Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

In this episode of Living Well with MS -- where we explore topics relating to living a full and healthy life with multiple sclerosis -- we are pleased to welcome Kebba Jow as our guest! Kebba is an author and motivational speaker with MS who uses Overcoming MS pillars to live will.
Watch this episode on YouTube. Keep reading for the topics, timestamps, and our guest’s bio.
00:00 Introduction to Keba Jow's Journey
06:09 Living Well with MS: A New Perspective
07:42 The Overlooked Mental Health Aspect of MS
11:44 Cultural Beliefs and the Struggle with Western Medicine
14:13 The Role of Faith in Overcoming Challenges
17:08 Finding Purpose Through Speaking and Writing
21:19 Facing Life's Challenges with MS
23:29 The Importance of Community Support
26:41 Reaching Out: Overcoming Isolation
27:50 Finding Hope and Positivity
30:04 Advice for the Newly Diagnosed
Learn more about Kebba’s work
Follow Kebba on TikTok
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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
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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.

In this episode of Living Well with MS -- where we explore topics relating to living a full and healthy life with multiple sclerosis -- we are pleased to welcome Dr Jonny White as our guest! Jonny lives with MS and is an Overcoming MS Facilitator and the charity’s medical advisor.
Watch this episode on YouTube. Keep reading for the topics, timestamps, and our guest’s bio.
01:13 Understanding Steroids and Their Role in MS Relapses
03:55 Disease Modifying Therapies: An Overview
05:51 First Generation DMTs: Interferons and Copaxone
09:49 Second Generation DMTs: Advancements and Efficacy
15:34 High Efficacy DMTs: Tysabri and Beyond
20:15 Emerging Treatments and Their Implications
25:37 Symptom Management: Addressing Fatigue and Spasticity
29:48 The Role of Lifestyle in MS Management
34:45 Future Directions in MS Treatment
36:11 Understanding Myelination and Remyelination
41:11 Exploring the Role of Epstein-Barr Virus in MS
44:02 Navigating Treatment Options and Clinical Trials
51:29 Making Informed Decisions Post-Diagnosis
New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page
Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub
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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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.

In this episode of Living Well with MS -- where we explore topics relating to living a full and healthy life with multiple sclerosis -- we are pleased to welcome Ciara O’Meara as our guest! Ciara is a professor of nursing who lives with MS and has research interests in taboo MS symptoms such as bladder and bowel issues and sexual issues related to the condition.
Watch this episode on YouTube. Keep reading for the topics, timestamps, and our guest’s bio.
00:00 Introduction to Ciara O'Meara and Her Journey
03:53 Balancing Professional Life and Personal Well-being
05:50 Addressing Bladder Issues in MS
10:01 Understanding Bowel Symptoms in MS
13:29 Exploring Sexual Health and MS
18:09 Advocacy and Communication in MS Care
Follow Ciara on Instagram
Connect with Ciara on LinkedIn
Learn more about Noreen Barker’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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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.

Welcome to Living Well with MS podcast. We’re proud to welcome back Dr Brandon Beaber to the guest seat. Dr. Beaber is an American neurologist specialising in multiple sclerosis. He offers a neurologist’s point of view on the Overcoming MS program, and how to achieve better health through lifestyle intervention approaches. 
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.
01:25 What’s your specific clinical philosophy as a neurologist for treating patients with MS? 
02:00 How important is lifestyle modification in managing your MS? 
06:24 Can you walk us through your thoughts on the main pillars of the Overcoming MS approach? 
30:41 Is there anything critical you think the Overcoming MS program leaves out? 
34:37 Are there any downside risks to following a diet and lifestyle modification program like Overcoming MS? 
38:38 The MS research space is evolving rapidly. What, in your opinion, are the most promising areas on the horizon that we should be monitoring most closely? 
41:00 Dr Beaber’s book on resilience and multiple sclerosis 

In this episode of Living Well with MS -- where we explore topics relating to living a full and healthy life with multiple sclerosis -- we are pleased to welcome Laura Crowder as our guest! Laura is a health coach and Overcoming MS facilitator. In this webinar replay she unpacks the psychological impact of an MS diagnosis and practical strategies for improving mental wellbeing.  
Watch this episode on YouTube. Keep reading for the topics, timestamps, and our guest’s bio
01:06 Introduction to Living with MS
01:07 Mental Health Strategies for MS
02:14 Understanding the Psychological Impact of MS
07:15 Navigating Emotions After Diagnosis
11:26 Understanding Multiple Sclerosis
13:05 Mind-Body Connection and Its Importance
20:49 Practical Strategies for Mental Wellbeing
28:41 Community Support and Resources
36:06 Q&A Session and Closing Remarks
Check out other episodes featuring Laura
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.

An MS diagnosis can bring fear, uncertainty and difficult questions about the future. 
In this episode of Living Well with MS, Geoff Allix speaks with Patrick Bevan, who spent 16 years hiding from his multiple sclerosis diagnosis before embracing a lifestyle approach that transformed how he thinks about living with MS. 
Patrick shares how fear, anxiety and denial shaped his decisions for years, why a relapse became the catalyst for change, and how exercise, healthy eating, community and self-compassion helped him regain a sense of control. 
They also discuss living with ADHD alongside MS, the challenges of building sustainable habits, and why connecting with others can make such a difference after diagnosis. 
Whether you're newly diagnosed with MS or have been living with it for many years, Patrick's honest reflections offer hope, practical encouragement and a reminder that a diagnosis does not define your future. 
Keep reading for the key episode takeaways and Patrick’s bio.  
00:00 Patrick's MS diagnosis and the beginning of his journey 
03:34 Living with hidden fear for sixteen years 
05:18 Why fear delayed lifestyle changes and treatment 
07:02 The turning point that changed everything 
10:19 Challenging public perceptions of living with MS 
11:39 How fear shaped work, confidence and relationships 
13:18 Living with both ADHD and multiple sclerosis 
15:00 Finding motivation through the Overcoming MS Exercise Circle 
18:03 Which lifestyle changes were easiest—and hardest—to sustain 
21:11 Balancing entrepreneurship with protecting long-term health 
25:02 Patrick's advice for anyone newly diagnosed with MS 
Connect with Patrick on LinkedIn 
Learn more about Change Alchemy 
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.

Supporting someone with MS can be rewarding, but it also brings challenges. In this episode of Living Well with MS, Geoff Allix speaks with physiotherapist, mindfulness teacher, coach and Overcoming MS Program Facilitator-in-training Susan Czyzo about supporting people living with multiple sclerosis while also looking after your own wellbeing.
Drawing on both her professional experience and her personal perspective as a family supporter, Susan explores why sustainable lifestyle habits matter, how coaching can help people make lasting changes, and why movement, mindfulness and self-compassion all have a place in living well with MS.
They also discuss the growing evidence for lifestyle approaches alongside MS treatment, the importance of personalised care, and why healthcare professionals should remain open to conversations about healthy lifestyle choices.
Whether you're living with MS yourself or supporting someone who is, this episode offers thoughtful, practical insights into building resilience, hope and wellbeing over the long term.
Watch this episode on YouTube. Keep reading for the topics, timestamps, and our guest’s bio.
01:49 Meet Susan and her holistic approach to wellbeing
06:25 Why the Overcoming MS programme stood out
08:29 Lessons from becoming an Overcoming MS Program Facilitator
11:16 Lifestyle, evidence and conversations with healthcare professionals
12:21 Moving beyond fixing towards empowering people
16:15 How coaching helps people create lasting healthy habits
19:50 Supporting a loved one through an MS diagnosis
23:09 What living well with MS really means
27:50 Looking ahead as part of the Overcoming MS community
Listen to Stories of Hope from the Overcoming MS community
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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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.

Can tapping help calm MS stress and anxiety? In this episode of Living Well with MS, host Geoff Allix speaks with Lauren Fonvielle, an Emotional Freedom Techniques, or EFT, Trainer, about tapping as a tool for stress reduction, emotional awareness and nervous system regulation. 
Lauren explains what EFT is, why it is sometimes called tapping, and how it combines gentle pressure on acupressure points with acknowledging thoughts and emotions out loud. She shares how tapping helped her manage anxiety and panic attacks, and discusses how the practice may help people feel calmer, more grounded and better able to process difficult emotions. 
The conversation also explores the science behind EFT, how it may fit into the Overcoming MS stress reduction pillar, when to seek support from a trained practitioner, and why tuning into your own words and feelings matters. 
Watch this episode on YouTube. Keep reading for the topics, timestamps, and our guest’s bio. 
01:54 Lauren and her path to EFT 03:24 What EFT tapping is, and why emotions matter 05:44 The science of tapping and calming the nervous system 08:42 Starting EFT and finding the right words 09:49 How quickly tapping may help you feel calmer 10:39 Longer-term benefits and processing past emotional experiences 12:08 Using EFT daily or in stressful moments 12:40 When to seek support from a practitioner 13:21 How tapping fits with mindfulness and meditation 14:41 EFT, physical pain and emotional contributors 16:24 Research into EFT, stress and PTSD 17:55 Client breakthroughs and emotional shifts through tapping 20:29 Lauren’s advice for anyone curious about tapping
 Read about the evidence for tapping 
Learn more about the Mindshift Community  
Connect with Lauren on Instagram 
Follow Lauren’s YouTube Channel 
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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Instagram
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.
 

Can exercise help your brain and body adapt when you’re living with MS? In this episode of Living Well with MS, host Geoff Allix speaks with Dr Gretchen Hawley, a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Multiple Sclerosis Certified Specialist, about movement, neuroplasticity and living well with MS.
Dr Hawley explains how exercise can support strength, balance, walking and everyday confidence. She shares why movement quality, repetition and rest all matter, and how functional exercises can help with daily activities such as stairs, getting into a car or standing up from the floor.
The episode also explores fatigue, heat sensitivity and how to adapt exercise to your own symptoms and energy levels.
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.

MS is not a “white person disease”. In this episode of Living Well with MS, host Geoff Allix speaks with Minnie St. Claire, a Canadian entrepreneur, digital content creator and advocate living with multiple sclerosis and bipolar disorder. 
Minnie shares her MS journey, including early symptoms, years of denial, relapse, treatment decisions and learning to take her health seriously. She also talks about managing more than one chronic condition, building resilience, using therapy tools, finding BIPOC peer support, and creating routines that protect her mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing. 
The conversation explores Canada’s disability benefits system, financial independence while receiving support, working from home with MS, meal planning, movement, hormonal changes, healthcare gaps for people of colour, and why inclusive research and representation matter. 
Minnie’s perspective is honest, practical and rooted in lived experience. 
Watch this episode on YouTube. Keep reading for the topics, timestamps, and our guest’s bio. 
01:59 Minnie’s first MS symptoms and diagnosis journey 03:00 Denial, relapse and learning to take MS seriously 06:22 Navigating Canada’s complicated disability benefits system 09:23 Managing MS, bipolar disorder and mental health needs 12:39 Choosing self-care, rest and boundaries without guilt 14:42 Why ten minutes of movement can still count 17:51 Meal planning, vegetables and making healthy food easier 20:11 Adding fish and trying new plant-based options 21:25 Therapy tools, peer support and stress management 23:40 Scheduling stillness, faith and creative self-care 24:57 Building an online business while managing MS 27:41 Turning transferable skills into flexible income streams 28:56 Hormones, mood changes, sleep and symptom tracking 31:41 Healthcare trust, race and choosing the right doctor 35:02 Why inclusive MS research and resources matter 36:57 Finding friendship, mentorship and support online 39:50 Education, confidence and advocating for your body 
Connect with Minni 
Most active on youtube.com/minnieoncam 
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.