Rheumatoid Arthritis Coach

09/11/2026

Sometimes I have to stop and remind myself just how incredibly lucky I am. ❤️

Having the ability and opportunity to work my dream job as a nurse practitioner while living with rheumatoid arthritis and chronic illness is one of the greatest gifts I could have ever been given.

My health journey hasn’t always been easy. There have been days when pain, fatigue, appointments, uncertainty, and everything that comes with chronic illness have made me question what my future would look like.

But somehow, I’ve been able to build a career doing something I truly love—caring for people, educating others, advocating for patients, and hopefully making someone else’s health journey a little less lonely.

And maybe that’s one of the reasons being an NP means so much to me. I don’t just understand chronic illness from a textbook. I understand what it feels like to be the patient, too.

I’m grateful every single day that my body may have changed the way I do things, but it didn’t take away my purpose. ❤️

Living with RA has taught me to adapt, slow down when I need to, ask for help, celebrate the little victories, and never take the good days for granted.

I get to do work that I love and use my lived experience to help others.

That is a gift I will never stop being thankful for. 🩷

09/10/2026

✨ I’ve been thinking about this quote a lot lately.

Living with chronic illness can sometimes make you feel like you’re supposed to be somewhere else... Doing more... Moving faster... Keeping up with the version of yourself you used to be…

But maybe being a “star” isn’t about shining the brightest or being the biggest.

Maybe it’s about finding your special place and shining right where you are. 🌟

Some days, my place is working and educating.
Some days, it’s advocating for other people living with chronic illness.
Some days, it’s creating something meaningful.
And some days, it’s my garden, my family, my dogs, or simply resting and taking care of myself.

Chronic illness has changed where and how I shine—but it hasn’t taken away my ability to shine.

I’m learning that I don’t have to prove that I can do everything I used to do.

I just need to find where I am today… and shine there. ✨

09/06/2026

I am SO excited for this gardening season. 🌱🌻

Gardening truly saved me over a decade ago when I was first diagnosed with RA and my first chronic illness. In so many ways, the ups and downs of gardening seem to mirror the ups and downs of living with a chronic illness, too. Some things grow beautifully. Some things struggle. Some things don’t make it at all... but somehow, you keep planting.

This year, I got some not-so-good news about my health, and honestly, it had me down for a LONG time, but lately, I’ve found myself slowly coming back to the things that help me feel like me again.

So, I’m sinking my free time into my garden, getting my hands in the dirt, watching things grow, and leaning into the few healthy coping mechanisms I know actually help me. 🌿

Sometimes healing doesn’t look like having everything figured out. Sometimes it looks like planting something and choosing to keep showing up. I just keep showing up…
Brushing my teeth… one only leg at a time… one foot in front of the other.

Here’s to another season of growth — in the garden and in life. 💚

09/04/2026

Happy Labor Day weekend, everyone! I hope you all find what you’re looking for, whether it’s peace and quiet or that holiday pay. 🙃

09/02/2026

First sunflower of the season and dozens more right behind! They are already very tall!

08/29/2026

I’m sorry I’ve been a little quiet around here lately. ❤️

Life has been a lot lately. I’ve been busy starting a new job, finding my footing in a new chapter, and at the same time, navigating some new and unfortunately unexpected autoimmune health challenges.

When you live with chronic illness, sometimes the thing you need most isn’t another thing on your to-do list—it’s simply time to process, rest, adjust, and figure out what your body is asking of you.

So, if I’ve been a little absent, please know it’s not because I’ve forgotten about this community. Quite the opposite. I’ve been taking some time to care for myself and work through things that I’m not quite ready to put into words yet.

To everyone living with rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune disease, chronic illness, invisible illness, or simply going through a hard season right now: I see you. I’m sending you so much love. You are not alone. ❤️

Thank you for being here, for your kindness, and for continuing to show up—even on the days when showing up looks completely different.

08/28/2026

Can’t wait for MyoCon 2026!

08/16/2026

08/05/2026

On Wednesdays we wear pink! Colleen

08/02/2026

We are ready to see the new Spider-Man movie!Spider-Man Brand New Day here we come!