Welcome to our Champion series!

At The Happy Heat Pack Co, our mission is about more than just heat packs—it’s about comfort, care, and the real stories of those who use them. That’s why we created the Champion Series—a space to amplify the voices of incredible individuals navigating life with the challenges that arise.

Each Champion has a unique journey, filled with resilience and triumphs. Through this series, we’re not just celebrating their strength—we’re also creating something special inspired by them.

Our third Champion is Olivia. 💛 A former dancer turned fierce advocate for living gently and intentionally, Olivia’s journey with multiple rare chronic illnesses has reshaped her life in ways she never expected. Through resilience, gratitude, and a deep appreciation for life’s small moments, she continues to move forward with strength and hope.

Can you share a little about your journey and how you've navigated your diagnosis?

In 2021, I moved interstate to pursue my dream of a career in dance, when my life
was suddenly flipped upside down. Months of unanswered questions, countless
tests, hospital admissions, and overwhelming uncertainty eventually led to a
diagnosis of multiple rare vascular compression syndromes throughout my
abdomen. Initially identified as the main cause of my symptoms, we began the
search for management strategies and possible interventions. I was left with little
choice but to move back home and continue a fight that nobody could have prepared
me for. While we finally had some answers, there were still missing pieces of the
puzzle, which were later filled with additional diagnoses of gastroparesis and Ehlers-
Danlos syndrome.
Over the past few years, I have undergone multiple surgeries and procedures,
trialled more medications than I can count, and relied on medical devices to varying
degrees for both nutrition and hydration. None of these conditions have a cure, and
although they have taken an immense toll on my body and my life, I continue to
move forward - living, adapting, counting my blessings and holding onto hope for an
improved quality of life.

How has living with your condition changed your daily life or perspective?

Living with chronic illness has taught me a whole new level of gratitude. I’ve learned
to notice and cherish life’s small joys—a sunny morning, laughter with friends, the
ability to work, or a quiet moment alone. There are still days where it can be hard to
see the silver linings and it all feels so heavy, but my perspective has shifted to savor
the present, celebrate small victories, and find meaning in everyday moments. Living
with these conditions has reminded me that life’s beauty often lies in the little things
we might otherwise take for granted. Not every day is good but there is good in every
day… sometimes you just need to look a little harder.

What strategies or routines help you manage your symptoms on tough days?

On tough days, I try to listen to what my body needs and give myself some grace.
I’m not going to feel great every day, and I’ve learned that’s okay. On these harder
days, you’ll usually find me attached to my heat pack, either taking lots of naps, or
enjoying a book or a good movie, with my medications close by and, of course my
puppy nearby for company.
Tough days can feel disheartening, especially if things have been going well
otherwise, but I’ve learned that if you don’t give your body a chance to rest, it will
make you do it anyway.

Is there a particular support system or community that has made a difference for you?

My family and close friends have made an enormous difference in my journey, and I
am not sure where I would be without them. My family provides steady love, care,
and support, helping me navigate the day-to-day challenges and advocating for me
when I can’t do it myself. My close friends don’t treat me any differently - they laugh
with me, share experiences, and make life feel normal. At the same time, they still
check in, visit, and offer unwavering support whenever I need it… the perfect
balance between care and normalcy. Their presence, understanding, and patience
make even the toughest days feel a little lighter.

What advice would you give to loved ones trying to support someone with a chronic illness?

I’ve always said I can’t expect someone to understand an experience I never would
have imagined facing myself. But I think it’s important for people to know that you
don’t have to completely understand to be able to support. Support looks different for
everyone and can change at different times… sometimes we want advice,
sometimes we need flexibility with plans, sometimes an ear to listen, or sometimes
just the chance to forget, even briefly, how much has been taken from us.
We are more than our illness, and the rest of life doesn’t stop. Personally, I find it
really refreshing when conversations can shift to other aspects of life beyond my
health. If you’re unsure what to do or how best to support a loved one, it’s okay to
ask what they feel they need, remembering that this may change from day to day.

Are there any misconceptions about your illness that you'd like to address or clarify?

Like most chronic illnesses, the conditions I live with are incredibly dynamic and
unpredictable, and there is no guide for judging this from the outside. Things can
change quickly and without warning. One day I may be at work, seeing friends, or
running errands, and the next I could be bedbound by symptoms or even end up in
hospital. At times, I can move across this entire spectrum within just a few hours.
It’s easy for people to look at someone who appears “well” or functional on a good
day and assume they are coping all the time. A period of normality doesn’t mean the
illness has disappeared, it simply means I’m having a day where my symptoms are
more manageable. I try to be grateful for those days, cherishing the small freedoms
and opportunities they allow, while knowing the challenges may return at any
moment.

What message or encouragement would you give to someone who is newly diagnosed and feeling overwhelmed?

If you’ve been newly diagnosed and are feeling overwhelmed, I want you to know
that your feelings are completely valid. It’s okay to feel scared, frustrated, or unsure
about the future… this is a big change, and it takes time to adjust. Try to be gentle
with yourself, take things one day at a time, and remember that progress doesn’t
always look linear. Celebrate the small victories, lean on the people who care about
you, and work on focussing on the things that you can control. Just because things
may be different doesn’t mean they are always going to be bad.
A diagnosis doesn’t define you; you are still the same person with hopes, dreams,
and the ability to find joy and meaning in life, even if the path looks different than you
expected.

What's your guilty pleasure snack that you can't resist?

Frozen Yoghurt for sure!

Olivia, thank you for sharing your journey with such openness, grace, and resilience. Your story is a powerful reminder that even in the unpredictability of chronic illness, there is strength in gentleness, hope in the small moments, and comfort in being seen.

If you’d like to follow along with Olivia’s journey, you can find her on Instagram @olivia_withington 💛 Her DMs are always open for those who resonate with her story and would like to connect.

To honour Olivia, we’ve created a limited-edition collection inspired by her story — a reflection of warmth, care, and the comfort that carries us through even the toughest days.