The Moment Belief Sparked Healing in Heidi Blackie

When Illness and Perfectionism Collide

For more than a decade, Heidi Blackie lived in the grip of chronic illness. On top of that came layers of grief, trauma, and perfectionism that pushed her to keep doing more even as her body was shutting down. She described herself as someone always in motion, filling every hour with achievement, obligation, or responsibility.

But it all eventually caught up with her. Chronic injuries gave way to chronic illness. Losses piled on top of each other, including the death of her dog and the devastating suicide of her sister. Then, just weeks later, she got married while feeling incredibly sick. Soon after, she moved in with her parents to help her mother during her final months on hospice. Her body and mind had carried too much for too long, and she collapsed under the weight of it all.

The Question That Changed Everything

In one of the hardest moments of her life, Heidi found herself sitting in her kitchen. Her body was failing, doctors had no answers, and the future looked terrifying. She admitted she felt utterly alone. That is when she asked herself a simple yet life-changing question: What am I believing about my ability to heal?

The answer was startling. She realized she had been holding on to the belief that she would only get worse. With that realization, Heidi made a vow. She promised herself that she would choose to believe in her body’s ability to heal. That vow, made in a moment of desperation, became the foundation of her recovery and the life she lives today.

Choosing Presence Over Perfectionism

Heidi shared a story about mountain biking with her husband that perfectly illustrates her shift. The trail was steep and grueling, and her old self would have focused only on frustration and failure. She felt herself slipping back into that old pattern, muttering how much she hated it and wishing it were easier.

Then she caught herself. She paused, looked around, and noticed the beauty of the larch trees surrounding her. She realized she had a choice. Instead of wasting her energy on anger, she chose gratitude and presence. She told herself, I can do hard things. That small reframing transformed a miserable climb into a reminder of what her body and mind were capable of when they worked in harmony.

Building an “Unshakable Me”

The work Heidi committed to was not quick or easy. She created rituals, covered her home in sticky notes with the word believe, and practiced daily acceptance of herself and her circumstances. She began to meet her hardest thoughts with the same compassion she would offer a friend. Over time, she built what she now calls her “Unshakable Me,” a resilient self rooted in clarity, connection, and self trust.

What struck me in our conversation is how many of us can relate to her story, even if we have never faced chronic illness. So many of us are perfectionists. So many of us push down grief or ignore pain because we think being strong means never showing weakness. Heidi’s shift shows that strength is not about holding it all together. Real strength lies in choosing to believe in yourself, even when everything feels broken.

Healing Begins With Belief

Listening to Heidi, I was reminded of my own patterns of perfectionism and survival. Her story is not about a quick fix or a miracle cure. It is about choosing a different narrative in the middle of the mess. Healing began the moment she decided to believe that healing was possible.

If you are carrying something heavy, her story is an invitation. Ask yourself what beliefs you are holding. Ask yourself if those beliefs are keeping you stuck. And maybe, like Heidi, you can start by believing in your own capacity to heal.

You can hear Heidi share her story in her own words on The Life Shift Podcast. Listen here: www.thelifeshiftpodcast.com.