Currently based in Buckinghamshire, Joanna grew up in Liverpool and completed her Biochemistry degree at Aberystwyth University before moving back to Liverpool to start a PhD in Cardiology. Since then she has carved out a successful career in Clinical Research spanning almost 20 years and specialises in studies of Medical Devices. She is currently a Senior Director within Clinical Development of a global Clinical Research Organisation.
Whilst undertaking a PhD in her early twenties, Joanna suffered an acute mental health breakdown, she was diagnosed with severe anxiety and OCD and this ultimately led to her terminating her PhD. This breakdown impacted her day to day life hugely, to the point where she was unable to be alone and was barely sleeping or eating. The physical and mental impact of this breakdown felt completely insurmountable to her.
‘I remember very clearly thinking that I was never going to get better, back to ‘normal’ and back to work. Everything completely overwhelmed me and I just couldn’t see how I could overcome this. With the support of my family, friends and healthcare professionals, I was able to slowly recover and, after taking some time to re-evaluate what I wanted in life, go on to be successful, happy and fulfilled.
Jo remembers that early on in her career, there was definitely a huge stigma around mental health and she felt she had to hide this from everyone. However, latterly, she’s seen how companies have really begun to embrace diversity (in all its forms) and this has really allowed her to support her colleagues and teams and be very open about the challenges she faced (and continue to face) related to mental health and how she was able to overcome them.
“My mental wellbeing challenged me for a long time, and now I want to use the strength of that experience - to show others who feel the same way that I did, that you are stronger than you know, you can get through it and go on to live a full life and push boundaries.’
As part of her road to recovery, Joanna felt she needed a fresh start and moved to Scotland on a whim for work in 2003. She instantly fell in love with the Scottish Highlands and knew that this was the place she wanted to be long term. A large part of Joanna’s recovery involved time outside in nature, from skiing and whitewater kayaking to Munro bagging (and racing cars!). Aside from their current posting, Joanna and her family all now consider the Scottish Highlands to be home and aim to return to their family home there as soon as military life allows.
Joanna’s husband had been in the RAF for 8 years when they met. Joanna had no prior links to the military and, even after meeting her husband, lived somewhat on the side-lines of the military community as her husband served at 3 postings within commuting distance of their home. Just 8 weeks after the birth of their son, Joanna remained at home in Scotland within the civilian community, while her husband moved to a posting in southern England for 2 years.
In 2019 Joanna felt it important that the family be together full time, and they moved to their current posting as a family, with a (now) almost 6 year old son and dogs. This was her first real experience of life in the military community and unfortunately has been somewhat skewed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Thankfully, she found the Forces Wives Challenge in July 2021 and has been welcomed with open arms.
“The support and camaraderie from the Forces Wives Challenge members is immense. Being able to escape into the outdoors with kindred souls who understand the struggles and challenges of military life is absolutely invaluable to me and my mental wellbeing.
I am very passionate about removing the stigma surrounding mental health, providing a positive example of recovery to those in need and advocating the restorative power of the great outdoors.”
Jo is one the FWC HOT Ladies - The World’s First Female Team to retrace the Heroes Of Telemark mission: