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🎧 Episode 163: Lead Beyond Limits: Thriving with a Hidden Disability with Jennifer Koster (Part 1)

In this powerful episode, we dive deep with Jennifer Koster, an inspiring leader who shares her 30-year journey living with HEDS (Hypermobility Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome), a connective tissue disorder that remained undiagnosed until 2022. From college athlete to advocacy champion, Jennifer's story illuminates how personal challenges can become a source of unique strength and leadership wisdom.

We explore:

• The challenging path to diagnosis and validation
• Transforming limitations into pathways for empowerment
• The grieving process of adapting to progressive physical challenges
• Finding community and building your personal "tribe"
• Overcoming internalized ableism and shame
• Leading with curiosity instead of judgment
• Building resilient teams through diversity of experience

🔑 Key takeaways:

1. Receiving a diagnosis can be empowering rather than limiting - providing validation, community, and better healthcare outcomes
2. Reframing our challenges helps transform our relationship with them
3. Intentional language choices can dramatically shift our perspective on disabilities
4. Learning to ask "what if?" opens new possibilities beyond perceived limitations
5. Leadership lessons from living with a hidden disability include adaptability, resilience, and authentic team building

💡 Quotes to remember:

"I'm empowered for independence." - Jennifer Koster's personal mantra

"I don't use that language anymore. I didn't hurt myself. I became injured because of my condition." - Jennifer Koster on changing self-talk

"She didn't see me as weak and barely hanging on... She saw me as a survivor." - Jennifer Koster on the power of others' perspectives

🌟 Featured Insights:

• How receiving a diagnosis after 30 years brought relief and community
• The importance of leading with curiosity over judgment in both healthcare and leadership
• Taking feedback as data rather than personal criticism
• Building teams of people willing to learn and journey together
• Practicing essential self-care to prevent burnout

📚 Resources: As May is EDS Awareness Month, look for Jennifer's planned 2025 campaign featuring fellow "zebras" (the symbol of the EDS community) Watch for Jennifer's talk: "Lead Beyond Resilience through the lens of a hidden disability"

Connect with Jennifer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-koster-mba-sphr-shrm-scp-1a648810/

A rising tide raises all ships, and I invite you along on this journey to Evoke Greatness!
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