Chief Change Officer

Part Two.

We dive into an extraordinary journey of resilience with Athena Brownson. At the peak of her real estate career—feeling invincible and unstoppable—Athena’s life took an unexpected turn. Strange health issues appeared, and she was eventually diagnosed with Lyme disease, a condition that would change everything.

For the past eight years, Athena has lived in chronic pain, relying on plasma transfusions four days each month just to keep going. Her life now revolves around battling this disease, something she never imagined facing. As she says, “If life didn’t give us adversity and challenges…”

This story is too powerful for just one episode.

Yesterday, in Part 1, Athena shared her experience with Lyme disease—a condition that remains poorly understood but has profoundly impacted her health. She talked about how she had caught it, what she had endured, and the fight to survive.

In Part 2, airing today, Athena will reveal how she not only survived but found ways to thrive, rebuild her support system, and grow her career once again.

Key Highlights of Our Interview:

Retraining the Brain

“Pain puts the brain in fight-or-flight mode, and it can get stuck there. So it’s on us to train our minds to tell our bodies we’re okay, to push through and find relief.”

The Power of a Routine

“For me, routines are huge. My toolkit includes morning and evening rituals – breathwork, meditation, journaling, writing affirmations. I remind myself every day: I am healthy. I am healing. My body can get through this.”

The Art of Delegation

“Delegation isn’t just about getting things off your plate; it’s about giving others a chance to shine. My illness showed me I can’t do everything, nor should I. Letting go allows others to thrive, and it’s empowering to see them do what they love.”

Building My Tribe

“Finding the right people was a decade-long journey, but now I have a team around me who would do anything for me. They’re not just coworkers; they’re my support system, my tribe. I know they’re here for me, health and all, and I wouldn’t be where I am without them.”

The Power of Pen and Paper

“Writing by hand does something special. Seeing the words you put down lets them sink in, letting you visualize and internalize them in a unique way.”

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Host: Vince Chan | Guest: Athena Brownson

Chief Change Officer: Make Change Ambitiously.

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