“To anyone out there struggling: don’t give up.” – Nathan’s story

My name is Nathan, and I’ve lived with ulcerative colitis (UC) for over fifteen years. Growing up with this condition was tough—not just physically, but mentally. The constant fatigue, the anxiety of needing to be close to a bathroom, and the feeling that I didn’t fit in made me feel trapped inside a body I couldn’t fully control. It wasn’t just about managing symptoms; it was about trying to live a normal life when so much of my day revolved around uncertainty.

When I was younger, I used to stick my head in the sand and hope the condition would just go away. Being young and a bit foolish, I ignored the signs and tried to live as if nothing was wrong. That approach only led to constant flare-ups, frustration, and disappointment. Year after year, I found myself back in the same place—fatigued, anxious, and letting my body control my life. Eventually, I got sick of it. I didn’t want to spend my life reacting to UC; I wanted to live on my terms.

That realisation became the turning point. I knew that if I wanted things to change, I had to stop waiting for someone else—or some miracle cure—to fix it. That decision led me to what I call a top-down approach: starting with my mindset, then working through every layer of my health—body, habits, and emotions—to build a system that supported me rather than held me back.

It took years of trial and error. I explored how food affected me, learning which ones promoted good bacteria and which triggered inflammation. I connected with others who were living in remission and experimented with their advice to see what worked for me. Yoga helped me reconnect with my body, and I realised how much bottled-up emotion and unresolved trauma had been quietly fuelling my stress—and in turn, my symptoms.

Looking after my mental health became just as important as caring for my physical wellbeing. I built what I now call my toolkit: meditation, breathwork, journalling, movement, and grounding practices that keep me centred when life gets heavy. Through this, I began to heal—not just physically, but emotionally.
I didn’t want remission to mean dependency; I wanted it to mean balance. So I began to look at my condition through what I like to call a “kaleidoscope”—viewing it from every angle, with curiosity rather than fear.

Whilst I can’t point to a single cause or cure, I’ve found that with my top-down approach—addressing mindset, stress, diet, and lifestyle—I’ve been able to remain in remission.

Getting on top of UC didn’t just change my health; it reshaped my life. Years ago, I was told that firefighting wasn’t a realistic path for someone with my condition. Today, I work as an Aviation Rescue Fire Fighter. Beginning a career like this is a big feat for anyone, but for me, it represents something more. Now that I’ve built the foundation to manage my condition, I see this as a platform—to move into my next challenge, to grow, and to keep proving what’s possible when you take ownership of your health.

Since 2020, I’ve also been a peer support worker with Crohn’s & Colitis Australia, helping others find their footing and reminding them that they’re not alone. Because I know how it feels to lose control—and how empowering it is to take it back.

Living with UC has taught me that health isn’t just about the absence of symptoms—it’s about awareness, connection, and action. When we start from the top—our mindset—and work down, we begin to realise how much control we actually have.

To anyone out there struggling: don’t give up. Stay curious about your body. Stay patient with the process. And remember, setbacks don’t define you—they refine you.

Head clear. Heart open. Always forward.

Together, we can #FlushTheStigma.