Calling In Sick Making Invisible Illness Visible: Sara Levitt Walks the Runway with an Ostomy Bag
This week on Calling in Sick, we’re talking about the terrifying and liberating shift from hiding your illness to letting the world see it.
I’m joined by the incredible Sara Levitt, a Crohn’s warrior, Ostomy advocate, model, and creator who lived privately with her Ostomy for 15 years… before deciding that invisibility wasn’t serving her anymore.
Today, she takes up space… in fashion shows, brand campaigns, magazines, and online, challenging stigma by simply existing visibly, confidently, and honestly.
We dive into: ✨ What going public with your illness REALLY feels like ✨ Imposter syndrome & identity shifts when sickness becomes visible
✨ The critics, misconceptions, and assumptions we all endure ✨ Why storytelling is activism, even when it’s hard
If you’ve ever worried about being “too sick” or “not sick enough” to be believed… this episode will encourage you to shop up however you want, however you are.
xx, Alex
Comment: What’s one part of your illness that feels hardest to make visible?
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Intro:
00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling in Sick!
00:02:13 Alex’s Picks of the Week (Mayfair & Tilt)
Get to know Sara Levitt:
00:03:03 Intro to Sara Levitt (Crohn’s warrior, Ostomy advocate, model, and creator )
00:12:43 Why we went into content creation and chronic illness advocacy work
00:23:40 What it’s like to work with brands that work to amplify voices with chronic illness
00:26:26 Finding confidence while working as a model with chronic illness
00:33:33 Navigating the pressure of advocacy work within the chronic illness community
00:44:24 Finding confidence, a sense of self-worth, positivity and hope despite chronic illness
Conclusion:
00:51:30 One Brain Cell Show: Gossip Girl!!!
00:57:06 Thank you for listening!
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Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/
Alex’s Picks of the Week:
This week, I’m picking brands that help make the invisible, visible by celebrating disability, chronic illness and mental health, instead of showcasing.
✨Mayfair — https://go.shopmy.us/p-31914468
Use code ALEXANDRA15 for 15% off!
✨Tilt — https://go.shopmy.us/p-30221469
Use code ALEXANDRA20 for 20% off!
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Connect with our Guest, Sara Levitt:
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/saralevs/?hl=en
• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@saralevitt?lang=en
#ChronicIllness #InvisibleIllness #SpoonieLife #OstomyLife #CrohnsDisease #IBDWarrior #DynamicDisability #MedicalGaslighting #BodyNeutrality #DisabilityAdvocate #CallingInSickPodcast #AlexWildeson #ChronicPain #SpoonieSupport #HealthJourney #SelfAdvocacy
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