Alison Young - Work. Mama. Life.: From Motherhood Burnout to Abundant Health, Joy and Wellbeing

ALI YOUNG

First published in 2022 by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd

42 McDougall St, Milton Qld 4064
Office also in Melbourne

John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd 2022

The moral rights of the author have been asserted.

ISBN: 978-0-730-39656-7

All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (for example, a fair dealing for the purposes of study, research, criticism or review), no part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, communicated or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission. All inquiries should be made to the publisher at the address above.

Cover design by Wiley
Cover image: Chinnapong/Shutterstock
Inside cover photo by Hayley Bracewell Photography

Disclaimer
The material in this publication is of the nature of general comment only, and does not represent professional advice. It is not intended to provide specific guidance for particular circumstances and it should not be relied on as the basis for any decision to take action or not take action on any matter which it covers. Readers should obtain professional advice where appropriate, before making any such decision. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the author and publisher disclaim all responsibility and liability to any person, arising directly or indirectly from any person taking or not taking action based on the information in this publication.

For my children, Matilda and George for gifting me motherhood, and to Pedro for supporting me on this wild soul ride I'm on.

Dr Ali Young is a chiropractor on a mission to help mums reclaim and reset their health and their life. To rediscover their joy, self and health. After opening a private practice in Perth, Western Australia, in 2003, she soon began to work with many mums and children.

She went on to complete her Masters Level Paediatrics degree in addition to her Chiropractic degree, and through this avenue of working with more and more children, she also began to work with more and more mothers. It became highly apparent to Ali that the stress load of life could easily negatively impact not just their health but also the mums' and families' enjoyment of life.

Dr Ali became a mother for the first time herself in 2012, and with her husband moved to Malaysia as an expat mum in a foreign land. This radical shift from a very busy business owner to a mother with a minimal support group really highlighted the importance of understanding the motherhood journey, matrescence and the power of intuitive self and education.

After several moves, time as a SAHM (stay at home mum) and a FIFO (fly-in fly-out) wife/mum, and throwing one more child into the mix, her family ended up living in South Korea for two years. This is where the concept of an online community for mothers was born.

Combining her love of all things neurology, research, stress and chiropractic with her personal motherhood journey, Dr Ali created an online community, resource hub and courses for mothers the world over called UnFcK Motherhood. She continues her private practice in regional Queensland, having worked with thousands of mothers in her 20 or so years of clinical experience. She is passionate about providing mums with the opportunity to regain their health, their joy and their sense of self within their motherhood journey.

Dr Ali lives in a small seaside town on the east coast of Australia, six hours north of her closest capital city. From here, she aspires to continue empowering mothers the world over with knowledge, evidence and intuitive practices.

This book has been sitting in my brain for years, and there are a few key people who have challenged me, supported me and nurtured me to help bring her to life. I wouldn't have had my own mothering journey without the experience I had as a child with my own mum, and my two grandmothers. Growing up surrounded by so many strong (some might say stubborn ;) ) women was such a blessing. My mum showed me how working mum life can be, both the good and the bad, and began to open my eyes to the possibilities. Thanks to you and Dad for your never-ending support of your crazy daughter, and to my brother for keeping me level. Nothing without Fambam.

To my soul-sister Olivia, who I owned my first practice with and who blessed me to be embraced as close as one can with her crazy triplets journey. You've been my supporter since I met you in 2003. Thanks for being my sounding board, my level head, my chiro-queen and my gin-buddy.

To the calm mums in my world. You don't know how much you show up for me, and how much you show me how to choose calm in my mothering choices. To my SIL Michelle, with your grace and composure, you show me how to be me and not lose myself. To Court, if I didn't have my dose of Calm-Court each week I think I'd be a basket case by now, and to Michelle S the way you navigate your mothering journey is so inspiring to me, thanks for letting me in!

To the women over the years who have shaped me on my feminist ideals. From railing against early injustices with Amanda and Suemaree, to chiro discoveries with Sare, Hails, Vikkie and Laura, to the Perth Fun Days with Alicia, Joce, PD, Spag, Davi, and the Freo Crew, and to my CQ queens who listen to my babble, Jo, Hails, Em, Cass, Em, Ange, Alana and Jode. You've all been part of my mother journey.

To my team in my practice, for putting up with my big ideas with minimal follow through thanks for keeping me ticking along through 2021. Anna my right hand woman, thanks so much. Court your fresh air and vibe is just what we needed and Kate, thanks for making the trek to central Queensland so I could fulfil this dream, and hopefully you can fulfil yours.

To the expat mamas who supported me in both Malaysia/Singapore and South Korea: Samira, Angela and KK, Tam, Leah, Jenn, Caz, Michelle, Yols, Anita, Sim, Nadine, Coley, and Mel, you girls helped me have the beginnings of this flame.

This book would not of been possible without the love-story of my beautiful profession, Chiropractic. If I wasn't entrenched in the deep knowing of its philosophy, and it didn't open my eyes to the magic that lies within each of us, I'd just be another peep doing a job she didn't love. Particular mention goes to James Carter and his gang back in the 2000s, and to Brandi and Don McDonald and all of the superstars in The Engine', for their keen insights and eye-openings, always at times when I needed that little bit of guidance.

Thank you to the amazing Tina Tower, who pitched me to Lucy at Wiley Publishing because she knew I had a story to tell, and that there were so many mums in the world who would benefit from listening in. To all of the other women building their empires in her world, I feel lucky to be a part of it.

To Wiley for taking a chance on me, and in particular to Lucy who saw something in my passion and managed, with Leigh to bring it out onto paper. To my editor Sandra, to Chris and to all of the team, thank you.

To the loves of my life my own little fambam. For Pete for putting up with the late nights, the rants about how the world is skewed against women, how we need to do better for our kids, and still finding a way to love me. Ditto. And to my beautiful children. You gave me the gift of being a mother. You amaze me often, I love you both so much. Thanks for choosing us as your parents.