Modelling, hEDS, and Disability: Real Talk with Emily Massey

About this episode

Emily Massey shares her experiences as a model navigating chronic illness and disability in the modelling industry.

What does it really look like to be a working model with hEDS, chronic illness, and disability? I'm joined by editorial and runway model Emily Massey for an honest conversation about navigating the modelling industry with a chronic illness, including the parts that rarely get talked about. Emily shares the reality of working as a model while navigating chronic illness and disability, including: ● How she flows between poses to rest and reposition her joints during shoots ● The challenges of working when you're not feeling well— and why that's often the reality ● Navigating dating and friendships in the context of chronic illness ● What dynamic disability means to her, and how it shapes her day-to-day life This episode is a must-listen for anyone with a chronic illness or disability who is navigating work, relationships, and identity — and for anyone who wants to understand what life with hEDS/HSD really looks like. THANK YOU for listening, and remember: incurable does not mean untreatable ❣️ –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– 📚 Join the waitlist for the May 12 2026 release of Help! I’m Hypermobile (and get your free PDF companion guide in the meantime): hypermobilityhq.com/book 📸…

People in this episode

Host: Alexandra Orfanides

Guest: Emily Massey

Topics covered

• chronic illness
• disability
• modelling
• hEDS
• relationships
• work

Keywords

• hEDS
• chronic illness
• disability
• modelling
• Emily Massey
• relationships
• work

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Help! I'm Hypermobile

More episodes of Help! I'm Hypermobile

• Hypermobility & Strength Training: Listening to Your Body with Coach Karima · March 18, 2026 · 1h 8m
• Ankle Sprains and Hypermobility: Why It’s Not “Just” an Ankle Sprain With Charlie the Physiocoach · March 4, 2026 · 1h 1m
• Scoliosis Surgery, Hypermobility, and Enjoying the Little Things: Ellen’s Story · February 4, 2026 · 1h 3m
• How I Stopped Fighting My Body: Hypermobility, Exercise, and Abby’s Story · January 21, 2026 · 60 min
• The Surrender Agenda: Living With Chronic Illness, Pain & Self-Compassion · January 7, 2026 · 1h 15m
• Training With Coach Sean: My hEDS Experience with Exercise and Why Strength Training Isn’t Enough · December 17, 2025 · 1h 6m