Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of chronic illness, grief, loss, and disordered eating.
Sometimes life doesn’t just change - it asks you to become someone new.
In this episode, I sit down (again) with Annmarie O'Connor, someone who first joined me back in 2019, and whose life has transformed in ways neither of us could have imagined.
Since we last spoke, Annmarie has been diagnosed with early onset Parkinson’s disease. What follows is one of the most honest, raw, and deeply human conversations we’ve had on BeBelle. From the diagnosis, to finding purpose again through storytelling, she shares it all with such courage and clarity.
This is a conversation about illness, but more than that, it’s about resilience, identity, and what it means to truly live when everything changes.
✨ In this episode:
Annmarie’s early symptoms and the long road to diagnosis
What Parkinson’s actually is and why it’s often misunderstood
Living with a progressive condition and the unpredictability it brings
The reality of pain, fatigue, and managing symptoms day to day
Writing her book Twitch and turning pain into purpose
Disordered eating, body image, and facing old patterns
Grief, not just for others, but for past versions of yourself
The power of visibility and breaking stigma around illness
What her friend’s passing taught her about life, friendship, and time
Why “we all have a twitch” and how our stories connect us
You can find Annmarie here: Linktr.ee | Instagram
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BeBelle is a podcast hosted by Sian Horn that dives into the stories of remarkable people behind their businesses. BeBelle is not a business podcast, it's about uncovering the moments of resilience, creativity and determination that have shaped these entrepreneurs.
Sian is dedicated to empowering individuals in all aspects of life and believes in the importance of self-care, which manifests differently for everyone. Guests share their own self-care practices, offering listeners fresh perspectives on nurturing their well-being. Tune in to BeBelle for inspiring stories, actionable advice and thoughtful reflections on what it means to navigate life today.
Join the BeBelle Community: bebelle.ie | @bebelle_podcast | @sian_horn | YouTube
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