Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

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
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Don’t miss out:
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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:
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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, 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:
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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, 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.

Dance for MS with Tiffany Stott and Emily Davis of the Scottish Ballet | S7E19

In this episode of Living Well with MS – the podcast where we explore how lifestyle choices and evidence-based approaches can help people live full and healthy lives with multiple sclerosis – we look at the surprising benefits of dance with Tiffany Stott and Emily Davis from Scottish Ballet.  
Tiffany leads Scottish Ballet’s Dance Health Programmes, and Emily recently completed her PhD on Elevate – a dance programme created specifically for people with MS. What makes Elevate stand out is its inclusivity: whether you’re seated, standing, brand new to dance or have years of experience, the classes are adapted so everyone can take part. 
 Join us as we explore how the arts and science come together to support people with MS, and why dance might be one of the most uplifting ways to live well. 
Topics and Timestamps:
01:00 Introduction to Dance for MS 
01:57 Scottish Ballet’s health programmes 
05:47 How the Elevate programme was developed 
10:52 The research and evidence for Dance and MS 
15:02 What a class looks and feels like 
20:49 Emily’s PhD findings on Elevate 
24:48 Overcoming barriers to participation 
27:45 Benefits of dance for MS 
30:48 How to get involved with Elevate
More info and links:
Learn more and join an Elevate Dance for MS class 
Read Emily Davis’ research on Dance 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 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.

The Essential Guide to Navigating the Patient’s Journey with Brenda Snow | S7E18

In this inspiring episode of Living Well with MS, we’re joined by the incredible Brenda Snow. Brenda is a business leader, patient advocate, and the author of Diagnosed: The Essential Guide to Navigating the Patient’s Journey. Living with multiple sclerosis herself, Brenda opens up about the realities of life with a chronic condition – from the early phases of grief and anger to ultimately finding acceptance and purpose. She shares how patients can stay connected to their identity, seek support, and even turn anger into positive action. 
Whether you’re newly diagnosed or years into your MS journey, Brenda’s insights will leave you feeling understood, supported, and empowered. 
Watch this episode on YouTube here. Keep reading for the topics and timestamps.
Topics and timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to Brenda Snow and her journey with MS. 
08:28 Writing her book, ‘Diagnosed’: How Brenda turned personal experience into a guide for others. 
15:30 Before the diagnosis: understanding the confusion and challenges of the early phase. 
22:57 How to channel anger into action. 
28:48 Supporting the supporters, why care partners need care too. 
More info and links:
BrendaSnow.com
Snow Companies 
Brenda’s 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:
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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 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.

Webinar highlights: Ask Aaron – Your opportunity to speak to a Neurologist about living well with MS | S7E17

In this special episode of Living Well with MS, we’re sharing highlights from our ‘Ask Aaron’ webinar, recorded in front of a global audience. Our guest is the dynamic and much-loved Dr Aaron Boster – a board-certified neurologist specialising in multiple sclerosis.
Dr Boster answers a wide range of thoughtful, practical questions submitted by the Overcoming MS community. From medications and MRI scans to functional mushrooms, vitamin D, menopause, and lifestyle changes, he covered it all with his trademark clarity and energy.
If you’ve ever wished you could sit down with a neurologist who really understands MS, this episode is for you.
Topics and timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and introduction
02:53 Understanding patient support in MS care
05:43 Symptom management and treatment options
08:41 Blood tests and regular health monitoring
11:44 Drug trials, research, and what’s on the horizon
15:52 MRI insights and tracking disease activity
18:46 Remyelination and alternative therapies
21:51 Women’s health, menopause and MS
24:42 Long-term management strategies
27:49 Diet, lifestyle, and the power of habit
30:36 The value of community and support networks
33:47 Final thoughts and closing remarks.
More info and links:
Listen to other episodes featuring Dr Boster
Check out Dr Boster’s popular YouTube channel covering all aspects of MS
Learn more about Dr Bove’s work on menopause and 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 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.

Understanding the latest evidence with neurologist Dr Agne Straukiene | S7E16

In this episode of Living Well with MS, we’re joined by Dr Agne Straukiene, a neurologist, researcher and MS specialist who advocates for proactive, lifestyle-based MS management. Dr Straukiene is also the host of the Bee Well with MS podcast, where she shares expert insights to support people living with MS.
Together, we explore why understanding your symptoms, using digital self-management tools, and making sustainable lifestyle choices can make a meaningful difference to your wellbeing. Dr Straukiene also shares highlights from the latest research and offers practical tips for preparing for clinical appointments.
Topics and Timestamps:
01:59 Dr Straukiene’s journey into MS care
03:57 Why self-management matters
06:41 Using digital tools to track and manage MS
11:21 Recognising and understanding symptom patterns
15:47 How to prepare for clinical consultations
22:33 Lifestyle interventions and their impact on MS
29:47 About the Bee Well with MS podcast
37:06 Latest research into lifestyle and MS outcomes
40:33 Managing progressive MS
43:29 Where MS research is heading next.
More info and links:
Listen to S6E6 Advanced cell therapy for progressive MS with Dr Stefano Pluchino
Listen to Bee Well with MS with Dr Agne Straukiene
Learn more about Blue Zones which have the most centenarians per capita
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.

Webinar highlights - All things Overcoming MS Q&A with Dr Jonny White | S7E15

In this episode of Living Well with MS, where we explore ways to live a full and healthy life with multiple sclerosis, we’re sharing highlights from the final session of our Refresh with Overcoming MS webinar series – a wide-ranging and engaging Q&A with Dr Jonathan White.
Jonny is not only a practising doctor and medical advisor to Overcoming MS but also lives with MS himself. In this lively and informative session, he answers real questions from the Overcoming MS community, covering everything from vitamin D, diet and symptom management to hormone replacement therapy, relapse vs progression, takeaway choices, fatigue and more.
Whether you’re just starting out with the Overcoming MS lifestyle or have been following it for years, this episode is full of warmth, relatable insight and practical advice you can use right away.
Topics and timestamps:
01:15 Meet Dr Jonathan White and discover his journey with the Overcoming MS Program
02:51 Can HRT help women with PPMS in menopause?
04:55 What takeaway food can you enjoy on the Overcoming MS diet?
06:45 Swollen feet and legs – are they an MS symptom?
07:55 Does MS shorten life expectancy? Let’s look at the facts
09:40 Should gluten and dairy be avoided with MS?
12:20 What are paroxysmal symptoms – and should you worry if they return?
14:29 Tiny amounts of oil in foods: is it okay or a deal-breaker?
16:51 What’s new in MS research?
18:47 Does menopause speed up progression? Exploring relapse vs progression
20:22 Managing progressive MS and the idea of “smouldering MS”
21:17 Is coconut syrup Overcoming MS-friendly?
21:50 What if symptoms never fully go away? Tips for living with incomplete remission
24:44 Could propionic acid help people with MS? Gut health meets cutting-edge science
27:00 Stem cell treatment: cure, hope, or hype?
29:32 Fatigue and MS: can medication help?
31:34 What does it mean to have “inactive” MS – and can it still progress?
35:05 Worried about your children getting MS? What the evidence really says.
More info and links:
Evidence for HRT for women with MS
Menopause and MS
Blog Propionic Acid and MS
Study of Propionic Acid in 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 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.

Bonus from the archive: Making the right medication choices with Dr Aaron Boster | S7 bonus

This is a bonus from the archives episode of Living Well with MS.
Navigating the range of medication choices for people with MS can be challenging. There are so many factors to consider – from effectiveness to side-effects – so we are fortunate to have Dr. Aaron Boster, an Ohio-based neurologist specializing in MS, as this episode’s guest on Living Well with MS to help demystify the myriad Disease Modifying Drugs that are presently available to manage MS. 
Topics and timestamps:
01:30 Introduction to Dr Boster  
03:31 Medication levels of efficacy 
08:22 Some of the most prescribed disease modifying therapies and how to choose one 
09:53 Making the right choice when deciding to start a new medication 
17:42 Medium and high efficacy drugs 
30:06 Do the most effective medications always have the most side-effects? 
33:10 Considering Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) 
More info and links:
Dr Boster’s YouTube channel 
Learn more about Medication for MS 
Learn more about 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 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.

MS Advocacy with Kristen Karasek | S7E14

In this inspiring episode of Living Well with MS, we’re joined by Kristen Karasek, a passionate advocate, dance teacher, and vibrant force in the MS community. Diagnosed at 24, Kristen has turned her MS journey into a mission to give back, raise awareness, and uplift others through movement and advocacy. Kristen is also the recipient of the Dorothy Corwin ‘Spirit of Life’ Award, a prestigious honour presented by the National MS Society to individuals who exemplify exceptional courage, compassion, and positivity while living with MS. This conversation explores everything from political activism to the healing power of dance, and how to find your voice as an advocate, whether in the doctor’s office or the wider world.
Topics and timestamps:
01:54 Kristen’s MS diagnosis and journey
04:33 How healthy lifestyle habits have supported Kristen
06:02 Why therapy and peer connection matter when you’re newly diagnosed
08:07 The personal power of giving back to the MS community
09:10 How to get involved in State Action Days and political advocacy
11:21 The impact of dance and movement on MS symptoms
12:54 Advocating for the right healthcare team
14:32 How to advocate for yourself during appointments
15:33 What winning the Dorothy Corwin Spirit of Life Award meant to her
17:20 Kristen’s advice for those newly diagnosed with MS.
More info and links:
Kristen’s dance studio
Book: Multiple Sclerosis for Dummies
The Pacific Neuroscience Institute where Barbara Giesser, MD practices
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.