Struggling to Speak Up? Suzy Reading on Finding Confidence Through Self-Care

PodcastRegarding Me
Written By Luan Lawrenson-Woods

Introducing: Suzy

This is one of the most frequently asked questions: how can women confidently advocate for their health when they’re overwhelmed, and being a ‘good’ patient is often seen as being quiet, compliant and not representing themselves?

In this open-hearted episode, Luan is joined by psychologist and coach Suzy Reading to gently and curiously unpack what it really means to self-advocate. And they explore why community, compassion and permission are essential to recovery.

Suzy shares beautifully simple physical movements – from the chicken wing stretch to the face hug – that you can use to prime your body and mind to speak up. She also offers phrases to help you ask for support from friends and family, so you can confidently co-create both a treatment plan with your healthcare team and a support plan with your loved ones.

This episode is an invitation to be tender with yourself, to let go of old expectations (of self and others), and to see how self-care can become the foundation of self-advocacy.

Whether you're in survival mode, emerging from a tough season, or just need a reminder that it's okay to ask for help, this episode is a soft landing. It’s your moment to pause, breathe and come back to yourself with love.

I promised Suzy I’d pull together a blog post with all the physical practices we talked about - from the chicken wing stretch to the face hug. It’s coming soon! I’ll let you know the moment it’s live - just drop me a quick hello via the contact form on my website and I’ll make sure it lands in your inbox.

Get a reminder when the ‘warm ups’ go live - pop over to my contact form!

In this episode:

  • What it really means to self-advocate with yourself - not just in medical appointments, but in everyday life

  • How to start unlearning the “good patient” conditioning that tells us to stay quiet

  • Why it’s safe and essential to let others support you

  • Simple physical practices (like the face hug and chicken wing stretch) to help you feel grounded and ready to speak up

  • What Suzy calls energetic bankruptcy, and how to recognise when your tank is empty

  • How to ask for help in ways that deepen connection, not distance

  • The role of community, compassion and permission in your recovery and resilience

  • A reminder from Suzy’s inner elder: you are deeply deserving of tenderness

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Luan Lawrenson-Woods
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In the Meantime: You Don’t Have to Go Balls to the Wall