism, Holly opens up about what it really costs to override your body in a world that doesn’t understand you. We explore the intersection of neurodivergence, parenting, chronic illness, and nervous system survival—and what it takes to rebuild self-trust, become a safe person for your child, and stop abandoning yourself in the process. If you’ve ever felt like you had to earn your worth by pushing harder… you aren't alone. To heal your nervous system, rewire your relationship with self, and end cycles of anxiety, burnout, and chronic illness: Learn more about Sacred Creatrix and book your free Discovery Call [https://go.elizabethleforest.com/sacredcreatrix] To connect with Holly and learn more about how to work with her: Private Practice: North Carolina Center for Autism and ADHD, https://www.crossvinecounseling.com/ [https://www.crossvinecounseling.com/]Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hollyblancmoses/ [https://www.instagram.com/hollyblancmoses/]Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hollyblancmoses/ [https://www.facebook.com/hollyblancmoses/]Private Facebook Group for Parents: https://www.facebook.com/groups/WiredDifferentlyGroup [https://www.facebook.com/groups/WiredDifferentlyGroup]Private Facebook Group for Therapists: https://www.facebook.com/groups/neurodiversityaffirmingtherapy [https://www.facebook.com/groups/neurodiversityaffirmingtherapy]

Navigating Healthcare as a Neurodivergent, Chronically Ill Woman

In this episode of The Weird and Well Podcast, Elizabeth is joined by Dr. Nancy Taylor, a pharmacist turned professional patient advocate, for a powerful conversation about navigating a healthcare system that often leaves people feeling invisible, dismissed, and overwhelmed. Dr. Taylor shares how growing up in her family’s pharmacy taught her that healthcare isn’t just about medication—it’s about empathy, listening, and hope. That foundation now informs her advocacy work supporting older adults, neurodivergent individuals, and people with chronic illness as they navigate appointments, providers, diagnoses, and medical records. Together, Elizabeth and Nancy explore medical gaslighting, masking, white-coat syndrome, nervous system dysregulation, and why self-advocacy can feel impossible when you’re already exhausted. They share practical tools for preparing for appointments, including creating an “at-a-glance” medical folder, recording visits, requesting accommodations, and knowing when to bring in an advocate. This episode is a validating reminder that struggling in the medical system is not a personal failure—it’s a system problem. Support is an accommodation you deserve so your healthcare doesn’t take over your life and hinder the actual healing process. Dr. Nancy A. Taylor is a pharmacist, independent patient advocate, and founder of Taylormade Senior Advocacy & Consulting LLC. With more than 20 years of experience, she helps older adults, solo-agers, and family decision-makers gain clarity, confidence, and control in healthcare—before small issues become crises. As a speaker and podcast guest, Dr. Taylor focuses on medication safety, polypharmacy, care transitions, and how to think ahead in an increasingly complex healthcare system. Known for her clear, no-nonsense style, she translates healthcare confusion into practical next steps people can actually use.  You can book an Ask the Advocate session with Dr. Nancy Taylor at drtadvocacy.com [http://drtadvocacy.com]. Looking for a patient advocate to support and guide you through the healthcare system? National Association of Healthcare Advocacy [https://nahac.com/directory-of-advocates#!directory] Greater National Advocates [https://gnanow.org/] Ready to actually heal your nervous system and end the cycles of anxiety, burnout, and chronic illness? Learn more about Foundations- the comprehensive nervous system recovery program for neurodivergent women. [https://go.elizabethleforest.com/foundations]

Ep. 4-Guest Kahla Harrington

TO LEARN MORE OR CONNECT WITH KAHLA HARRINGTON: Kahla's IG [https://www.instagram.com/alignmassagetherapy.daytonwa/] Kahla's Website [https://www.alignmassage.care/] RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: How to Listen to Your Body mini-course [https://www.elizabethleforest.com/how-to-listen-to-your-body] Foundations Program [https://go.elizabethleforest.com/foundations] Free How to Be Weird and Well Webinar [https://go.elizabethleforest.com/weirdandwellwebinar] TODAY WE COVER: * How treating clients with hypermobility and chronic illness differs How neurodivergent people hold stress in their bodies differently than neurotypical people * Which types of massage are most supportive for someone experience significant burnout and chronic illness * What to look for in a massage therapist * The red flags that a massage is hurting you instead of helping * Utilizing neuro kinetic therapy (NKT) and neuromuscular testing (NMT) in your recovery journey * Advocating for yourself with providers * Finding balance and boundaries as neurodivergent women in healer/helper professions * Kahla’s journey to massage therapy * The power of trusting your intuition even when it makes no logical sense

Ep. 3 The Myth of Perpetual Regulation

In these episode I -Debunk the myth that a health nervous system is always calm and regulated -Outline the 3 factors of a healthy nervous system -Touch on cure culture and how it is related to the myth of the perpetually regulated nervous system Check out the How to Listen to Your Body mini course. [https://www.elizabethleforest.com/how-to-listen-to-your-body] Get the full How to Be Weird and Well free webinar presentation and transcript. [https://go.elizabethleforest.com/weirdandwellwebinar] Learn more about working with me at elizabethleforest.com

Ep. 2- Weight Loss and Wellness

-The myths around weight loss and wellness for neurodivergent women -How pursuing weight loss can actually harm your health and recovery -And when/how to successfully prioritize weight loss in your healing journey. If you are ready to start a holistic, nervous system approach to health and wellness- click this link to check out my How to Listen to Your Body mini course. [https://www.elizabethleforest.com/how-to-listen-to-your-body] Get the full How to Be Weird and Well free webinar presentation and transcript. [https://go.elizabethleforest.com/weirdandwellwebinar] Learn more about working with me at elizabethleforest.com