Joanna Oliver, also known as ColonCoach, is a keynote speaker and patient-advocate specialising in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), biologic and immunotherapy treatments, chronic illness, isolation, and the hidden psychological impact of long-term disease.

With over 20 years of lived experience of severe IBD, Joanna speaks with rare authority and compassion about the realities patients are often too embarrassed or frightened to articulate.

Her work helps individuals, healthcare professionals, and institutions create clearer, more honest conversations around symptoms, side-effects, mental health, and quality of life.

Joanna is an NHS Peer Leader (Level 3) and has collaborated with the University of Bath, the NIHR, an American Crohn’s Committee, and clinicians across the colorectal and surgical fields. She is currently writing a book for publication in the United States.

Her medical journey includes:

• 15 years of biologic therapies

• A temporary ileostomy

• A full panprocto-colectomy

• PTSD related to long-term hospitalisation

• Recurrence of Crohn’s disease post-surgery

This journey profoundly shaped her life, including the inability to have children and the continued need for biologic medication.

Despite this, Joanna’s work is defined by resilience, clarity, and determination to empower others. Joanna developed a practical communication framework known as “The Three C’s”, designed to help patients articulate symptoms quickly, clearly, and confidently to healthcare professionals — improving outcomes while reducing distress and misunderstanding.

Her work also includes a confidential one-to-one peer support service, delivered via Zoom or email, tailored to individual needs.

Her key speaking topics include:

• Biologic and immunotherapy use in IBD

• Reducing NHS waste caused by unused biologics through better patient education

• Depression, isolation, and agoraphobia linked to chronic illness

• Trauma and fear associated with long-term hospital stays

• Employment, HR, and social barriers faced by chronically ill patients

• Improving primary care communication and early-stage patient support

  
  

Joanna speaks to universities, students, academies, charities, HR teams, and hospital trusts, delivering talks, workshops, and keynotes globally — in person or online via Zoom or Teams. She is fully legally covered, works within strict confidentiality boundaries, and approaches every engagement with integrity.

While Joanna is not motivated by monetising her lived experience, she is deeply committed to raising awareness, improving pathways to care, and connecting people with trusted, lived-experience support.