Athena Brownson: Rebuilding Life and Mindset After an 8-Year Lyme Disease Journey — Part One

Part One.

At the height of her real estate career, Athena Brownson’s life was derailed by Lyme disease. For eight years, she’s faced chronic pain and intensive treatments, reshaping every part of her world. As Athena puts it, “If life didn’t give us adversity and challenges…”

In this episode, she recounts the early days of her diagnosis, the fight to survive, and the harsh realities of living with this poorly understood condition. Tomorrow, in Part 2, Athena will reveal how she turned survival into thriving and rebuilt her career on her own terms.

The Hidden Threat of Lyme Disease

“I had no idea what Lyme disease was before I was diagnosed with it. It’s the fastest growing epidemic in the United States, and it can turn life upside down.”

From Athlete to Survivor

“My life has made a complete 180 from being a professional athlete to just trying to get through each day. It’s a nightmare I wouldn’t wish on anyone.”

When Life Becomes a Series of Challenges

“It’s hard not to get stuck in the mud when you’re dealing with something so challenging and constant… chronic pain, chronic fatigue, enough to make anyone want to stay in bed and not do anything.”

Creating a Toolkit for Every Day

“How do we pivot our mentality? How do we create our toolkit of things to get us through each day, even when we don’t want to? Sometimes it’s as simple as blasting favorite music or making a great cup of coffee.”

Becoming Your Own Biggest Advocate

“With Lyme, I’ve learned that you have to be your own biggest advocate. It’s about mental resilience, surrounding yourself with the right people, and finding those anchors to push forward.”

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Host: Vince Chan | Guest: Athena Brownson

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