Vanessa’s journey: from chronic illness to recovery and transformation
- Vanessa Wilhelm
- Jan 31
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 17
Our first blog of 2025 comes from Vanessa Wilhelm who used the neuroplastic (mind-body) approach to recover from long covid and a long list of chronic debilitating symptoms. She kindly shared her inspiring story of recovery with Living Proof – along with her top tips for approaching the healing journey.
How It All Began
Looking back, my health journey truly began in late 2016, during a challenging period at university. I was under immense pressure to excel academically and was recovering from a narcissistic relationship. Furthermore, I was adjusting to a whirlwind of relocations — from my native Germany to the UK, then to Hong Kong, and back again. Amidst all this, I was working part-time caring for children and fell ill with glandular fever (mononucleosis), which left me battling chronic fatigue for over a year.
Life eventually settled down, or so I thought. I rebuilt a sense of normalcy, even diving into competitive weightlifting and starting my post-university career in public affairs. But everything changed in January 2021. After contracting COVID-19 and losing my beloved grandmother while isolating in the UK, I faced one of the most challenging chapters of my life.
The Onset of Long-COVID
Though my initial COVID infection wasn’t severe enough to suggest long-term damage, the aftermath appeared to tell a different story. Weeks after recovering, I felt as though a switch had been flipped in my brain, ushering in a period of debilitating symptoms. My life came to a halt as I became bedbound, grappling with over fifty symptoms — primarily neurological.
I experienced intense brain fog, chronic fatigue, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), and mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS). Panic attacks became a daily reality, as did an overwhelming sense of fear. Sleepless nights stretched into days, punctuated only by brief moments of collapse. A non-epileptic (dissociative) seizure triggered severe derealisation and detachment from reality, leaving me unable to recognise myself in the mirror. My nervous system had reached its breaking point, and the resulting PTSD-like symptoms only compounded the ordeal.
As MCAS worsened, my diet shrank to just fifteen foods, and medications caused significant weight gain. I lost my vibrant, active life, replaced by endless research and desperate attempts to find solutions. From supplements and heavy-duty medications to neurofeedback, specialists to alternative therapies, I tried everything, exhausting my life savings in the process.
The Path to Recovery
In mid-2021, I discovered the mind-body connection and began a brain retraining course. While this approach works for many, its rigid methods only heightened my anxiety. Feeling defeated, I sought help from a coach (Hi Karden, I hope you are reading this!) who introduced me to the mind-body world in a more compassionate, tailored way. Despite his incredible support, my panic and hypervigilance were insurmountable at the time, and I reverted to a medical approach.
Over the next two years, I made gradual progress, but every day remained a struggle. Then, in December 2023, after a particularly severe MCAS flare, I reached a breaking point. By chance, I discovered Nicole Sachs’ podcast and Dan Buglio’s YouTube channel. Their stories resonated deeply. I recognised patterns in my life: unresolved childhood trauma, anxious attachment, perfectionism, chronic overwork, and people-pleasing tendencies. My nervous system had been on overdrive for years, and it was time to change.
Building a New Foundation
I began journalling daily, using it as a tool to confront my fears and rewire my beliefs. With the guidance of a SIRPA-trained psychotherapist (Hi Liz, I am so thankful for your help!), I started tackling the root emotional issues keeping me stuck. Step by step, I built a belief system centred on safety, resilience, and recovery.
In addition to journalling, I adopted nervous system-regulating techniques like yoga nidra [1], meditation, emotional freedom technique (EFT – tapping) [2], and somatic tracking [3]. Developing a healing mindset was crucial. Even on tough days, I refused to doubt my recovery. Over time, my symptoms diminished, and I regained trust in my body’s ability to heal.
2024 wasn’t linear - progress often felt like one step forward, two steps back. But by the latter half of the year, my trajectory was unmistakably upward. Today, I consider myself largely (90%) recovered.
Life Now
I’ve reclaimed my life. Though my nervous system remains sensitive, chronic symptoms no longer dictate my days. When challenges arise, I face them with tools and perspective, and they quickly pass.
I’m thrilled to be starting a new job in February 2025, pursuing career goals I once thought were out of reach. I’m travelling, exercising, and embracing a full life once again. Earlier this year, I fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a dog mum to Maple, my adorable cavapoo puppy who has brought endless joy and motivation to my journey.
Beyond my personal recovery, I’ve started supporting others. I run a small WhatsApp group focused on peer support and positivity, and I’m a Group Expert in Nicole Sachs’ Facebook community, helping others navigate their own healing journeys. I’m also planning to train as a coach to assist more people in reclaiming their lives.
The Silver Linings
This journey has been about more than just physical recovery. It’s been a path to emotional healing and self-discovery. I’ve confronted trauma, learned to set boundaries, and embraced my sensitive, authentic self. Mindfulness and spirituality, once foreign concepts, are now integral to my life.
While I’m not yet ready to thank chronic illness, I recognise it as the catalyst for profound transformation. Step by step, I’m becoming the person I’ve always wanted to be, and that fills me with gratitude and hope.
Vanessa’s Top Tips for Recovery
Don’t compare your journey to others - everyone’s path is unique.
Find activities that bring you joy and prioritise them.
There are plenty of free/low-cost resources available and recovery through self-coaching is entirely possible. However, don’t be shy to seek help from a therapist or coach if you feel overwhelmed (and if this is within your budget).
View symptom flares as opportunities to practise resilience and wear them loosely.
Stop making your symptoms the sole focus in your life. For my own recovery, I had to stop talking about or researching my symptoms 24/7.
Recovery is possible. It’s not a straight path, but with patience, belief, and the right support, a full life awaits. My journey isn’t just about surviving — it’s about thriving.
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