
From Dismissed to Determined: Breaking the Silence on Invisible Conditions and Leading Systemic Change
Growing Tall Poppies Podcast: Season 02, Episode 21 (#62)
In this week’s episode of Growing Tall Poppies, Dr Nat Green is joined once again by clinical psychologist, author, and systemic change-maker Nichi Morrin.
Together, they open up a deeply personal and eye-opening conversation about invisible illness, medical dismissal, and the hidden toll on both patients and professionals. From the shocking moment her 17-year-old daughter’s heart attack was dismissed as anxiety, to her own journey living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Nichi shares the lived experience that ignited her mission to reform the healthcare system from within.
Through raw storytelling and practical insight, this episode explores the intersection of trauma, nervous system overload, and burnout, and introduces Nichi’s COMPASS-5 model - a groundbreaking framework designed to support people living with complex health conditions, as well as the practitioners who care for them.
Whether you’ve experienced medical gaslighting, advocacy fatigue, or feel like you’re constantly pushing through systems that weren’t designed for you - this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and real hope for change.
What You'll Learn in This Episode
The real impact of invisible illness and systemic dismissal
How trauma lives in the body - not just the mind
The difference between burnout as a symptom vs. a root cause
How advocacy fatigue affects families and frontline professionals
Why we need new models of care that prioritise lived experience, safety and nervous system regulation
A practical introduction to Nichi’s COMPASS-5 framework
Episode Highlights & Takeaways
“Invisible doesn’t mean imaginary.” Nichi breaks down the dangerous misconceptions surrounding invisible conditions
The story of how her daughter became the youngest patient ever admitted to a cardiac unit - and how it was almost missed
The link between Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, POTS, endometriosis, autoimmune illness and nervous system dysregulation
Why professionals with lived experience are leading the future of trauma-informed care
How Nichi’s Invisible CEO initiative and COMPASS-5 model are filling the gaps left by traditional consulting and coaching programs
Learn More & Connect with Nichi Morrin
Want to dive deeper into Nichi’s work and learn more about invisible illness advocacy, and systemic change? Here’s how to connect with her:
Website: invisiblehealthnetwork.com
Instagram: @the_invisible_ceo
Facebook: Invisible Health Network and The Invisible CEO: Nichi Morrin
Next Episode
👉 S02E22: Coming Soon!