In 2023, Bee Stillman-Jones embarked on a life-changing trip to Gambia, though not in the way she expected. While she cherished the breathtaking sights and warm connections with the people, it was an unwelcome guest that left the deepest mark: typhoid. To make matters worse, yellow fever also made an appearance, earning Bee the unenviable title of first in her family to face this challenging double blow. What she thought would be an adventurous vacation turned into 3-4 weeks of intense illness. This period drained her completely, and even after the fever faded, she felt like her body was still fighting. Chronic fatigue took over, and she found herself facing something she’d never dealt with before: her own body acting like it wasn’t quite her own.
Chronic fatigue, for those who haven't experienced it, is a relentless and often misunderstood condition. It's not just about feeling tired; it’s like carrying an invisible weight around that you can’t shake off. The kind of exhaustion that doesn’t go away with sleep, and that seems to make everything harder. It’s a mental and physical drain that doesn’t always make sense to those on the outside, but for those living with it, it can feel all-encompassing. For Bee, it was like her body and mind were at odds, no longer working together in the way she was used to.
In Bee's case, her chronic fatigue was compounded by a condition called Myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). ME is characterized by profound fatigue that worsens with physical or mental exertion, and is often accompanied by a range of other symptoms like sleep disturbances, memory issues, and muscle pain. People with ME can experience flare-ups that leave them feeling incapacitated, sometimes for days or weeks at a time. It was a tough reality for Bee to accept, as not only did her body seem to be working against her, but she was also battling with focus and memory issues, turning every task into a monumental effort.
Growing up, Bee played hockey and even represented England and her county. Later in life, she made the gym a crucial part of her routine. Exercise was her therapy—a way to blow off steam and stay in control, physically and mentally. But chronic fatigue changed all that, slowly pushing gym time from “can’t miss” to “barely doable” and eventually to “just not today.” Along with her energy, her focus began to fade, too. Bee was no stranger to being active, quick-witted, and fully engaged, but suddenly her thoughts felt clouded, and words seemed just out of reach. Headaches became a regular reminder of her new reality, a frustrating side effect that reminded her daily of her post-illness struggles.
But if there’s one thing to know about Bee, it’s that she’s not one to sit on the sidelines. Determined to regain her footing, she began exploring ways to support her recovery, which led her to discover CONKA. In August, she decided to give it a try, and over time, started noticing subtle but meaningful improvements in her life. Her focus sharpened and words came more easily. Her memory, which she was starting to lose faith in, slowly started to bounce back. Now, almost five months later, Bee continues to take it and is feeling more like herself. And the results speak for themselves: Bee’s initial test scores were in the low 70s, but now they’re in the high 80s, with an impressive 6% improvement in processing speed since starting her CONKA journey (in case you’re wondering if you can learn the test, our team of scientists have proved that you can’t). While she’s not back to 100% yet, the progress has sparked renewed hope and motivation as she works toward rebuilding her strength.
Bee’s journey with chronic fatigue and the lingering effects of her illnesses has been a rollercoaster, but she’s learning to navigate it. And while the challenges are real, so is her determination to find balance and reconnect with the things she loves. Whether it's through CONKA or another approach down the line, Bee’s resilience is a reminder that even when life takes an unexpected turn, there’s always a way forward.
Leticia Hosang, BSc
Leticia is a sports science, sports psychology and neuroscience researcher, previously working with Brunel London University and exploring the effects of exercise on brain activity.
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