Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

Parenthood and Advocacy with MS with Julie Stamm | S8E6

What does it really mean to parent with multiple sclerosis, and how do you talk to your children about something so unpredictable?
In this episode of Living Well with MS, we’re joined by Julie Stamm – MS advocate, author and mother – for an honest and uplifting conversation about raising a child while living with MS.
Diagnosed in 2007, Julie turned her experience into advocacy, determined to be open with her son about her condition in ways that are truthful but age-appropriate. She shares how parenting reshaped her perspective on resilience, how listening to children can ease the guilt many parents carry, and why adapting as a family is a sign of strength, not failure.
We explore storytelling as a tool for empowerment, the importance of peer support and community, and why the outlook for people newly diagnosed today is more hopeful than ever. Julie also reflects on her children’s book Some Days and her work to promote inclusion and diverse abilities through advocacy and education.
This episode will resonate with anyone parenting with MS, considering starting a family, supporting a loved one with MS, or looking to turn lived experience into meaningful advocacy.
Keep reading for the key episode takeaways and Julie’s bio.
00:00 Introduction and Julie’s diagnosis journey01:23 Why honesty with children matters02:26 Sharing your story and the power of lived experience03:37 Parenting guilt, resilience and writing Some Days04:42 How MS affects the whole family06:40 Adjusting to change and adapting over time08:39 Becoming an MS advocate and finding your niche10:02 Gratitude, grief and staying hopeful11:23 The importance of peer support and community13:52 Research advances and hope for the future14:58 Advice for newly diagnosed parents
 
Learn more at Julie’s website www.iamstamm.com
Follow Julie on Instagram at @iamstamm
New to Overcoming MS? Learn why lifestyle matters in MS - begin your journey at our 'Get started' page
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Webinar Highlights - Experts Insights - Change your life for life with Laura Crowder and Hayley Baker | S8E5

If you’ve ever felt stuck between knowing what could help you live well with MS and actually making it stick, this conversation is for you.
In this episode of Living Well with MS, Overcoming MS Program Facilitator Laura Crowder explores the ‘change your life for life’ pillar, the inner work that helps make lifestyle changes feel sustainable rather than overwhelming. Laura is joined by Overcoming MS Program Facilitator Hayley Baker, who shares her personal experience of building confidence, resilience and self-compassion while following the Overcoming MS Program.
Together, they reflect on why mindset matters, how hope and empowerment can support wellbeing, and what to do when life inevitably knocks you off track.
This episode is a webinar highlights special – originally recorded as a live Overcoming MS webinar and now edited for the podcast to bring you the key insights, questions and takeaways in one place.
Watch the full webinar on  YouTube. Keep reading for the topics, timestamps, and our guest’s bio.
00:58 Exploring the pillar: Change your life for life 
04:36 Choice, autonomy and taking control after diagnosis 
09:56 The role of hope in living well with MS 
12:37 Awareness, acceptance and managing difficult days 
16:02 The power of language in habit formation 
21:13 Empowerment and making lifestyle change sustainable 
22:45 Community support and shared experience 
25:36 Hayley’s personal journey with MS 
35:01 Advice for people new to the Program 
37:50 Q&A: common challenges, motivation and self-compassion 
Read the Overcoming MS books
Learn more about the “Change your life, for life” pillar
New to Overcoming MS? Learn why lifestyle matters in MS - begin your journey at our 'Get started' page
Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub
Visit the Overcoming MS website
Follow us on social media:
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Don’t miss out:
Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS here.
Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS.
Support us:
If you enjoy this podcast and want to help us continue creating future podcasts, please leave a donation here.
Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org.
If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review.

Developing Tailored Mental Health support for people with MS with Eva Fragkiadaki | S8E4

How can mental health support be better tailored to the real, lived experiences of people with MS? In this episode of Living Well with MS, we’re joined by Dr Eva Fragkiadaki, counselling psychologist and Senior Lecturer in Counselling Psychology at the University of the West of England. Her whose work focuses on developing personalised, evidence-based mental health interventions for people living with MS.
Eva shares insights from her research into group-based psychological support, including her co-designed MyMS-Ally intervention. Together, we explore why traditional mental health approaches don’t always work for people with MS, the power of peer connection, and how concepts like identity, self-compassion and visibility of disability shape emotional wellbeing.
This conversation will be especially valuable for anyone living with MS, supporting someone with MS, or interested in how mental health care can become more person-centred, inclusive and accessible.
Keep reading for the key episode takeaways and Eva’s bio.
00:00 Introducing psychosocial interventions for MS
03:38 Researching group therapy and therapeutic change
06:07 Gender, representation and inclusion in MS research
08:19 What kinds of mental health support help in MS?
10:30 Why group interventions matter
12:47 Peer support, safety and community connection
15:10 Integrative and personalised therapy approaches
17:29 Visible and invisible disability in MS
20:15 Self-compassion and identity
22:23 Future directions for mental health care in MS
 
Learn more about Eva and her work
Learn more about Eva’s research on mental health and MS
New to Overcoming MS? Learn why lifestyle matters in MS - begin your journey at our 'Get started' page
Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub
Visit the Overcoming MS website
Follow us on social media:
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YouTube
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Don’t miss out:
Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS here.
Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS.
Support us:
If you enjoy this podcast and want to help us continue creating future podcasts, please leave a donation here.
Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org.
If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review.

Bonus from the Archives: Lifestyle Choices for MS with Dr Aaron Boster | S8 bonus

Originally broadcast in 2020, this episode has been edited to remove out-of-date content and reuploaded in 2026 to ensure it remains relevant and useful. 
In this episode of the Living Well with MS podcast, and we are pleased to welcome Dr Aaron Boster, an Ohio-based board-certified clinical neuroimmunologist specializing in MS. Given we are surrounded by temptations – from that delicious pint of ice cream to the lure of sleeping in instead of hitting the gym – we are happy to tap his expertise to help us understand how lifestyle choices impact MS and our overall health. 

Managing Autoimmunity with a Whole-Food Plant-Based diet with Karen Lee | S8E3

How does gut health affect MS – and what role can diet really play in supporting the immune system? In this episode of Living Well with MS, Geoff is joined by Overcoming MS Program Facilitator Karen Lee – retired intensive care nurse, nutritionist, author and recipe developer. Karen shares her MS journey and explains, in clear and accessible terms, how gut health, inflammation and diet are connected in autoimmune conditions such as MS.
They explore dysbiosis and “leaky gut”, why fibre and the microbiome matter, and how whole-food plant-based eating fits within the Overcoming MS dietary recommendations. Karen also talks about her new book Healing from the Inside Out and shares practical, fatigue-friendly tips for eating more plants – without overwhelm.
Watch this episode on YouTube. Keep reading for the topics, timestamps, and our guest’s bio.
00:56 Welcome and introduction to Karen
01:49 Karen’s MS journey: diagnosis, optic neuritis and early changes
04:46 From intensive care nursing to nutrition, writing and teaching
09:32 Understanding the Overcoming MS diet recommendations
10:36 Why diet matters for immune health: nutrients, fats, fibre and the microbiome
17:57 Dysbiosis explained – and how it relates to autoimmunity and MS
22:02 “Leaky gut”: what it means and why inflammation matters
23:16 Inside Karen’s new book Healing from the Inside Out
26:46 How whole plant foods support overall health
29:50 Protein and plant-based diets: common concerns addressed
31:39 Practical tips for eating more plants and increasing variety
37:58 Favourite recipes, sauces and simple ways to add flavour
39:41 Batch cooking and freezing for low-energy days
41:26 Running the Taunton Half Marathon and fundraising for Overcoming MS
 
Order Karen’s latest book Healing from the Inside Out: Managing Autoimmunity with a Whole-Food Plant-Based Diet
Support Karen’s fundraiser for Overcoming MS
Learn more about Karen’s work
New to Overcoming MS? Learn why lifestyle matters in MS - begin your journey at our 'Get started' page
Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub
Visit the Overcoming MS website
Follow us on social media:
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YouTube
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Don’t miss out:
Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS here.
Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS.
Support us:
If you enjoy this podcast and want to help us continue creating future podcasts, please leave a donation here.
Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org
If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review

Bonus from the archives: In Conversation with Caroline Clarke | S8 bonus

Host Geoff Allix speaks with Caroline Clarke, Chief Executive of the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust and former trustee of Overcoming MS, about her MS journey, why she chose to follow the Overcoming MS Program, and the practical habits that help her manage stress while working in a high-pressure role. 

Highlights from the Living Well Live One day Event | S8E2

This episode of Living Well with MS was recorded at Living Well Live, Overcoming MS’s one-day event held at the University of Warwick in November 2025, with people joining both in person and online. Host Geoff Allix shares conversations with community members, speakers and guests from across the MS sector, exploring what’s new in MS lifestyle research and the practical tools people are using to live well with MS.
You’ll hear about the evolving evidence behind the Overcoming MS Program, why personalised approaches matter (including vitamin D), and the role of community connection in building confidence after diagnosis. Together, these conversations capture what makes Overcoming MS so powerful: the combination of evidence-based guidance and genuine community support. You’ll also hear how donations help fund trusted information, courses and spaces where people with MS – and those around them – can feel informed, connected and empowered.
Watch this episode on YouTube. Keep reading for the topics, timestamps, and our guest’s bio.
00:00 Geoff Allix introduces the event and Overcoming MS
03:07 Linda Bloom & Alex Holden on the origins of Overcoming MS, community and purpose
11:21 Dr Jonathan White on MS research, treatment and the role of lifestyle medicine
12:44 Lina Nielsen on elite sport, MS and training at Olympic level
14:51 Lina Nielsen on exercise, mindfulness and neuroplasticity
17:00 Tessa Miles on resilience, preparation and the power of community
22:09 Dr Rachel Hunter on the nervous system, stress and self-management
24:12 Dr Rachel Hunter on how MS self-management has evolved
28:19 Community member Maureen Haith on her top takeaways from the day
33:25 Miriam Jordan Keane on how Overcoming MS is evolving
37:56 Neil Stanley on sleep, MS and practical tips for better rest
43:22 Rabiah Coon on laughter, mental health and coping with MS
49:19 Amy Thompson from MS Together on supporting young adults living with MS
50:54 Holistic MS care – combining medication, lifestyle and community
55:13 Advice for newly diagnosed people with MS – reassurance and practical guidance
57:48 Dominic Shadbolt,The MS Guide, on AI, innovation and the future of MS care
59:43 Eleanor Bate, Shift.MS, on peer-led community support and connection
01:06:31 Sarah-Jane Elliot, MS-UK on accessing support, resources and online activities
 
Learn more about MS
Learn more about MS-UK
Learn more about MS Together
Learn more about the MS Guide
New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page
New to Overcoming MS? Learn why lifestyle matters in MS - begin your journey at our 'Get started' page
Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub
Visit the Overcoming MS website
Follow us on social media:
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Pinterest
Don’t miss out:
Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS here.
Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS.
Support us:
If you enjoy this podcast and want to help us continue creating future podcasts, please leave a donation here.
Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org.
If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review.

The Research on Lifestyle and MS with Rachel Johnson and Dr Jonny White | S8E1

In this episode of Living Well with MS, Alex Holden (Chief Executive of Overcoming MS) is joined by Rachel Johnson, Overcoming MS’s Information and Research Manager, and Dr Jonathan White, the charity’s Medical Advisor and Program Facilitator. Together they explore what the latest evidence says about lifestyle and self-management in MS – and why it’s an increasingly exciting time for MS research and treatment. They also share what Overcoming MS is working on in 2026, including improved evaluation of our programmes, new symptom-focused resources, and progress towards achieving the PIF TICK quality mark for trusted health information. 
Watch this episode on YouTube. Keep reading for the topics, timestamps, and our guest’s bio. 
01:56 Meet Rachel Johnson: background in psychology, research methods and why she joined Overcoming MS 
04:04 Jonny’s role and why sharing research clearly (and credibly) matters 
05:33 Rachel’s priorities: improving information quality and evaluating impact 
07:16 Supporting healthcare professionals to signpost trusted lifestyle resources 
09:06 What’s coming up in 2026: evaluation findings, information strategy and symptom-based resources 
11:05 Jonny’s 2026 highlights: Pathways, retreats and the BSLM lifestyle medicine module 
14:24 How the Overcoming MS programme aligns with the latest lifestyle research 
16:57 Making the programme practical: diet quality, Mediterranean-style eating and “big picture” habits 
18:54 Talking to your MS team about lifestyle: confidence, language, and keeping your agenda clear 
23:05 Why robust evaluation matters: pre-post surveys, validated measures and long-term follow-up 
27:31 Getting involved in research: MS Register, university studies and opportunities shared via the Hub 
31:41 What is PIF TICK and why it matters for trustworthy MS lifestyle information 
36:04 What’s exciting in MS research right now: treatments, progressive MS, and novel therapies 
40:13 Why credibility and clear communication are key to shifting the “no evidence” narrative 
More info and links:
Listen to the Talking with Skeptics webinar with Jonny and Yasmin Neves  
Tell your health team about Overcoming MS resources for healthcare professionals 
Sign up for the next free Pathway to Overcoming MS course  
Join the MS Register in the UK 
New to Overcoming MS? Learn why lifestyle matters in MS - begin your journey at our 'Get started' page
Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub
Visit the Overcoming MS website
Follow us on social media:
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Pinterest
Don’t miss out:
Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS here.
Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS.
Support us:
If you enjoy this podcast and want to help us continue creating future podcasts, please leave a donation here.
Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org.
If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review.

Choosing an MS Management Program with Juliet Delattre | S7E27

In this episode of Living Well with MS, we’re joined by Juliet Delattre, a language teacher and digital nomad from the Netherlands who was diagnosed with MS in 2019. 
 Juliet shares the shock of being diagnosed after relatively mild symptoms, and what it was like searching for answers, navigating uncertainty, and deciding who to tell. We also talk about the role of lifestyle alongside medical care, how Juliet experimented with different approaches over time, and why she ultimately chose to follow the Overcoming MS Program. 
 Juliet speaks honestly about stress, study, travel and bereavement – and offers a compassionate reminder that there’s no single “perfect” way to live well with MS, only the approach that’s sustainable for you. 
 Watch this episode on YouTube here. Keep reading for the topics and timestamps.
Topics and timestamps
00:00 Juliette's diagnosis and initial shock 
03:33 The emotional impact of MS 
05:58 The decision to share: who to tell and why 
08:30 Choosing a path: medication and lifestyle changes 
11:09 Life after diagnosis: changes and adaptations 
13:38 Travelling with MS 
16:50 Trying different diets and why evidence mattered 
19:17 Stress support: drawing, meditation, retreats and finding what’s sustainable 
22:41 Studying with MS: a flare-up, disability support and difficult systems 
24:24 Discovering Overcoming MS and choosing a path that “clicked” 
26:50 Family support: making diet changes feel achievable 
29:12 Exercise, confidence and changing mindset 
32:05 Bereavement, stress and finding ways to cope 
35:36 Embracing creativity and possibilities 
More info and links
Learn more about Joe Dispenza’s work on placebo and healing 
Read Juliet’s blog on her drawings of her sensations in her body 
Learn more about Vipassana meditation retreats 
Read about the benefits of therapeutic journaling in time of stress 
Try one of Juliet’s favorite 30-minute meditations 
Read about hypnotherapy for MS 
New to Overcoming MS? Learn why lifestyle matters in MS - begin your journey at our 'Get started' page
Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub
Visit the Overcoming MS website
Follow us on social media:
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Pinterest
Don’t miss out:
Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS here.
Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS.
Support us:
If you enjoy this podcast and want to help us continue creating future podcasts, please leave a donation here.
Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org.
If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review.

Webinar highlights – Ask Aaron Your Opportunity to speak to a Neurologist about Living Well with MS | S7E26

In this episode of Living Well with MS, we’re sharing highlights from our Ask Aaron webinar – originally recorded as a live Overcoming MS webinar and now edited for the podcast to bring you the key insights, questions and takeaways in one place.
Our guest is the dynamic and much-loved Dr Aaron Boster, a board-certified neurologist specialising in multiple sclerosis.
Dr Boster answers a wide range of thoughtful, practical questions from the OvercomingMS community. From medications and MRI contrast scans to foot drop, vision changes, supplements and the latest research developments, he brings clarity, warmth and energy to every topic.
If you’ve ever wished you could sit down with a neurologist who truly understands MS, this episode is for you.
Watch this episode on YouTube.
Topics and timestamps
05:08 Exciting developments in MS research
10:54 Subcutaneous injections of Ocrevus
14:27 Remyelination drug trials
22:02 Addressing fatigue in MS patients
30:14 Managing fatigue: strategies and treatments
31:04 Navigating disease-modifying therapies
31:04 Supporting loved ones with MS
35:09 Understanding MRI and gadolinium contrast
38:21 B-Cell depletion therapies and MS progression
40:42 Exploring functional mushrooms and supplements
44:35 The importance of vitamins and nutrition
52:15 Understanding neurofilament light chain
58:28 Foot drop solutions
59:29 Finding the right doctor
01:00:29 Hope for the future of MS
More info and links
Listen to other episodes featuring Dr Boster
Check out Dr Boster’s popular YouTube channel covering all aspects of MS
New to Overcoming MS? Learn why lifestyle matters in MS – begin your journey at our ‘Get started’ page
Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub
Visit the Overcoming MS website
Follow us on social media:
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Pinterest
Don’t miss out:
Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS here.
Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS.
Support us:
If you enjoy this podcast and want to help us continue creating future podcasts, please leave a donation here.
Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org.
If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review.