My name is Shadi Azad and I didn't understand what real power is until I was in my 30's. Since a young age, I have faced monumental challenges and change throughout my life. I have climbed more mountains than I can count (both literally and figuratively). Now I am turning my pain into purpose, and am on a mission to create a movement of global change for women navigating the complex world we live in today. I am a chronic illness warrior, certified life coach, holistic health and wellness expert, transformation expert, corporate executive leader, and mother.
Growing up, I faced significant challenges from a young age. I was born in Iran, moved to London when I was 3, and moved to the United States when I was 9. I was 11 years old when I first felt the worst debilitating pain of my life. Throughout the years, my pain, symptoms, and trauma continued to accumulate. I had no idea why or what was really happening for many years. As I continued to try and voice my concerns to medical professionals over the years, I faced immense challenges. Doctors frequently dismissed my claims by saying that it was all in my head, normal for a woman to experience this level of pain or it was nothing urgent. Out of sheer desperation with mounting medical bills, unanswered concerns, and debilitating pain that rendered me unable to move or function on a daily basis, I turned to the emergency room, which I frequented for many years. After all those years of suffering, dismissal, gaslighting, and abandonment, I had completely lost my power in every way imaginable. I knew that enough was enough. I set out on a mission to never stop until I knew exactly what was going on inside my body and how I could get my power back. This was just the beginning of my journey to my multiple chronic diagnoses at 29 years of age, 18 years after first experiencing symptoms.
Women are told many things throughout our life that can be simply untrue. We are told what to feel, how to live, what to eat, what products to use, how to think, who to listen to, what to wear, how to behave, and the list goes on. These external voices and factors shape who we are as human beings. It was only later in life that I truly learned that there are a particular set of skills that each woman can learn to reclaim their power, find their happiness, and live life on their own terms.
I have spent the last 7+ years of my life dedicating my time, body, and energy to learning everything I can about how to reclaim my power, manage my symptoms, and find my happiness; all while experiencing severe debilitating symptoms, going to doctor’s appointments and hospitals daily for over 5 years (including long commutes), maintaining a full-time corporate career, and taking care of my family. These have been the most challenging years of my life, but they have also been the happiest. I could not be more grateful for what they have taught me and given me in return. These experiences have showed me that I am capable of overcoming and achieving anything I set my mind to. The skills I have acquired during this time, and hope to share with many others, have saved my life.
I have turned my pain into my life purpose, and I am so grateful to be on this journey where I have the opportunity to help as many other women as I can. By diligently focusing on skills that have saved my life, I have become the happiest, healthiest, and most successful version of myself in the process. I want to help you achieve the same. Your body and your mind are your power. Let’s go on a journey together to turn your life around and create a movement of global change!
To read my published Endometriosis story on the Endometriosis Foundation of America’s website: https://www.endofound.org/i-was-11-when-i-felt-the-worst-pain-of-my-young-life-shadi-azads-endo-story
