Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandra Wildeson
Hi Alexandra, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve jammed a lot of life into 30 years and have become the Queen of Pivoting. I grew up in a small town in Indiana and was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease at age six. My parents and siblings supported me in such a way that, despite battling flare-ups every year and being coined “the sleepy sick kid,” I had a beautiful childhood—playing varsity sports, traveling to South America to translate for American doctors, and making the most of every moment. They opened up the world for me and are my rock.
I went to SMU for college, where I graduated with a degree in finance and a really cute boyfriend—who’s now my husband, Cooper.
I started out in finance, working in investment banking and private equity. I loved the fast-paced work, the problem-solving, and the thrill of investing. Life was good, and it looked like it was only going to get better—I moved to Austin, TX, and my college sweetheart proposed. And then everything changed. In 2019, my health took a major nosedive. I was already managing two chronic illnesses—Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD)/Lupus and Endometriosis—but things escalated when I was diagnosed with Polyarteritis Nodosa (PAN) Vasculitis. My husband and I spent the pandemic (and the years after) in and out of hospitals, chemotherapy chairs, and operating rooms—all while balancing full-time jobs. This became our “normal,” and somehow, we still managed to be in newlywed bliss. Alongside my medical team, we searched tirelessly for an effective treatment plan. Finally, in 2023, I reached my first remission-like state through a mix of Western and functional medicine, plus holistic lifestyle changes. For a beautiful 10 months, we had a taste of normal life—traveling, exercising, and socializing. And then… everything changed, again.
In November 2023, I underwent a surgery and woke up paralyzed from the waist down. By the grace of God, and after a second surgery, I wiggled my toes. And thus began a long, difficult recovery process (that is still ongoing)… all while my autoimmune diseases silently reactivated. The setback was unfathomable, and it forced me to rethink everything. Going back to a high-intensity career in finance was off the table… but I didn’t want to be a victim to this catastrophe and be forced to close the book on having a career altogether.
Somewhat out of frustration, boredom, and loneliness, I started posting on social media—small glimpses into my life with Cooper, my experiences as a chronically ill woman, and my recovery journey. I quickly realized that what was missing in the chronic illness space wasn’t more medical resources—it was real, raw conversations about what it’s actually like to live with these conditions. So, Calling in Sick was born.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced is redefining my identity at 30. I spent my life up until this point focused on achieving “the next thing” and climbing the corporate ladder. But life has a way of flipping your plans upside down. One of my favorite sayings is, “Man plans, and God laughs.”
After everything I went through in 2023—going into an operation expecting a straightforward procedure, only to wake up paralyzed—I had to completely rethink my future. For the first time, I wasn’t just adapting to a new chronic illness normal—I was forced to rewrite my entire script. Who was I if I wasn’t the high-achieving finance professional? What did success look like now? What was important to me?
That shift has been difficult. Society puts so much pressure on us to tie our worth to productivity, and for a while, I felt like I was failing. But stepping into entrepreneurship, launching Calling in Sick, and creating content that resonates with people like me has given me a whole new sense of purpose. It turns out, I still love research, strategy, and connecting with people—I just do it in a different way now.
That doesn’t mean it’s easy. I’m still actively undergoing chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and other chronic illness treatments while simultaneously working to regain strength, mobility, and sensation from my spinal injury—all while balancing this career pivot. The unpredictability of chronic illness and the lasting impacts of my surgery mean I have to be incredibly intentional with my energy. Some days, I’m in full creative mode, recording podcast episodes, building out my brand, or working with consulting clients. Other days, I’m completely wiped and in pain, forced to surrender to rest, navigating the physical and mental toll of recovery while feeling like my body is working against me in more ways than one.
That’s probably the biggest ongoing challenge—learning to accept this balance. I’ve had to recreate my identity, and I’ve had to reframe success in my mind, understanding that it doesn’t look like it used to. Some days, success is hitting a major career milestone. Other days, it’s making it through chemo without breaking down. And honestly? Both count.
At the end of the day, I’ve come to see my story not as one of loss, but of reinvention. I didn’t choose this path, but I’m making it my own. And if sharing my experience helps someone else feel less alone in their own journey—then I’m exactly where I need to be.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Right now, my work is split between two very different but equally exciting areas: content creation & community-building through Calling in Sick, and consulting in venture capital. On the surface, they might seem like two completely separate worlds, but for me, they both come down to the same thing: strategy, storytelling, and helping people navigate the unknown.
Calling in Sick
At its core, Calling in Sick is about real, unfiltered conversations about chronic illness—the kind of conversations I wish I had when I was first navigating life with multiple autoimmune diseases. On the podcast, I cover everything from hospital horror stories to the latest treatments, and I bring on guests—doctors, researchers, fellow spoonies—to share their insights. But it’s not just about education. It’s about community.
Building Calling in Sick isn’t a solo effort—I have an incredible team that brings this vision to life. Just as I rely on a team of doctors and specialists to manage my health, I knew I needed the right people to help build this business. So, I surrounded myself with a team who believes in the mission just as much as I do. From Rachel Lishinsky, my first hire, who ensures we stay on track and executes our larger strategy, to my husband, Cooper, who works tirelessly behind the scenes, to my Ladies Who Autoimmune—my sick chick group chat and sounding board. And of course, my network at Just Media, who push me to dream bigger and ensure this community has a platform and a voice at the table. This isn’t just my vision—it’s something we are all building together, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
Venture Capital Consulting
On the other side of my work, I’m still deeply connected to venture capital and startups—just in a way that actually fits my life now. I consult with early-stage startups and emerging venture capital firms, helping them strategically navigate their next chapter. I love this work because I get to use my background in finance while supporting founders and fund managers as they build something meaningful.
What matters most to you? Why?
At the end of the day, what matters most to me is people. The relationships I cherish, the community I’ve built, and the shared understanding that makes all of this—life, work, chronic illness, and recovery—a little less heavy.
It matters to me that people with chronic illnesses feel truly seen, heard, and understood. That they don’t feel like their experiences are too weird, too much, or too isolating. It matters that we create spaces where honesty is celebrated—where we can laugh at the absurdity of our medical sagas, acknowledge the grief they bring, and still find joy in the process.
I’ve learned that life rarely unfolds the way we expect, but that doesn’t mean it can’t still be deeply meaningful, fulfilling, and unexpectedly beautiful in its own way.
Pricing:
- Podcast collaborations: callinginsickpod@gmail.com
- Brand collaborations: alexandrawildesoncollab@gmail.com
- LinkedIn DM for consulting inquiries
Contact Info:
- Website: https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandracainwildeson/
- Twitter: https://www.tiktok.com/@alexandrawildeson
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CallingInSickPodcast
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/
