"You're not making it up. You're not weak, you're not failing. Your body is working hard to keep you upright, and you deserve support that matches the reality of that." —Donna Piper
Standing up should not require strategy, recovery time, or mental math. When heart rate spikes, dizziness hits, and showers wipe us out, the hardest part is not the symptom. It is being told nothing is wrong while our body says otherwise.
Donna shares lived experience with POTS, dysautonomia, and multiple comorbidities, blending physiology with trauma-informed insight. Her work is shaped by years of being dismissed and the clarity that comes from finally naming what is happening in the body.
Press play to ground into language that makes sense of your symptoms and offers support without pushing.
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Signs of POTS and dysautonomia in daily life
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Why standing, heat, and showers trigger symptoms
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Heart racing vs anxiety and why both can exist
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The mental exhaustion of medical gaslighting
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Gentle nervous system supports for upright intolerance
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What patterns to track for clearer self-advocacy
Connect with Donna:
Website: https://www.donnapiper.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnapiper
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lipedema_donna
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedonnapiper
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thedonnapiper
Episode Highlights:
01:58 Common Triggesr and Symptoms of POTS
03:26 POTS and Daily Life
07:40 Myths About POTS
09:10 Practical Support and Tracking Symptoms
11:20 Choose Support Instead of Punishment
Resources:
🤔Got a question for me? Every month, I do a listener coaching episode—and I'd love to hear from you!
Send your questions, stories, or flare-up confessions to donna@donnapiper.com, and you just might hear your answer on the show.
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Standing up shouldn't feel like a full-body ambush. If your heart races, showers wipe you out, or upright time feels risky, this episode breaks down POTS signs, daily triggers, and gentle supports. Pull up a chair and listen for clarity and support..
#DearBodyImListeningPodcast #POTSlife #POTSawareness #InvisibleIllness #ChronicSymptoms #Dysautonomia #WomensHealth #ChronicFatigue #BodySignals
Quotes:
04:18 "This isn't you just being dramatic. This is your body sending data, not drama." —Donna Piper
04:47 "There's absolutely nothing wrong with you. You may have been dealing with regulation issues, and they deserve support, not shame." —Donna Piper
06:59 "POTS can shrink your world, not because you're incapable, but because your body is doing extra math to keep you upright." —Donna Piper
08:17 "Here's the spicy truth: being dismissed can make you anxious. So you can have both anxiety and POTS." —Donna Piper
08:33 "POTS can fluctuate. Your good hours don't erase the hard ones. You're not faking. You're cycling through capacity." —Donna Piper
08:47 "For a lot of us, pushing through is what makes symptoms worse. Sometimes, the bravest thing is choosing smart support instead of self punishment." —Donna Piper
11:20 "You're not making it up. You're not weak, you're not failing. Your body is working hard to keep you upright, and you deserve support that matches the reality of that." —Donna Piper
Your Host:
Donna Piper is a Relationship Coach, Trauma Expert, and Akashic Records Healer dedicated to empowering successful single women to transform their love lives and attract fulfilling partnerships without sacrificing their professional ambitions.
With a holistic approach blending therapeutic coaching, trauma-informed techniques, and Akashic Records wisdom, she guides clients to release limiting beliefs, heal emotional blocks, and cultivate unshakable self-trust. Her work focuses on aligning mind, body, and spirit to create lasting change—helping clients refine communication, deepen self-worth, and build the foundation for healthy, loving relationships.
Donna's sessions are a safe haven for those ready to break cycles, embrace vulnerability, and design a love life that harmonizes with their thriving careers. For women committed to both personal and professional fulfillment, she offers tailored strategies to unlock their full potential and step into the relationship of their dreams.
