Wendy Gathercole has always trusted her instincts.
Guided by a strong sense of what feels right, she has forged her own path with quiet determination, overcoming whatever stands in her way.
At 33, a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease in 2002 marked a turning point.
It shifted her perspective and opened her to alternative approaches to healing, sparking a deep interest in self-healing, horticulture and aromatherapy.
Early days
Wendy grew up in Sandon, Victoria, with her older sister and younger brother.
From a young age, she dreamed of becoming a teacher.
Life, however, took a different direction.
At 19, she entered the workforce, taking a role at the State Bank of Victoria.
A year later, in 1988, she met her future-husband Danny after a coworker invited her to a 21st birthday party.
The two met on a party boat in Melbourne – a moment that would shape the rest of her life.
She still laughs at how quickly things moved, recalling how Danny introduced her to his parents the very next day.
“His mum must have said something, and he said, ‘Be careful what you say. I’m gonna marry this one.’ I thought that was pretty sweet,” Wendy added.
The couple married in 1991 and went on to have four children together.
Wendy was primarily a stay-at-home mum, while also assisting with the administration side of Danny’s plastering business.
They lived in Sunbury, Brisbane, and Cornubia before settling in Beaudesert in 2024.
Life after diagnosis
Wendy’s journey with Crohn’s disease opened many doors.
Drawing on her experiences with doctors, research, medication, food and meditation, she began exploring self-healing and developed a passion for sharing what she learned.
She published her book Wholefoods The Facts in 2021, launched the Beyond Chronic Disease podcast in 2022 and is currently working on another book, A Crohns Solution.
Her aim is to “offer another possibility”.
“There are ways that you can alleviate symptoms – ways to rethink it. I believe if it helps one person, it can help many,” she said.
To deepen her knowledge, Wendy completed a Certificate III in Horticulture and a Diploma in Aromatherapy, both of which played an important role in her healing journey.
Moving forward
Embracing new challenges, Wendy took up barefoot skiing at 51.
Today, she continues to share her story through her podcast, train for barefoot skiing nationals and focus on maintaining a balanced life – proving it’s never too late to redefine what’s possible.
