The meeting isn’t the problem…

The meeting isn’t the problem.

The possibility of your gut hijacking it is.

You can lead a 60-minute meeting.

But can you trust your gut for 60 minutes?

That’s a very different question.

For many professionals with IBS, the challenge isn’t capability.

You know your subject.
You’ve prepared.
You’ve handled difficult conversations before.

But part of your attention is somewhere else:

“Will the bloating get worse?”
“What if I suddenly need the toilet?”
“Can I get through this without anyone noticing?”

That hidden monitoring takes energy.

You may look completely composed while another part of you is tracking every sensation in your abdomen and calculating escape options.

This matters because IBS is not “just in your head”.

It’s a disorder of gut-brain interaction.

Your digestive system and brain are in constant two-way communication, and when symptoms have repeatedly caused embarrassment, pain or urgency, work situations can start to feel less predictable — and therefore less safe.

That can create a vicious circle:
symptoms → perceived threat → more gut disruption → even more monitoring.

This is one reason I use gut-directed hypnotherapy with people with persistent IBS.

The aim isn’t to pretend the symptoms aren’t real.

It’s to help change the way the brain and gut respond to one another, so your meeting can become just a meeting again.

If IBS takes up more of your working day than anyone realises, follow for more gut-brain insights.

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This post is general information only and isn't a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your GP about persistent or concerning symptoms.