Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis
Welcome to Living Well with MS, the podcast from the Overcoming MS charity. In each episode, your host Geoff Allix explores a different aspect of the Overcoming MS Program in greater depth by talking with experts and people with MS about health lifestyle changes. New episodes are published on Wednesdays and feature interviews with scientists, neurologists, fitness specialists, diet experts, stress reduction professionals. The podcast also features inspirational, real-life stories from people with multiple sclerosis following the Overcoming MS program, about the challenges and victories of managing symptoms through lifestyle modification.
Listen on:
Episodes
Wednesday Sep 08, 2021
Wednesday Sep 08, 2021
On this episode of Living Well with MS, we dive into what’s happening at the forefront of MS research with the guidance of Dr Michael Kornberg, Associate Director of the Neurology Residency Program and Assistant Professor of Neurology at the world-renowned Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.
Watch this episode on YouTube here. Keep reading for the key episode takeaways.
Topics and Timestamps:
02:30 What are your areas of research interests?
06:51 Is it possible that someone with progressive MS, that there could be some level of reversal of their symptoms?
10:22 Overcoming MS is a lifestyle charity, which includes medication as well. It also will look at diet, exercise, mindfulness. Do you think that diet has a meaningful effect on the progression and the immediate lifestyles of someone with MS?
17:41 Fasting isn't a pillar of Overcoming MS. Is introducing ketosis through fasting something that may help people with MS?
23:26 How can a pregnancy affect someone with MS?
29:56 Is there an elevated risk for children of people with MS being diagnosed themselves?
37:33 Is there anything on the horizon such as a new treatment or recommendations to people with MS?
43:07 Are some vaccines safer than other vaccines? Would you encourage people generally to get vaccinated if they're on a disease-modifying therapy?
Want to learn more about living a full and happy life with multiple sclerosis? Sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips.
More info and links:
Dr Kornberg’s LinkedIn profile
Dr Kornberg’s PubMed bibliography
Dr Kornberg’s lab website
Dr Kornberg’s Johns Hopkins profile
New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory 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 episodes here. If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review.
Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org.
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 support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, we would really appreciate it if you could leave a donation here. Every donation, however small, helps us to share the podcast with more people on how to live well with MS.
Monday Aug 30, 2021
Monday Aug 30, 2021
Welcome to the Living Well with MS Coffee Break, where we are pleased to welcome Julie Pankhurst as our guest! Julie lives in Surrey, England. She lives with MS and follows the Overcoming MS program.
Watch this episode on YouTube here. Keep reading for the key episode takeaways.
Topics and Timestamps:
01:27 Can you tell us a little about yourself, your family, and your life?
02:16 How about your experience with MS? When were you diagnosed and how did you initially cope with it?
14:36 At which point did you come across the Overcoming MS program?
17:37 You used to be a vegetarian and then a pescatarian pre- Overcoming MS for over 15 years. Did that help you adjust to the Overcoming MS diet?
23:14 You have an interesting daily fitness regimen. Tell us about Zoom yoga.
26:05 Your charitable trust is one of the supporters of this podcast, for which we’re very grateful. Why is philanthropy so important to you and why did you decide to support Overcoming MS?
29:47 Why was it important for you to offer philanthropic support to Overcoming MS, and what advice would you give to others about supporting Overcoming MS?
33:26 Your hobby, exploring family ancestry, is connected to the successful internet company you and your husband launched. Can you share a little more about your genealogical bug?
39:31 You’ve been vaccinated but the DMT you’re on has had a strange effect on your antibodies. Can you speak to that and share your thoughts on what it might mean to our audience?
45:16 What tip would help people ease into and better adopt the Overcoming MS program?
Want to learn more about living a full and happy life with multiple sclerosis? Sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips.
More info and links:
Follow Julie on Twitter
Check out other Twitter feeds Julie loves: Dr. Aaron Boster, Dr. Brandon Beaber, and Prof. Gavin Giovannoni
Julie loves the yoga website Taming the Walrus, run by Overcoming MS facilitator Veronique Gauthier-Simmons
Julie gets great health tips from Dr. Chatterjee
New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory 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 episodes here.
If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review. Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org.
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 support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, we would really appreciate it if you could leave a donation here. Every donation, however small, helps us to share the podcast with more people on how to live well with MS.
Wednesday Aug 18, 2021
Wednesday Aug 18, 2021
On this episode of Living Well with MS, we welcome Ritu Kaur as our guest. She is creative, accomplished, and life-loving. After being diagnosed with MS, has made it her mission to educate people about MS to reduce the stigma around it and reduce undiagnosed and misdiagnosed cases. Through social media, Ritu is building a platform where people with MS and their supporters can get counseling and emotional support where they feel loved, accepted, and confident.
Watch this episode on YouTube here. Keep reading for the key episode takeaways.
Topics and Timestamps:
02:31 Can you share a little bit about your personal background and connection to MS?
05:39 You’ve been quoted as saying “through my efforts I am trying to remove the fear about MS and the taboo associated with the disease.” Can you speak to the stigma around MS you’ve witnessed?
07:37 How does what you do fit with big organizations like the MS Society? How is your work different from theirs? Has it supplemented them?
10:07 You’ve built an amazing global community of over 17k people on Instagram, why do you feel community is so important?
10:48 How has the community you’ve built made a difference in the lives of people with MS?
11:56 You’re based in India. What are the specific challenges there in terms of MS awareness and acceptance?
13:46 Is there a fear of a stigmatization with MS? Do you get treated differently in India because of having MS?
16:31 You've applied some of your marketing skills to awareness campaigns. How have those campaigns made an impact?
19:03 You host a podcast, 10 Minutes for MS. What do you think that podcasts provide to advance the cause compared to other media?
20:31 How do you find time to stay healthy and balanced given how much time you dedicate to the cause of MS awareness?
23:03 You mentioned about avoiding stress but is there anything specific that you do day-to-day to keep your mental health?
25:18 On a final note, if you look 5 or 10 years into the future, what is the greatest change or impact you would have liked to have made with the work you’re doing?
Want to learn more about living a full and happy life with multiple sclerosis? Sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips.
More info and links:
Follow Ritu and Multiple sclerosis awareness on Instagram
Read Ritu’s story as featured in Rare Revolution Magazine
Check out Ritu’s YouTube channel and Facebook page
Ritu’s podcast, 10 Minutes for MS
New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory 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 episodes here.
If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review. Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org.
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 support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, we would really appreciate it if you could leave a donation here. Every donation, however small, helps us to share the podcast with more people on how to live well with MS.
Monday Aug 09, 2021
Monday Aug 09, 2021
Welcome to the Living Well with MS Coffee Break, where we are pleased to welcome Gillian Robertson as our guest! Gillian lives in Gimentz, Switzerland. She lives with MS and follows the Overcoming MS program.
Watch this episode on YouTube here. Keep reading for the key episode takeaways.
Topics and Timestamps:
01:25 Can you tell us a little about yourself, your family, and your life?
03:09 How about your experience with MS? When were you diagnosed and how did you initially cope with it?
05:50 At which point did you come across the Overcoming MS program? Why did you decide to start following it?
07:59 What are some of the challenges you’ve faced at first in adopting the Overcoming MS program?
11:15 When did you first start to see any kind of positive indicators in following Overcoming MS guidelines?
13:20 You contribute recipes to the Overcoming MS website. What’s that experience like?
14:57 On a personal note, do you have any interesting hobbies you can tell us about?
16:02 Is there a piece of advice you can share with people new to the Overcoming MS program?
Want to learn more about living a full and happy life with multiple sclerosis? Sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips.
More info and links:
Follow Gillian on Instagram, for Overcoming MS-friendly recipe ideas, as well as photos of her cooking and life in Switzerland.
Overcoming MS-friendly recipes
Insight Timer is a free app for guided meditations
Yoga with Adriene offers free yoga videos
Gillian loves languages, and recommends Duolingo for learning a language
New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory 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 episodes here.
If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review. Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org.
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 support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, we would really appreciate it if you could leave a donation here. Every donation, however small, helps us to share the podcast with more people on how to live well with MS.
Wednesday Jul 28, 2021
Wednesday Jul 28, 2021
On this episode of Living Well with MS, our guest, Dr Gretchen Hawley, will explain neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to continually change, a sign of brain health) and how exercise can impact it, as well as share her insights on helping people with MS improve their strength, balance and mobility.
Watch this episode on YouTube here. Keep reading for the key episode takeaways.
Topics and Timestamps:
02:02 We hear a lot about new training methods, such as HIIT (high intensity interval training); is it effective for people with MS?
04:16 How long should the intensity intervals be?
05:30 If you’re doing strength training as well, should you do cardio before or after?
06:47 How does an MS-specific exercise differ from regular training?
08:07 Can you provide some examples of MS-specific exercise?
10:15 What’s the right exercise order for different types of exercises?
11:43 Is it better to do exercise like walking even if you’re having an off day and do it badly or wait till you can do it well with good form?
14:25 How do you find the motivation to exercise consistently?
19:06 Do you recommend days off from exercise?
20:47 You have an online wellness program called The MSing Link. Can you tell our audience a bit about it?
Want to learn more about living a full and happy life with multiple sclerosis? Sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips.
More info and links:
Learn more about The MSing Link
Check out Dr. Gretchen Hawley on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram
New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory 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 episodes here. If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review. Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org. 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 support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, we would really appreciate it if you could leave a donation here. Every donation, however small, helps us to share the podcast with more people on how to live well with MS.
Wednesday Jul 21, 2021
Wednesday Jul 21, 2021
Welcome to Ask Jack, featuring the prodigious culinary talents of professional holistic chef Jack McNulty answering food-related questions generated by you, our community.
In this episode, we dig into some topical questions about foods and activities that are part of every summer culinary package, and Jack makes sure to advise you on how to make sure they align with the Overcoming MS diet pillar and still taste great. Given how central a role grilling and BBQing plays in summer eating, we focus on understanding the growing segment of meat replacers and how they fit into the Overcoming MS lifestyle, plus addressing summer cooking ideas and techniques.
Topics and Timestamps:
02:23 For cooking appliances, is induction a good way to control temperature?
09:24 What is the best way to reheat foods that have some oil in or on them (roasted vegetables come to mind)? Is it problematic to microwave leftovers?
15:01 What are your thoughts about plant-based meat substitutes? Are they okay on an Overcoming MS Diet?
34:49 What are your thoughts on seafood/fish grilling and barbecuing?
42:44 What are the best types of Overcoming MS-friendly foods to bring with you to a picnic?
47:02 What are the best veggies to make on an open flame and any good tips on grilling vegetables.
51:25 Do you have any suggestions on what desserts to bring to a picnic?
Want to learn more about living a full and happy life with multiple sclerosis? Sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips.
More info and links:
Read more about induction hubs
Connect with Jack: Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory 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 episodes here. If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review. Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org. 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 support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, we would really appreciate it if you could leave a donation here. Every donation, however small, helps us to share the podcast with more people on how to live well with MS.
Wednesday Jul 14, 2021
Wednesday Jul 14, 2021
Welcome to the Living Well with MS Coffee Break, where we are pleased to welcome Joia Lewis as our guest! Joia lives in Estoril, Portugal. She was diagnosed primary progressive multiple sclerosis and follows the Overcoming MS program.
Watch this episode on YouTube here. Keep reading for the key episode takeaways.
Topics and Timestamps:
02:01 You’ve had quite an international and multicultural life, which has taken you full circle back to Portugal. Can you tell us a bit about this whirlwind trajectory?
04:27 When were you diagnosed with PPMS how did you initially deal with it?
07:30 You have had a rich career as an academic, serving as a professor of philosophy of science. And now you’re an essayist, blogger and occasional editor. How did your academic focus inform your approach to dealing with the realities of experiencing MS?
10:24 At which point did you come across the Overcoming MS program? Why did you decide to start following it?
13:33 Why did you choose to follow Overcoming MS?
15:10 What are some of the challenges you’ve faced at first in adopting the Overcoming MS program? How did you overcome them?
17:07 When did you first start to see any kind of positive indicators in following Overcoming MS guidelines? What were these?
18:45 How can people best deal with the anxieties surrounding experiencing MS symptoms?
21:27 You’ve been a valuable member of the Overcoming MS community. You’re the ambassador of the Overcoming MS Circle currently covering all of Portugal. What’s that experience like?
25:43 If there is one piece of advice you can share with people new to the Overcoming MS program, what would that be?
Want to learn more about living a full and happy life with multiple sclerosis? Sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips.
More info and links:
Read Joia’s blog post about her PPMS journey
Joia’s interview on the Women Who Walk podcast
Connect with Joia on LinkedIn
New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory 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 episodes here. If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review. Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org. 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 support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, we would really appreciate it if you could leave a donation here. Every donation, however small, helps us to share the podcast with more people on how to live well with MS.
Wednesday Jun 30, 2021
Wednesday Jun 30, 2021
On this episode of Living Well with MS, we meet David Lyons, bodybuilding champion, media personality and founder of a global fitness training program. Did we mention David also has MS? Through the MS Fitness Challenge among many other endeavors, David has dedicated his personal and professional life to helping people with MS of all abilities learn how to overcome their physical challenges and lead healthier lives.
Watch this episode on YouTube here. Keep reading for the key episode takeaways.
Topics and Timestamps:
02:31 Can you tell us a little bit about yourself, your background and anything our audience should know to get a sense of who you are?
04:06 You’re the creator of the MS Fitness Challenge. What is that?
07:21 What are the key things people with MS are missing when it comes to fitness, in your view?
11:11 Does the MS Fitness Challenge program work for people with different kinds of MS, and different levels of mobility?
13:46 How does your approach to helping people with MS improve mobility through exercise and strength training differ from other offerings out there?
15:28 If you could give someone with MS 3 quick hacks to fitness what would these be?
17:45 Why did you established the MS Fitness Challenge as a nonprofit organization?
20:44 What is the difference between the MS Fitness Challenge and your virtual personal fitness program, Optimal Body Personal Fitness?
22:09 What’s next for you in the MS fitness space? Any new programs or ideas on the horizon to enable you to reach more people with MS?
25:10 Is there fitness advice you would give to people newly diagnosed with MS? What is the best thing they could do?
Want to learn more about living a full and happy life with multiple sclerosis? Sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips.
More info and links:
Learn more about MS Fitness Challenge founder David Lyons
Check out the MS Fitness Challenge charity organization
Read David’s articles on Everyday Health
Watch a recent interview with David
Learn more about David becoming a finalist for the 2021 MS Innovation Challenge
Check out Optimal Body Personal Fitness, David’s virtual fitness training program
New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory 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 episodes here. If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review. Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org. 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 support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, we would really appreciate it if you could leave a donation here. Every donation, however small, helps us to share the podcast with more people on how to live well with MS.
Monday Jun 21, 2021
Monday Jun 21, 2021
Welcome to Living Well with MS Coffee Break, where we are pleased to welcome Rachel Knight as our guest! Rachel lives with multiple sclerosis and follows the Overcoming MS program.
Watch this episode on YouTube here. Keep reading for the key episode takeaways.
Topics and Timestamps:
01:29 Can you tell us a little about yourself, your family, and your life?
02:05 How about your experience with MS? When were you diagnosed and how did you initially cope with it?
04:48 At which point did you come across the Overcoming MS program? How was that experience for you? Why did you decide to start following it?
07:32 What are some of the challenges you’ve faced at first in adopting the Overcoming MS program?
10:00 When did you first start to see any kind of positive indicators in following Overcoming MS guidelines?
12:31 You’ve been a valuable member of the Overcoming MS community. As an example, you’re the ambassador for the Overcoming MS Circle in Hawke’s Bay. What’s that experience like?
14:06 You also test Overcoming MS-friendly recipes for our website. What does that entail?
16:14 On a personal note, do you have any unusual interests you can tell us about?
18:43 If there is one piece of advice you can share with people new to the Overcoming MS program, what would that be?
Want to learn more about living a full and happy life with multiple sclerosis? Sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips.
More info and links:
Check out Overcoming MS-friendly recipes
New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory 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 episodes here. If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review. Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org. 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 support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, we would really appreciate it if you could leave a donation here. Every donation, however small, helps us to share the podcast with more people on how to live well with MS.
Wednesday Jun 09, 2021
Wednesday Jun 09, 2021
On this episode of Living Well with MS, we are excited welcome Hana Javurkova as our guest. Hana is an Overcoming MS volunteer coordinator who started following the Overcoming MS program after being told she might have MS.
Watch this episode on YouTube here. Keep reading for the key episode takeaways.
Topics and Timestamps:
01:17 Can you tell us a little bit about yourself, your background and anything our audience should know to get a sense of who you are?
02:02 What is your MS journey?
04:44 Can you tell us a bit about your experience on the Overcoming MS program? Can you share the good and bad, what was hard and what was easy?
09:23 You’re a volunteer coordinator for Overcoming MS. What is that role about?
12:52 What kind of impact do you think the volunteers you work with make in helping Overcoming MS further its mission?
14:08 Why did you decide to dedicate so much of your volunteer energy to Overcoming MS?
16:13 If you had to provide some advice to people considering volunteering for Overcoming MS, what would it be?
18:07 Can you share any inspirational moments or experiences you’ve had as an Overcoming MS volunteer?
19:04 If there is one tip or piece of advice you can give to new members of the Overcoming MS community, perhaps something that’s served you well in your own journey, what would it be?
Want to learn more about living a full and happy life with multiple sclerosis? Sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips.
More info and links:
Hana’s favorite Instagram feeds
Dr. Gretchen Hawley
MS Diet for Life
Staying Healthy with MS
Tanya’s Living (Organic Raw Deli in London)
Amy Levin (Healthy Chocolates and Desserts)
Vegan Bowls (Vegan Recipes)
New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory 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 episodes here. If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review. Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org. 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 support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, we would really appreciate it if you could leave a donation here. Every donation, however small, helps us to share the podcast with more people on how to live well with MS.