What Happens When Your Identity Starts Falling Out? Podcasthon | EP300

"The unpredictability of alopecia is nerve-wrecking " - Thea Chassin

EP 300

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Episode 300 of the Mindset & Action Podcast is a special one, and I wanted to do something a little different to mark the occasion. Usually, for milestone episodes, I’d do a look back at our most popular episodes, but with the podcast’s fifth birthday coming up in April, I’ve saved that for then. Instead, this episode is part of the Podcastathon – an initiative where podcasters come together to highlight charities close to their hearts. For my contribution, I’m sharing my personal journey with alopecia areata and why I chose to support the Little Princess Trust by donating my hair.

My story with alopecia started when I was 18. Living independently, I suddenly noticed my hair falling out. It was terrifying, especially as someone who has always had a strong attachment to my hair. A teacher once told me as a child that my auburn hair was beautiful and that I should never cut or dye it, and that comment stuck with me. When I found a bald patch the size of a 50p coin, I panicked and went to the doctor, only to be dismissed as though I was wasting their time. It wasn’t until later that I discovered my condition – patch alopecia, where small sections of hair fall out but usually grow back over time, often triggered by stress.

Fast forward to 2020, and I found myself debating whether to cut my long hair – it had grown all the way to my hips! I’d toyed with the idea for years but always backed out at the last minute. Then I had a thought: what if I donated it to the Little Princess Trust, a charity that creates real-hair wigs for children who have lost their hair due to illness? That made the decision easier. To add even more meaning, I decided to raise money for Cancer Research UK and Macmillan, two charities that have always been close to my heart. I set a modest fundraising goal of £150, thinking if I could raise £50 for each, that would be amazing. The generosity of my business network blew me away – we raised an incredible £1,400!

The actual haircut happened in April 2021, and we cut off 16 inches at the front and 20 inches at the back. This was particularly special because the Little Princess Trust struggles to get donations of longer hair. Many donors cut around 7 to 11 inches, but for children who have lost their hair, especially little girls who dream of having long hair again, longer wigs can make a huge difference. Knowing my hair would help a child feel more like themselves again made the whole process so worthwhile.

Now, almost four years later, my hair has grown back to my waist, and I’m once again considering making another donation. I won’t do the full fundraising effort this time, but if you’ve ever thought about cutting your hair, I’d encourage you to consider donating it. If you’ve got at least 7 inches to spare – or, even better, 11 inches or more – your hair could go to a child who truly needs it. It’s such a simple but powerful way to give back.

This episode was a deeply personal one, and I hope it resonated with you. If you want to learn more about the Little Princess Trust or the Podcastathon, I’ve included the links in the show notes. And, of course, don’t forget that Mindset & Action Live is coming up on 3rd April, where we’ll celebrate five years of the podcast with an incredible event full of business wisdom, well-being, and, of course, cake! Tickets are available now, with 10% of sales going to Brain Research UK and Meningitis Now, so grab yours and join me for what promises to be an unforgettable day. I’ll see you there!

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Bye For Now!

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HOLLY SCOTT

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