My Comeback Story
Philly Tells Us In Her Own Words: My Comeback Story
The comeback is always stronger than the setback.
But when you’re in the thick of it? It doesn’t always feel that way.
In April, I found myself right back where I never wanted to be: benched with an old back injury that decided to flare up out of nowhere. The pain was frustrating, not just physically, but mentally. I couldn’t lift my kids easily, couldn’t do the workouts that usually clear my head, and worst of all… I couldn’t run.
If you know me, you know running is my thing. It’s where I process, decompress, and get clarity. So losing that? It knocked me.
Even after a clean MRI (which sounds reassuring, but anyone who’s had chronic pain knows that “nothing’s wrong” can sometimes make it feel worse), I was still struggling to sit comfortably, let alone move freely. It felt like my body had betrayed me.
So, I slowed down.
Properly slowed down.
Not the “I’ll just skip one workout” kind. The actual pause, reset, cry-in-the-shower type.
I focused on the small stuff:
– Physio.
– Acupuncture.
– Advice from my sports doctor.
– Walks instead of my usual runs.
– Asking for help. (Still working on that one tbh.)
Week by week, the edge came off the pain. Slowly, movement felt possible again. My strength started to come back. Mentally, I began to feel like me again.
The forced pause taught me a lot.
About resilience. About surrender. About patience (ugh). And about how sometimes, even when you feel like you’re going backwards, you’re actually laying the foundation to move forward in a better way.
And weirdly, it reminded me of the work we do at R&P. Because when life throws you off your routine, a health hiccup, a job change, a relationship shift, a diagnosis you didn’t see coming, everything needs a reset. Including your insurance.
Life changes. Your cover should too.
This injury reminded me that it’s easy to keep pushing forward, assuming everything is fine. But “fine” isn’t always enough.
So many of our clients come to us after something shifts. Sometimes it’s a physical change, like finally quitting smoking or recovering from a condition. (We’ve helped clients lower their premiums because of this.)
Other times, it’s a new curveball, an injury, a diagnosis, or time off work that makes you realise you’re not as covered as you thought.
And sometimes? It’s just a gut check that the plan you set up two years ago doesn’t reflect where your life is now.
We’re here for all of that.
Whether you’re mid-comeback like me, on a glow-up, or somewhere in the messy middle, it’s worth checking in on your cover. Making sure your Plan B still fits the version of life you’re living now.
What’s next for me?
I won’t be lining up for the Auckland Full Marathon this year, and that stings. But I’ve already circled 2026 on my calendar. And when I run it, it’ll mean more. Because I’ll know how far I've come to get there.
Comebacks don’t always look like medals and finish lines.
Sometimes they look like booking your next physio session.
Sometimes they look like reviewing your policy and finally getting peace of mind.
Sometimes they look like slowing down, on purpose.
Whatever season you’re in, we’re here when you’re ready. For the reviews. The resets. The check-ins. The comebacks.
– Philly
Co-founder, mum, runner (on pause), and your insurance aunty always in your corner.
