I remember quite clearly, that moment when I saw a post on Facebook about the Runner's World Run Streak while I was contemplating the icy cold morning I was about to launch myself into in order to get to the gym for my 6am personal training session. 'That looks interesting', I thought, as I yanked on my leggings, mumbled something about early morning training sessions, and joined the Facebook group thinking I'd check it out later that day.

Little did I know, that decision I made on an icy cold morning in November 2017 was about to challenge me in more ways than I was ever expecting in the coming 40 days!

In the last few months I've had several people comment on how well I look, and how different that is to where I was even a year ago.

I'm probably physically and mentally the most well I've been in about a decade, but it's really easy to forget just how much work has gone into getting to this point, and how much work goes in to maintaining it.

The title should really be 'what are the Ehlers-Danlos Syndomes' as since 2017 there have been thirteen sub-types of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

The month of May is a special month to me - it's a month where the condition which I live my life with is showcased through Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Awareness Month.

Being British has it's advantages. Tea, for one thing, is something I really miss when I'm travelling the world ... good old fashioned tea the way my mum makes it just can't be found! And hobnob biscuits ... mmmmm!

There are some tendencies which aren't so great though, one of which is carrying on in the face of adversity, pushing through difficult times, and coming out the other side better for it. I say this isn't so great, because what happens if the other side never comes?

I was largely motivated to write this blog post after reading this post - 6 things about chronic pain you didn't know you knew - and just to be clear before I set off, I'm really not looking for 'oh that's so sad, you poor thing' responses, or sympathy - I'm just writing this to express what it is like to be running a business and contending with chronic pain on a daily basis, and a bit of an exploration of the challenges faced by people with disabilities who run businesses.  

They say that a good boss should lead by example, so for the next week I am making a real effort to cycle into work each day, as part of 'Bike Week'.  Bike week is a nationwide week of focused activity promoting cycling - and specifically for folk who don't do it much!