Breaking Free: Sue's Story of Quitting to Quit Coach

A Letter That Changed Everything

Sue Freeman RN | QuitCoach | Nicotine Recovery Advocate

27 / 11/ 2025

I opened the letter from the Occupational Health Department of the hospital where I was applying for a job, expecting to see my conditions of employment. Instead, I saw a threat of deregistration of my nursing qualification.

A Battle with Health and Trauma

My intention was to move to a new position closer to home to reduce traveling time and stress levels, as my health was poor since sustaining a traumatic brain injury, which had left me with post-concussion symptoms.

A Devastating Revelation

The application had been intercepted by the Occupational Health Department, and the interview had gone badly as the doctor didn't believe I was fit to work despite working successfully part-time for several years since the accident. I was devastated by the letter!

A Look Back in Time

It took me back to the first years after my accident when I berated myself for having a 'baby brain' whenever anything went wrong. Those early years were a constant struggle. I battled with the frustration of not being able to recall things as easily as I once could, and I thought I had successfully hidden this daily struggle from outsiders.

The Turning Point

However, when I received that letter from the Occupational Health Department, my private world was laid bare in black and white. Feelings of humiliation and inadequacy washed over me, and I felt small, as if my hard-fought progress had been erased.

A New Sense of Purpose

I knew the Doctor was right; I was struggling with daily persistent headaches and other problems, but I was determined to live a life of purpose and fulfillment with my nursing career pathway closing off. It was hard to see a way forward until my sister suggested using my knowledge and skills to research smoking and the problems of quitting without relapsing. It was an Eureka moment.

The Smoking Dilemma

Everyone in my family, almost without exception, was a smoker or a struggling ex-smoker. Many of my family and friends had relatives who had died of smoking-related diseases, and my nursing experiences involved caring for smokers and their families. I felt empowered, alive again. I never understood why people smoked when their bodies were getting sick from it—until it happened to me.

My Personal Struggle

I was diagnosed with not one but two lung diseases, and I struggled to quit. The very substances that were destroying my health had an iron grip on me. It was a perplexing and frustrating experience. I wanted to unravel this mystery, to understand why the pull of smoking was so relentless, even in the face of dire consequences. This personal struggle ignited my determination to find a better way, not just for myself but for others who were trapped in the same cycle.

Decades of Dedication

I had craved smokes for six years after I quit and had gained weight every time I quit. I knew something was missing from the standard quit plans, and I wanted to find out why people went back to smoking even when they were diagnosed with severe heart and lung disease.

That was in 1998; since then, I have worked in the cessation and tobacco industry, helping people and New Zealand as a nation go smokefree.

I'm thrilled to be expanding my reach and connecting with individuals worldwide. Whether you're a healthcare professional, someone eager to assist a loved one in their journey to quit smoking, or have inquiries about my comprehensive program that caters to quitters, their families, and businesses, I'm just an email away.

Break Free Today

Say goodbye to smoking and vaping – for good! Dive into our transformative coaching and support program on Xperiencify accessed here at quitstrong.org. With personalized care; you will find experiential knowledge, empathy and effective strategies unite, empowering you to conquer Big Tobacco and go into addiction recovery.

Or take the first step with How To Stop Smoking And Vaping: Your Step-By-Step Guide.

Embark on a transformative adventure that eclipses mere quitting—it's your chance to reclaim the vibrant life you once envisioned, liberated from nicotine's grasp. Elevate your wellbeing, magnify your self-assurance, and take the reins of your future. Join us on this momentous journey towards freedom. Together, we are unstoppable.

With optimism and heartfelt support,

Quit Coach Sue