I was born with volvulus—a rare condition where the intestines twist around themselves, cutting off blood flow and causing a blockage. At just six days old, I began vomiting green bile. My terrified parents rushed me to the Mater Hospital in Brisbane, where I underwent emergency surgery that saved my life.

I lived without major issues until I was 20. One day at work, I suddenly felt a sharp, cramping pain that left me unable to walk. My dad drove me straight to hospital. I was in so much pain I begged him to shoot me. It turned out my bowel had twisted again. I underwent a second surgery—this time via keyhole—and survived once more.

Years later, I was chatting to my friend Kat while helping our kids in the bathroom. I told her about my condition, and we both laughed at the idea of making a bathroom stool that wasn’t just functional, but beautiful too. That was the beginning of Stooli.

What we didn’t know then was how much deeper this would go. A few years later, Kat gave birth to her third child—and at just one month old, her daughter also developed volvulus. It was a heartbreaking, full-circle moment that solidified our mission: to make a product that supports gut health in the most natural way possible.

Then in 2024, I had my third episode—at age 38. While away with family, I felt bloated but kept passing stool, so volvulus didn’t cross my mind. Hours later, the pain became unbearable. At Noosa Hospital, an MRI confirmed my bowel had twisted again. I was transferred to Sunshine Coast Hospital, where doctors inserted a nasal tube to relieve the pressure and hopefully avoid surgery.

For three agonising days, I waited. Thankfully, the tube worked, and surgery was avoided. When the doctor said I could go home after passing a bowel movement, I asked for a stool. They didn’t have one—so I called my husband to bring my Stooli.

The picture you see above is me in hospital with my trusty BYO Stooli.

Yes, I brought my own toilet stool to hospital. That moment sparked new inspiration for Kat and me. We knew this mattered.

Why Stooli Works

When you sit on a normal toilet, your body is in a 90-degree angle, which keeps the puborectalis muscle partially tensed, creating a kink in your rectum.

Stooli lifts your feet into a squatting position, which relaxes this muscle, straightens the rectum, and makes elimination easier, faster, and more complete.

This posture helps everyone—but it’s especially important for:

• People with a history of bowel issues or abdominal surgeries

• Kids learning healthy toilet habits

• Anyone experiencing bloating, constipation, or strain

Stooli is more than a stool. It’s a beautifully designed tool that supports your body’s natural function—born from survival, motherhood, and the need to make gut health look good.

We’ve lived the pain. Now we’re creating the solution.