Aisha Balesaria
Follow along as Aisha inspires others on Instagram @mindbodyrevival_coach, on Twitter @mindbodyrevival, and always at www.mindbodyrevivalcoach.com.
Follow along as Aisha inspires others on Instagram @mindbodyrevival_coach, on Twitter @mindbodyrevival, and always at www.mindbodyrevivalcoach.com.
Five sentences about me…
I was born and raised in London, UK. I have a very diverse heritage which is why I’m deeply passionate about cultivating an inclusive culture on and off Instagram. I’m a travel addict and I love absolutely everything about visiting different countries, from eating local foods to experiencing different cultures. Fine dining, writing, visiting art galleries, and reading dry history books (don’t judge me) are the things I enjoy most when I’m not coaching. I founded @mindbodyrevival_coach when my long fertility journey came to an end. Now I support others going through their own infertility or health journey.
Five sentences about what I've endured in the fertility realm...
Unfortunately, a very late diagnosis of stage 4 endometriosis revealed the primary cause of my infertility. The next 10 years looked like one IUI, over 11 unsuccessful IVF attempts, and many miscarriages. In between IVF cycles I received treatment for endometriosis. I had Zoladex® injections – these hormones would down-regulate my ovaries causing temporary menopause. The purpose of having the injections was to suppress the inflammation caused by endometriosis and increase my chances of IVF success. It didn’t work. I continued to have IVF fails! I’ve had two surgeries for endometriosis and I’m awaiting my third *fingers crossed*. My last pregnancy was in 2019. It was after this loss that my husband and I decided to pull the plug on trying to conceive and embrace our childfree-after-infertility life.
One thing I wish I knew going into my fertility journey...
When I started trying to conceive 11 years ago, there wasn’t the fertility Instagram accounts there are now, or posts by the childless-not-by-choice community saying it’s okay to stop. The narrative was ‘never give up.’ I wish I knew back then that stopping was NOT ‘giving up’ - I probably wouldn’t have put myself through so many rounds of IVF. It’s the reason why many people stay in horrible jobs or marriages they hate, because ‘giving up’ is synonymous with failure. Yes, I gave up! I let go of something that no longer served me. I put my mental and physical health first. Stopping fertility treatment was a very courageous thing to do and I’m so glad I did.
One thing about me that is forever changed because of my fertility journey...
Infertility doesn’t have to teach you a darn thing, fortunately, it taught me that life’s short. I don’t do things that no longer serve me, this can include anything; from the work I do to the company I keep. I have ONE life - I want to fill it doing what I love. Daily affirmation: do what makes you happy.
One funny moment or anecdote from my fertility journey...
Waking up after egg collection - apparently, I cried, “I want my mum”. It makes me laugh to this day. I’m blaming sedation, it makes me hazy.
How did I embrace my childfree-after-infertility life?
My path to healing was extensive and I approached it in many different ways. Therapy, coaching, faith, and a fantastic support network were all strong components for dealing with loss, trauma, and grief. With great courage and determination, I am finally able to live a life I love. A childfree-after-infertility life doesn’t have to be an empty one. This doesn’t mean grief cannot co-exist with gratitude; what it does mean is that infertility is no longer taking up the biggest space in our lives like it used to.