Join us for this bonus episode of the Long Covid Hope Podcast, where Sarah Evans is joined by Jan Rothney to discuss the new edition of her book, Breaking Free, out 9th July 2026.

Are you completely exhausted by conflicting medical advice, rigid pacing rules, and the fear of being gaslit? In this episode of the Long COVID Hope Podcast, host Sarah Evans sits down with Jan Rothney, author of Breaking Free and creator of the Reset to Thrive programme.

Jan shares her extraordinary personal story of fully recovering from severe ME/CFS twice after being told by specialists she would be bedbound for life. Now, with the release of her heavily expanded Anniversary Edition of Breaking Free, Jan brings a tome of over two hundred peer-reviewed scientific studies to prove that recovery is not just a wish: it is a biological reality.

We had a great conversation, where we tackle the intense debate in the chronic illness community head-on. We dive deep into the profoundly physical, neuro-immune reality of how an acute virus like COVID-19 hijacks the autonomic nervous system, leaving the body trapped in a chronic emergency loop. Jan breaks down how to step out of the hyper-vigilance trap (attention bias to threat), stop the exhausting boom-and-bust cycle, and cultivate the "green shoots" of healing.

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 Snippet

1:40 Introduction with Sarah

6:15 Jan Interview Begins

14:30 Jan's Recovery story from ME/CFS.

27:30 Why we get stuck in chronic state

40:00 "Green shoots of recovery" and interventions to stop the "sickness loop"

47:00 "SPIES" - Spiritual needs within chronic illnesses

1:02:00 Hopeful message and EU Long Covid findings

LINKS & RESOURCES MENTIONED

Full video episode available on Youtube: https://youtu.be/Lu8JOJjMeFg

Get Jan Rothney’s Book & Work:📖 Breaking Free (Anniversary Edition) Book: https://www.arkbound.com/bookshop/p/breaking-free-anniversary

🎧 Breaking Free Audiobook: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Breaking-Free-Audiobook/B0C5JYJ977

Reset to Thrive: https://www.resettothrive.co.uk/

Work with Sarah Evans (Wellness Coaching, Yoga, Meditation, & Reiki):

- Book a Private 1-1 Session: https://www.sarahevans.co/1-1sessions

- Schedule a Healing and Wellness Mentorship Discovery Call: https://www.sarahevans.co/wellness-coaching

🎙️ Long COVID Hope Podcast Webpage: https://www.sarahevans.co/podcast

Additional Scientific Frameworks Discussed at the end: 🔬 EU Long COVID Project (4-Year Final Results): https://recovery-channel.org/eu-long-covid-project-final-results-after-four-years-of-research/

ABOUT THE LONG COVID HOPE PODCAST

Hosted by Sarah Evans, the Hope Podcast tells the more hopeful stories of Long Covid, from the true experts: those with lived experience of the condition.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION: What is one "healthy belief" or "green shoot" you are holding onto today? Have you read Breaking Free or experienced a breakthrough using nervous system regulation? Let us know in the comments below. Your lived experience matters here.

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#LongCovidRecovery #MECFS #NervousSystemRegulation #POTS #Neuroplasticity #JanRothney #BreakingFree #LongCovidHope #VagusNerve #Spoonie #ChronicIllnessRecovery #BoomAndBustBuy Me a Coffee: Support the podcast and free yoga library: https://buymeacoffee.com/sarahevans