Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

Pilates and MS: Building strength for everyone with Rachel Changer | S2E29

Welcome to the Living Well with MS podcast, where we are joined by Rachel Changer. Rachel is a Pilates instructor and neurological physiotherapist with a master’s diploma in neurological rehabilitation. 
Topics and timestamps:
01:05 Can you tell us a little bit about yourself, your background, and your experience working with people with MS? 
03:03 What is Pilates? And what are the differences between Pilates and other practices? 
08:49 What are the benefits of Pilates for people with MS? 
13:11 What are the downsides? 
14:17 How do you choose the right Pilates instructor or class? Can you do it on your own? 
17:17 How can you modify Pilates for all levels of ability? 
20:23 Does Pilates work as an online activity? Can you do it without much equipment? 
29:35 Do you have any other thoughts to encourage or inspire people for their fitness and exercise regime for people with MS? 
32:04 When following an exercise regime, when do you think that you should also check in with a medical provider, if you’ve got any symptoms that might be exercise related? 
34:32 Can you share a final thought with our audience on what motivates or inspires you as a human being?  
More info and links:
Learn more about the Neuro Academy 
Learn more about the Bridges Self-Management Programme 
Read this blog from Overcoming MSer Sarah Johnson about her experience with Pilates 
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 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 support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can 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.

Coffee Break with community member Alex Storey | S2E28

Welcome to the Living Well with MS Coffee Break, where we welcome Alexandra Storey as our guest! Alex lives with relapsing MS and is a fundraiser for the Overcoming MS charity.  
Topics and timestamps:
01:20 Can you tell us a little about yourself, your family, and your life?  
01:58 When were you diagnosed with MS and how long have you been following the Overcoming MS Program?  
10:14 Can you share a little about your culinary pastime, what it means to you, how it’s helped with MS and Overcoming MS? 
15:48 How else have you had to adapt your daily healthy habits to the new realities imposed by Covid-19?  
20:29 What are the reasons you’re helping drive giving to Overcoming MS for Giving Tuesday? 
21:42 Do you have any other tips or tricks you can share with our audience that might help them on their own health journeys?  
More info and links:
View Alex’s Giving Tuesday video 
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 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 support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can 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.

PPMS and Overcoming MS with Helen Rees Leahy- How do they fit together? | S2E27

Welcome to the Living Well with MS podcast, where we are joined by Helen Rees Leahy. Helen lives with Primary Progressive MS and follows the Overcoming MS Program.  
Topics and timestamps:
01:47 Can you tell us a bit about yourself, where you’re from, and what you do? 
03:37 When were you diagnosed with MS and how did you initially handle it? 
07:49 Can you shed some light on what PPMS is and what life is like with that specific type of MS? 
09:58 When did you discover Overcoming MS and decide to follow the program? 
15:47 How does the Overcoming MS program fit into the realities of someone with PPMS? 
18:48 What are the biggest obstacles to someone with PPMS adopting the program? 
31:41 In your own experience with both PPMS and Overcoming MS, how do you measure progress? 
35:25 How does weaving integrate with your lifestyle and affect you? 
41:38 As someone with PPMS, what can you share with others that have PPMS that motivates or inspires you?
More info and links:
Follow Helen on Instagram 
Learn more about Feldenkrais in the UK and globally 
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 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 support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can 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.

Coffee Break with community member Bron Webster | S2E26

Welcome to the Living Well with MS Coffee Break, where we welcome fellow podcast host and producer Bron Webster as our guest! Bron was diagnosed with MS in 1996 and works as a patient advocate. 
Topics and timestamps:
01:28 Can you tell us a little about yourself, your family, and your life? 
02:16 Can you describe your MS journey? 
04:41 What do you feel has made the biggest positive impact to your MS symptoms? 
06:55 What is your greatest challenge with MS? And how did you overcome that? 
09:16 I know you’re quite active in the MS community. Can you tell us how being part of this community has helped your journey? 
15:28 How have you had to adapt your daily habits to match the realities imposed by COVID-19? 
16:59 Do you have any other tips or tricks that you could share with our audience that might help them on their MS journeys?  
 
More info and links:
Listen to Bron’s podcast, The MS Show 
Visit Bron’s website, Multiple Success 
Join Bron’s Facebook group 
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 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 support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can 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.

A personal experience with MS: In conversation with BBC Radio Presenter Erika North | S2E25

Welcome the Living Well with MS podcast, and we are joined by Erika North. Erika was diagnosed with MS in 2008 and is now happy to put a spotlight on the trials and tribulations her condition brings, with a trademark sense of humor listeners of the BBC will be familiar with! 
Topics and timestamps:
01:52 Could you tell us a bit about yourself? 
03:10 Can you tell us a bit about your own MS journey when you started to have symptoms and diagnosis? 
10:09 How does an MS diagnosis affect someone in a public-facing role?  
21:22 How is the public impression of MS changing?  
26:25 How did you discover the program and how have you found adapting your lifestyle to Overcoming MS? 
33:06 Do you think Overcoming MS is a healthy lifestyle for all? 
37:11 Do you think COVID-19 has affected how you can live healthily and affected getting hold of healthy food? 
More info and links:
Visit Erika’s Twitter 
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 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 support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can 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.

Coffee Break with community member Roy Bartlett | S2E24

Welcome to the Living Well with MS Coffee Break, where we welcome Roy Bartlett as our guest! Roy is the ambassador of the Aukland, New Zeland circle and has lived with MS since 1988.  
Topics and timestamps:
01:16 Can you tell us a little about yourself, your family, and your life? 
03:30 When were you diagnosed with MS and how long have you been following the Overcoming MS Program? 
14:47 What is your favorite thing about the program? 
16:25 What was your greatest challenge in adopting the Overcoming MS program, and how did you overcome it? 
18:45 I know you’re quite active in the Overcoming MS community, and the ambassador of the Auckland Circle in New Zealand. Can you tell us how being a part of the community has informed your journey? 
19:42 How have you had to adapt your daily healthy habits to the new realities imposed by COVID-19? 
23:22 Do you have any other tips or tricks you can share with our audience that might help them on their journeys? 
More info and links:
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 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 support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can 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.

Oils and Overcoming MS: Separating facts from fiction with Jack McNulty | S2E23

Welcome to the Living Well with MS podcast, where we are joined by Jack McNulty. Jack has followed the Overcoming MS lifestyle since 2009. He has actively worked on providing recipes and information to the Overcoming MS website and was the contributing editor to the Overcoming MS cookbook. Jack is currently operating his own subscription-based website providing instruction and recipes supporting a vegan life. 
Topics and timestamps:
02:50 Are all oils bad, or are there some beneficial and healthy ones? 
12:13 Is it okay to heat oils when cooking? 
15:37 Is it okay then to cook using flaxseed oil? 
19:10 Is it true that you should never bake higher than 180°C (350°F) if you are using oil? 
29:18 There are many recipes that call for fried veggies, such as onions. How do you substitute this with a healthier alternative? 
34:33 Why do use extra virgin olive oil? Can we use any olive oil are they effectively the same thing? 
42:14 Olive oil doesn’t have the right flavor for all recipes. Are there other oils that I can use, such as rapeseed oil or hemp oil, to capture that flavor? 
44:10 What can I use instead of butter for baking? 
More info and links:
Visit Jack’s Instagram and Facebook for inspiration 
Visit Jack’s website  
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 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 support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can 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.

Coffee Break with community member Rowan Baker | S2E22

Welcome to Living Well with MS Coffee Break, where we welcome Rowan Baker as our guest! Rowan is a UK-based nurse who follows the Overcoming MS Program. She enjoys yoga and running, crafting and cooking up Overcoming MS feasts. She’s currently training towards a half marathon, on the back of a long-distance walk for an MS charity last year. She has written a number of blogs for Overcoming MS. 
Topics and timestamps:
01:15 Can you tell us a little about yourself, your family, and your life? 
02:17 When were you diagnosed with MS and how long have you been following the Overcoming MS Program? 
03:05 What is your favorite thing about the program? 
05:18 What was your greatest challenge in adopting the Overcoming MS program? 
07:33 Can you tell us a bit about being part of the Overcoming MS community and how that’s changed your journey? 
08:36 You also work for the NHS. Can you share a perspective on how that interconnect with your MS and experiences with Overcoming MS? 
10:45 How have you had to adapt your daily healthy habits to the new realities imposed by COVID-19? 
12:55 Do you have any other tips or tricks you can share with our audience that might help them on their journeys? 
More info and links:
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 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 support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can 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.

How to juice up exercise for people with MS with Trevor Wicken | S2E21

Welcome to  the Living Well with MS podcast, where we are joined by Trevor Wicken. Trevor is the founder of The MS Gym, the largest and most comprehensive platform for movement and mindset training for those living with MS and other neurological conditions. Since its inception, it has transformed the lives of thousands of people throughout the world. 
Topics and timestamps:
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? 
More info and links:
Read more about Trevor Wicken 
Learn more about The MS Gym 
Get MS Gym Free Exercise Guides 
Visit MS Gym Linktree 
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 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 support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can 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.

Coffee Break with host Geoff Allix | S2E20

Welcome to Living Well with MS Coffee Break #8, where we turn the tables and welcome Geoff Allix as our guest!   As you now know, we decided to do something a little different in expanding the range of content we produce here at Living Well with MS. To honor the community that forms the beating heart of Overcoming MS, this special series called Coffee Break features short interviews with members of the OMS community talking about their personal journeys adopting and staying on the OMS 7 Step Recovery Program, the challenges they encountered and how they overcame them, and their tips and tricks for sticking to the path that leads to better health. We hope you enjoy and learn from these intermezzos between our regular episodes, and as always, your comments and suggestions are always welcome by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org.   Bio:   To read Geoff’s bio, please click here.   Questions:   Can you tell us a little about yourself, your family, your life, where you live and anything about yourself you’d like to share? When were you diagnosed with MS and how long have you been following the Overcoming MS 7 Step Recovery Program?  What is your favorite thing about the program, namely what do you feel has made the biggest positive impact?  What was your greatest challenge in adopting the OMS program, and how did you overcome it?  What’s it like to be the host of Living Well with MS and engage with so many diverse members of the OMS and broader MS communities? Apart from hosting Living Well with MS, I know you’re quite active in the OMS community in your role as Ambassador for the OMS Circle in North Devon. Can you tell us about how that experience has informed your journey? How have you had to adapt your daily healthy habits to the new realities imposed by COVID-19?  Do you have any closing thoughts to encourage and inspire our audience?   Links:   Geoff Allix's Twitter Feed Living Well with MS OMS Circles   If you post something concerning OMS and COVID-19, especially if it’s a bit of good news during this rough patch, don’t forget to use the hashtag #positivelyOMS.   Coming up next:   On the next full-length episode of Living Well with MS, launching September 9, 2020, Geoff Allix welcomes Trevor Wicken, founder of The MS Gym, to the podcast. If you’d like to get to know how to juice up your exercise routine straight from a master like Trevor, please tune in!   Don’t miss out:   Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. You can catch any episode of Living Well with MS here or on your favorite podcast listening app. Don’t be shy – if you like the program, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you tune into the show.