Story & Lesson Highlights with Talia Renzo

Talia Renzo shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Talia, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
What I’m being called to do now, is something I was afraid to fully embrace before, but have now accepted, and that is to boldly share my story and advocate for those living with chronic illnesses such as fibromyalgia. In 2021, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I had to undergo several kinds of medical tests, treatments, and medications. I even faced the challenge of not being believed or understood by many doctors. I could have easily given up on myself in those moments, but instead, I chose to rise above the doubt and fight for my health.

While I’m not a doctor or medical expert, I’ve been a patient long enough to truly understand what living with chronic illness feels like: the constant fatigue, the pain, and, perhaps most of all, the loneliness that comes with it. Fibromyalgia affects about 4 million adults in the U.S. alone, mostly women, while POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome) impacts an estimated 1 to 3 million people. Lupus, another chronic autoimmune disease, affects nearly 1.5 million Americans. Many suffer quietly without the tools, resources, or support they need.

It’s my commitment to always try a little harder—to be a light, a voice, and a source of hope for this often overlooked and misunderstood community. I want to shine a path toward healing and remind others that they are not alone in their journey.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Talia Renzo, I am an International Best-Selling Author for several self help books, artist, social media director, and a proud dog mom to Bowser, my miniature schnauzer and everyday sidekick.

I’ve always believed in storytelling, whether it was from a book, or poem that I wrote, a canvas that I painted. I’ve wanted to use my stories to bring peace and light to the world, especially for those navigating hard seasons who need a reminder that they’re not alone. A few years ago, I became a best-selling self-help author with titles like “365 Days of Gratitude Journal”, “Life Coach”, “Kindness Crusader”, “Wisdom Keepers”, and “365 Days of Self Love”. Being a part of these books has been incredibly meaningful to watch them resonate with people around the world.

Lately, my path has been more inward. I’ve been in a season of personal growth—focusing on my health after being diagnosed with fibromyalgia and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis. Learning how to live with chronic illness has changed the way I view energy, rest, purpose, and life. It’s helped me slow down, listen to my body, and redefine what it means to be productive and whole.

Today, I run a small Etsy shop offering creative tools like coloring books and journals that focus on mindfulness, self-expression, and chronic illness support. I’m currently developing resources for people who struggle with conditions like fibromyalgia, POTS, Hashimoto’s, anxiety, chronic fatigue, and other invisible illnesses. I feel it’s part of my heart’s mission and life’s calling to give voice and comfort to those who suffer quietly.

What makes my work unique is the heart behind it. Whether I’m writing, designing, or teaching, I lead with empathy. I know what it’s like to start over, but I also know what it’s like to rise. And now, my mission is to help others rise too.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a deeply sensitive, creative, and curious soul. I was also once a girl who never quite fit in. I was bullied throughout school, made to feel like I was too much or not enough all at once. I didn’t feel seen, accepted, or valued, and over time, I internalized all of it. My self-esteem was shattered. I had no faith in myself, and I learned to shrink who I was just to make others feel more comfortable.

But somewhere along the way, I realized that hiding who I am was never going to bring me to the stronger woman that I am today. I discovered bravery through authentically embracing and accepting who I am, even when it felt like nobody else did. The day I chose to be fully, unapologetically me was the day everything shifted.

Since then, I’ve made it my mission to stay true to who I am, no matter how uncomfortable or misunderstood that might make others. I’ve learned that the most powerful thing you can be in this world is real.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
The good thing about hitting that low is that there’s only one way to go from there: up. In those depths, I learned lessons that success alone could never teach me. Suffering taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of compassion, not just for others but for myself.

During those hard times, I learned to set both short-term and long-term goals for myself. I practiced small, manageable steps that gave me a sense of purpose and progress, even when everything felt overwhelming and painful. Even if some days, it just meant getting out of bed, taking a shower, and going outside. Those small acts became victories. It was proof that I was still fighting, still moving forward, and still choosing life when it felt easier to just give up. Slowly, I began to like who I saw in the mirror. Despite everything I had been through, I saw love looking back at me. There was a reflection of resilience, hope, and a spirit that refused to be broken.

Sooner or later, success found me in ways I could not even imagine. Suffering taught me that success isn’t just about achievement, it’s about growth, courage, and the journey that shapes you into the person you were always meant to be.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
Without a doubt, my late grandmother AKA, Memaw.

She passed away in January of this year, and not a day goes by that I don’t think of her, miss her, and feel the weight of her absence and her love. She was the strongest woman I’ve ever known. Not because of anything flashy or grand, but because of the way she moved through life with quiet strength, unshakable patience, and unconditional love. She taught me what it means to hold on during the hardest moments, and she was there for me through mine. In my darkest seasons, she never let go of my hand, even when I was losing my grip.

Memaw showed me how to live a beautiful life rooted in kindness, resilience, and faith. She had this incredible way of always making me feel loved and seen, even when the world felt like too much. I admire her deeply, and will always remember how her character as a guiding light. I will carry her wisdom with me forever, and I will continue to cherish and honor her legacy by living in a way that would make her proud. Loving her was one of the greatest gifts of my life, and I will always keep her memory alive in everything I do.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m sharing quiet moments with my dog, Bowser. He is my constant companion and source of unconditional love. Whether we’re camping under the stars, exploring trails in nature, or simply being together at home, those are the times I feel truly grounded and calm.

Being outdoors and connected to nature reminds me to slow down and be present. Peace comes when I allow myself to just be.. without pressure, without judgment. And honoring where I am in my journey. It’s in those moments, I can listen to my heart, breathe deeply, and remember that no matter what, I am enough.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: tallyaphrodite
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taliarenzo

Image Credits
Elizabeth Douglas Photography