Hey ya’ll! My name is Sydna Marshall. I’m 40 years old and was diagnosed with CF at 11 when my adenoids were removed due to continual sinus and allergy problems. I am born and bred in Austin, Texas. I obtained my bachelor’s degree in biology from The University of Texas at Austin, in December 2001. For the last 20 years, I worked in various capacities, including Marketing Assistant, for a boutique civil litigation law firm in downtown Austin. I recently retired for health reasons. In addition to CF, I’m also managing Graves disease, osteopenia and chronic sinusitis. I should be crowned the queen of CF sinus complications as I’ve had five-plus sinus surgeries, including a frontal obliteration.

I discovered yoga over a decade ago when I first read an article that Hatha yoga practiced two to three times weekly can increase breathing capacity by 70 percent. I haven’t always had the chance to be consistent with my asana practice due to hospitalizations and surgeries. However, the breath work, self-acceptance and self-awareness inherent in any yoga practice have been life-saving tools in handling the many CF challenges I've encountered with resilience and grace.

I’ve met many people with CF, CF caregivers, doctors and more in my journey with CF. I endeavor to find the silver lining with each obstacle, with the hopes that younger people with CF will discover that CF doesn’t define you as a person. Each of us is dealt our own deck of cards, some easier than others to manage. The key is recognizing that most of life is how we respond to the deck of cards we’re given.

I met and married my best friend and love of my life, Adam, while working at the law office together. Our two kids have four paws and fur. We have one feisty pitbull-mix named Husker and one sweet, affectionate Labrador retriever named Cutty. Music is a huge part of our lives together and we love the variety of live music around Austin and the surrounding hill country.

 

I love walking my furbabies and sharing pictures of the gorgeous flowers along the way. I'm an avid reader—books will always nourish my soul. I’ve yet to meet an indie coffee shop or bookstore that I didn’t adore from the moment I stepped inside. When I'm not reading, you can find me in the kitchen, experimenting with new recipes and whipping up culinary masterpieces.