In this episode, we talk with Virgo Martínez, a content creator and influencer who has managed to build an honest and empathetic community based on vulnerability. Virgo speaks out on social media, showing without filters what it means to live with an inflammatory bowel disease like ulcerative colitis. During this interview, we explore her personal history with the disease, how her life has changed since her diagnosis, her experience with therapy, and the impact it has had on her environment, her routines, and her way of eating. We talk about the fear of eating when the body stops responding as it should, how to emotionally manage flare-ups, and which tools have truly helped her improve. The topics we explore 00:00 Intro 03:25 What is colitis? 09:11 Therapy 15:26 How Virgo Martínez's life changed22:22 How to manage colitis in daily life 29:38 The fear of eating due to illness 40:06 Social media and being open Key moments Ulcerative colitis: a chronic disease and its symptoms Definition [04:16]: Ulcerative colitis is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease that affects the colon and rectum, causing inflammation of the intestinal mucosa and ulcers. It presents in flare-ups (active) and remission phases (inactive). Debilitating Symptoms [05:12]: The symptoms are debilitating and energy-draining, including extreme fatigue, rectal bleeding, frequent diarrhea (7-9 times a day), weakness, weight loss, fever, and abdominal bloating. Frustration and Isolation [10:07]: The disease is frustrating and bleak, leading the person to not want to leave the house, lose the sparkle in their eyes, and experience secondary symptoms that affect self-perception. Diagnosis and Living with the Disease [09:40]: Although it is a chronic disease, Virgo emphasizes the importance of coming to terms with it, accepting it, and adapting one's life to it. The hope for long periods of remission helps maintain a positive attitude. Emotional impact and the mind-body connection Stress and Somatization [12:11]: Colitis often somatizes nerves and stress, even subconsciously. The body sends out an alert, indicating the need to change something in one's life. Lack of Emotional Support in Traditional Medicine [07:40]: Virgo highlights her frustration at never having been asked about her emotional state by any hospital doctor, despite the evidence of the connection between the emotional state and autoimmune diseases. Therapy and Resources [13:34]: During a severe flare-up, she was diagnosed with depression and, for the first time, received psychological support at the hospital. She learned hypnosis, meditation, and breathing control techniques to reset the nervous system. Vulnerability and Asking for Help [44:45]: It is crucial to allow yourself to be unwell and ask for help, whether on a small scale (telling friends you aren't doing well) or a large scale (seeking professional and family support). Patience and self-trust, as well as trust in others, are key. Transformed View of Life [48:38]: The disease has taught her that health and love are the most important things. She values the small and simple things in life, and the experience of seeing others with more serious illnesses has given her perspective and gratitude. Impact on personal and professional life Affected Social Relationships and Sex Life [12:57]: Colitis has affected her social relationships (social anxiety, difficulty attending events, not being able to drink alcohol) and her sex life. Setting Boundaries [21:45]: She had to learn to say "no" to things she didn't want to do and to prioritize herself, reducing her participation in dinners, get-togethers, and events to lower stress. Difficulties on Social Media [16:24]: As a content creator, the illness affected her ability to generate "happy" content and attend events. She had to deal with comments about her body and the pressure to appear fine. Culling Social Circles [23:15]: In times of suffering, one's inner circle shrinks, but it is strengthened by friends who offer genuine support without judgment or pressure. Creativity as Therapy [37:48]: Her creative work (scripts, film) serves as a driving force and therapy, allowing her to express her emotions and experiences in a personal way. Self-care strategies and disease management Diet [27:52]: She maintains a Mediterranean diet, avoiding processed foods and limiting sugar and alcohol. A food diary [29:06] helps her identify what sits well with her and what does not, as the reaction is very personal. Celiac disease (which she also has) has made her extremely cautious with gluten, which can trigger colitis flare-ups. Fear of Eating [30:42]: She acknowledges that one's relationship with food can deteriorate due to the fear of reactions. She now enjoys cooking at home more and preparing gluten-free versions of her favorite dishes. Exercise [34:08]: Although she finds the gym and yoga boring, she looks for more entertaining and social activities, such as playing tennis. Hydrotherapy [29:53]: Sauna and cold plunge baths have a huge effect on her mental and physical health, relaxing the nervous system. Supplementation [35:30]: She takes omega-3 and vitamin B12 (due to nutrient absorption deficiencies and anemia, common in colitis and celiac disease). Integrative Medicine [47:23]: She recommends exploring integrative traditional medicine to address the root of the disease, not just the symptoms, and to understand the message the illness has brought into her life. Patience [48:07]: The road to recovery has its ups and downs, so patience is fundamental. The future of content creation Fleeting Attention and Fame [53:09]: Attention and fame on social media are ephemeral. It is important to have other interests and a "Plan B" beyond content creation, such as personal projects or business ventures. Privilege and Hard Work [41:14]: Being a content creator is a privilege, but it requires a lot of consistency and daily effort, despite the image of ease that is sometimes projected. This episode is a source of inspiration and awareness about ulcerative colitis, the importance of resilience, self-care, and the power of emotional connection in the healing process. An intimate, necessary, and very human conversation about health, boundaries, family, and how to shine a light even when your body isn't cooperating.
