Can you change your life by changing your mindset? Alice Rose believes you can because she had a transformational experience when she was going through the pain, fear, and stress of infertility. Through her various online platforms and her “Fertility Life Raft” podcast, Alice now helps others struggling with fertility issues work on their self-discovery and empowerment.
Though she and her husband were able to have a daughter after many difficult twists and turns on their family-building journey, she doesn’t make any promises about outcomes. What she does advise is that feeling calm in the face of infertility chaos helps you make more clear decisions on your journey.
We spoke with her about her own harrowing TTC tale, why she thinks her podcast is a great outlet for connecting with the infertility community, and how seeking support can help you cope and even thrive while dealing with infertility.
When we went through our first fertility journey, I had a transformational experience by radically changing my mindset. I felt like I had found something important that I had to share.
Q: What’s your fertility story?
Our first fertility story was a two-year and two-month experience that included a fibroid removal operation, six rounds of clomid, four rounds of injectable ovulation induction, and, finally, one successful round of IVF. It resulted in our two-year-old daughter, and frozen embryos (and every time I write this I well up with gratitude). Our second journey has so far lasted 17 months without any treatment to date, but this is about to change.
Q: Why did you decide to share your story on “This is Alice Rose”? What has the response been?
When we went through our first fertility journey, I had a transformational experience by radically changing my mindset. I felt like I had found something important that I had to share. No one had told me it was possible when we first found out we would need IVF, and I wanted to make sure I was sharing this stuff so other people did know. I could share it from the perspective of someone who had managed to do it effectively.
The response has been overwhelming. I was apprehensive only a year ago that my story might not be “enough” or I wouldn’t be able to speak to the community because I now had a child, but the global TTC community is extraordinary. They have completely floored me with their strength and appetite for self development.
Q: What inspired you to create your podcast and what do you hope listeners gain from it? What do you gain from doing it?
I loved making the first series of the podcast so much! I cannot wait to bring it back. I love talking; I can’t stop when I get going. Making a podcast for me was a logical step forward. I wanted to create it because I think podcasts offer the most amazing opportunity for communicating intimately with the people who really want to hear what you’ve got to say. It also allowed me to meet and interview some extraordinary, inspiring people who offer so much to my listeners.
I found a way to feel centered, whole, calm, and safe during my fertility journey while honoring the pain, difficulty, fear, and so many other feelings that came up with it.
Q: On your site, you mention how infertility makes people feel “out of control.” What are some suggestions that you share to help members of the community manage the stress and chaos fertility treatment can cause?
I talk about my transformational story because I found a way to feel centered, whole, calm, and safe during my fertility journey while honoring the pain, difficulty, fear, and so many other feelings that came up with it. The way I did that, in a nutshell was to prioritize myself every day above everything else. Stress and chaos are inevitable parts of a fertility experience but the more focus I placed on myself, my own development and my ability to cope — and not only cope but to thrive as a person — the better I was able to process the stress and chaos. I always try to guide people towards self empowerment work, support, and acceptance (which does not mean passivity!).
Q: Is there go-to advice you would give someone just starting fertility treatment or who has just been given an infertility diagnosis?
Seek support. Cry. Work on self-compassion and know that whatever happens, you will be OK.
