Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

Bonus from the archives: Top tips for Overcoming MS-friendly holiday meals with Ashley Madden | S7 bonus

The holidays will soon be upon us, and we all know food is a big part of the fun. This time of year presents the temptation of delicious meals whose ingredients don’t always fit the dietary guidelines Overcoming MS recommends.  
On this episode of the Living Well with MS podcast we are pleased to welcome Ashley Madden, a full-time food lover and health enthusiast. She’s also a pharmacist, plant-based chef, certified holistic nutrition consultant and food photographer.
Topics and timestamps
02:03 About Ashley and her passion for cooking 
03:26 How long have you been following Overcoming MS?  
05:20 Has it been challenging to switch to the Overcoming MS diet?  
09:14 Best tips for making the transition to the Overcoming MS diet easier 
11:53 Tips for making Overcoming MS-friendly holiday meals for large groups and smaller more intimate gatherings? 
21:28 Special tips or meal ideas for holidays 
31:37 Making Overcoming MS-friendly puddings and desserts 
35:14 Top cooking advice when following an Overcoming MS compliant diet 
More info and links:
Read Ashley Madden’s food blog 
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.

Adaptive world champion Francis Loye talks fitness competitions with MS | S7E25

In this episode of Living Well with MS, we meet adaptive world champion athlete Francis Loye, a Northern Ireland-based father of three who lives with MS.  
Francis was diagnosed in 2021 after experiencing symptoms on a cycling holiday. Since then, he has transformed his life: following the Overcoming MS program, connecting deeply with community, and competing at the very highest level in hybrid and adaptive sport. From the Hyrox World Championships to the gruelling Mallorca 312 endurance race, Francis has shown what’s possible when determination meets lifestyle-led wellness.  
This conversation is full of honesty and inspiration – whether you’re newly diagnosed, returning to exercise, or curious about what adaptive sport looks like in practice.  
Watch this episode on YouTube. Keep reading for the topics and timestamps. 
Topics and timestamps
00:43 Francis’s MS journey: diagnosis, fear, acceptance and choosing empowerment 
04:17 Discovering Overcoming MS: a lifeline of hope 
06:23 Discovering the power of community 
07:59 Adapting lifestyle: challenges and triumphs 
11:04 Family health: balancing MS and parenting 
13:40 The Retreat experience: vulnerability and connection 
16:32 Understanding hybrid and adaptive athletics 
20:01 Training regimen: balancing endurance and strength 
25:29 Winning the Hyrox World Championships 
29:19 Diet and nutrition: balancing performance and health 
31:38 Advice for the newly diagnosed: finding peace and community 
More info and links
Connect with Francis on Instagram 
Francis was on the Overcoming MS Webinar Physical Activity and MS 
Learn more about Joe Dispenza’s work 
Check out the Hyrox adaptive divisions 
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 - Diet in MS: what the evidence tells us | S7E24

In this episode of Living Well with MS, Dr Jonathan White is joined by Dr Stephen Simpson-Yap, Senior Research Fellow at the Neuroepidemiology Unit (NEU) in Melbourne, Senior Research Fellow at the Neuroepidemiology Unit (NEU) in Melbourne, focusing on multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune conditions.
Together they unpack the complex relationship between diet and MS: why diet research is so challenging, what the current evidence tells us, how different MS diet programmes compare, and where the science is heading next. Steve explains how epidemiologists study diet, what makes high-quality research so difficult, and why large, long-term studies like HOLISM and the UK MS Register are so important to people with MS.
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.
You can watch this episode on YouTube. Keep reading for the topics and timestamps.
Topics and timestamps
01:53 How diet might influence MS risk, progression and disability
04:24 Why diet research is so hard
07:31 Inside a diet study – what it really takes to measure what people eat
11:27 Comparing MS diets (Overcoming MS, Whals, Best Bet, and more.)
15:06 How researchers actually study diet in MS
24:54 What we know so far Key findings from existing diet studies,
28:02 The future of diet research for MS and how large data sets could change everything
33:35 What this means for people with MS  
More info and links
Learn more about the NEU
Read NEU research papers about MS
Hear more research in S3E11 NEU: What’s on the research horizon with Associate Professor Sandra Neate
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: The Overcoming MS diet in a nutshell with Sam Josephs (part 2) | S7 bonus

In this episode of the Living Well with MS podcast we continue the discussion on diet as a key pillar of the Overcoming MS Program, and how to integrate the Overcoming MS diet dos and don’ts into one’s daily routine with nutritional therapist and Overcoming MS Facilitator Sam Josephs as our guest.
Topics and timestamps:
01:25 Getting started with the Overcoming MS diet 
05:41 Is fasting worth trying? 
06:04 The 5:2 diet for fast-mimicking effect  
10:54 Is there a connection between gluten and multiple sclerosis? 
17:18 Tips on making cooking easier for people following the Overcoming MS diet 
More info and links:
Part 1 of ‘The OMS Diet in a Nutshell’ is also available here
Learn more about diet as a key pillar of the Overcoming MS program 
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, please support the ongoing work and podcasts from Overcoming MS by leaving 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.

Ask Jack: plant-based recipe substitutions | S7E23

Welcome to Living Well with MS, the podcast that empowers you to take control of your health and wellbeing.  In this episode we welcome Jack McNulty, professional cook and longtime follower of the Overcoming MS Program. Jack tackles plant-based recipe substitutions, answering community questions and sharing practical advice to help you adapt your favourite recipes while following the Overcoming MS diet.
Keep reading for the topics and timestamps.
Topics and timestamps
01:00 Introduction to cooking with MS
01:44 Understanding the Overcoming MS diet pillar
03:47 Substituting dairy: a functional approach
10:33 Exploring vegan butter alternatives
15:35 The complexity of egg substitutes
25:09 Meat alternatives: flavour and texture
37:12 Replacing coconut milk in recipes
39:48 Buttermilk substitutes and cooking oils
45:15 Using cashew cream and final thoughts
More info and links
Listen to the other Ask Jack episodes
Connect with Jack at Vegan Weekly
Read the Overcoming MS books including the cookbook and handbook
Listen to Karen Lee’s episodes on the Overcoming MS diet</li
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, please support the ongoing work and podcasts from Overcoming MS by leaving 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.

Thriving through 40 years with MS with David Peimer | S7E22

What does it take to live well with MS for more than 40 years? For professor and theatre maker David Peimer, the answer lies in resilience, curiosity, and transforming anger into creative energy.
In this powerful and deeply reflective episode of Living Well with MS, David shares how he went from being given just four years to live to building a successful global career – teaching, directing, and writing award-winning plays – while following the Overcoming MS Program.
With honesty and humour, David explores how diet, stress management, and self-understanding helped him rebuild his health and his life. His story is a testament to hope, perseverance, and the belief that, even when faced with MS, we can learn to surf the wave rather than be swept away by it.
Watch this episode on YouTube here. Keep reading for the topics and timestamps and David’s bio.
Topics and timestamps
02:02  David’s early MS journey and life-changing diagnosis06:09  Facing paralysis, fear, and the turning point that sparked hope11:48  How reading Judy Graham and following the Swank diet changed everything17:43  Managing stress and anger: finding calm in chaos23:16  Inside the Copaxone trial: early experiences with MS treatment29:19  Rebuilding purpose through creativity and compassion34:51  The power of community and connection40:10  David’s advice for anyone newly diagnosed
More info and links
Learn about Judy Graham and her books
The history of Copaxone, the first DMT for MS
Learn more about David’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:
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, please support the ongoing work and podcasts from Overcoming MS by leaving 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: Overcoming MS is possible with Professor George Jelinek | S7 bonus

Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Living Well with MS podcast, where we are pleased to welcome Professor George Jelinek as our guest! Professor Jelinek is the founder of the Overcoming MS program and was, until recently, the head of the Neuroepidemiology Unit at the University of Melbourne. In this episode, he discusses how extensive scientific research is illuminating new ways to help people with MS live better and healthier lives through changes made to their diets and lifestyles. 
Watch this episode on YouTube here.
Topics and timestamps
00:10 Geoff’s journey with MS 
01:15 Starting The Living Well with MS podcast 
01:48 Introduction of Professor Jelinek 
03:22 Professor Jelinek’s MS diagnosis 
05:22 Roy Swank’s research paper on diet and MS 
11:45 Overview of Overcoming MS 
14:30 Mindfulness based meditation, is there any science to it? 
22:12 Prevention tips for people with MS who have children 
27:55 Will lifestyle factors enter the mainstream treatment? 
31:15 Impact of diet on multiple sclerosis 
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, please support the ongoing work and podcasts from Overcoming MS by leaving 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.

Poetry and MS with Nurse Educator Josie Crawley | S7E21

In this episode of Living Well with MS, we’re excited to welcome Josie Crawley – poet, professor of nursing, and Overcoming MS community member. Josie has been living with MS for over 20 years, and she shares how poetry, exercise, honesty and joy help her navigate life with resilience and humour.
From the challenges of walking to the meditative calm of swimming, from embracing “JOYMO” (the joy of missing out) to choosing self-kindness over comparison, Josie’s reflections are moving, practical and full of wisdom for anyone on their own MS journey.
If you’d like to read any of Josie’s poems mentioned in this episode, you can find them here: A collection of poems by Josie Crawley
You can watch this episode on YouTube here. 
Topics and timestamps
00:00 Meet Josie Crawley and discover her journey with MS
05:42 The healing role of poetry in life with MS
09:09 Family, career and adapting to life with MS
16:03 How Josie discovered the Overcoming MS Program
18:46 Ageing with MS: acceptance and challenges
21:25 Why swimming and walking are Josie’s meditations
25:24 Finding joy and (challenge) in walking
28:15 Finding balance in life with MS
31:22 Navigating medication and treatment options
35:10 Balancing privacy and disclosure in work
More info and links
Read Josie’s scientific research on Research Gate or by using her Orchid ID 0000-0003-1011-3335   
This PDF contains a selection of Josie’s poetry referred to or about content discussed in this episode. You are welcome to share these poems, but please acknowledge Josie as the author, and the source if published. 
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, please support the ongoing work and podcasts from Overcoming MS by leaving 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 – Physical activity with Dr Robert Motl | S7E20

In this episode of Living Well with MS, we’re sharing highlights from a popular webinar on physical activity. Overcoming MS Program Facilitator Heather O’Neil hosts a fascinating conversation with renowned researcher Dr Robert Motl and community members Francis Loye and Duarte Valente. Together, they explore the science and lived experience behind why moving your body matters when you live with MS.
Watch this episode on YouTube. 
Topics and Timestamps:
02:46 Why exercise is ‘medicine’ for MS
05:50 Cells to society: how activity helps at every level
11:55 Personal experiences: community members share their stories
17:38 Overcoming challenges: motivation and mindset
23:38 Q&A: including questions on fatigue and the best types of exercise
29:25 Practical tips for starting and maintaining an exercise program
35:35 Final thoughts and encouragement to get started and keep going
More info and links:
Listen to S6E18 The latest research in exercise for MS with Dr Robert Motl
Listen to S7E10 A quick guide to the Overcoming MS Program with Heather O’Neil
Learn more about the exercise pillar of the Overcoming MS 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 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, please support the ongoing work and podcasts from Overcoming MS by leaving 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: The Overcoming MS guide to getting fit with Véronique Gauthier-Simmons | S7 bonus

In this episode of the Living Well with MS podcast we are pleased to have Véronique Gauthier-Simmons as our guest! Originally from France and now residing in Portugal, Véronique was diagnosed with MS at the age of 34, but through the Overcoming MS Program and her love of exercise found a way to make staying fit a meaningful part of her life. She now helps others do the same as an Overcoming MS facilitator and qualified yoga instructor and yoga therapist. 
Watch this episode on YouTube here. 
Topics and timestamps
05:30 Véronique’s yoga business, Taming the Walrus 
07:22 How do you decide which exercise is right for you? 
12:54 Should one stay within their comfort zone, or push their boundaries? 
16:25 What kind of exercises can you do if not fully mobile? 
18:59 Between watching exercise videos or taking a fitness class, which is better? 
More info and links:
You can learn more about Véronique’s professional background here.
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, please support the ongoing work and podcasts from Overcoming MS by leaving 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.