One of the most frightening moments in recovery can be when symptoms suddenly return after a long period of stability.
And many people immediately think:
“I’m back where I started.”
But in many cases, what looks like a relapse is actually something quite different.
Sometimes the body is simply going through a temporary recalibration.
Not all post-exertional malaise (PEM) is driven by the same physiology — and understanding the difference can completely change how you approach pacing and recovery.
In this episode, Anna breaks down the three most common patterns of post-exertional crashes seen in clinical practice: autonomic “hit the wall” crashes, metabolic “wired but exhausted” responses, and delayed immune-driven flares.
You’ll learn why timing matters, how different symptom patterns reflect different underlying mechanisms, and why applying the wrong strategy can stall progress.
This week’s episode offers a behind-the-scenes recording from one of our practical recovery calls inside the Membership. We explore protein intake, rebuilding physical capacity, managing post-illness deconditioning, and navigating guilt when energy fluctuates. A varied and thoughtful conversation about strengthening gently — without tipping into overdoing.
This week on the podcast we do something a little different. We share a recording from the Nurturing Resilience Membership where we focus on supporting your Nervous System as you navigate recovering from Chronic Fatigue and other Energy Limiting Illness. This is your opportunity to be a fly on the wall of one of our group calls and if you want to take part yourself, you are very welcome to join the Membership and get involved. We cover topics such as using yin yoga for emotional processing, discharging survival energy, finding purpose in life while navigating recovery and how to create stability as you navigate the inevitable ups and downs.
Post-exertional malaise (PEM) is more than just feeling tired after activity — it’s a delayed and often severe worsening of symptoms that affects many people with ME/CFS and other energy-limiting conditions. In this episode, Anna unpacks what PEM is, why it happens, and what current research is beginning to reveal.
Oxaloacetate is a compound that plays an important role in cellular energy production and mitochondrial function. In this episode, Anna explores the emerging interest in oxaloacetate as a potential support for people with Chronic Fatigue and other energy-limiting conditions.
We’ve all been there. You share some details about your chronic illness with a friend, family member or colleague and instead of empathy, you receive a prescription for yoga, meditation or a B12 injection. Although the unsolicited advice is well meaning, often it can be another load that we have to manage.
Mistakes are how we learn and grow. In this episode Anna shares what she wouldn’t do if she had to recover from Chronic Fatigue all over again. She shares lessons and learnings from her own experience and experience working with clients. She weaves in guidance on what she would do instead so that you can learn to build strong health foundations from the ground up.
Cycle syncing is a practice whereby you align your diet, lifestyle and energy management around your menstrual cycle. In this episode Anna answers the question: can this be helpful if you have Chronic Fatigue? Anna gives an overview of the menstrual cycle and explains how imbalances at certain points in the cycle can make us feel a certain way. She shares her own experience with cyclical fluctuations in energy and how she managed them, things that have worked clients and how to manage your cycle if you have histamine intolerance or MCAS.
Anna answers the question about how long to keep going with things when you aren’t seeing progress. She talks about the importance of laying life long foundations, getting overwhelmed by healing gadgets, supplement grave yards, the importance of context, strategy and structure, testing and retesting and how giving yourself a break can be the best thing at times!
Ready to uncover what may be contributing to your chronic fatigue and start moving forward with more clarity?
A short 2-minute quiz to help you understand the factors affecting your fatigue.
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Nurturing Resilience Membership
Nurturing Resilience offers you the opportunity to address both, to whatever degree you need. By supporting your nervous system and physical health, you can build more resilience in your system. And with more resilience comes greater capacity to live life with less crashes, flares and setbacks!
