"I Get Emotional When I Talk About This”: How Andrea Wright Got Her Life Back With Sleep Works

For Andrea Wright, sleep didn’t just slip away gradually — it collapsed.

“I was waking up four to five times a night on the hour,” she recalled. “I was exhausted. It affected everything — my work, my relationships, my ability to think clearly. I felt like I was going crazy. What was wrong with me?”

Andrea did what most of us do — she tried everything. She consulted naturopaths, experimented with supplements, leaned on sleep aids prescribed by her doctor. “I spent all kinds of money, and nothing helped. It just wore off. I was getting desperate.”

That’s when she turned to Marlee, a Sleep Works therapist she met through her employer’s benefits platform. “When I first connected with Marlee, I was impressed by her credentials. She had real-world experience from sleep clinics and knew her stuff inside and out. But what mattered more than anything was how deeply she listened. She made me feel heard. And hopeful.”

Hope was something Andrea hadn’t felt in a long time. “I had accepted that this was just my life now. I felt hopeless — until Marlee looked at me and said: ‘We will fix this.’ No one else had said that. Not my doctor. Not anyone.”

Uncovering the Real Issue

Just as Andrea was preparing to undergo a sleep study through her doctor, Marlee stepped in. Based on Andrea’s symptoms, Marlee suspected Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome (UARS) — a lesser-known sleep breathing disorder.

“She told me it’s like breathing through a straw all night — your brain isn’t getting enough oxygen, so your body stays in fight-or-flight mode,” Andrea explained. “That means you wake up constantly, and it can take up to 90 minutes for your system to calm down and fall back asleep.”

The diagnosis changed everything.

The sleep study confirmed it: Andrea’s oxygen levels dropped as low as 77% during the night — levels that would be considered an emergency in a hospital setting. “I sent Marlee the results the next day. She said, ‘This is exactly what I thought.’”

Marlee recommended a mandibular advancement device — a custom-fitted mouthpiece to gently reposition the jaw and open the airway. “I’ve been using it regularly now,” Andrea said, “and I’m like a different person.”

From Fear to Freedom

One of the most profound shifts for Andrea wasn’t just physical — it was emotional. “I’m not afraid of bedtime anymore. I used to dread it. I’d get anxious as the day wore on, knowing I wouldn’t sleep. Now I go to bed and think, I’ve got my device. I’ll sleep.”

Andrea now wakes up with energy and clarity. “I used to wake up with stomach pain, burning eyes, brain fog. Now I wake up and feel like I can actually think. I can participate in my life again. I’m not just counting the hours until bedtime anymore.”

Her partner noticed the change too. “I’m not snoring. He doesn’t need earplugs. I’m more present. I’m more engaged. It’s impacted everything.”

But beyond rest, Andrea feels something she hadn’t felt in months: peace.

“I feel hopeful about my future again. That might sound dramatic, but it’s not. I was terrified. I was worried about my health — my mental health, my heart, even potential dementia risk for the future. I didn’t know how bad it was until I realized how good it could be.”

A Rare Kind of Care

Andrea has worked with many healthcare providers over the years — therapists, doctors, naturopaths. But her work with Marlee, she says, was different.

“She truly cares. Her passion is genuine. She advocated for me at a time when I couldn’t advocate for myself. In a situation like insomnia — one of the worst things I’ve ever experienced — that kind of support is priceless. You can’t put a value on that.”

Now, Andrea shares her story with other women, especially those in her age group. “So many women I know say they can’t sleep, and they don’t know why. I tell them: Listen to your body. Advocate for yourself. And talk to Marlee at Sleep Works. There’s hope.”

Meet Your Sleep Coaches: Marlee & Leah

At Sleep Works, we’ve helped hundreds of people just like Andrea finally get the rest they deserve. Our expert sleep therapists, Marlee and Leah, support clients in improving both the quality and quantity of their sleep.

They’re not here to judge. They’re here to support you with warmth, expertise, and a plan that actually works.

How to Get Started (Even If You’re Not Sure Yet)

Whether you’re ready to dive into Sleep Therapy or just curious, we’ve got options:

• Online Self-Guided Course – Work through the full Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) program at your own pace, on your schedule.
  

• Small Group CBT-I Programs – Learn alongside others, with live guidance from our therapists. (Eligible for private Canadian health insurance coverage - inquire for details)
  

• 1:1 Private Consultations – Get personalized support tailored to your sleep patterns, challenges and lifestyle.
  

• FREE 15-Minute Consultations – Chat with Marlee or Leah to find out which option is right for you. No pressure. Just clarity.

Schedule your free consult here