Content Warning: This episode of Phoenix Sound includes discussions of suicide, which may be distressing for some listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for support at findahelpline.com, a global resource for crisis support. You’re not alone, and help is available.
Let’s talk about pain.
Not the kind you can shake off with a paracetamol and a good night’s sleep, but the kind that burrows deep, rewires your life, and dares you to keep going.
If you’re a woman, chances are you know this pain intimately.
Studies show that over 30% of people worldwide live with chronic pain, but women bear the brunt - up to 34.6% of us report it, compared to 27.1% of men [1].
And when it’s severe, we’re 37% more likely to feel its full weight, with 19.8% of women rating their pain as severe versus 14.4% of men [2].
These aren’t just statistics - they’re indicators of the daily reality for millions of us, a silent epidemic of suffering that’s been ignored for too long.
Now, layer on multiple sclerosis (MS), a disease that disproportionately strikes women—over 2.9 million people globally live with MS, and in Australia alone, that number exceeds 33,000, with women outnumbering men 3 to 1 [3].
Up to 80% of those with MS experience chronic pain at some point, a grinding “companion” to a condition that’s already a thief of energy, mobility, and certainty [4].
I’ve spent the past six years navigating this landscape, and I know you probably have too or someone you love is working their way through this maze.
That’s why I’m so excited to share S2 EP2 of Phoenix Sound, “Chronic Pain, MS and Empowerment with the amazing Chrissy Symeonakis, the fierce founder of Creative Little Soul who has turned her pain into a purpose, building a business that gives women their dignity back. This truth has been echoing in my mind ever since:
This isn’t just a conversation; it’s a battle cry for every woman who’s ever been dismissed, diminished, or told to “just deal with it.”
Chrissy’s story is a masterclass in fierce self-advocacy.
When her MS diagnosis hit at 30, she didn’t wait for permission to rewrite her life.
She set non-negotiable boundaries—like refusing summer meetings to manage her heat sensitivity—and built a business model that prioritises chronic illness, empowering her team and clients to reclaim their agency.
In a world where women with chronic pain are often gaslit by healthcare systems especially those living with episodic disabilities like MS or lupus, Chrissy’s unapologetic advocacy is a reminder:
If we don’t stand up and fight for ourselves, who will?
But what does it mean to fight authentically and with integrity?
Chrissy’s approach to marketing her business is a masterclass in both.
She doesn’t hide her struggles—she shares them, building a brand that resonates because it’s real.
In an era where 85% of consumers say authenticity drives their loyalty, Chrissy’s transparency isn’t just brave; it’s brilliant [5].
She’s not selling a polished facade; she’s offering a lifeline to women who see themselves in her story.
And she’s not afraid to explore alternative therapies to manage her pain either.
From medical cannabis to massage and setting her own work rhythm, Chrissy’s journey echoes a growing trend: 57.1% of people with MS have tried complementary therapies, seeking holistic relief where conventional medicine often falls short [6].
Her story challenges us to rethink what healing looks like—maybe it’s not just in a pill bottle, but in the courage to explore something new.
What struck me most, though, was Chrissy’s generosity and passion for mentorship.
During our conversation she says, “I just have so much time for people starting out,” and you can feel the truth in that through all the incredible work she does.
She’s mentored university students, hired interns (one now works for her full-time), and created a culture at Creative Little Soul that lifts others up.
A 2023 study found that 87% of mentees report increased confidence and career growth, and for women with chronic illnesses, that support can be a game-changer [7].
Chrissy knows that when women inspire women, we don’t just survive—we succeed.
This episode is for every endo warrior, ever spoonie, every woman who’s ever felt the weight of chronic pain, the sting of dismissal, or the flicker of hope that there’s a way through.
This conversation is a love letter to say: we see you.
Chrissy’s words are a call to action—let’s share our stories, lift each other up, and fight for the care we deserve!
We’d love to hear from you—what’s one way you’re finding strength through adversity?
Reply in the comments - let’s keep this fire burning, together.
Keep rising,
Kel
Here’s a roadmap to guide you through the episode:
- **5:00**: Chrissy takes us inside the nightclub scene—her life before MS reshaped everything.
- **5:55**: The power of mentorship—why encouragement can change lives.
- **9:16**: How clear communication and assertion can help us come unstuck, even on our darkest days.
- **13:30**: Hitting “shit town” and rising stronger—Chrissy’s raw take on resilience.
- **22:48**: Adapting to life with MS, from setting boundaries to finding what works.
- **28:07**: Building a business that gives women their dignity back—a mission born from pain.
- **48:10**: “We have so many stories that need to be shared, and women inspiring women is such a powerful thing”—Chrissy’s closing words that’ll stay with you.
References:
[1] Mills, S.E.E., et al. (2019). Chronic pain: a review of its epidemiology and associated factors in population-based studies. *British Journal of Anaesthesia*.
[2] National Center for Health Statistics. (2021). Chronic Pain Among Adults — United States, 2019. CDC Data Brief No. 390.
[3] MS International Federation. (2023). *Atlas of MS, 3rd Edition*
[4] Marck, C.H., et al. (2017). Pain in People with Multiple Sclerosis: Associations with Modifiable Lifestyle Factors, Fatigue, Depression, Anxiety, and Mental Health Quality of Life. *Frontiers in Neurology*.
[5] Stackla (Nosto). (2023). Consumer Behavior Report.
[6] Skovgaard, L., et al. (2012). Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine among People with Multiple Sclerosis in the Nordic Countries. Autoimmune Diseases.
[7] MentorcliQ. (2023). Mentorship Program Impact Report.
LINKS TO CHRISSY AND HER WORK:
Share this post