Not On Your Tod Blog: Kate Williams-Brown – Finding Strength Through Life’s Hardest Chapters
Life rarely moves in a straight line. Hi For Kate Williams-Brown, every chapter has brought its own challenges, grief, illness, heartbreak, and rebuilding. But through it all, one thing has remained constant: Resilience.
Kate is from Stroud, Gloucestershire, and at 50 years old she carries a lifetime of experiences that have shaped the person she is today.
The Moment Everything Changed
One of the hardest moments in Kate’s life came when she was just 24 years old.
Only ten weeks after giving birth to her baby, her mum suddenly passed away.
The loss hit at a time when Kate needed her most navigating motherhood for the very first time.
“It was the worst moment of my life to date. The time when you need your Mum the most for help, advice and guidance for this new chapter of my life.”
Despite the unimaginable grief, Kate had a newborn who needed her. That tiny life gave her a reason to get out of bed every morning.
She remembers those early days clearly.
In the quiet moments she would crumble, overwhelmed by grief. But during the day she pushed through, taking long walks with her baby, getting fresh air and talking about the world around them.
Those walks became therapy.
They became survival.
Life’s Next Challenges
Years later, another difficult chapter arrived the breakdown of her marriage.
The emotional toll was immense, and along with the heartbreak came a complicated financial situation she had unknowingly been left with.
But this time, she wasn’t alone.
Her friends stepped in with love, patience and practical help.
They fed her, helped with childcare, supported her emotionally and stood beside her while she rebuilt her life.
“They helped me more than they can ever imagine.”
It was a reminder that the people around us can make the biggest difference when we feel like everything is falling apart.
Living With Invisible Illness
Kate’s journey didn’t stop there.
She was later diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition that many people have never heard of.
Not long after, she was also diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease.
Both are invisible illnesses, conditions that others cannot see but that affect every part of daily life.
The physical exhaustion, pain, and emotional strain can be overwhelming.
And one of the hardest parts is that people often don’t realise how difficult it really is.
“Because it’s an invisible condition, people can’t see how bloody hard it is to live with.”
Yet Kate learned ways to manage.
Through pain management courses she discovered mindfulness, breathing techniques and ways to adapt life around her health.
Interestingly, she realised she had already been doing many of these things instinctively for years.
The Power of Mindset
Kate has worked as a hairdresser for many years.
In that environment she learned something powerful, sometimes you have to show up for others even when life feels heavy.
Clients needed her to be positive, upbeat and present.
So she would put on her “work face”.
A smile.Energy.Encouragement.
Over time something unexpected happened.
The positivity she used at work started to shape her real mindset too.
“Fake it till you make it, I guess.”
That mindset became a tool she could lean on through life’s most difficult moments.
Learning To Talk
One of Kate’s biggest turning points came when she learned to open up.
Talking honestly with friends, professionals and even long-time clients helped lift the weight she had been carrying.
“A problem shared really is a problem halved when you talk to the right people.”
Her journey didn’t just stop with healing herself.
Kate decided to help others too.
She trained as a Mental Health First Aider and completed ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training).
She also volunteers with a local Air Ambulance charity, teaching people CPR and how to use defibrillators.
It’s something deeply personal to her.
Her mum died from a cardiac arrest.
Now Kate teaches life-saving skills in her memory.
The Importance of Community
As life has gone on, Kate says she has realised something invaluable, the power of having a support network.
Friends who become family.
Family who stand beside you.
People who listen without judgement.
“As you journey through life you will make new friends at different stages; some stay, others don’t — and that’s okay.”
Knowing those people are there makes even the darkest moments easier to face.
A Message For Anyone Struggling
If someone reading this feels like they’re at their lowest point, Kate wants them to know one thing:
You’re not alone.
“Be kind to yourself. Reach out to those close to you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help — ever.”
She believes everyone deserves to live their best life, even if the journey there is slow.
There will be setbacks.
There will be hard days.
But eventually, the darkness begins to lift.
“Slowly but surely you will reach the end of the dark tunnel, step out into the sunshine and smile.”
What Not On Your Tod Means
For Kate, Not On Your Tod represents something powerful.
A reminder that no one has to face life’s struggles alone.
“A community of like minded people who completely understand because they’ve also been there. They are like a group hug when you need one.”
Where Kate Is Now
Today, Kate says she is in a good place.
Her health conditions are stable.
She listens to her body more.
She rests when she needs to.
And most importantly, she no longer feels guilty for putting her wellbeing first.
She takes pride in helping her community and supporting others.
And she has learned that strength isn’t about always being positive.
Sometimes it’s about knowing when to step back, regroup and keep moving forward.
A Song That Stays With Her
One lyric that keeps Kate grounded comes from the song Leave Out All The Rest by Linkin Park:
“When my time comes, forget the wrong that I’ve done, help me leave behind some reasons to be missed.”
Turning The Page
Looking back, Kate sees how every dark moment helped shape who she is today.
She knows she isn’t always strong.
Sometimes she retreats when life becomes overwhelming.
But she also knows those moments never last forever.
“Like a book that has you so engrossed in the story… a new chapter soon comes along and the next part of the story plays out.”
And that’s the message at the heart of her story.
No matter how difficult the chapter may be…
There is always another page to turn.
And you never have to turn it alone.
Kate