In this beautiful and honest chat, I sat down with Sue Holly-Rodway to talk about her journey to overcoming Long Covid — before and after finding Rest Repair Recover.
Sue shared what it was like when she was at her most unwell. She felt totally stuck, unsupported, and isolated. Like so many of us, she tried to find answers but came up against wall after wall:
The medical system didn’t have solutions. Online spaces were often full of fear. And the things that had helped her cope in the past—like pushing through or being determined—just didn’t work anymore.
What Changed Everything
Then, Sue found our Rest Repair Recover community. At first, she thought it was “just yoga”—and admitted that she didn’t really see herself as a yoga person (I hear this a lot). But she quickly realised that what we offer is so much more than a yoga class.
She found:
- A place where people actually get it
- A gentle, understanding structure that gave her options and space
- Deep rest through breathwork and Yoga Nidra
- And most of all—a sense of belonging
She found her people and I couldn’t agree more.
Gentleness Over Grit
Sue’s story really resonated with me. Like her, I used to believe that pushing through was the only way.
But Long Covid requires a totally different approach. And the powerful shift for Sue came when she let herself slow down, soften, and stop trying to “fix” everything.
That’s when healing started to become possible.
She learned how to rest—properly. She learned that nervous system care isn’t a luxury, it’s essential.
And she discovered that even a simple breathing class could bring peace and calm to her body in a way nothing else had.
Yoga Nidra: The Unexpected Gift
One of Sue’s favourite discoveries was Yoga Nidra—what we sometimes call “guided sleep.”
She found it helped her access a deep, healing rest that had always felt out of reach. She does it every single day now—not because she has to, but because she wants to. Because it feels good.
Redefining Recovery
Sue and I talked about how tricky the word “recovery” can be. For some people, it brings up grief or pressure. But for us, recovery isn’t a destination. It’s not a finish line.
It’s about reclaiming parts of yourself. It’s about tuning into your body, your joy, your needs, and giving yourself permission to live differently.
For me, overcoming Long Covid has meant redesigning my life completely. Saying no more often. Creating space for rest, pleasure, stillness. Being kinder to myself. And learning (again and again) that if I deprioritise my health, my symptoms will remind me.
Sue’s done the same. She’s thrown away the badge of honour that said she had to keep proving her worth by pushing through. Now, she listens to her body. She understands the importance of nervous system care, boundaries, and consistency. And she knows what helps—and what doesn’t.
The Power of Community
Sue also talked about how healing it is to hear other people say,
“Today I used a hair dryer and now I need to lie down, but I’m still proud of myself.”
That’s what this community is all about. It’s about normalising what can feel alien. It’s about celebrating the little wins. It’s about laughing together, crying together, and remembering who we are—even when we feel like we’ve lost ourselves.
And yes, sometimes that means crab costumes and International Day of the Sausage. Because joy, silliness, and laughter are medicine too.
This Isn’t Just for Now—it’s for Life
Sue said something I loved:
“Recovery isn’t just for Christmas. It’s for life.”
And she’s right. This isn’t just about overcoming Long Covid or ‘bouncing back’ – this is about creating a sustainable life that supports your nervous system, honours your needs, and gives your amazing body the chance to heal.
If you’re still in that dark desert place, feeling like there’s no oasis in sight—please watch this interview. Listen to Sue’s story. Let it remind you that you are not alone, and healing is possible.
Click here to find out more about the Rest Repair Recover programme