Who It’s For: Entrepreneurs, Senior Business Leaders, Managers, Sales Professionals, Female Leaders, and R&D, Innovation, DEI, and Other Critical Teams
Navigating Chronic Health Issues as a Woman Leader
Darlene Hawley
How Women Leaders Can Thrive with Chronic Illness: Energy Management, Boundaries, and Sustainable Success
For years, I operated under the same belief most of us are taught... push through, keep going, don’t let them see you struggle. And I did. I showed up, did the work, hit deadlines, ran my business, supported my clients, and rarely canceled an appointment.
What people didn’t see was the cost: the exhaustion, the brain fog, the moments when my body was screaming for rest but I didn’t listen.
Eventually, my body forced me to.
That moment changed everything — not just for my health, but for how I lead, coach, and help others create sustainable success.
The Moment My Body Said “Enough”
I haven’t always been this open about my health. For years, I pushed through, ignoring the warning signs.
I thought slowing down meant weakness. That I had to prove I could keep up, no matter what.
Until my body forced me to listen.
I had just started a new position in retail management — excited, motivated, ready to prove myself. The long hours, the stress, the non-stop movement?
I told myself I could handle it.
Until one night, I couldn’t.
I was the closing manager, wrapping up a long shift, when my body failed me. A massive flare took over — pain searing through my joints, exhaustion hitting me all over.
The pain in my feet so bad that I physically couldn’t walk out of the store on my own.
So, my team — my employees — rolled me out of the store on a clothing cart.
I was mortified.
That’s how bad it was.
I somehow managed to drive home, using my left foot because my right side was too inflamed to push the pedal. When I finally made it home, I crawled into my house, completely drained — both physically and emotionally.
That moment changed everything.
I realized I had been fighting my body instead of working with it. I had ignored every sign it gave me, convinced that pushing through was the only way. That night, I realized my body would make me if I didn’t learn to listen.
Clients often find out — though sometimes years into working with me, that I live with a chronic health condition, an invisible autoimmune disease called Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and have for the past 25 years. They’re always surprised and say, “but you look so normal, I would have never known just by looking at you.”
What they don’t see is the behind-the-scenes energy management, the mindset work, and the systems I’ve built to make it all work. And I know I’m not alone. Many of my clients, colleagues, and fellow leaders are balancing high-impact work while managing chronic pain, fatigue, or unpredictable health conditions.
We keep going — not because we have to, but because we’ve found ways to make it work. And that’s the shift, instead of fighting against these challenges, what if we integrated them into the way we lead? What if our experience with chronic illness actually made us better leaders, coaches, and entrepreneurs?
Chronic Health Issues: The Unseen Challenge for Women Leaders
Chronic illness impacts women at higher rates than men. Autoimmune diseases, migraines, endometriosis, fibromyalgia, and hormonal disorders often go undiagnosed for years, and when they are acknowledged, we’re told to “push through.”
For those of us in leadership, this creates an invisible challenge, how do we maintain credibility, authority, and momentum while managing something that demands so much of us?
For me, the answer hasn’t been to hide my experience (though I didn’t always feel comfortable sharing it) — it’s been about learning how to turn it into a strength.
How My Health Journey Shapes My Coaching and Training
I don’t separate my chronic illness from my thought leadership — it’s part of my lived experience, and that profoundly influences how I coach and support others.
Over the years, I’ve gained invaluable lessons — ones I now teach my clients to help them navigate their own challenges.
1. Energy Awareness is the Foundation of Leadership
I used to operate like my energy was unlimited, like I could run on sheer willpower alone. (Spoiler alert, I couldn’t.) Now, I approach my work differently. I don’t force myself into a schedule that doesn’t fit my natural energy rhythms — I build my business around them. I teach my clients to do the same, whether they have a chronic condition or not. Because when you know how to work with your energy instead of against it, everything flows more easily.
2. Boundaries Aren’t Selfish — They’re Survival
I used to say yes to everything. Every opportunity. Every request. Every last-minute favor. Until I couldn’t anymore. Chronic illness made me get brutally honest about what I can and can’t take on, and that’s been one of the biggest gifts. Now, I help my clients set the kinds of boundaries that protect their time, energy, and well-being — without guilt, without apology. Because saying no to what drains you is really saying yes to yourself.
3. Systems Are the Secret to Doing More with Less Effort
Brain fog and decision fatigue are real. Some days, my brain feels like a browser with 47 tabs open and half of them frozen. That’s why I rely on systems — not just for efficiency, but for survival. I help my clients create workflows that simplify their decision-making, eliminate unnecessary stress, and free up mental space for the work that actually moves the needle. Because the less energy you waste on “What should I do next?” the more you have for what truly matters.
4. Rest is a Leadership Strategy, Not a Luxury
I used to see rest as something I had to earn. Now, I see it as something that makes me better at what I do. I don’t wait until I’m running on empty to take a break — I build rest into my routine. Microbreaks, white space on my calendar, and even full days off when my body needs it. I teach my clients to do the same because when you’re well-rested, you’re more creative, more present, and — let’s be real — a lot less resentful of your work.
5. True Resilience is Built on Self-Trust, Not Just Grit
People love to glorify resilience as if it’s just about pushing through. But the strongest leaders I know? They don’t just push through — they pause, they listen, they adjust. They trust themselves enough to know when it’s time to shift gears. That’s what I help my clients develop, not just the ability to keep going, but the wisdom to know when to slow down, ask for help, or pivot. Because resilience isn’t about proving how much you can endure — it’s about building a life and business that supports you, not drains you.
Thriving, Not Just Surviving
Living with a chronic condition while running a business or leading a team isn’t easy — but it has given me insights and strengths I wouldn’t have developed otherwise. It has made me a better leader. A better coach. A better advocate for the women I work with.
I bring this experience into my coaching because I know what it’s like to navigate leadership while also managing health challenges. I know how to create strategies that actually work in real life — not just in theory.
For those of you juggling work, family, leadership, and health — know you’re not alone. And you don’t have to do it the hard way. There’s a way to thrive, build impact, and show up fully without burning out. I know, because I’ve built it for myself — and I help others do the same.
If this resonates, I’d love to hear from you.
How have you balanced leadership while managing a chronic condition? Let’s talk about it — because the more we share, the more we can support each other in building businesses and careers that work for us, not against us.
*This article was originally posted on Medium.
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Hey There!
I'm Darlene
As a mother, wife, connector, and dream builder, I’m Darlene Hawley, the founder of DarleneHawley.com and an Executive Leadership & Businesss Coach dedicated to empowering leaders like you.
My passion lies in helping ambitious professionals cultivate their unique leadership style while crafting an authentic and impactful personal brand. Through my coaching, we’ll work together to build a solid foundation that not only inspires your team but also drives results and growth within your organization.
Since 2007, I have been committed to guiding leaders and entrepreneurs in launching and scaling their businesses with confidence and clarity.
Today, I focus on supporting women in reaching their leadership goals and living their dream lives—all while balancing the joys of raising my family and creating meaningful memories each day.
Together, we’ll transform your challenges into opportunities, allowing you to lead with authenticity and inspire those around you.
Carolyn Bennett-Sullivan, a seasoned keynote speaker, TEDx presenter, and change strategist, shares her incredible journey from a challenging career in pharma sales to becoming a transformational catalyst. She discusses overcoming fear-based thinking, navigating major business disruptions, and building trust in organizations. Whether you're a heart-centered entrepreneur or an executive leader, this conversation is packed with valuable insights on how to lead confidently, handle major transitions, and create a business that thrives. Curious to learn more? Visit darlenehawley.com/workwithme. 00:41 Meet Carolyn Bennett Sullivan 01:48 Carolyn's Journey and Overcoming Fear 04:15 Navigating Workplace Disruptions 07:21 Tools for Leaders and Employees 15:03 The Importance of Communication and Engagement 21:19 The Importance of Team Buy-In 22:49 Building Relationships in Sales 27:21 Future Plans and Goals 29:26 Rapid Fire Questions 35:09 Conclusion and Contact Information Carolyn is an inspiring keynote speaker, transformational catalyst, and change strategist. As a TEDx speaker, author, and consultant, she leverages her corporate sales and small business expertise to help organizations create strategies for navigating business disruptions through mindset mastery. Her deep understanding of psychology, neuroscience, and business uncovers barriers to change and guides individuals to overcome obstacles, build resilience and unlock their highest capabilities. You can engage with Carolyn at: https://linkedin.com/in/carolynbennettsullivan https:instagram.com/cbsullivan https://facebook.com/carolynbennettsullivan ------ Hi I’m Darlene Hawley and I help ambitious entrepreneurs and executive women find their voice, craft powerful messaging, and regulate their nervous system so they can speak up with confidence in high-stakes conversations, client meetings, and on stages ... without second-guessing themselves. Grab my 10 Do's and Don't for Effective Daring Conversations: https://mailchi.mp/297e8105e904/communicationguide Grab my 6 Steps To Attract & Stand Out digital guide, a free roadmap to create a successful business with less hustle and more ease: https://bit.ly/attractandstandoutonline Grab a Chai and let's Connect: https://darlenehawley.com https://linkedin.com/in/darlenehawley
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When you're talking but no one's listening. Have you ever introduced yourself at a networking event… only to feel like people’s eyes glazed over? One of my clients put it perfectly: “Darlene, I share who I am and what I do, but it feels like I’m invisible. People nod politely and then move on.” She had so much value to offer. In fact, she is amazing at what she did. Yet, her introduction was all over the place. Some days she was talking to potential clients, other days to possible collaborators, and sometimes even she wasn’t sure what her main point was. And that’s why it felt like no one was listening. Why This Happens It’s not because you’re not experienced enough. It’s not because you’re not interesting enough. It’s because without clarity about who your audience is in the room and what you really want to say, your voice gets lost in the shuffle of business cards and conversations. Networking rooms are full of people competing for attention. If your message doesn’t connect directly... if it doesn’t make them pause, lean in and say, “Tell me more” ... it disappears before they even leave the event. The Shift When this client and I worked together, the first thing we did was get crystal clear about: Who she most wanted to reach in the room. What those people actually cared about. How her work specifically helped them. Once she had that clarity, her introductions started sounding different... more direct, more alive, more her. And the result? People leaned in. Instead of walking away, they asked questions. They followed up after the event. They booked time with her. Because when you find your voice and know exactly who you’re talking to, you stop being forgettable. You become someone people can’t ignore. This is exactly what we’ll be diving into in Session 1 of my Attract & Stand Out Framework: Getting clear on who your audience is. Knowing what you want to say. Communicating how you help in a way that truly connects... whether you’re introducing yourself in a room or on stage. It’s not just about having the words, it’s about the confidence to say them out loud too... with presence, authority, and ease. If you’ve been walking out of networking events feeling overlooked, let this be a gentle nudge: ~ You don’t need to try harder. ~ You don’t need to stuff more into your intro. ~ You need clarity... on your audience, your message, and your voice. That’s where visibility begins. That’s how you go from overlooked to unforgettable. Think about the last time you introduced yourself at a networking event. Could the right person in the room... your dream client or collaborator... hear you and say: “That’s me. She gets it”? ________________________________________________________ 🌀 Nervous System Regulator: The 4-7-8 Reset Feeling that anxious butterfly sensation before you introduce yourself? Try this right before you speak: Inhale quietly through your nose for a count of 4. Hold your breath for a count of 7. Exhale slowly and fully through your mouth for a count of 8. Repeat this 3–4 times. It only takes a minute, but it tells your nervous system: You’re safe. You’ve got this. When your body is calm, your voice comes through with more presence and power... and people remember you. ✨ Ready to stop feeling overlooked at networking events? Download my free guide, 6 Steps to Attract & Stand Out, and discover how to clarify your message, show up with confidence, and connect with the people who matter most. Grab it here »
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