Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

Bonus from the Archive: How to juice up exercise for people with MS with Trevor Wicken | S2E21

What’s the best way to approach exercise with multiple sclerosis? In this bonus from the archive episode of Living Well with MS, Trevor Wicken explores neuroplasticity, “neural edge” and how to find a movement routine that works for you.
Trevor Wicken is the founder of The MS Gym and a neuromuscular movement specialist who supports people with MS through brain-based movement, mindset, education and community. In this episode, he explores how movement can support confidence, resilience and day-to-day wellbeing, and why progress with MS is often about recognising small victories along the way.
Whether you’re just starting to explore movement with MS or looking for renewed motivation, this episode is a reminder that exercise is not about doing everything perfectly, it’s about finding what works for you.
 Originally broadcast in 2020, this episode has been edited to remove out-of-date content and reuploaded in 2026 to ensure it remains relevant and useful.
01:28 What is The MS Gym? 
04:45 Can you tell us a little bit about yourself, where you’re from, and the journey that brought you to launching The MS Gym? 
13:45 How is your fitness philosophy particularly tailored to people with MS? 
18:53 Is it worth getting an MS specialist approach rather than just a normal physical training instructor? 
21:10 What are the biggest obstacles to getting people – with or without MS – to adopt a regular exercise regimen? 
28:39 For the people you serve under The MS Gym umbrella, how do you measure their success or progress? 
44:06 If you could articulate one specific outcome you can say you really nailed in your work through The MS Gym, what would that be and why? 
54:53 What motivates or inspires you as a human being? 

Men’s mental health with MS: coping, acceptance and support | S8E13

For many men with multiple sclerosis, diagnosis brings uncertainty and fear – and it’s not always easy to talk about.
In this episode, Steve Rose, a psychotherapist living with MS shares his perspective on men’s mental health, from coming to terms with diagnosis to managing stress, anxiety and changing identity over time. He explores the importance of mindset, the role of mindfulness and rest, and why learning to understand your own patterns and limits can make a meaningful difference.
The conversation also looks at the challenges men can face in opening up, and the value of finding the right support – whether through trusted relationships, therapy or community.
This episode offers a thoughtful, honest look at what it means to live well with MS, emotionally as well as physically.
Watch this episode on YouTube here. Keep reading for the key episode takeaways and Steve’s bio.
02:20 Steve’s diagnosis story and early mindset shifts after MS04:46 Challenging limiting beliefs about exercise and MS06:39 Managing stress with mindfulness and regular mental breaks09:02 Visualising MS as a “tiger in a cage”11:12 Processing diagnosis: grief, anger and emotional adjustment12:31 Advice for newly diagnosed: why talking really helps13:15 Navigating relationships and finding people who understand14:45 Creating community: a virtual space for men with MS16:52 Final advice: understanding your body and adapting over time
Connect with Steve and learn more about his work
Stay up to date on the Might Spoons virtual pub for men with MS
New to Overcoming MS? Learn why lifestyle matters in MS - begin your journey at our 'Get started' page
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MS disability benefits in the US: when to apply and how to prepare | S8E12

Navigating disability benefits with multiple sclerosis can feel overwhelming – especially when symptoms are invisible, fluctuating and difficult to measure. 
 In this episode, Social Security disability attorney Nancy Cavey speaks to Overcoming MS Program Facilitator Vickie Hadge to explore how MS is assessed in disability claims, when to consider applying, and what steps you can take early to strengthen your case. From documenting symptoms and functional impact to understanding how work, fatigue and cognitive changes are evaluated, this conversation offers practical guidance grounded in real-world experience. 
 You’ll also learn what to expect from the application process, common mistakes to avoid, and why planning ahead – financially and medically – can make a significant difference. 
 This episode focuses on the US disability benefits system, but many of the insights around documenting symptoms, planning ahead and advocating for support may still be helpful wherever you live. 
Watch this episode on YouTube. Keep reading for the topics, timestamps, and our guest’s bio. 
02:11 Nancy’s story – why she specializes in disability law 03:20 When MS symptoms start affecting your ability to work 04:12 How to document MS symptoms for stronger evidence 07:35 How MS disability claims are assessed step by step 10:52 What happens after a disability claim is denied 11:40 Proving fatigue and cognitive symptoms in MS claims 13:09 Can you work part-time and still claim benefits? 16:43 How mental health symptoms are considered in MS cases 19:08 Common mistakes people make when applying for disability 20:38 Workplace benefits vs government disability support explained 23:24 Financial planning for a long disability application process 24:04 Early steps to protect your future disability claim 26:18 Why your doctor’s support can make or break a claim 
Visit Nancy’s Website 
Follow Nancy on YouTube 
Listen to Nancy’s Podcast 
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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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.

Healthy habits for MS: realistic strategies that actually stick | S8E11

Making lifestyle changes with MS is one thing. Making them stick is another. In this episode of Living Well with MS, we speak with pharmacist-turned-health coach Dr Amy Behimer about why healthy habits can feel so difficult, especially when fatigue, stress and unpredictable symptoms get in the way. Drawing on her own experience of living with primary progressive MS, Amy shares a compassionate, evidence-informed approach to building habits that feel realistic, flexible and supportive in daily life.
Together, we explore the role of mindset in behaviour change, how to avoid all-or-nothing thinking, why perfectionism can backfire, and how to create routines that work on both good days and bad. If you feel overwhelmed by lifestyle change, this episode offers practical encouragement to help you start small and keep going.
Watch this episode on YouTube. Keep reading for the topics, timestamps, and our guest’s bio.
02:25 Amy’s MS journey and why habits became her focus05:05 The six areas that shape health with MS09:46 Why healthy habits are harder than they seem13:38 Building habits when fatigue and symptoms are unpredictable16:03 How mindset and emotions shape behaviour change18:29 The real secret to living well with MS22:25 Why perfectionism makes healthy habits harder to sustain25:25 Can self-talk affect day-to-day energy and symptoms?29:18 Creating flexible routines for good days and bad30:53 Common habit traps and how to avoid them33:10 Redefining health when you cannot control your diagnosis34:58 Where to start when lifestyle change feels overwhelming37:57 A simple daily practice to make change easier
Take Amy’s habit quiz
Listen to Amy’s podcast
Learn more about Amy’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.

Finding joy while living with MS | Ardra Shephard (Tripping On Air) | S8E10

What does it really mean to live well with multiple sclerosis over the long term? In this episode, we’re joined by writer, podcaster and MS advocate Ardra Shephard, creator of Tripping On Air and author of Fallosophy: My Trip Through Life with MS. Ardra shares her journey from diagnosis in her early twenties to becoming a powerful voice in the MS community.
Together, we explore the realities of visible symptoms, stigma and learning to adapt when life doesn’t go to plan. Ardra reflects on why she chose to share her story publicly, the role of humour in coping with chronic illness, and how her memoir brings honesty and vulnerability to the MS experience.
She also discusses identity, relationships, and the importance of representation through her work in podcasting and adaptive fashion.
This conversation is a reminder that while MS can be challenging, it’s still possible to build a meaningful, joyful life.
Keep reading for the key episode takeaways and Ardra’s bio.
00:00 Introduction to Ardra and her MS journey02:55 Why she shared her MS story publicly06:00 Using humour to cope with chronic illness realities09:08 Podcasting, relationships and the wider impact of MS11:55 Changing representation through adaptive fashion and media14:54 Key lesson: creating joy while living with MS
Connect with Ardra:
trippingonair.com
com/ms_trippingonair/
facebook.com/trippingonair/
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.

Bonus from the archives: Top hacks for getting into a meditation habit with Alison Potts | S2E15

Welcome to Living Well with MS podcast, where we are joined by Alison Potts. Alison is a meditation coach, wellbeing mentor, meditation teacher-trainer writer and teacher in self-care, meditation, and wellness. Largely due to her own healing journey with MS, she is passionate about teaching the power of cherishing our individuality and intuition, sharing practices to connection to our innate states of freedom, healing, creativity, spontaneity and joy. 
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.
01:24 Tell us about yourself and your with MS and the Overcoming MS program 
07:17 What is your relationship to meditation? What’s Innate Being? 
18:36 What are the main obstacles you find people face in getting into a regular meditation practice? 
23:14 Tips for getting into good meditation practice? 
33:28 Top hacks for getting into the meditation groove and making it a healthy habit 
44:27 Alison conducts a mini guided meditation (5m) 
52:42 Any final words of wisdom or thoughts on embracing a meditation practice? 

Plant-based diets and MS: the science of food, inflammation and the gut microbiome | S8E9

What role can diet play in autoimmune health, and what does the science say about plant-based eating and multiple sclerosis?
In this episode of Living Well with MS, we speak with Dr Elizabeth George, a board-certified family physician and co-founder of the Healthy Eating Adventure programme. With more than 40 years of experience in preventive care, she shares why she began exploring the impact of diet on chronic disease and autoimmune conditions.
The conversation explores the growing research linking whole-food plant-based diets, inflammation and the gut microbiome. Dr George explains how fibre-rich plant foods support beneficial gut bacteria, which produce compounds that help maintain gut health and influence immune function.
We also discuss practical ways people can start eating more plant-based foods, the importance of community support when making lifestyle changes, and how to have constructive conversations about diet with healthcare professionals.
Keep reading for the key episode takeaways and Dr George’s bio.
02:38 – Why a family physician turned to plant-based medicine05:22 – The community experiment that launched a 28-day plant-based programme09:53 – Can plant-based diets influence autoimmune conditions like MS?11:42 – Gut microbiome, fibre and the link to inflammation14:26 – Why most doctors receive little nutrition education in training16:08 – Real patient stories of lifestyle change and chronic disease improvement18:37 – Simple ways to start eating more whole plant foods20:45 – How community groups help people sustain lasting lifestyle changes24:38 – Talking to your doctor about diet and lifestyle choices27:48 – Making plant-based cooking easy, enjoyable and family-friendly
Connect with Dr Elizabeth George
Follow Dr George on Facebook
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.

Webinar Highlights: the evidence behind diet and MS – foods to eat and avoid | S8E8

What role can diet play in supporting brain health and living well with multiple sclerosis?
In this episode of Living Well with MS, we explore the evidence behind the Overcoming MS diet recommendations and how small, consistent changes to the way we eat can support long-term health. Overcoming MS Program Facilitator and nutritionist Karen Lee explains the research linking diet quality with MS outcomes and introduces the principles behind the Overcoming MS dietary approach.
Karen is joined by fellow Program Facilitator and health coach Ingrid Adelsberger, who shares her personal experience of following the program for over a decade. Ingrid reflects on the practical realities of adapting to a new way of eating, from navigating label reading and meal planning to finding family-friendly recipes that make the diet sustainable.
Together, they explore why the Mediterranean-style dietary pattern underpins the Overcoming MS diet, how reducing saturated fat may support brain health, and why consistency matters more than perfection when making lifestyle changes.
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 this episode on YouTube. Keep reading for the topics, timestamps, and our guest’s bio.
00:00 Introduction to the Overcoming MS diet01:34 Overview of the Overcoming MS Program and lifestyle pillars05:35 Why diet matters in MS and the research behind diet and multiple sclerosis16:02 What a brain-healthy Mediterranean-style diet looks like23:54 Ingrid’s journey and creating the Overcoming MS cookbook31:58 Q&A: common questions about the Overcoming MS diet33:27 Whole grains, gluten and choosing healthier options35:27 Managing weight and getting enough calories on a plant-based diet37:30 Flaxseed oil, omega-3s and possible alternatives39:29 Supporting bone health and osteoporosis with diet and lifestyle42:45 Diet research in primary progressive MS44:12 Processed vs ultra-processed foods
Check out the Overcoming MS cookbook
Discover hundreds of Overcoming MS friendly recipes
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.

Working with multiple sclerosis: fatigue, disclosure and finding balance | S8E7

How do you build a sustainable career with multiple sclerosis? In this episode of Living Well with MS, Heather Carrasco shares how her diagnosis reshaped her relationship with work, rest and self-advocacy.
Diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS in 2023 – though her symptoms likely began years earlier – Heather reflects on navigating the US healthcare system, learning to manage fatigue at work, and deciding whether to disclose her diagnosis professionally.
She also shares how discovering the Overcoming MS Program and finding community helped her move beyond denial and make sustainable lifestyle changes.
This episode will resonate with anyone adjusting to life after an MS diagnosis, managing invisible symptoms like fatigue, or trying to create a healthier balance between career and wellbeing.
Keep reading for the key episode takeaways and Heather’s bio.
02:12 Early symptoms, delayed diagnosis and navigating healthcare in the US06:18 Explaining MS to others – invisible symptoms and describing fatigue08:28 Discovering Overcoming MS and deciding to attend a retreat09:51 The Overcoming MS retreat experience and finding community12:02 Work–life balance, rest and putting yourself first15:13 Diet, sustainable change and mindset shifts16:28 Mental health, therapy and mindfulness17:57 Support systems, disclosure at work and psychological safety21:59 Advice for the newly diagnosed
Register your interest in an Overcoming MS retreat
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

Bonus from the archives: A Guide to the Fasting Mimicking Diet | S8 Bonus

We are pleased to welcome Dr Valter Longo to this episode of Living Well with MS. Dr Longo is the scientist behind the Fasting Mimicking Diet. He is a bio-gerontologist and cell biologist serves as a professor at the USC Davis School of Gerontology and as the director of the USC Longevity Institute. He is the creator of the fasting-mimicking diet, a program that claims to mimic the effects of periodic fasting. To read Dr Longo’s full bio, click here. 
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.
02:08 Today’s rising fascination with fasting diets 
03:50 Main differences between the fasting-mimicking diet and other fasting diets 
05:03 Diving into blue zones, where a higher percentage of the population lives to 100 
06:55 The correlation between the centenarians and people who are fasting  
11:04 Does fast mimicking help people with MS live better and longer? 
14:03 The different types of fast-mimicking diets including 5:2, 16:8 and occasional water fasting 
24:54 What should we eat between fasts? 
29:28 What is the ProLon diet, and for those on a budget, how can peopel get some of the benefits on their own?