Episode Details

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In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Carly Alyssa Thorne about navigating life with congenital rubella syndrome. Based in LA, California, Carly Alyssa Thorne shares her journey of balancing medical needs with pursuing a fulfilling career, relationships, and mindset work. This episode uncovers the challenges of living with visible and invisible disabilities, the evolution of self-acceptance, and the power of choosing authenticity and self-advocacy despite societal misunderstanding.

About Carly Alyssa Thorne:

Carly Alyssa Thorne is a Director, Producer, Actress, Author, and Speaker with over 30 years in the conscious transformation field. Blending Eastern and Western philosophies, she integrates wellness, spirituality, and storytelling to create media and experiences that inspire growth and healing. A former fitness and wellness center owner and certified Life Coach, Reiki Master, NLP and Hypnotherapy Practitioner, and Interfaith Ordained Minister, Carly brings a holistic lens to every production and collaboration. Her work bridges film, business, and consciousness—empowering others to embody their truth, elevate their message, and lead with purpose.

Main Topics Covered:

• Living with congenital rubella syndrome: understanding a rare, lifelong chronic illness and its evolving impact on daily life, health, and relationships.
• Invisible vs. visible disabilities: how Carly Alyssa Thorne navigates when and how to reveal her challenges, the emotional journey of self-acceptance, and combating stigma.
• Coping with ongoing medical needs: the reality of 67+ surgeries, ongoing treatments, restricted activities, and prioritizing quality of life.
• Mindset, mental health, and resilience: the work of managing depression, post-traumatic stress, and the conscious decision to choose life and positivity.
• Career and education obstacles: why chronic illness disrupted Carly Alyssa Thorne's academic pursuits, and how she pivoted to certifications and entrepreneurship.
• Self-advocacy and boundaries: learning to say no, educating others, and managing relationships with those who may not understand chronic illness.
• Blending Eastern and Western healing: embracing both medication and holistic practices to build a sustainable, flexible support system.
• Supporting others: Carly Alyssa Thorne's work as a coach, using multisensory and individualized approaches to help people through trauma and life transitions.

Quote from the Episode:

"I finally just stopped caring what other people stared, what their looks were, what comments were, you know, bullying, all that stuff. And I’m just like, I’m just going to be me—if you either like it or you don’t. If you need to ask me a question instead of staring, feel free to ask me a question. I’d be more than happy to answer." — Carly Alyssa Thorne 10:55

Timestamps:00:05 Introduction; where Carly Alyssa Thorne calls home and what she loves about LA00:50 Explaining congenital rubella syndrome and its effects01:27 How the syndrome uniquely affects each person; long-term medical complications03:29 Childhood experiences: isolation, allergies, and constant medical care05:21 Lung and respiratory challenges; living with additional illnesses06:07 Family dynamics and coming to terms with medical reality07:25 Impact on school, sports, friendships, and accommodations09:31 Navigating visible and invisible disabilities; decisions about self-presentation12:56 The mindset shift: from hiding to self-acceptance and advocacy18:40 The toll of chronic illness on mental health and resilience23:47 Coping strategies, mindset work, and building positivity26:38 Day-t