By: Maria Williams

Amanda Kirish, the founder and CEO of The Mental Note, LLC

Life tests people in unpredictable ways, and few challenges are as devastating as being diagnosed with a chronic disease. The physical pain is only the beginning. A diagnosis disrupts every facet of life—career, relationships, and self-identity. It leaves the individual uncertain and forced to adapt to a new normal they never asked for. When the battle feels endless, the emotional toll can be as crippling as the physical.

This is where the fight begins for many. Every day is a test of endurance—a challenge to find strength, hope, and purpose in a body that feels like it’s betraying you. Amanda Kirish, the founder and CEO of The Mental Note, LLC, knows this. She faced numerous obstacles after being diagnosed with Lyme disease, but she didn’t only overcome them. Amanda turned her suffering into a mission to inspire, encourage, and bring hope to others.

It’s worth noting, however, that Amanda’s fight began long before her official diagnosis. She was misdiagnosed for two agonizing years, shuffling between emergency rooms and dismissed by medical professionals. The disease was attacking her physical, emotional, and mental health, while medical tests offered no answers. The accomplished woman’s career she had built over two decades slipped from her grasp as her health declined.

Amanda eventually found a doctor who gave her the answer she had been desperately seeking: Lyme disease—not one form of it but several strains that ravage her body, affecting her circulatory, immune, and nervous systems. “I felt relieved after finally having been diagnosed, but at the same time, I was crushed by the reality that I would have to fight to manage it for the rest of my life,” she divulges.

The determined woman never gave up, even in the face of this grim reality, and found strength in the small victories. She focused on developing routines like receiving weekly infusions to maintain her immune system or practicing yoga regularly to help manage her heart condition. “People don’t see me as the patient that I am, but I suffer a lot,” she shares. Amanda has accepted her limitations. However, she refused to let them define her.

Throughout her journey, Amanda relied on the support of the people around her, especially her primary physician, whose dedication to her case saved her life. She also leaned on the legacy of others who battled similar demons, like Dr. Neil Specter, a world-renowned cancer doctor who succumbed to complications from Lyme disease but served as a mentor to her during his life. “I took comfort in knowing I wasn’t alone, and I found my new purpose, which is to offer the same comfort to others,” Amanda states.

This newfound purpose gave birth to The Mental Note, LLC, a platform dedicated to providing inspiration, education, and support to those battling chronic illnesses and other life challenges. The company exemplifies its tagline—“Your voice of reason to live your best life”—by creating a space for people to connect, learn, and find hope through daily quotes, real-life stories, and shared experiences.

Essentially, The Mental Note is a community where those who are suffering can feel seen, heard, and understood. Here, Amanda offers valuable content. She speaks from a place of empathy, knowing what it means to lose everything and fight to rebuild, piece by piece. “I hope that by sharing my struggles, I can remind others that they, too, can survive, even thrive, amid the pain,” Amanda remarks. 

The CEO’s ability to surpass seemingly insurmountable odds isn’t a result of chance. Her methodology has guided her through the toughest battles. Known for her grace under fire, Amanda is known for placing utmost significance on honesty, refusing to give up, and adhering to her values. One of these values is being full of gratitude.

Even while in severe pain, confined to a hospital bed while her body was failing her, Amanda expresses her thanks to nurses and doctors. “Even at my worst points, my lowest points, there was always a sense of gratitude—for where I stand, for what I have, for who I am,” she states. In addition, the resilient woman values honesty. She believes in surrounding herself with people who live with integrity, refusing to tolerate dishonesty or negativity.

As a “processor,” Amanda also takes time to reflect on her experiences, learn from them, and move forward with intention. This methodology has been critical in her battle with Chronic Lyme disease and in her mission to help others through The Mental Note. 

“No matter how tough things get, there’s always an opportunity to improve. It starts with self-realization, courage, and a spirit to fight for ourselves. That’s how you move forward, and I can attest to that. For me, establishing the Mental Note proves that anything is possible if one doesn’t give up. We can all live our best lives if we commit to our journey—that’s the essence of The Mental Note,” Amanda passionately says. 

Amanda Kirish’s inspirational story is a reminder that there’s a way forward no matter how unconquerable challenges in one’s life seem. Like how she used her experiences to bring light to others, Amanda hopes to inspire others to do the same with grace, honesty, and determination.

Published by: Holy Minoza