About Me
My Biography
Hello !
Get to Know Me
I’m Dr. Patti Bevilacqua—bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and the driving force behind fearLESS with MS. and The Hidden Illness Advocate.
In 1989, I stepped into my dream role as a high school PE teacher, passionate about shaping young lives. But just a year later, everything changed. A multiple sclerosis diagnosis forced me to leave the career I loved after only ten years. For over a decade, I felt lost, searching for purpose in a life I never planned.
But here’s what I learned:
“When life throws challenge your way, you have two choices—let them define you or rise above them. I chose to rise. With resilience, humor, and an unwavering spirit, I transformed my setbacks into stepping stones. I became a speaker, workshop leader, and storyteller, turning my journey into a source of strength for others.”
Armed with a Ph.D., I launched MS stands for Mindset Shift and the fearLESS with MS. newsletter, creating a thriving community for those battling hidden illnesses. My story has been shared across 20+ podcasts, including The Hero Within, Chronically Living, and dissolving fear.
Now, I dedicate my life to advocating for those with invisible illnesses, helping them shift their mindset, overcome fear, and embrace their inner strength. Because while MS may have changed my path, it never defined my purpose.
what i do ?
A Storyteller, Advocate, and Resilient Warrior
In 1989, I stepped into the world of teaching, fulfilling my dream as a high school PE instructor. But life had other plans. Just a year later, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a reality that ultimately forced me to step away from the career I had envisioned for a lifetime. The transition was daunting, and for years, I struggled to redefine my purpose.
Yet, adversity became my greatest teacher.
Refusing to let MS dictate my future, I pursued my Ph.D. in Teacher Development, focusing on the impact of chronic illness on professional identity. Through resilience, self-discovery, and an unwavering belief in my mission, I transformed my setbacks into stepping stones—becoming a speaker, mentor, and advocate for those facing hidden illnesses.
Today, I lead fearLESS with MS and MS stands for Mindset Shift, empowering individuals to rise beyond their challenges. My story has been shared in bestselling books, TEDx talks, and across 20+ podcasts, amplifying the message that while life may be unpredictable, our strength lies in how we choose to navigate it.
In September 1989, I started my dream job, teaching high school physical education. But, five months later, before the end of my first year of teaching, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Five years later, I was forced to leave the only job I ever wanted due to worsening symptoms of MS.
In 2001, I returned to university to pursue graduate studies at the University of Toronto. If I can’t teach high school PE, then I would get a job at a college or university and teach others keen to enter the teaching profession. In 2005 I graduated with a Ph.D. in Teacher Development. My research focused on the impact of chronic disease on teacher identity. I never secured a tenured position as a teacher educator and went on long-term disability in 2007. Not the life I had in mind!
what i do ?
What I’ve Achieved
Turning Setbacks into Strength
A high school PE teacher by passion, I was diagnosed with MS just months into my career. When I had to leave the classroom, I faced the unknown—but I refused to let it define me.
Redefining My Purpose:
In 2001, I returned to academia, determined to make an impact in education in a new way. By 2005, I had earned my Ph.D., proving that reinvention is always possible.
Inspiring Through Action
My expedition has taken me beyond the classroom and onto global platforms. From bestselling books to powerful speeches, I now dedicate my life to helping others shift their mindset, embrace resilience, and live without limits.
The Writer's Path
Expressions & Inspirations: My Literary Journey
The Writer's Path Expressions & Inspirations: My Literary Journeybio for Absolute Vision
Author's Biography for Absolute Vision
Patti Bevilacqua is a passionate storyteller, strengthen advocate, and lifelong learner based in British Columbia. She shares her home with her husband, Paul, and their two energetic Labrador retrievers, Trooper and Bella. Their household thrives on an undeniable love for sports—while the dogs chase tennis balls into the water, Patti and Paul prefer the thrill of rugby. In 2011, they traveled to New Zealand for the Rugby World Cup, and they have their sights set on experiencing the excitement in South Africa.
With a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto, Patti’s academic research delves into the intersection of chronic illness and identity—a subject close to her heart. Her personal experiences navigating multiple sclerosis have shaped her mission, leading her to establish fearLESS with MS, a community dedicated to empowering women to embrace life with strength and confidence.
When she’s not writing or speaking, Patti enjoys long walks through British Columbia’s scenic trails with Paul and their dogs, sharing light-hearted jokes, and marveling at nature—sometimes even hoping to catch a glimpse of Bigfoot! She firmly believes in the power of positivity and that good things happen to good people. The only thing she avoids? Raking leaves—she’d take a root canal over that any day!
Through her writing, public speaking, and advocacy, Patti continues to inspire others to redefine their challenges and live boldly.
Author’s TEDx Biography
Dr. Patti Bevilacqua is a TEDx speaker, bestselling author, and advocate for those living with hidden illnesses. With a background in education and a Ph.D. in Teacher Development, her journey took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, forcing her to leave her dream career as a high school PE teacher. Instead of letting MS define her, Patti used her experience to inspire and empower others facing similar challenges.
Through her TEDx talk, she shares a powerful message about resilience, mindset shifts, and the importance of rewriting one's narrative. As the founder of fearLESS with MS and the MS stands for Mindset Shift community, she has created a space where individuals can find strength, support, and strategies to thrive despite chronic illness.
Patti’s story is one of transformation—turning adversity into advocacy, struggle into strength, and uncertainty into empowerment. She continues to use her voice, storytelling, and humor to challenge perspectives and help others hold their trip with courage and confidence.