Bonus from the archive: The Overcoming MS diet in a nutshell with Sam Josephs | S7 bonus

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

30:52

Jasmine is a career coach, wife, and mother who is newly diagnosed with CIDP but no stranger to fighting for her health. After years of navigating lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, Jasmine learned how to push back, speak up, and keep going. Join Martine for the season 4 premiere as Jasmine shares what it’s like to face a new diagnosis mid-journey, and why she refuses to stay silent. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

about a year ago 23:56

MP3•Episode home

Topics and Timestamps:

01:24 Sam’s journey with Overcoming MS

08:54 Basic recommendations for the Overcoming MS diet

10:26 What type of fish is included in the diet?

15:46 Tips and ideal substitutes for Overcoming MS-recommended foods

26:06 Navigating meals during seasonal holidays with the Overcoming MS diet pillar

29:46 Is chicken breast really a problem?

Bonus from the archive: The Overcoming MS diet in a nutshell with Sam Josephs | S7 bonus

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

Topics and Timestamps:

01:24 Sam’s journey with Overcoming MS

08:54 Basic recommendations for the Overcoming MS diet

10:26 What type of fish is included in the diet?

15:46 Tips and ideal substitutes for Overcoming MS-recommended foods

26:06 Navigating meals during seasonal holidays with the Overcoming MS diet pillar

29:46 Is chicken breast really a problem?

All episodes

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
All things Overcoming MS Q&A with Dr Jonny White | S7E15 40:12

9 days ago40:12

40:12

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.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
Bonus from the archive: Making the right medication choices with Dr Aaron Boster | S7 bonus 30:42

16 days ago30:42

30:42

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.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
MS Advocacy with Kristen Karasek | S7E14 19:16

23 days ago19:16

19:16

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.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
Webinar highlights – Eating Well and MS | S7E13 32:55

5 weeks ago32:55

32:55

Welcome to Living Well with MS, the podcast that empowers you to take control of your health and wellbeing. In this episode, we’re sharing highlights from a recent webinar hosted by Overcoming MS Program Facilitator and Nutritional Therapist Karen Lee. Karen is joined by plant-based chef, Jack McNulty, and Overcoming MS community members, Melody Landwehr and Jenna Cox, to explore the diet pillar of the Overcoming MS Program. From practical cooking strategies and understanding fats, to batch cooking, eating out, and overcoming early challenges, our guests share a mix of lived experience and expert insight to help you feel confident and inspired in your approach to eating for MS health. Topics and Timestamps: 01:17 Karen introduces the Overcoming MS diet pillar and describes what it involves 04:36 Jack shares his story, insights from the Overcoming MS Handbook, and practical cooking tips 19:53 Melody discusses her gradual, realistic journey into adopting the Overcoming MS diet 23:06 Jenna reflects on going dairy-free, shares a free recipe resource, and offers tips for eating out with confidence 28:58 The panel shares their go-to weeknight meals for busy days 31:15 Quick and easy snack ideas that fit the Overcoming MS way of eating More info and links: The Sensitive Foodie by Karen Lee JennaCox.co.uk Vegan Weekly by Jack McNulty Watch other webinars by Karen Lee here Listen to Jenna’s podcast episode here Listen to podcast episodes by Jack McNulty 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.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
Overcoming MS programs, courses and Living Well Live with Jake Connor | S7E12 25:55

7 weeks ago25:55

25:55

In this episode of Living Well with MS – exploring topics relating to living a full and healthy life with multiple sclerosis – host Geoff Allix welcomes Jake Connor, Service Delivery Manager at Overcoming MS, for a deep dive into the charity’s evolving support services and what it means to be part of a global MS community. From his personal connection to MS through his mother’s diagnosis, Jake shares how his journey from the corporate world to the charity sector has been driven by purpose and empathy. Jake talks through the range of Overcoming MS's evidence-informed offerings, including webinars, courses, retreats and the Live Well Hub, and the impact they have on individuals living with MS. He also introduces Living Well Live, Overcoming MS’s brand-new all-day hybrid event, designed to inspire, educate and connect the MS community both in person and around the world. Topics and Timestamps: 01:20 Meet Jake: his role at Overcoming MS and what drives him 02:51 A personal journey: Jake shares his MS connection 04:35 Finding purpose: why Jake joined the Overcoming MS team 07:39 Beyond support: the wide range of services we offer 10:33 All about the Pathway to Overcoming MS course 12:11 Awards, recognition and journal articles 13:13 Transformation at Overcoming MS residential retreats 16:33 Why our Living Well with MS webinars are so popular 18:31 Exploring community in the Live Well Hub 20:36 A new event for 2025: Living Well Live More info and links: Living Well Live Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub Events including Discover Overcoming MS Webinars Replay with Dr Rob Motl Replays with Dr Aaron Boster Replay with Dr Michelle O’Donoghue Overcoming MS Retreats Pathway to Overcoming MS Course New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page 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 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.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
Bonus from the archive: The Overcoming MS diet in a nutshell with Sam Josephs | S7 bonus 23:56

8 weeks ago23:56

23:56

In this episode of the Living Well with MS podcast we are pleased to welcome Sam Josephs as our guest. Sam is a qualified Nutritional Therapist and has worked as a retreat facilitator for Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis. In this episode, we demystify the Overcoming MS diet and provide helpful tips and tricks on how to hack the food portion of the Overcoming MS lifestyle and make it as scrumptious as possible! Topics and Timestamps: 01:24 Sam’s journey with Overcoming MS 08:54 Basic recommendations for the Overcoming MS diet 10:26 What type of fish is included in the diet? 15:46 Tips and ideal substitutes for Overcoming MS-recommended foods 26:06 Navigating meals during seasonal holidays with the Overcoming MS diet pillar 29:46 Is chicken breast really a problem? More info and links: Listen to part 2 of ‘The OMS Diet in a Nutshell’ here Learn more about Sam Josephs’ professional background Learn more about the Overcoming MS diet recommendations 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.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
Fundraising at Overcoming MS with Rob Carter | S7E11 31:54

9 weeks ago31:54

31:54

In this inspiring episode of Living Well with MS, we're joined by Rob Carter, Head of Income Generation at Overcoming MS. With over two decades of experience in the not-for-profit world – including organisations like the MS Trust and Youth Music – Rob brings strategic insight, compassion, and a deeply personal connection to his work. Rob sits down with CEO Alex Holden to explore the power of community fundraising – and how every challenge, skydive, cake sale, or regular gift fuels the future of Overcoming MS. Whether you're already fundraising or simply curious, this episode is packed with practical ideas, powerful stories, and motivation to make a difference. Watch this episode on YouTube here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Topics and Timestamps: 01:44 Rob’s journey into fundraising and his personal connection to MS 06:29 Why fundraising is essential to the Overcoming MS mission 09:35 What is fundraising and how does it work? 14:45 Real life stories from independent Overcoming MS fundraisers 18:26 Big adventures: Overcoming MS organised challenge events 20:07 Fundraising for all: ideas beyond physical challenges 21:41 How to get in touch with the fundraising team 22:30 The huge impact of regular giving 25:42 Non-financial ways to support Overcoming MS More info and links: Donate to Overcoming MS Sign up for Give as you Live Sign up for Easy Fundraising Join a fundraising event Start your own fundraiser Jane and Ian’s Door to Door Challege podcast episode New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub Visit the Overcoming MS website 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.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
A quick guide to the Overcoming MS Program with Heather O’Neil | S7E10 23:19

11 weeks ago23:19

23:19

In this inspiring and info-packed episode of Living Well with MS, we welcome the brilliant Heather O’Neil – a social worker, Overcoming MS Program Facilitator, and member of the MS community – to break down the Overcoming MS Program in a clear and relatable way. Diagnosed with MS in 2020, Heather quickly discovered the Overcoming MS Program and never looked back. With warmth and insight, she walks us through each pillar, from diet and Vitamin D to movement and mindfulness, sharing both evidence and her personal experience. Whether you're new to Overcoming MS or need a refresher, this episode is your perfect starting point to explore how the Program can empower you to take charge of your health and well-being. Topics and Timestamps: 01:54 Heather's MS journey 03:56 Discovering Overcoming MS 04:59 Becoming an Overcoming MS Program Facilitator 06:27 The Overcoming MS Diet explained 08:58 Sunlight, vitamin D and why they matter 11:49 The Overcoming MS approach to Physical Activity 14:27 Mindfulness and stress reduction 16:48 Medication as an Overcoming MS Pillar 17:48 Family health matters 19:54 Change your life, for life 21:05 How to connect with the Overcoming MS community More info and links: Join a Pathway Program Learn more about Overcoming MS Retreats Hear more from Heather on stress management New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub Visit the Overcoming MS website 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.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
Bonus from the archive: Running marathons with MS with Alex Tsirigotis | S7 bonus 27:18

12 weeks ago27:18

27:18

Most people, regardless of whether or not they have MS, may think running a marathon is, simply put, crazy. While exercise is an important part of the Overcoming MS Program , many people with MS will have symptoms that preclude them from running long distances, or indeed running at all. This Living Well with MS episode’s special guest, Alex Tsirigotis, is someone who not only runs, but has pushed his body to his limits by regularly running marathons. And the fact that he has MS is just a footnote in his story. Topics and timestamps 01:17 Alex’s symptoms, diagnosis, and experience with MS. 04:20 What lifestyle changes Alex’s diagnosis led to. 06:09 Finding out about Overcoming MS and learnings. 07:25 How long was it after you started following Overcoming MS did you start to see noticeable improvements? 09:40 Tips on implementing the Overcoming MS program. 12:39 Alex’s marathon running. 17:02 Tips for people with symptoms that can affect their ability to run. 20:10 Long-term side effects from running marathons. 21:03 What is the most important piece of advice for anyone contemplating starting the Overcoming MS program? 24:50 Reasons Alex runs marathons and what’s next. More info and links: Learn more about exercise as a key pillar of the Overcoming MS program Learn more about Alex’s running coach services. 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 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.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
Relationships and MS with Nikoma and Simone Bell | S7E09 22:16

13 weeks ago22:16

22:16

Love, resilience and real talk – that’s what today’s episode of Living Well with MS is all about. We're thrilled to welcome husband-and-wife team Nikoma and Simone Bell, authors of Marriage & MS: Embracing Life and Love Beyond the Diagnosis. Together, they open up about navigating life, love and MS – sharing practical advice on relationships, caregiving, intimacy, and creating space for honest conversations, especially in underrepresented communities. Whether you're living with MS, supporting a partner, or simply curious about how real connection thrives through life's challenges, you won’t want to miss this heartfelt and inspiring discussion. Topics and Timestamps: 01:41 Meet Nikoma and Simone. 03:09 Top tips for keeping a marriage strong while living with MS. 05:52 Support for Black men with MS. 08:37 Common struggles among care partners and how to handle them. 10:27 How to talk to young children about MS. 12:15 Keeping intimacy alive in relationships with MS. 13:12 Managing feelings of guilt and being a burden. 14:37 Staying together despite MS – defying the odds. 17:30 Talking about what can’t be seen – invisible symptoms. More info and links: Learn more about Nikoma and Simone and their work 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 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.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
Open Communication about MS with Program Facilitator Hayley Baker | S7E08 35:29

15 weeks ago35:29

35:29

Welcome to Living Well with MS – the podcast where we explore real-life experiences and practical insights on living a full and healthy life with multiple sclerosis. In this episode, we are pleased to welcome trainee Program Facilitator Hayley Baker as our guest. Hayley is an artist and educator who was first diagnosed with MS in 2019. In this open and engaging conversation, Hayley talks about the importance of honest communication, tackling sensitive topics like intimacy and taboo symptoms, and the life-changing impact of connecting with the Overcoming MS community. Topics and Timestamps: 01:32 Meet Hayley and discover her MS journey. 08:53 Becoming an Overcoming MS Program Facilitator. 10:30 The Overcoming MS Program pillars. 14:05 Hayley’s approach to the more challenging pillars. 15:39 Her approach to the Family Health pillar. 17:57 Opening up about taboo symptoms like bladder and bowel problems. 25:32 The benefits of attending an Overcoming MS Retreat. 27:11 Balancing honesty and intimacy with a partner. 32:20 Tips for someone newly diagnosed or new to the Program. More info and links: Read the Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis Handbook: Roadmap to Good Health Join an Overcoming MS Circle Listen to Sam Josephs’ podcast episodes Learn more about Overcoming MS retreats Read about managing bowel symptoms with MS Read Hayley’s blog for Overcoming MS Listen to Dr Aaron Boster’s podcast episodes New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub Visit the Overcoming MS website Don’t miss out: Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS here. Sign up for our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS. 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. Support us: If you enjoy this podcast an and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation here .…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
Finding your 8th Pillar with comedian Rabiah Coon | S7E07 38:51

16 weeks ago38:51

38:51

Welcome to Living Well with MS - your go-to podcast for making informed choices to support your health and well-being with MS! In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to welcome a very special guest: comedian and MS advocate Rabiah Coon! Rabiah joins host Geoff to share her journey with MS, how she discovered Overcoming MS through a video shoot, and why she believes that laughter should be the 8th pillar of the program. Tune in as Rabiah blends humour with honesty, offering unique insights into life with MS while highlighting the power of positivity and community. You won’t want to miss this conversation! Topics and Timestamps 01:29 Meet Rabiah and hear about her journey with MS. 02:31 Finding hope: how Rabiah discovered Overcoming MS through a video shoot. 05:13 Making lifestyle changes: Rabiah shares how she has approached change. 07:15 Transcendental meditation and mindfulness tips. 10:05 Retreat reflections: what it was like to attend an Overcoming MS retreat. 13:37 How Rabiah became a stand-up comedian. 17:17 Laughter as the 8th Pillar. 21:00 Rabiah’s passion for volunteering and the importance of giving back. 26:44 Rabiah’s top tips for the newly diagnosed. 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: Watch the Hope Reborn music video Volunteer with Overcoming MS Learn more about Overcoming MS retreats Learn more about Transcendental Meditation Listen to mindfulness podcast episodes with Phil Startin S5E14 Webinar highlights: Mindfulness and Meditation with Phil Startin S5E19 Webinar highlights: Progressive MS with Phil Startin and Helen Rees Leahy S6E21 Webinar Highlights: Reducing Stress through meditation and mindfulness with Dr Phil Startin S7E04 Webinar highlights – Stress management and mental health Join MS-UK's 8-week mindfulness based stress reduction Check out Rabiah’s Website: https://www.rabiahsaid.com Connect with Rabiah on social media https://linktr.ee/rabiahcomedy New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub Visit the Overcoming MS website 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. 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. Support us: If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation here .…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
Bonus from the archive: Building a daily meditation practice with Dr Craig Hassed | S7 bonus 41:05

17 weeks ago41:05

41:05

In this episode of the Living Well with MS podcast we are pleased to welcome Dr Craig Hassed as our guest to demystify the practice of meditation and provide very sound reasons for why you should consider meditating for its wondrous stress-relieving effects. Dr Hassed, an expert on mindfulness-based stress reduction, will also provide some commonsense tips for successfully working meditation into your daily life. Topics and Timestamps 01:59 The scientific evidence base for mindfulness. 05:57 What happens to the body under stress? 11:13 Is there a difference between chronic stress and acute stress? 14:38 Practicing mindfulness. 16:51 Should you get professional help as well as mindfulness training if you experience anxiety or depression? 19:58 Does religious faith reduce stress? 22:28 Should we keep a journal? 24:53 Is mindfulness the same as meditation? 30:35 Is it necessary to follow guided meditations? 36:15 Free online course on mindfulness. 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 meditation and stress management as a key pillar of the Overcoming MS program . 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. 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. Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org . Support us: If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation here . If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
Research on lifestyle and MS with Dr Terry Wahls | S7E06 34:03

19 weeks ago34:03

34:03

Welcome to Living Well with MS – your go-to podcast for making informed choices to support your health and well-being with MS! In this episode we are pleased to welcome Dr Terry Wahls, a respected clinical professor of medicine, researcher, and someone with lived experience of MS. Diagnosed with secondary progressive MS, Dr Wahls has dedicated her career to exploring the impact of lifestyle interventions on MS and other progressive health conditions. You can learn more about her work at terrywahls.com , or follow her on Instagram @drterrywahls, and on Facebook/Twitter at @TerryWahls. Topics and timestamps 01:30 Meet Dr Terry Wahls: her MS journey and the inspiration for her research. 07:35 Lifestyle and MS what the research really says about improving outcomes. 08:26 Various diets and their impacts on MS. 11:41 The role of dairy and its impact on MS. 13:22 The science of nutrition: what MS studies are missing and why it matters. 15:25 When will neurologists recommend a whole food diet as standard care? 20:16 Real results: practical symptom improvements through lifestyle changes. 24:42 MS in families: understanding risk and tips for reducing it. 27:46 Good stress: and how to harness it to live a longer, healthier life. 31:33 Hope in action: small powerful steps to lifestyle change. 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 about Loren Codain and the Paleo Diet Learn more about Barry Marshall’s work Get involved in a study on lifestyle and MS Attend the Dr Talks Multiple Sclerosis and Autoimmune Summit New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub Visit the Overcoming MS website 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. 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. Support us: If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation here .…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
Bonus from the archive: The world of vitamin D and other supplements with Dr Conor Kerley | S7 bonus 35:51

20 weeks ago35:51

35:51

This is a "Bonus: From the archive" episode of the Living Well with MS podcast. Many experts believe that vitamin D is a key regulator of the incidence and severity of MS, and this is one of the reasons why ensuring sufficient intake of this critical natural resource is one of the pillars of the Overcoming MS Program . So, it’s timely that this episode of Living Well with MS picks the topic apart with a guest well-versed in his own right on the topic, Dr. Conor Kerley. For more information on the latest vitamin D research and advice check out our webpage: MS & Vitamin D Deficiency | Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis Topics and Timestamps: 01:29 General importance of Vitamin D 02:18 Why is Vitamin D especially important if you have MS? 02:44 Could MS cause low vitamin D rather than the other way around? 06:01 How to measure your Vitamin D level? 08:43 What’s a healthy level of Vitamin D to have? 11:38 What type of vitamin D should I take? 12:41 Balancing the benefits of getting Vitamin D from the sun with the risks of too much UV exposure 22:22 How often do I check my Vitamin D levels? 23:12 Anything else we should know about Vitamin D? 26:12 Are there any other supplements someone with MS should consider taking? 31:52 Is taking a multivitamin tablet better than individual vitamins? 35:14 What minerals should be considered? 37:51 Any future or current research into supplements? 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 Vitamin D as a key pillar of the Overcoming MS program 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 For more information on the latest vitamin D research and advice check out our webpage: MS & Vitamin D Deficiency | Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis 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. 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. Support us: If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation here .…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
Gut health and MS with Dr Emma Short | S7E05 42:34

21 weeks ago42:34

42:34

Welcome to Living Well with MS – your go-to podcast for making informed choices to support your health and well-being! In this episode, we’re diving into the fascinating world of gut health with Dr. Emma Short, a leading gastroenterologist. She joins Overcoming MS Facilitator and Nutritional Therapist Sam Josephs to explore the gut microbiome and its impact on MS, discover healthy habits for better digestion and overall health and untangle the role of pre-, pro-, and post-biotics in gut health. Topics and Timestamps: 01:43 Introduction to gastroenterology and Dr. Short’s groundbreaking work 03:20 What is the gut microbiome and why it matters for your health 08:36 How whole foods nourish your gut and support overall well-being 13:07 The hidden dangers of ultra-processed foods on gut health 14:31 The impact of lifestyle choices on the gut microbiome 18:04 Short-chain fatty acids, leaky gut, and MS – what’s the connection? 25:36 The ultimate daily gut-friendly foods you should be eating 30:17 Prebiotics and probiotics: What they do and how to use them 31:56 The ENERGISE acronym for health and wellbeing 36:31 Expert tips for lifelong healthy habits 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 Dr. Emma Short on Instagram Read Dr. Emma Short’s book Healthy Gut, Happy You Learn more about Dr Miguel Matthias’s work New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub Visit the Overcoming MS website 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. 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. Support us: If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation here .…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

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Webinar highlights – Stress management and mental health | S7E04 37:07

23 weeks ago37:07

37:07

Welcome to Living Well with MS , the podcast that helps you make informed choices to support your health and wellbeing with MS. This week we delve into stress management and mental health with insights from Overcoming MS facilitators Yasmin Neves and Dr Phil Startin. They are joined by community members Melanie Lown and Bill Morgan, who share their personal experiences. Meditation has been shown to improve quality of life in people with MS but it’s not always easy to get going. As Phil shares, "When we run Overcoming MS retreats or events, often one of the first questions we ask the group is 'which steps in Overcoming MS do you find the hardest to adopt?' And it's always meditation." If this resonates with you, tune in to gain valuable perspectives and practical tips to help you manage stress. Topics and Timestamps: Personal experiences with stress management 00:56 Yasmin introduces herself and dives into the stress management pillar—and why it's key to thriving with MS. 05:26 Phil shares his journey as an Overcoming MS facilitator & meditation teacher and how mindfulness transformed his life. 15:36 Melanie opens up about her Overcoming MS journey and the importance of being kind to yourself while adopting the program. 21:53 Bill reflects on how his MS diagnosis led him to meditation—and why it became a game-changer for his well-being. Example practices 29:13 Yasmin explores the benefits of gratitude and heart-centered breathing for emotional resilience. 31:02 Phil discusses how slowing down during stressful times can help you regain clarity and balance. 31:47 Melanie shares her top tips for shifting out of “fight or flight” mode and finding calm. 33:59 Bill explains the power of deep breathing and how it can support both mind and body. 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: Listen to Melanie’s Living Well with MS episode S5E30 on Mindfulness and Self-compassion Overcoming MS guided meditations Listen to Sue Tibble’s Living Well with MS episode on mindfulness Learn more about John Kabat-Zinn 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. 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, you can leave a donation here .…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
Bonus from the archive: Andy McKenna is Stoked on MS | S7 bonus 43:48

24 weeks ago43:48

43:48

This is a "Bonus: From the archive" episode of the Living Well with MS podcast. In this episode of the Living Well with MS podcast we are pleased to welcome Andy McKenna, who has been living with MS without the use of MS medication since 2007. He is the driving force behind ‘Stoked on MS’ and through this, hopes to shine a light of hope on the reality of leading a healthy, productive and active existence by adopting the Overcoming MS way of life. Watch this episode on YouTube here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Topics and Timestamps 01:39 About Andy McKenna 03:32 Andy’s journey to becoming an avid mountain biker 05:31 How MS changed Andy's relationship with cycling 11:38 What limitations has your MS introduced to your active lifestyle, and how have you dealt with or overcome them? 20:00 What is Stoked on MS? 22:14 Discovering Overcoming MS and experience with a lifestyle approach to MS management 33:38 A piece of wisdom or inspiration to impart to someone newly diagnosed with MS 35:07 Professor Jelinek’s Overcoming MS book 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 Go where Learn more about Stoked on 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.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

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Pregnancy and early parenthood with MS with neuro physio Becca Mullin | S7E03 34:34

25 weeks ago34:34

34:34

Welcome to Living Well with MS , the podcast that helps you make informed choices to support your health and wellbeing. In this episode, we’re joined by Becca Mullin, a neuro physiotherapist and Pilates instructor specialising in post-partum clients with neurological conditions. Becca’s work is driven by a crucial gap she noticed while working in a busy London hospital—pregnant women with neurological conditions often lacked guidance on balancing their symptoms with the physical changes of pregnancy. Since then, Becca has dedicated her career to helping people with MS and other neurological conditions stay active—especially during pregnancy. Tune in now to learn how you can stay active and navigate pregnancy with confidence! Watch this episode on YouTube here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Questions and Timestamps: 01:36 Becca’s introduction 02:57 The difference between a regular and neuro physiotherapist 05:13 Pregnancy support for people with neurological conditions 08:08 The benefits of staying active during pregnancy 12:05 Key recommendations for pregnant people with MS 16:17 Barriers to activity and how to overcome them 21:01 Introducing NeuroNatal Pilates for people with neurological conditions 24:20 What is Pilates and how it can help with MS symptoms 28:12 Becca’s top tips for pregnancy with MS 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 Becca at uptonneurophysio.com Follow Becca on Instagram Exercise while pregnant infographic Listen to S2E29 Pilates and MS: Building strength for everyone with Rachel Changer Join the Live Well Hub New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page Facebook Instagram YouTube Pinterest Overcoming MS website Don’t miss out: Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS 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, you can leave a donation here .…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

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Webinar highlights – Healthy changes for you and your family | S7E02 38:58

27 weeks ago38:58

38:58

Welcome to Living Well with MS, the podcast that empowers you to take control of your health and wellbeing. In this episode, we welcome back health coach and Overcoming MS facilitator Laura Crowder with other familiar faces. Joining Laura, Overcoming MS Handbook co-editor Professor Michelle O’Donoghue, Circle Ambassador Vickie Hadge, and community member Ann Halstead discuss their personal journeys with Overcoming MS. Together, they explore the challenges, triumphs, and transformative power of lifestyle changes in living a full and healthy life with MS. Watch this episode on YouTube here. Keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Topics and Timestamps 01:05 Laura Crowder’s MS journey 05:15 Professor Michelle O’Donoghue’s Overcoming MS journey 17:52 Vickie Hadge’s Overcoming MS journey 23:15 Ann Halstead’s Overcoming MS journey 28:22 The science supporting a plant-based diet for other diseases 30:32 Tips on not making two separate meals 33:00 Challenges introducing Overcoming MS to the family 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: Watch the Overcoming MS Handbook webinar Read the Overcoming MS Handbook Michele O’Donoghue’s podcast episode S5E03 Vickie Hadge’s podcast episodes Season 4 Episode 1 and Season 2 Episode 13 The Esselstyn Heart Disease Program at Cleveland Clinic Join the Live Well Hub New to Overcoming MS? visit our introductory page Facebook Instagram YouTube Pinterest Overcoming MS website Don’t miss out: Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS 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, you can leave a donation here .…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

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Bonus from the archive: The science behind Overcoming MS with Dr Jonathan White | S7 bonus 35:00

28 weeks ago35:00

35:00

This is a "Bonus: From the archive" episode of the Living Well with MS podcast. In this episode of the Living Well with MS podcast we are pleased to welcome Dr Jonathan White as our guest! He is a practicing medical doctor in Coleraine, on the North Coast of Northern Ireland, who also works with Overcoming MS as a medical consultant and event facilitator. In this episode, we dig into some of the research that supports and helps advance the Overcoming MS Program. Watch this episode on YouTube here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Topics and Timestamps: 01:35 Dr. White’s Diagnosis 06:30 The science that supports Overcoming MS 11:03 Pros and cons of following the Overcoming MS Program 12:33 History of the research behind Overcoming MS 20:40 Changes between the first and second editions of Professor Jelinek’s book 28:47 Possible future changes 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: Learn more about Dr. White’s professional background Learn more about the Overcoming MS Program Get Professor Jelinek’s book on Overcoming 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, you can leave a donation here .…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
The research on lifestyle and MS with Charlie Peel | S7E01 45:48

29 weeks ago45:48

45:48

In this episode, we welcome Charlie Peel, Healthcare Partnerships Lead at Overcoming MS. With nearly two decades of experience in neurology, Charlie brings a wealth of knowledge and insight in the field of holistic MS management. Charlie joins CEO Alex Holden to explore the latest research on how lifestyle choices—like maintaining optimal vitamin D levels and fostering social connections—can positively impact life with MS. Watch this episode on YouTube here. Keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Topics and Timestamps 01:47 Meet Charlie and her unique journey that led her to Overcoming MS 05:19 Charlie shares her impactful role as Healthcare Partnerships Lead at Overcoming MS 10:52 A personal mission - why Charlie wanted to work for Overcoming MS 15:11 Dive into Charlie’s research paper on the life-changing outcomes of Overcoming MS retreats and Pathways courses 21:13 Explore the latest research in holistic management of MS 24:23 Discover the newest findings on high-dose vitamin D for MS 28:10 Autophagy’s role in remyelination 33:05 What the MS community can learn from research into other brain conditions 36:42 The power of connection - research on social connections, community and mental health 40:42 Charlie offers practical advice for anyone 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: Bee Well with MS Podcast with Dr Agne Straukiene Journal article: MS care: integrating advanced therapies and holistic management ECTRIMS webinar 2024 learn more about the Vit. D trials and more MS Brain Health Report The British Society of Lifestyle Medicine (BSLM) podcast with Dr Fraser Quin Read the studies Charlie cited in this episode: MS care: integrating advanced therapies and holistic management The D-LAY study under publication - presented at ECTRIMs Medscape Registration Results showed high-dose (100,000iUD every 2 weeks for 24 months) vitamin D3 supplementation was safe and well tolerated in CIS and RRMS (89% met 2017 McDonald criteria), and related to less disease activity in CIS The beneficial role of autophagy in multiple sclerosis: Yes or No? Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission WHO Social commission It’s time to harness the power of connection for our health and well-being The updated McDonald criteria for diagnosing MS Join the Live Well Hub New to Overcoming MS? visit our introductory page Facebook Instagram YouTube Pinterest Overcoming MS website Don’t miss out: Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS 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, you can leave a donation here .…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

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The power of lifestyle change with George Mckinty | S6E26 26:17

33 weeks ago26:17

26:17

Welcome to Living Well with MS, the podcast that empowers you to take control of your health and wellbeing. Today we are pleased to welcome community member George Mckinty as our guest! George is a bodybuilder from Wales who follows the Overcoming MS Program. He speaks with Geoff about adopting the Overcoming MS lifestyle, the unique aspects of being a man diagnosed with MS and exercise tips if you live with daily MS symptoms. Watch this episode on YouTube here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Topics and Timestamps: 01:15 George’s MS diagnosis and how he discovered Overcoming MS 04:00 Optic neuritis 05:20 Family history and genetic predisposition to MS 05:56 Adopting the Overcoming MS Program 08:27 Being a man diagnosed with MS 10:33 Accepting the diagnosis 12:02 Symptom management 13:34 Working out with MS symptoms 16:40 The 300 Challenge to support the Overcoming MS Charity 19:10 Positive outcomes from being diagnosed with MS 23:16 Tips for those just starting to adopt lifestyle changes 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 George on Instagram @GeorgeMckinty Learn more about the 300 Challenge and how you can get involved 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.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

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Top sleep tips for people with MS with sleep therapist Denise lordache | S6E25 37:47

34 weeks ago37:47

37:47

Welcome to Living Well with MS, the podcast that empowers you to take control of your health and wellbeing. Today we’re talking to Denise Iordache, a Cognitive Behavioral Hypnotherapist, who specialises in sleep and stress reduction. Because addressing sleep disturbances is important for overall health and managing MS symptoms, Denise and Geoff discuss ways to fall asleep, stay asleep and quickly fall back to sleep should you wake up in the night. Watch this episode on YouTube here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Topics and Timestamps: 01:05 Denise’s career and expertise 02:57 The mechanics of sleep and why it’s important 06:13 How much sleep do we really need? 10:00 The circadian rhythm, light exposure and the internal body clock 15:02 Sleep hygiene and the optimal bedroom setup 18:00 How to set up a bedtime routine 20:55 How to prevent waking in the night and how to fall back asleep if you do 25:15 Mindfulness and sleep 29:30 Keeping a sleep journal 32:26 Assign worry time during the day 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: Denise’s recommended relaxation techniques: Box breathing Hypnotherapy Guided editation Schedule your worry time earlier in the day Denise’s ‘Top 5 Tips’ for a stress-free bedtime: Optimise your sleep environment: Invest in quality bedding, blackout curtains, and ensure your bedroom is a comfortable haven for rest. Incorporate daily practices: Practice daily exercises such as mindfulness, meditation, self-hypnosis, or deep breathing, to manage stress effectively. Establish a consistent sleep routine: Stick to a regular sleep schedule, creating a calming pre-sleep routine to signal your body that it's time to wind down. Embrace natural light: Spend at least 30 minutes outdoors each day to benefit from natural light, positively impacting your sleep and overall well-being. Reflect regularly: Journal your thoughts and feelings, asking reflective questions to gauge your progress and make necessary adjustments. Journalling for wellbeing blog post Research discussing Ghrelin and Leptin’s connection to sleep 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.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

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Webinar Highlights: The Overcoming MS diet: healthy eating at home with Sam Josephs | S6E24 21:24

36 weeks ago21:24

21:24

Welcome to Living Well with MS, the podcast that empowers you to take control of your health and wellbeing. Today we’re sharing highlights from our webinar with Sam Josephs, a registered Nutritional Therapist and Overcoming MS facilitator. Sam’s husband was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2002 which has shaped the direction of Sam’s career and gives her the compassion and unique hands-on knowledge to support so many others with the condition. Sam gave us a brilliant breakdown of the diet pillar of the Overcoming MS Program and some great meal and snack ideas. This past webinar was recorded as part of our Refresh with OMS webinar series. Watch this episode on YouTube here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Topics and Timestamps: 01:26 Find out about Sam’s background and qualifications 02:40 What is the Overcoming MS Program? 03:59 Diving into the Overcoming MS diet pillar 09:59 How can you feed your microbiome for optimal health? 08:43 The importance of fibre 10:54 What is a wholefood? 12:23 Cooking techniques compatible with the Overcoming MS Program 14:38 Easy and healthy snack ideas 16:34 Batch cooking Overcoming MS friendly meals 19:06 The immune benefits of drinking tea 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: If you enjoyed this, why not check out one of our other podcast episodes featuring Sam: S5E8 Family friendly Foods with Sam Josephs Webinar highlights S1E4 The OMS Diet in a Nutshell (Part 2) S1E3 The OMS Diet in a Nutshell (Part 1) Overcoming MS Meal planning tool 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.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

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Ask Jack- Fermented foods | S6E23 44:06

38 weeks ago44:06

44:06

Welcome to Living Well with MS, the podcast that empowers you to take control of your health and wellbeing. We are pleased to welcome Jack McNulty as our guest! Jack is a professional cook and a longtime follower of the Overcoming MS Program. In this episode, he answers questions from the community about fermented foods. Watch this episode on YouTube here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Topics and Timestamps: 01:35 What is fermentation and how does it fit with the Overcoming MS diet? 04:17 What do you need to begin fermenting at home? 08:07 Common pitfalls and how to avoid them 11:33 Dairy-free yogurt and kefir 18:07 Making kombucha 20:33 Homemade sourdough bread from a starter 28:23 Pickling vegetables 33:28 Koji, a cultured mold to make miso and soy sauce 37:45 Making apple cider vinegar 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: Try Jack’s recipes for fermented foods here: Read Jack’s newsletter at substack.com/ 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.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
Disease Modifying Therapies with Neurologist Dr. Aaron Boster | S6E22 58:21

40 weeks ago58:21

58:21

Welcome to Living Well with MS, the podcast that empowers you to take control of your health and wellbeing. Today we’re thrilled to welcome back Dr Aaron Boster as our guest! Dr Boster is a board-certified Neurologist specialising in Multiple Sclerosis. He is a frequent guest on Living Well with MS and in this episode he’s here to talk about Medication, one of the pillars of the Overcoming MS Program. Specifically, Aaron goes into detail on a wide range of disease modifying therapies (DMTs) for MS, as well as discussing when people should start taking DMT’s, and what they should consider before they do so. There’s lots of useful information in this episode about many different DMT options – we hope you find it useful in making the right decisions for you. Let us know what you think! Watch this episode on YouTube here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Topics and Timestamps: 01:21 What are the medication choices for people with MS and how have they improved? 02:39 When should I start a DMT? 04:30 What should I consider when choosing a drug? 07:08 Alemtuzumab ( Lemtrada ) 11:14 Cladribine ( Mavenclad ) 15:05 Fingolimod ( Gilenya ) 17:13 Mitoxantrone ( Novantrone ) 18:39 Natalizumab ( Tysabri ) 21:42 Ofatumumab ( Kesimpta ) 25:01 Ocrelizumab ( Ocrevus ) 28:58 Ozanimod ( Zeposia ) 30:35 Rituximab ( Rituxan , MabThera, and Truxima) 32:34 Siponimod ( Mayzent ) 34:59 Avonex/ Betaferon/ Refib/ Extavia 37:49 Glatiramer Acetate (Copaxone) 40:07 Dimethyl Fumarate (Tecfidera) 42:38 Diroximel Fumarate (Vumerity) 43:46 Plegridy 44:45 Ponesimod (ponvory) 45:41 Teriflunomide (Aubagio) 50:14 Low-dose Naltrexone 52:07 BTK inhibitors 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 Boster was on six previous Living Well with MS episodes: S1E11: Making the Right Medication Choices S2E17: Lifestyle Choices and Their Impact on MS S3E43: Let’s Talk About Sex (and MS) S5E5 Webinar highlights from Ask Aaron with Dr. Aaron Boster S5E36 Webinar Highlights: Ask a Neurologist with Dr Aaron Boster S6E19 Webinar Highlights: Ask a Neurologist with Dr Aaron Boster Check out Dr Boster’s popular YouTube channel covering all aspects of 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.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
Webinar Highlights: Reducing stress through meditation and mindfulness with Dr Phil Startin | S6E21 32:23

42 weeks ago32:23

32:23

Welcome to Living Well with MS, the podcast that empowers you to take control of your health and wellbeing. Today we’re sharing the highlights from our webinar with the incredible Dr Phil Startin! Phil is an Overcoming MS facilitator who lives with progressive MS. He’s an expert in meditation and mindfulness and teaches Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction courses for people with MS. Phil gave us some brilliant information and really useful tips on how to meditate – it’s a fascinating listen whether you are a regular meditator or are just getting started with your practice. Let us know what you think! Watch this episode on YouTube here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Topics and Timestamps: 01:22 Phil’s background in meditation and mindfulness 03:33 The fight or flight response 04:49 How stress dysregulates our immune system 08:47 Meditation is clinically proven to help people cope with stress 10:41 Mini meditations to try throughout the day 13:49 Guided meditation 20:06 A definition of mindfulness 23:50 The benefits of awareness, including increased resilience 28:02 Mental health tips for your daily routine 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: Phil Startin has been on two other Living Well with MS episodes: S5E19 Webinar highlights: Progressive MS with Phil Startin and Helen Rees Leahy S5E14 Webinar highlights: Mindfulness and Meditation with Phil Startin Jon Kabat-Zinn's Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Dr Walter Cannon’s fight or flight response Meditation expert Ian Gawler Listen to meditation expert Craig Hassed S5E13 Meditation tips with Professor Craig Hassed S1E7 Building a daily meditation practice with Dr Craig Hassed Shannon Harvey’s film My Year of Living Mindfully or listen to her podcast episode Hardwiring Happiness by Rick Hanson 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.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
Meditation with Overcoming MS facilitator Yvette Sargood | S6E20 40:08

44 weeks ago40:08

40:08

Welcome to Living Well with MS, the podcast that empowers you to take control of your health and wellbeing. Today we’re thrilled to welcome Yvette Sargood as our guest! Yvette is an Overcoming MS facilitator and a meditation teacher who lives with MS and follows the Overcoming MS program. In this fascinating episode, Yvette talks to Geoff about meditation and mindfulness, as well as her personal journey with the MS Program, including disclosing her diagnosis to her employer and how she overcame her chocolate cravings! There’s lots of useful information and tips in this episode (including a discussion on chocolate replacements!) We hope you enjoy it – let us know what you think! Watch this episode on YouTube here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Topics and Timestamps: 01:18 Yvette’s MS and Overcoming MS journey 07:05 The progress made on DMTs and discrimination since the 1990s 09:01 The benefits to starting the Overcoming MS program even long after diagnosis 11:26 The decision to start a disease modifying therapy 14:59 Her difficulties in adopting the Overcoming MS program 16:27 Overcoming her chocolate cravings and chocolate replacements 18:51 Maintaining a healthy weight on the Overcoming MS program 20:23 The benefits of following the Overcoming MS program 22:54 Disclosing a multiple sclerosis diagnosis to your employer 26:01 Becoming an Overcoming MS facilitator 27:46 What is mindfulness and why is it important for people with MS? 32:53 Misconceptions about meditation and stress reduction 35:42 Tips for 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: Download the Headspace app for meditation Learn more about Disease Modifying Therapies for MS Listen to a podcast featuring OMSer chef Read Yvette’s article on executives and disability Learn more about mindfulness expert Jon Kabat-Zinn Join a mindfulness course with Yvette through MS-UK Become an Overcoming MS volunteer To take part in the next Pathway to Overcoming MS course email events@overcomingms.org 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.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

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Webinar Highlights: Your opportunity to speak to a Neurologist about Living Well with MS with Dr Aaron Boster | S6E19 48:10

46 weeks ago48:10

48:10

Welcome to Living Well with MS, the podcast that empowers you to take control of your health and wellbeing. Today we’re sharing the highlights from our ‘Ask Aaron’ webinar, recorded in front of a global audience, with the incredible Dr Aaron Boster. Dr Boster is a board-certified neurologist who specialises in MS, and we’re delighted to have him answering a huge range of questions from our community! From medications to MRI’s and pregnancy to cold showers, Dr Boster gave us so many brilliantly informative answers - we hope you find this episode really useful. Let us know what you think! Watch this episode on YouTube here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Topics and Timestamps: 01:49 Defining benign MS 05:05 How to get the most out of your time with your neurologist 09:32 The DMTs that help with brain atrophy 09:46 MRI’s as a way to show the rate of brain atrophy 18:20 Aubagio for secondary progressive MS 22:11 The future of Ocrevus dosing guidelines and becoming pregnant on ocrelizumab 26:31 Treating MS-relating dystonia 28:37 Treatments for MS-related bladder dysfunction 35:15 Low-dose Naltrexone for MS 39:00 The benefits of cold showers 39:38 Immune reconstitution therapies 43:22 Managing MS with diet and exercise To join us live for the next webinar or watch the original presentation head to our website overcomingms.org More info and links: Dr Boster was on five previous Living Well with MS episodes: S1E11: Making the Right Medication Choices S2E17: Lifestyle Choices and Their Impact on MS S3E43: Let’s Talk About Sex (and MS) S5E5 Webinar highlights from Ask Aaron with Dr. Aaron Boster S5E36 Webinar Highlights: Ask a Neurologist with Dr Aaron Boster Check out Dr Boster’s popular YouTube channel covering all aspects of 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.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
The latest research in exercise for MS with Dr Robert Motl | S6E18 38:21

48 weeks ago38:21

38:21

Welcome to Living Well with MS, the podcast that empowers you to take control of your health and wellbeing. Today we’re thrilled to welcome Dr Robert Motl as our guest! Dr Motl is a professor of kinesiology, nutrition and rehabilitation sciences at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He’s a top researcher in the field of exercise and physical activity for people living with MS and, in this fascinating episode, he talks to Overcoming MS facilitator Veronique Gauthier-Simmons about how much exercise is recommended for people with MS, the differences between lifestyle physical activity and structured exercise, and he explains how exercise works within the brain to slow MS progression. We learnt so much from Dr Motl, and hope it helps you kick start a new phase in your relationship with physical activity. Let us know what you think! Watch this episode on YouTube here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Topics and Timestamps: 02:09 Overview of Dr Motl’s research lab and team 03:21 Dr Motl’s interest in multiple sclerosis 05:57 Key findings over the years of the benefits of exercise for people with MS 09:32 Lifestyle physical activity vs. structured exercise for people with MS 15:03 How much exercise is recommended for people with MS? 17:39 Exercise as a disease modifying behavior 20:28 What part of the disease progression does exercise help? 22:12 Exercise’s effects on the brain 25:50 Who benefits the most from exercise? 28:42 Social prescribing of exercise for people with MS 31:16 Exercise’s effects on mood for people with MS 34:54 How to participate in future studies 36:16 The benefits of a holistic approach to MS management 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 Veronique Gauthier-Simmons Learn more about Dr Motl’s Exercise Neurology Reseach Laboratory 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. If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation here .…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

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Webinar Highlights: Resilience following Overcoming MS with Dr Rachael Hunter | S6E17 20:03

50 weeks ago20:03

20:03

Welcome to Living Well with MS, the podcast that empowers you to take control of your health and wellbeing. Today we’re sharing the highlights from our webinar on ‘Resilience following Overcoming MS’ with the fantastic Dr Rachael Hunter. Rachael is a clinical psychologist and senior lecturer in clinical and health psychology at Swansea University. She's an OMSer herself and wrote the chapter on resilience in the Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis Handbook. She gave us so much interesting information and many helpful tips - we hope you find this really useful in bringing resilience into your own life. Let us know what you think! Watch this episode on YouTube here and keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Topics and Timestamps: 00:59 Dr Hunter’s professional background and an overview of the Overcoming MS Program 04:30 What happens to the body physiologically during a stress response 06:55 Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and the fundamentals of wellness 09:37 Managing emotional wellbeing and scheduling “worry time” 14:30 Managing anxiety through self-compassion and mindfulness 17:24 The benefits of positive relationships with others 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 Rachael Hunter was featured on S4E67: ‘Building Resilience with Dr Rachael Hunter ’ Follow Dr Hunter on Facebook , Instagram and 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 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. If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation here .…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
Nutritional Therapy with Bristol Ambassador Jenna Cox | S6E16 44:07

1 year ago44:07

44:07

Welcome to Living Well with MS, where we are pleased to welcome Jenna Cox as our guest! Jenna is a nutritional therapist who lives with MS and is an Ambassador for the Bristol, UK Circle. In this episode, she talks about dairy alternatives, calcium and bone density on a plant-based diet and probiotics for the gut microbiome. Topics and Timestamps: 00:58 Jenna’s MS diagnosis 05:12 Adopting the Overcoming MS Program 09:19 Jenna’s work as a nutritional therapist 12:22 Diary-free swaps for milk, cheese and other products 15:16 Calcium and bone density on the Overcoming MS diet 21:30 Nutrition for PMS and PMDD 27:15 Probiotics and the gut microbiome for people with MS 33:31 The link between MS and cardiovascular issues, especially for women More info and links: New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub Learn more about Jenna’s work at www.jennacox.co.uk Follow Jenna on Instagram @jennacoxnutrition Check out the Overcoming MS diet recommendations Check out the Menopause and MS roundtable hosted by Dr Jonny White 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 vibrant life with MS. If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation here .…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
Webinar Highlights: Overcoming MS with ‘talkhealth’ and Dr Jonathan White | S6E15 45:22

1 year ago45:22

45:22

In this episode, we’re sharing highlights from a ‘talkhealth’ webinar: ‘TH+ Expert Webinar with Dr Jonathan White: Overcoming MS’. In the webinar, Overcoming MS medical advisor, Dr Jonathan White speaks about the evidence and benefits of the Program, his personal MS journey and making healthy changes for life. ‘talkhealth’ is a patient-centric online health community based in the UK, that provides a full range of support services. Topics and timestamps: 02:25 Intro: Jonathan’s MS diagnosis and Overcoming MS journey. 09:27 The importance of a compassionate diagnosis. 10:14 Finding hope with an MS diagnosis with a healthy lifestyle. 11:29 An overview of the Program. 12:35 How Overcoming MS can prevent other conditions. 13:14 The history of the Overcoming MS charity. 16:27 Connecting through Overcoming MS Circles. 18:39 The research behind the Overcoming MS Program. 22:41 The benefits of physical activity for people with MS. 24:53 Mindfulness and mental health. 28:21 Disease-modifying drugs for MS. 32:14 Preventing MS in family members. 39:24 How to change your life, for life. 42:13 The increase in plant-based options at stores and restaurants. More info and links: Watch the original webinar Find out more about ‘talkHealth’ Hear Jonathan on other episodes including the 100th Episode , the menopause roundtable , an introduction to Overcoming MS , Learn about creating habits with Atomic Habit by James Clear Learn about meditation from Ten Percent Happier Sign up to the 6 Months to Overcoming MS course 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. You can catch any episode of Living Well with MS here or on your favourite podcast listening app. If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you tune into the show. 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. If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation here .…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
Following and supporting Overcoming MS as a couple | S6E14 27:39

1 year ago27:39

27:39

Welcome to Living Well with MS, where we are pleased to welcome Jane and Ian Airey-Regardsoe as our guests! Jane is a member of the Southwest, UK Circle and her husband, Ian is cycling to France as a fundraising challenge, supported by Jane, to benefit Overcoming MS. They chat about adopting the Overcoming MS Program as a couple, their fundraising challenge and why they’ve chosen to support the charity. Watch this episode on YouTube here . Topics and Timestamps: 01:22 Jane’s MS diagnosis and Overcoming MS journey. 06:49 Adopting the Overcoming MS Program as a partner. 10:08 Tips for adopting the Overcoming MS Program. 11:17 How to improve low vitamin D levels. 14:53 Jane and Ian’s ‘Door to Door cycle’ fundraiser. 16:56 The impact of raising money for Overcoming MS. 18:24 How to prepare for a physical challenge. 24:03 Tips for starting your own fundraising efforts. 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: Door to Door Challenge Facts: Date: 8th to 27th September Distance: 950 miles (1,564 km) Total Ascent: 59,000 ft Total Descent: 46,400 ft Route: Holcombe Rogus, Poole, Normandy, Britanny, The Loire, Poitou-Charentes, Limousin, Midi Pyrenees View the route here Contribute to Jane and Ian’s fundraising page Follow Jane and Ian’s blog 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.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
Highly Sensitive People and MS with Psychotherapeutic Counsellor Rachel Burn | S6E13 32:17

1 year ago32:17

32:17

Welcome to Living Well with MS, where we are pleased to welcome Rachel Burn as our guest! Rachel is a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor and follows the Overcoming MS Program. In this episode, Rachel talks to Geoff about who should work with a therapist, how to choose a therapist, how to unpack our emotions and how to know if you’re a highly sensitive person. Watch this episode on YouTube here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Topics and Timestamps: 01:46 Rachel’s background and her MS and Overcoming MS journey. 08:14 Who should work with a therapist? 09:49 How you should choose a therapist and style of therapy. 12:27 How to unpack your emotions scientifically as waves of chemicals. 16:06 Unhelpful tactics of clinging to emotions or suppressing them. 19:29 The connection with highly sensitive people (HSPs) and autoimmunity. 21:43 How to know if you’re highly sensitive. 26:05 The power of the Overcoming MS community for the newly diagnosed. 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: Connect with Rachel on the Live Well Hub Follow Rachel on TikTok @born_a_bodymind Listen to Craig Hassed’s episode on meditation tips Find out more about the books that Rachel mentions: Gabor Mate’s book When the Body Says No Elaine Aron’s book The Highly Sensitive Person Bessel van Der Kolk’s book The Body Keeps The Score Susan Gehrig’s book Why Love Matters Lisa Feldman Barrett’s book: How Emotions Are Made 'Key to Successful Therapy' Read about the 90-second life of an emotion 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.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

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Accessible Live Music with Bee Grzegorzek from Attitude is Everything | S6E12 48:43

1 year ago48:43

48:43

Welcome to Living Well with MS, where we are pleased to welcome Bee Grzegorzek (she/they) as our guest! Bee is the Inclusive Communities Manager for UK-based charity, Attitude is Everything, which connects disabled people with music and live event industries to improve access together. They talk to Geoff about making a festival safe and enjoyable, her top tips for finding accessible venues and red flags to look for in a venue’s accessibility. Watch this episode on YouTube here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Topics and Timestamps: 00:56 Introduction: What is Attitude is Everything? 03:10 Environmental, organisational and attitudinal barriers to access. 05:34 Advances in accessibility in the last 20 years. 07:36 Whose responsibility is it to educate people about accessibility? 08:57 Bee’s top tips for finding accessible venues. 10:49 Red flags to look for when asking about a venue’s accessibility. 15:13 What to do if there’s an accessibility problem during an event. 17:52 Bee’s recommendations for making a festival as safe and fun as possible. 21:51 How to navigate food at venues with dietary requirements. 23:50 The benefits of accessibility scheme cards. 25:21 Personal assistant tickets. 26:38 Helping disabled artists get their access needs met. 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: UK Access Card Hynt Scheme for Welsh access MS Society “I have MS” card for access needs Visit Attitude is Everything’s website Overcoming MS chef cards for dietary needs 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.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

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Lifestyle Medicine with Dr Fraser Quin | S6E11 46:01

1 year ago46:01

46:01

Welcome to Living Well with MS, where we explore topics relating to living a full and healthy life with multiple sclerosis. In this episode, we are pleased to welcome Dr Fraser Quin as our guest! Dr Quin is the Executive Director of the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine (BSLM), a charity that promotes the role of lifestyle medicine in improving people’s health and wellbeing. He speaks to Dr Jonathan White about the role of lifestyle medicine for people with MS, the importance of sleep and how healthcare professionals are training to support their patients with lifestyle medicine. Topics and Timestamps 00:00 Dr Quin’s background and role at the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine (BSLM). 04:02 What is lifestyle medicine? And what isn’t lifestyle medicine? 07:02 The role of the BSLM in the healthcare landscape. 10:28 The history and future of lifestyle medicine across the globe. 16:08 Why sleep is such an important pillar of lifestyle medicine. 20:28 How doctors are being trained in lifestyle medicine. 29:27 The #1Change Campaign: How making one small healthy change can change your life. 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 British Society of Lifestyle Medicine Find out more about the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Find out more about the Royal College of Psychiatrists Watch back our livestream on talking to skeptics with Dr Jonathan White and Yasmin Neves Learn more about the #1Change campaign Learn about creating habits with Atomic Habit by James Clear Sign up to the 6 Months to Overcoming MS course 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 Dr Quin’s bio: Dr Quin’s career Dr Fraser Quin is the Executive Director of the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine, European Lifestyle Medicine Council and World Lifestyle Medicine Organisation. Fraser is currently a Non-Executive Director of Ark Housing Association and was previously Chair of Deaf Action, Scotland’s largest Deaf charity. His academic background Fraser also has a background in higher education and was formerly a Senior Lecturer in Environmental Economics, completing his PhD at Edinburgh University. His personal life Fraser is a strong advocate for Lifestyle Medicine and is in his own words “living the dream” as a keen cyclist, with his type 2 diabetes currently in remission. He is also an avid motorcyclist and regularly tours Europe and the UK on his Triumph. 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.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

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Webinar Highlights: Accessible Movement for the Overcoming MS Community with Véronique Gauthier-Simmons | S6E10 39:04

1 year ago39:04

39:04

In this episode, we’re sharing highlights from our webinar ‘Accessible Movement for the Overcoming MS Community’ with Dr Véronique Gauthier-Simmons. Véronique is a qualified yoga therapist who follows the Overcoming MS Program and supports Overcoming MS as a facilitator. She discusses the benefits of exercise, how to make it more accessible and how to stay motivated. Watch this episode on YouTube here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Topics and Timestamps: 01:01 The benefits of exercise. 07:09 How you can set SMART goals to stay motivated to exercise. 12:40 How you can modify physical activity for your ability and balance. 15:14 Breathing exercises to work your core muscles. 20:46 Examples of chair-based exercises for the arms, legs and spine. 29:15 Your intention can change how an exercise feels in your body. 34:20 Dopamine release doesn’t occur until six weeks into a new exercise routine, so don’t give up! 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: Watch the original webinar Read: The Joy of Movement by Kelly McGonigal Find out more about Veronique’s movement classes Try an Overcoming MS exercise video Join Veronique's free live classes Learn more about Veronique 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.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

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Sticking with the Overcoming MS diet with Kim Venter | S6E9 22:01

1 year ago22:01

22:01

Welcome to Living Well with MS, where we are pleased to welcome Kim Venter as our guest! Kim is a trained teacher, professional psychological counsellor, and nutritional consultant. She is also currently training to become a facilitator for Overcoming MS. In this episode, she discusses how to switch to a plant-based diet, how to make your healthy habits stick and her experience starting disease-modifying therapy. Watch this episode on YouTube here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Topics and Timestamps: 01:04 Kim’s diagnosis and MS journey 06:45 Switching to a plant-based diet. 07:38 Top tips on meal planning and grocery shopping on the Overcoming MS diet. 10:08 Making your healthy habits stick. 13:09 Mindful activities you can do to manage your stress. 15:09 Her experience with disease-modifying therapy. 17:23 How diet and pharmaceuticals complement each other. 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: Listen to Kim’s episode from season 2 Create your own Overcoming MS meal plan Learn more about MS and Mindfulness Learn more about medications 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. Kim’s bio: Kim Venter is a British South African currently living in London who was diagnosed with MS in 2010. Kim’s professional background She is a trained teacher, professional psychological counsellor and nutritional consultant who thoroughly enjoys working with people and helping them overcome various challenges in their lives. Kim is particularly interested in health psychology, which explores the impact on the mind of what is going on in the body. She feels that this training has increased her awareness of the psychological impact MS has and how the food we eat affects the health of our minds.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

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Webinar Highlights: Your opportunity to ask a qualified nutritional therapist about the Overcoming MS diet with Sam Josephs | S6E8 48:32

1 year ago48:32

48:32

In this episode, we are sharing highlights from our webinar, ‘Your opportunity to ask a qualified nutritional therapist about the Overcoming MS diet’ with Sam Josephs. Sam is a qualified nutritional therapist and Overcoming MS facilitator. In this episode, she discusses fasting patterns, tips for Overcoming MS-friendly meals on a budget and how to prevent weight loss. Keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Topics and Timestamps: 02:40 Can fasting help you reduce inflammation? 05:58 How much calcium is safe for you with high doses of vitamin D3? 08:11 Comparing benefits: flax oil supplements vs Omega-3 rich foods. 09:40 Can you have coconut or meat in the absence of Overcoming MS-friendly options? 11:25 Vitamin D2 vs D3 in fortified foods. 13:40 The link between eating dairy and osteoporosis. 16:48 The different types of saturated fats. 19:11 Can you ever eat fast food or processed foods? 22:12 Can you eat egg yolk or meat occasionally? 25:59 How much vitamin K should you have to prevent calcium buildup? 27:16 Is there a limit to the number of egg whites you can eat? 28:18 Can you eat lean meat on the Overcoming MS diet when trying to put on weight? 30:12 What minerals can you take to help with spasticity and tight muscles? 21:46 Tips for cooking Overcoming MS-friendly meals with a busy schedule. 36:48 Snacks to help you prevent weight loss on the Overcoming MS diet. 40:23 Alternatives to flax oil for Omega-3 supplementation 41:59 The benefits of a variety of whole grains for your gut bacteria 44:20 Budget tips for cooking Overcoming MS-friendly meals Selected Key Takeaways: Highly processed foods have negative health implications. 20:11 “Highly processed foods sometimes irritate the gut lining, which can affect our friendly bacterial populations. We're only just starting to understand the detrimental effects of some of these unknown food chemicals, not to mention high levels of salt, and high levels of sugar, all of which on a metabolic level are not good for us. Salt can cause excretion of calcium, which we're trying to retain. The sugars can cause metabolic issues, things like becoming overweight and obese.” A variety of whole grains is beneficial for the gut. 42:35 “It’s important not to rely too heavily on one grain or another. But to keep that variety because each grain has a different nutritional profile and will be broken down differently in the body. The more variety you have with your grains, the more you're encouraging healthy bacteria which indirectly calms MS activity so think about different rice: what about wild rice [or] the red rice? What about buckwheat? Have you tried quinoa yet?” There are multiple intermittent fasting methods to suit your lifestyle. 03:05 “Some people do the five-two diet, which involves eating normally five days of the week, and then just eating dinner on two days of the week, consuming much lower calories. You could fast overnight for 16 hours and then eat your food in a much smaller window of eight hours. It could be done as a water fast where you don't eat anything at all, and just drink water one day a week or a couple of days a month.” 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: Sam Josephs has been featured on S1E3 , S1E4 , and S5E8 Check out Overcoming MS-friendly recipes Create your Overcoming MS Meal Plan Read Sam’s bio 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.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
Mindfulness with MS Nurse and Overcoming MS Facilitator, Sue Tibbles | S6E7 36:12

1 year ago36:12

36:12

Welcome to Living Well with MS, where we are pleased to welcome Sue Tibbles as our guest! Sue is an MS nurse and Overcoming MS facilitator who follows the Program. She is a qualified mindfulness teacher with a Master’s in Mindfulness from the University of Aberdeen. In this episode, she discusses tips for setting up a mindfulness practice, the role of stress and MS and shares some different mindfulness practices. Watch this episode on YouTube here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Topics and Timestamps: 01:19 Sue’s stress-related MS diagnosis. 05:59 Navigating the difficulties of starting a mindfulness practice. 09:24 Effective ways you can settle the mind. 10:54 Practical tips for setting up your own mindfulness practice. 13:05 The role of an MS Nurse. 16:23 How to talk to your healthcare provider about the Overcoming MS Program. 18:52 Tips for when you are newly diagnosed or new to the Program. 24:51 The impact of stress in MS flares. 30:21 Formal vs informal mindfulness practices. Selected Key Takeaways: Don't stress if your healthcare professional initially dismisses the Overcoming MS Program 17:03 “I think it's a really nice opportunity for you to be able to teach [your healthcare professional about the Program]. If you come across resistance from them, I don't think there's an awful lot of point in becoming resentful about that. That's not going to achieve anything at the end of the day. There is lots of support within [the] Overcoming MS [community], if you're not getting it from your MS nurse or your neurologist. Although I think a lot of healthcare professionals are becoming better at being open about these things.” We can’t control what’s going on outside of us, but we can control our response to it 24:51 “I will regularly say to my patients, 'We can't change what's going on outside of us, we can't change that stressful situation at work, we can't change the builders coming in and messing up. We can't change any of that, but we can change our response to it.’ That's what we need to work on, and mindfulness helps with that.” There are no downsides to following the Overcoming MS Program 34:30 “When I was first diagnosed and discovered the Program, I remember thinking to myself, ‘What have I got to lose? By eating a bit more healthily, doing a bit more exercise, [and] doing a bit of mindfulness, what have I got to lose? What is there to gain?’” 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 the Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis book Learn more about Professor Jelinek’s story Listen to S5E13 Meditation tips with Professor Craig Hassed Find out more about the Overcoming MS Pop-up Tour in 2024 Check out one of our guided meditations Read Sue’s bio 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.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
Advanced cell therapy for progressive MS with Dr Stefano Pluchino | S6E06 37:43

1 year ago37:43

37:43

Welcome to Living Well with MS, where we are pleased to welcome Dr Stefano Pluchino as our guest! Dr Pluchino is a Professor of Regenerative Neuroimmunology at Cambridge University and has been researching stem cell therapy for progressive MS. In this episode, Dr Pluchino speaks to Geoff about what advanced cell therapy is, the success of his phase one trial and what the future of DMTs looks like indicating what people with MS may experience. Watch this episode on YouTube here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Topics and Timestamps: 01:31 Dr Pluchino’s background and research into stem cell therapy for progressive MS. 02:52 The difference between types of MS. 05:09 Navigating DMT options for progressive MS. 08:40 Dr Pluchino’s advanced cell therapy research trial: The success of phase one and plans for phase two. 21:05 How advanced cell therapy compares to HSCT or bone marrow transplants. 26:02 What it means for the future of DMTs. 33:39 How you can be part of groundbreaking MS research and trials. Selected Key Takeaways: There are nuances in types of MS beyond ‘relapsing’ or ‘progressive’. 04:23 "It is becoming more complex between active and non-active types of primary and secondary progressive MS where activity is attributed to other episodes. Clinical episodes of disease or radiologically evident episodes of disease, which can be identified by the use of contrast agents at the time of the MRI. So, they are very complex very heterogenous types of disease, with or without activity, which inevitably undergo accumulation of neurological deficits.” The next generation of DMTs will target progression rather than relapses. 06:39 “What's becoming very interesting is that [over the last] few years, there is a general worldwide consensus that progressive MS is becoming and has become a clinical unmet need. The old MS world is concentrating on financing, funding and efforts towards stopping MS through the development of a new generation of DMDs which will eventually target progression rather than relapses.” The future of advanced cell therapy research will look at remyelination, reduction of inflammation and neuroprotection. 19:10 "There is space for assessing whether a proportion of the injected cells [can] differentiate in vivo into new myelin-forming cells. There is a space to assess whether some of the cells [can] increase the survival of neurons in the brain. There is space to assess whether the transplanted cells [can] reduce the type of inflammation which characterises progressive MS, which is what we call a smouldering inflammation. These highly diffuse homogeneous, low-level activations of microglia (immune cells of the central nervous system) and astrocytes (star-shaped cells that hold nerve cells in place) might be reduced by means of advanced cell therapy and the reason why I am specifically alluding to these three major biological mechanisms of disease, remyelination, reduction of inflammation and neuroprotection is because we have managed to identify each of these mechanisms in clinically relevant animal disease models in the last 25 years. So, there is [an] expectation that a clinical trial designed in a way that will allow us to establish the efficacy of the treatment will reveal what we have established already in one of these models.” 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: Video on Early-stage stem cell therapy trial shows promise for treating progressive MS Dr Pluchino’s website Dr Pluchino’s bio If you have progressive MS you may be eligible for the Octopus trial Learn about HSCT from Professor Richard Burt in Season 5 Episode 25 Read about the Shinya Yamanaka and John Gurdon’a Nobel Winning iPSC technology Find out more about the latest research in progressive MS from the International Progressive MS Alliance 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.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

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Change your life, for life with health coach Laura Crowder | S6E05 30:29

1 year ago30:29

30:29

Welcome to Living Well with MS, where we are pleased to welcome Laura Crowder as our guest! Laura is a health coach and recently joined the Overcoming MS team as an Overcoming MS facilitator. In this episode, she talks to Geoff about what the ‘Change your life for life’ pillar means, how to make lifestyle changes easier to adopt and the importance of looking at your overall lifestyle. Watch this episode on YouTube here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Topics and Timestamps: 01:02 Intro: Laura’s MS diagnosis. 02:08 Laura’s new role as an Overcoming MS facilitator. 03:48 Change your life, for life: What it means and how you can implement it. 08:18 How finding your deep ‘why’ makes lifestyle changes easier to adopt. 13:40 How you can feel empowered by following the Overcoming MS Program. 15:28 The impact of reducing alcohol on your physical and mental health. 25:48 What it means to feed the soul and the body. Selected Key Takeaways: Positive lifestyle changes can have immediate health effects. 05:08 “The minute I read [the Program was] evidence based, I thought, ‘I've got to read this.’ I read the entire book, and I jumped straight in. I implemented the diet and the vitamin D straight away, I couldn't do much about the exercise at the time, because I was still off my feet. Eventually, I started walking and then running. It was brilliant. I felt the effects instantly, I think because my previous lifestyle was so poor.” Some people find reducing alcohol consumption can have a positive impact on mental and physical health. 17:05 “Karen Law speaks about this in the Overcoming MS Handbook about how she just noticed that her stress response was better without alcohol in the mix. I think that was probably quite a significant part for me as well. My running improved hugely, I actually completed my first marathon last year, and just my health in general [improved]. So, for me, I decided that I didn't want to start drinking again.” Our health is impacted by our overall lifestyle. 27:00 “Our health is not just what we eat, it isn't just exercise [or] supplementation. Things like our career, relationships and finances, these aspects of our lives are so important in terms of nourishing us. If we're dealing with conflict or unresolved issues, or if we have got very destructive or negative relationships in our lives, that's going to have a really adverse effect on our health, even if we're eating all the superfoods in the world.” 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 our upcoming Overcoming MS events Read the ‘Change Your Life for Life’ chapter in the Overcoming MS book or the Overcoming MS Handbook Watch charity founder Linda Bloom’s story of hope Find out more about spiritual and health teacher Caroline Myss Read Laura’s bio 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.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

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Webinar Highlights - Mental Health and Wellbeing with MS with Michelle Overton | S6E04 27:55

1 year ago27:55

27:55

In this episode, we are sharing highlights from our webinar, ‘Mental Health and Wellbeing’ with Michelle Overton. Michelle is a qualified counsellor and Mental Health First Aid Instructor Trainer. She discusses the impact of life’s challenges on your mental health, coping mechanisms for stress and her top self-care tips. You can watch the original webinar here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Topics and Timestamps: 01:03 Michelle shares her own mental health journey. 06:05 How does mental health shape your self-esteem and confidence? 08:27 The impact of life's challenges on your mental wellbeing. 11:00 Stress and how it can affect your DNA. 13:53 Shifting from unhealthy to healthy coping mechanisms. 19:14 Michelle’s top self-care tips for improving your mental health. 24:02 The power of listening. 25:46 How you can find ways to improve sleep and mindful practices. Selected Key Takeaways: Mental health impacts many aspects of life. 07:01 “Confidence can be gauged in new situations [by] learning new skills [or] it could be in a workplace. Self-esteem is how you value yourself on the inside. Our mental health will govern how we feel, how we think, how we behave and how we manage change. It will [also] govern how we make, sustain and end relationships.” Stress can impact our physical health. 10:35 “After you've been experiencing stress for more than two weeks, your body will start to kick out hormones. Your double helix is your DNA and at the bottom of it, you've got the bottom of your shoelace strings that keep it together at the bottom, when the hormones are being kicked out from the stress, what happens is the shoe lay strings get corroded, and it comes undone. And this is when we start to get rogue DNA going around. And that's why it's been linked to being carcinogenic." Find what works for you and your mental health. 25:52 “It's finding what's right for you. I find talking has been a really helpful space for me, whether that's in therapy, or whether it's support services. Making sure that you're hydrated as well. Water can be a very simple thing that can really help instantly.” 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: Watch the original webinar 5 Ways to Wellbeing from Mind Follow Michelle on social media on LinkedIn or Instagram Read Michelle’s bio Study: Effects on DNA Damage and/or Repair Processes as Biological Mechanisms Linking Psychological Stress to Cancer Risk New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page Join a Circle and 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.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

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Career and Employment with MS with Yasmin Neves | S6E3 33:51

2 years ago33:51

33:51

Welcome to Living Well with MS, where we are pleased to welcome Yasmin Neves as our guest! Yasmin is an HR professional and recently joined the Overcoming MS team as a facilitator through our ‘Train the Trainer’ programme. In this episode, she talks to Geoff about topics to help you with your work: navigating work with MS, how to talk to your employer about your MS, taking time off work for MS and the pros and cons of being self-employed after an MS diagnosis. Watch this episode on YouTube here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Topics and Timestamps: 01:11 Intro: Yasmin’s MS journey. 04:10 Yasmin's new role as an Overcoming MS facilitator. 08:14 Navigating your work with MS: when and how you share your diagnosis with your employer. 13:40 Job interviews and MS: should you disclose or not disclose? 18:50 Taking time off or leaving work with MS: practical considerations for you to think about. 26:32 Self-employment after an MS diagnosis: weighing up the pros and cons. Selected Key Takeaways: All the adjustments you can ask your workplace for. 17:23 “In terms of adjustments whilst you're at work, it could be adjusting your working hours, it could be adjusting to working from home more or working at a different location. It could be changing your setup or how you sit on a chair or at your desk. The list is endless. They have to be tailored to your MS, how your symptoms affect you and what is needed as [part of the] job. It's all about making sure that you are given the support for you and your role.” Keeping motivated and having a purpose when taking time out of work. 19:46 “How are you going to feel if suddenly you've got a whole year off? How are you then going to find your purpose? How are you going to keep motivated without having that thing in your life that maybe was once important? That can go either way.” Weighing up the pros and cons of working for yourself. 28:21 “Work-life balance is very important to me because I'm my own boss, I can decide my own diary. There are obviously cons because I don't get things like sickness benefits, which might be quite helpful with a condition like MS. But then I do get other perks, like I can decide who I work with. Stress is so important with this condition, if there is a client or a project that doesn't quite align with my purpose and it causes me stress, I'm fortunate enough that I can say actually, this isn't for me, and I can turn it away.” 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: Listen to Yasmin's previous episode on the Living Well with MS podcast Want to adopt the Overcoming MS program over 6 months like Yasmin did? Get started on the 6 Months to Overcoming MS course on the Live Well Hub Check out all of the Overcoming MS books Sunflower Lanyard scheme for hidden disabilities Read Yasmin’s bio 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…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
Overcoming MS Charity Updates with CEO Alex Holden | S6E2 26:41

2 years ago26:41

26:41

Welcome to Living Well with MS, where we are thrilled to bring you our 150th episode! Donations make our podcasts possible – so we’d like to take the opportunity of this milestone to ask if you could support us . As we mark this significant milestone, we are pleased to welcome Overcoming MS CEO, Alex Holden as our guest. Alex joined Overcoming MS in March 2023 and, during her time at the Charity, has completed a lot! In this episode, she talks to Geoff about meeting the Overcoming MS community, her experience at the ECTRIMS conference (the world’s largest research meeting in multiple sclerosis) and the exciting plans for the Overcoming MS charity! Watch this episode on YouTube here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Topics and Timestamps: 01:17 Learn about Alex’s background, expertise and how she became CEO of Overcoming MS. 03:30 Alex’s view of the most compelling pillars of the Overcoming MS Program and changing your lifestyle based on evidence. 04:46 The mental and physical benefits of wild swimming. 05:56 Meeting the resilient and hopeful Overcoming MS community. 07:58 Abseil off the ArcelorMittal Orbit and other ways to support Overcoming MS. 10:22 How she keeps busy with her teenagers outside of work. 11:23 In-person Overcoming MS events taking place in 2024 you might like to attend. 14:15 Join the Live Well Hub – the Overcoming MS app – where over 2,000 community members are already sharing tips and advice. 17:43 Alex’s experience at the largest MS research conference in the world, the 2023 ECTRIMS conference (European and American Committees for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis). 21:06 Future plans for the Overcoming MS charity. Selected Key Takeaways: Put respect for individuals at the forefront. 02:32 “Everybody needs respect, no matter what struggles they have, no matter what they've gone through. Understanding people's situations are so individual to them, I think that's shaped where I've gone with the rest of my career.” Your diet can contribute to your well-being and energy. 03:42 “I've always been very interested in nutrition. At one point I did consider training as a nutritional therapist. So that's something that I'm really passionate about the importance of diet and how that contributes to your wellbeing rather than taking things out of your diet, how you look at what's contributing to energy.” One of the main reasons Alex was drawn to Overcoming MS was because of the community 06:42 "It is such a strong community and a very giving community. People who have had really quite devastating news are managing to give each other so many levels of support, tips, positivity and hope. To be part of that community and amongst those people who have that mindset, I feel very fortunate. As an organisation, we're really small. We are absolutely dependent on people who are in our Circles, our Ambassadors, and people fundraising for us. There are only twelve staff members, and most of us are part-time; the only way we can support a global community is through the community themselves.” 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: Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub Fundraise for Overcoming MS Meditate with Overcoming MS facilitator Phil Startin and others Watch the ECTRIMS conference highlights webinar with Brett Drummond Learn more about the Neuroepidemiology Unit at the University of Melbourne New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page Visit the Overcoming MS website Read more about Alex 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.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
Motivation to follow the Program with Claire and Nev Dean | S6E1 27:59

2 years ago27:59

27:59

Happy New Year! Welcome to season 6 of Living Well with MS. We are excited to kick off the new season with the musicians of our fantastic, brand-new theme tune, Claire and Nev Dean. Claire was diagnosed with MS in 1999 and has been following the Overcoming MS Program since 2008, her husband Nev also follows the Program even though he doesn’t have MS. They generously wrote a new theme tune just for the Living Well with MS podcast. We really enjoyed speaking with them about their experience following the Overcoming MS Program, Claire’s passion for physical activity and hearing from Nev about being married to someone with MS. Watch this episode on YouTube here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Topics and Timestamps: 01:08 Introducing Claire and Nev, musicians who follow the Overcoming MS Program. 04:27 Claire’s MS diagnosis. 06:58 The benefits of following the Overcoming MS Program even when you don’t have MS. 09:46 Online exercise sessions for people with MS. 12:29 Feeling motivated to follow the Overcoming MS Program. 14:21 Writing the new theme music for the Living Well with MS podcast. 17:17 The importance of exercise and core strength in MS. 19:29 Tips for navigating marriage when a partner lives with MS. 21:35 The importance of meditation, even if you only have one minute. Selected Key Takeaways: The Overcoming MS diet is healthy for everyone. 02:11 Nev: “When we got married, I was rather larger. When we started the diet, I did all the cooking. Obviously [as I was doing the cooking], I started eating the same diet as Claire because I had to cook food for her. Over the years I've lost over six and a half stone.” Following the Overcoming MS Program has stopped Claire’s progression. 12:25 Claire: “The year before we found Overcoming MS, we got married, and I was using a wheelchair. Since I've been following the [Overcoming MS] diet, I haven't got any worse and my progression has stopped.” Working out in bed is a viable option. 17:17 Claire: “During lockdown, the MS Centre was closed, and I remember my uncle said to me I could do crunches. I just lay in bed, and I worked on my stomach muscles. I went from 20 [crunches] a day up to 300. I've continued to work on my stomach and my abs. Since then, I've started on the pull-up bar, and I do that every morning.” 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 Claire and her online Zoom workouts in our blog Nev and Claire on YouTube Nev and Claire on SoundCloud Cold water immersion for MS symptom relief New Pathways Magazine from MS-UK MOTOmed chair bike 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.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
Sophrology for MS with Audrey Zannese | S5E38 44:35

2 years ago44:35

44:35

Welcome to Living Well with MS, where we are pleased to welcome Audrey Zannese as our guest! Audrey is a mindfulness expert living with MS and specialises in the relaxation method, sophrology. This practice has helped her to live well with MS. She talks to Geoff about her MS journey, what sophrology is and the research behind it. At the end of the episode, Audrey gives a guided sophrology practice. Watch this episode on YouTube here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Topics and Timestamps 01:19 Audrey’s MS journey. 05:25 Managing stress. 08:19 The origins of sophrology. 11:22 The aims and benefits of sophrology. 14:00 Audrey’s switch from research scientist to sophrologist. 18:43 The research into the positive effects of sophrology. 22:25 Guided sophrology practice. Selected Key Takeaways Sophrology is a stress-reduction technique. 06:14 “Sophrology is a uniquely structured mind-body practice that combines both Western relaxation methods and Eastern meditative practices. It can be used for personal development, enhancing performance, but also for improving health and well-being. It includes a variety of exercises that are accessible and easy to incorporate into your daily life. There are gentle body movements, breathing exercises [and] aspects of mindfulness and meditation.” The aims and benefits of sophrology practice. 11:22 “The aim of sophrology is to help you reconnect with yourself. Self-awareness of how you're feeling inside helps you build the capacity to regulate your internal state but also builds the capacity as you would find in mindfulness and meditation of acceptance and letting go when things cannot be changed. Through this work, as it is repetitive and very much a practice, you get to a place where you are feeling balanced in terms of your mind, body, and emotions.” Sophrology is a big part of how Audrey lives well with MS. 15:04 “I remember one day I came out of my flat, and I was so happy to be alive. I didn't feel [my] MS anymore. I wasn't scared, I knew I had everything in me to live my best life, in a way I had never been [able to] before when I was healthy. When I look back, I look with compassion, but I realise that through this journey, what it was to be happy.” 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: Visit the Step into sophrology website The Sophrology Academy website Essential Guide to Tap into The Power of the Mind-Body Connection 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 our charity to share how to live well with MS with more people.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
Dying Well with filmmaker Krystina Christiansen | S5E37 27:51

2 years ago27:51

27:51

Welcome to Living Well with MS, where we are pleased to welcome Krystina Christiansen as our guest! Krystina is a filmmaker who has recently finished a documentary about an end-of-life letter she found, written by a man with MS. Overcoming MS wants everyone to live a full and healthy life with MS, but it is inevitable that everyone, with or without MS, will pass away. It is therefore unhelpful that death is often a taboo subject. Krystina talks to Geoff about healthy ways to think about your own mortality, her new film, ‘Dear Brandon’ and planning ahead for your end of life, which is something that everyone needs to consider. Keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Topics and Timestamps: 02:29 Krystina found an end-of-life letter from a man with MS on a mountain in Hawaii. 04:12 ‘Dear Brandon’ is a film about death and grief, but also hope and community. 10:41 Healthy ways to think about your own mortality. 12:31 Writing a will and planning your funeral. 14:55 Resources at the end of life. 18:00 Death doulas can help the dying and their families. 20:18 Death cafes are safe spaces to talk about mortality. 24:35 Follow along with Brandon’s story and Krystina’s films. Selected Key Takeaways: Talking about death and dying doesn’t have to be taboo 07:03 “To know Brandon is to know someone who is going to die, he is on his deathbed. That's the social contract that you agree to when you become friends with him. I’d also like to point out that that's the social contract you have with everybody. It's just more obvious with him, I guess. I've learned that sometimes just talking about [death] does make it a bit easier for everyone.” Make a plan for your funeral and estate 09:32 “Make sure that you plan for your death if it is something that we have the opportunity to do. Planning makes not only your end of life a bit smoother, but also for the ones you leave behind. It makes their lives a lot better and allows them to just focus on grieving versus dealing with the business of death.” Death is not an emergency 19:05 “If you have someone in the home who passes away, you don't have to call anyone immediately. You can take your time and be with your loved one. There is no rush. You can even have people come over and say goodbye in the home. You can prepare the body in the home, there are so many different options.” 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 Krystina’s work and “Dear Brandon” See the people and places Brandon’s letter reached Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub Visit the Overcoming MS website Consider leaving a give to Overcoming MS New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page 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.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
Webinar Highlights: Ask a Neurologist with Dr Aaron Boster | S5E36 1:00:16

2 years ago1:00:16

1:00:16

Welcome to Living Well with MS. In this episode, we are sharing the highlights from one of our ‘Ask Aaron’ webinars, where neurologist, Dr Aaron Boster, answers questions about MS from the community. In this episode, Dr Boster covers a range of topics, including heat intolerance, when to start a DMT and his tips for self-managing MS. You can watch the original webinar here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Topics and Timestamps: 02:13 Considerations for changing to a less stressful job and stronger DMTs. 05:09 Talking to clinicians about stress. 06:25 Hyperbaric oxygen therapy. 08:11 Stem cell transplants for PPMS. 10:35 Tysabri during pregnancy and breastfeeding. 12:23 MS and Stroke. 13:52 MRI showing brain cysts. 16:57 Betaferon and slow progression. 19:45 Changing from Tysabri to Ocrevus. 21:41 Vertigo. 23:05 Ampyra for walking, spasticity, and nerve pain. 25:50 Types of inflammation. 28:05 Anesthetic or epidural and MS. 30:15 B-cell depletion therapy and allergies. 31:17 Tips for self-managing MS. 37:42 Heat intolerance. 40:30 When to start on a DMT. 41:22 Ocrevus and low lymphocyte levels. 43:40 Diet and MS. 48:50 Nausea as an MS symptom. 51:30 CBD for MS. 52:45 Bursitis and MS. 53:36 Choosing a DMT and considering side effects. 55:16 Invisible illness in an ableist world. Selected Key Takeaways: Exercise as part of your daily lifestyle 34:42 “Exercising as part of a lifestyle means that if you do it, you're not rewarded. There's no reward for doing something as part of your lifestyle and if you don't do it, there's no punishment - you're not sent to the naughty corner. So, for example, I have a lifestyle of brushing my teeth. I don't tweet about it. I don't make YouTube videos about it. I don't even talk about it when I get to work. It's just something I do every morning and if I happen to forget to brush my teeth before I head off to the office, I'll run upstairs and do it. This is part of my lifestyle. So, I need people impacted by MS to exercise as part of their lifestyle.” Plan your day to minimise symptoms like heat intolerance 39:43 “We can conserve energy during those times when it's really hot out. Whereas I would normally encourage a patient to park at the back of the parking lot to get their steps in. If it's the middle of the day, [walking that far is] going to sap all your energy so that when you get to the grocery store you can't shop, that doesn't really work very well, does it? And so that's an example where we would have someone drop us off at the threshold of the grocery store so that you can be successful in your shopping.” Be brave in using mobility aids and seeking accommodations. 57:27 “I tell people who are embarrassed by their cane, ‘Don't you dare be embarrassed by your cane, a cane is a sign of intelligence.’ A person with a cane would like to not fall. So, when a little boy is walking with [his] mum, and says, ‘Mummy, why is she using a cane?’ That's an opportunity for the mother to say, ‘Well, she doesn't want to fall, she has a problem with her leg and the cane helps her.’ It normalises it. So, one of the things that we need to do is to be brave. I'll remind you of the definition of bravery, ‘doing something despite being scared’. The second thing is, I want you to be very selfish. You need to be selfish; you live your life once. You're not living your life so some stranger, you don't know, thinks nice polite things about you.” 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: Watch the original webinar here . Dr Boster was on three previous Living Well with MS episodes: S1E11: Making the Right Medication Choices S2E17: Lifestyle Choices and Their Impact on MS S3E43: Let’s Talk About (and MS) Check out Dr Boster’s popular YouTube channel covering all aspects of 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.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

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Webinar highlights: Guide to the Overcoming MS Diet with Gillian Robertson and Ashley Madden | S5E35 45:29

2 years ago45:29

45:29

Welcome to Living Well with MS. In this episode, we are sharing the highlights from our webinar, ‘A guide to the Overcoming MS Diet’, with Gillian Robertson and Ashley Madden. Gillian and Ashley are both professional chefs who follow the Overcoming MS Program. In this webinar, they discuss how to adopt the diet, the benefits of a plant-based diet, dairy substitutes and much more. Watch the original webinar here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Topics and Timestamps 02:52 Practical ways to adopt the Overcoming MS Diet. 08:56 What is a plant-based diet? 14:58 Meals and snacks that offer a complete protein. 22:32 Substituting cheese and ice cream. 27:13 Cooking without oil. 33:13 Meal planning equipment. 39:33 Plant-based meal planning on a budget. Selected Key Takeaways A whole food, plant-based diet is health-promoting. 11:00 Ashley Madden: “A plant-based diet is high in essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and fibre. It's overall anti-inflammatory because we're getting a lot of antioxidants from all those colourful plant foods. It's low in saturated fat, which is important for us, of course, and also has extensive health benefits that go beyond. A plant-based diet has been shown to reduce the risk of some cancers, it can help with weight loss or weight stabilisation, and it can also decrease the risks and sometimes reverse some of the modern-day chronic diseases that we're seeing in a lot of the developed countries.” It’s easy to get enough complete protein on a plant-based diet. 14:27 Ashley Madden: “What modern science has taught us is that the amino acid gaps in one plant food are filled in by another plant food. The bottom line is that you don't need to strategically pair plant foods in specific meals to get the protein that you need. We now know that eating a variety of whole plant foods will get you all of the essential amino acids that are required. I have here listed just some simple meal and snack ideas that actually do offer you complete protein that you're probably already doing and don't even know it. So brown rice and beans, oatmeal, and nuts and seeds or soy milk, sprouted bread is a great one because it has a combination of legumes and grains and nuts and hummus on whole wheat toast.” Plant based cooking can be done on a budget. 39:45 Gillian Robertson: “Organic now is a big trend. Obviously, it can be very expensive. Don't feel that you always have to buy organic. As long as you're washing your fruit and vegetables well, you're going to be okay. And it's okay to look at frozen fruit and vegetables as well as fresh ones, these are often cheaper, they're just as nutritious and they can help save time because they're often pre-prepared as well. Frozen fish can also be much more economical. If you start thinking about the inexpensive items in plant-based cooking, [such as] grains, pulses, seasonal vegetables, if you make those the base of your meals, then your meals really are not going to cost that much money. More info and Links: Watch the original webinar Try out some recipes on our website Read our blog for tips on shopping at the supermarket 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, we’d appreciate it if you could leave us 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 appreciate it if you can leave a donation here .…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
Ask Jack – Cooking with Tofu | S5E34 41:53

2 years ago41:53

41:53

Welcome to Living Well with MS, where we are pleased to welcome Jack McNulty as our guest! Jack is a professional cook and a longtime follower of the Overcoming MS Program. In this episode, he answers questions from the community about how to cook with tofu. Watch this episode on YouTube here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Topics and Timestamps: 01:42 What is tofu? 02:37 Is it possible to make tofu from scratch? 03:59 Benefits of adding tofu to your diet. 05:54 Debunking the myth that ‘tofu is bland’. 07:03 Saturated fat levels in tofu. 08:52 Different types and textures of tofu. 16:24 The difference between tofu and tempeh. 21:49 Ways to change the texture of tofu. 28:57 Do you have to press tofu before cooking? 31:22 Jack’s favourite tofu marinades and recipes. Selected Key Takeaways: Tofu is an affordable, easy-to-digest, source of protein. 04:25 “Tofu is fairly easy to digest. A lot of people who may have trouble [digesting] legumes can actually digest tofu a little bit easier than they can from the whole bean, which is nice. It's definitely a good source of protein. It’s really affordable. The other thing that I think that's really interesting with tofu is it's basically just a blank canvas." Tofu vs. tempeh 17:01 “Tofu is made from soy milk from the whole soybean turned into milk and then coagulated. Tempeh which originates from Indonesia (and you see it a lot in Indonesian cooking) is [made from] whole beans. It's generally soybeans, but it can be made with other kinds of beans like chickpeas and is pressed together and inoculated with a mold and then packaged so it has this sort of white net around the beans, which gives it a very specific flavour.” Pressing tofu can make it dry. 29:19 “You want to be careful [pressing tofu] because you're forcing out a lot of the moisture from the interior of the tofu that's going to make it fundamentally dry at the end. I would be very cautious with recipes that say, ‘start off by pressing the tofu’. I think it's much better to take a different approach, maybe freeze it, maybe pour some boiling salted water over it, or marinate it rather than pressing 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: Try Jack’s Marinated & Dry-sautéed Tofu Try Jack’s Tofu Vegan Mayonnaise Listen to ‘S4E48: Ask Jack’ for his tofu scramble recipe 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.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
Oils and Fats with industrial chemist Mike Newton | S5E33 27:30

2 years ago27:30

27:30

Welcome to Living Well with MS, where we are pleased to welcome Mike Newton as our guest! Mike is an industrial chemist and follows the Overcoming MS Program. He lives in Australia and has been following the recommendations of Dr Roy Swank and Professor George Jelinek for 25 years. He talks to Geoff about the difference between saturated and unsaturated fats, heating oils and his Overcoming MS journey. Watch this episode on our YouTube here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Topics and Timestamps: 01:13 Defining oils, fats, triglycerides and lipids from a cooking and chemistry perspective. 07:35 Fats to avoid and include in your diet. 12:54 What’s the difference between plant, animal and fish triglycerides or fats? 16:44 Why do we want to increase our Omega-3s and decrease Omega-9s? 19:24 The difference between monoglycerides and diglycerides is in the melting point, lower melting points are better for brain health. 22:50 Overcoming MS and Dr Roy Swank Selected Key Takeaways: Defining Oils and Fats 01:40 “Triglycerides are the encompassing description of all oils and fats, whether they are from plants or animals, and whether they are liquid or solid. The terms oil and fat are more for the layman and the cooking man. Oil is a liquid at room temperature, and fat is a solid at room temperature.” Hydrogenated fat in commercially produced foods 16:09 “The reason that they use hydrogenated fats is to give the [food] structure so that they can make a pie that you can eat with ease without it all collapsing around you while you're eating it. So, it's purely done for your mouthfeel and structure, so you can eat it (more easily).” Roy Swank’s theory on fat and MS 24:27 “Swank took the theory that the brain is made of a very high percentage of fat and cholesterol. If [your brain] is rock hard like this candle, then when it's rattling around in your head, the lesions in your brain will be scraping against your skull or another very hard piece of brain, causing more symptoms than that you would get if your brain was fluid and malleable.” 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: Recommended Oils on the Overcoming MS Program Guide to understanding Fats in the MS Diet Role of Fats in the Overcoming MS Diet Types of fats in your diet 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.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

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Autoimmunity with Dr David Bilstrom | S5E32 26:47

2 years ago26:47

26:47

Welcome to Living Well with MS, where we are pleased to welcome Dr David Bilstrom as our guest! Dr Bilstrom, MD is the Director of the International Autoimmune Institute & Bingham Memorial Center for Functional Medicine and an expert in treating autoimmune diseases. He talks to Geoff about what autoimmune diseases are, about Vitamin D and gives his tips for sticking with lifestyle change. Watch this episode on YouTube here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Topics and Timestamps: 00:59 Dr Bilstrom’s introduction and work in autoimmunity. 01:48 Reversing MS symptoms. 03:32 Infections and autoimmune diseases. 05:52 Vitamin D and MS. 10:45 Supplementing with butyrate. 12:23 Leaky gut and autoimmunity. 14:34 Oestrogen dominance and autoimmunity. 19:03 Adverse childhood events and autoimmunity. 23:40 Tips for sticking with lifestyle change. Selected Key Takeaways: The risk of autoimmunity increases if a parent has an autoimmune disease. 02:04 “It's so easy if you get one autoimmune disease to get a second or third or fourth, but also, if a parent has an autoimmune disease, the child is at a higher risk of every autoimmune disease. For example, if a parent gets rheumatoid arthritis, that child is at a 5.4 times greater risk of getting type one diabetes. We want to educate people about what we know about why people get autoimmune diseases.” Vitamin D and prevention of autoimmune diseases 06:38 “If a woman's vitamin D is above 50 during pregnancy, she's going to decrease the risk of her child ever getting MS by 50% … Vitamin D is uber important when it comes to immune system stuff, such as preventing MS in pregnancy. Cancer is the flip side of the same coin, that's [another] autoimmune disease. If a woman's vitamin D is above 60, she has automatically decreased her risk of ever getting breast cancer by 82%. Kids that take vitamin D 2000 IU in the first year of life will decrease the risk of ever getting type one diabetes by 90%.” Epigenetics and autoimmunity 11:11 “We used to think our genes, our DNA in our cells, [that] whatever we got from our parents [and] grandparents we’re stuck with it. If a parent has MS, they’d think “well, I wish I could change some of the genes my child has.” Well, it turns out, it's not what genes you have, it’s which ones get turned on and turned off. So, it's epigenetics, the things that influence gene expression. There are a lot of bad genes that drive chronic disease, we’ve got to turn those guys off, as well as good genes that drive health, we’ve got to turn those guys on.” 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 Dr Bilstrom’s work Take Dr Bilstrom’s free online course 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 our charity to share how to live well with MS with more people.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
Webinar Highlights Breathwork with Dr Véronique Gauthier-Simmons | S5E31 49:09

2 years ago49:09

49:09

In this episode, we are sharing highlights from our webinar, ‘Breathwork for people living with MS’ with Dr Véronique Gauthier-Simmons. Véronique is a qualified yoga therapist, follows the Overcoming MS Program and has supported Overcoming MS as a facilitator. She discusses what breathwork is, how it can help people living with MS and ends the talk with a breathwork practice for you to try. Watch the original webinar here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways and Véronique’s bio. Topics and Timestamps 00:58 Véronique’s background 06:25 Véronique’s breathwork training 08:58 Breathing basics 11:24 Dysfunctional breathing patterns 13:31 The power of the breath 16:00 Using the breath to influence other body systems. 18:37 Benefits of breathwork for MS 24:01 The diaphragm 27:00 Breathwork practice Selected Key Takeaways You can take control of your breath. 15:22 “We don't have to think, ‘I need to breathe in, I need to breathe out.’ It happens automatically. But we can also tell the brain, ‘I'm taking over the control, I'm in charge now’. That is the only system in the body that can do that, and that gives us the power to change how we feel because they are connected. We can use the breath as a language to communicate with the different systems in the body.” You can reduce inflammation with breathwork by stimulating the Vagus Nerve 20:26 “There is a really interesting link between breathing and inflammation. I'm sure you've all heard about the Vagus Nerve, and we can stimulate the Vagus Nerve with breathing, [which] reduces stress and inflammation, [as] we know that stress leads to inflammation. So, there is an indirect way to reduce inflammation via the Vagus Nerve with breathwork.” A tense diaphragm can negatively impact our breathing. 26:12 “The problem with the diaphragm is that we are not very aware of it, and it can get tense because it’s linked with the Vagus Nerve and the psoas muscle, which connects the upper body and the lower body. So, when we spend many hours sitting [and] when we are stressed, everything tightens, everything gets tense. This affects the movement of the diaphragm and our breathing.” 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: Find out more about Véronique here: Taming the Walrus Breath by James Nestor Dr. Ela Manga 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 episode 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. If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
Mindfulness and Self-compassion with Melanie Lown | S5E30 49:42

2 years ago49:42

49:42

Welcome to Living Well with MS, where we are pleased to welcome Melanie Lown as our guest. Melanie is a mindfulness teacher, has an M.A. in Psychology, and follows the Overcoming MS Program. She talks to Geoff about her MS diagnosis, the power of mindfulness and the importance of self-compassion. Watch this episode on YouTube here . Topics and Timestamps: 01:30 Melanie’s introduction and MS diagnosis. 03:58 Balancing self-advocacy with compassion for healthcare professionals. 07:07 Using a diagnosis to discover your purpose. 09:48 Discovering Overcoming MS. 12:02 Our lived experience is as valid as datasets. 13:29 DMTs and COVID. 16:31 The growing popularity of mindfulness in Western medicine. 21:45 Meditation physically changes the brain. 23:33 Depression and spiritualism are opposite sides of the same neural pathway. 27:54 The awakened brain vs. the achieving brain. 29:39 Activating the parasympathetic nervous system with self-compassion. 33:39 Emotions are not ‘good’ or ‘bad’. 35:44 Mindfully choosing your healthcare team and treatment. 42:22 Tips to incorporate mindfulness into your lifestyle. 47:54 Non-judgmental awareness. More info and links: Visit Melanie’s Website or follow her on Instagram: @welcometothemat. Melanie’s Recommended Meditation teachers and guides: Vinny Ferraro Amanda Gilbert Elisha Goldstein Tara Branch Davidji Insight Timer New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub Visit the Overcoming MS website Melanie’s Recommended Books: The Awakened Brain by Dr. Lisa Miller Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan Radical Acceptance by Tara Brach Cured by Jeffrey Rediger Learned Hopefulness by Dr. Dan Tomasulo Melanie's Recommended Scientific Articles: Fredrickson, B. L., & Losada, M. F. (2005). Positive affect and the complex dynamics of human flourishing. American psychologist, 60(7), 678. Miller, L., Bansal, R., Wickramaratne, P., Hao, X., Tenke, C. E., Weissman, M. M., & Peterson, B. S. (2014). Neuroanatomical correlates of religiosity and spirituality: a study in adults at high and low familial risk for depression. JAMA psychiatry, 71(2), 128-135. Miller, L., Wickramaratne, P., Gameroff, M. J., Sage, M., Tenke, C. E., & Weissman, M. M. (2012). Religiosity and major depression in adults at high risk: a ten-year prospective study. American Journal of Psychiatry, 169(1), 89-94. Portnoff, L., McClintock, C., Lau, E., Choi, S., & Miller, L. (2017). Spirituality cuts in half the relative risk for depression: Findings from the United States, China, and India. Spirituality in Clinical Practice, 4(1), 22. 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.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
Developing new DMTs with Professor Stephen L. Hauser | S5E29 41:52

2 years ago41:52

41:52

Welcome to Living Well with MS. In this episode, we are delighted to welcome neurologist, Professor Stephen L. Hauser as our guest. Professor Hauser has been researching MS since the 1970s, and his team’s research led to the development of the disease-modifying therapy ‘Ocrevus’. He talks to Geoff about the future of DMTs for MS, what autoimmunity is, and how he and his team developed one of the most world-renowned MS DMTs. Questions and Timestamps 01:45 Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your work? 04:23 What is autoimmunity and how does it relate to MS and inflammation? 06:37 Are some people more prone to develop autoimmune conditions? 10:11 How can a person get the most out of the time they have with their neurologist? 14:01 The benefits of participating in a clinical trial. 16:01 How is MS similar or different from other brain conditions? 20:11 Is there a role of infection in brain diseases like MS? 23:10 The role of hygiene in autoimmunity. 25:40 Book excerpt and how Ocrevus was developed. 32:53 What’s next in B-cell research and MS? 37:58 What tips do you have for lifestyle modifications for people who have MS? More info and links: Read more about Professor Hauser from the American Brain Foundation Read The Face Laughs While the Brain Cries: The Education of a Doctor Read the key episode takeaways and Professor Hauser’s bio 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 episode 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. If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
Webinar Highlights: Movement and Breathing with Gillian Robinson | S5E28 44:29

2 years ago44:29

44:29

In this episode, we are sharing highlights from our webinar, ‘Movement and Breathing Better whilst Living Well with Overcoming MS’ with Gillian Robinson. Gillian is a physiotherapist at the MS Therapy Centre in Lothian, Scotland. She discusses how MS affects breathing, how to breathe better and the importance of physical activity for people with MS. This webinar was recorded as part of our Finding Hope with Overcoming MS webinar series. Watch the original webinar here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways and Gillian’s bio. Topics and Timestamps 00:57 Why and how we should breathe. 04:22 How MS can affect respiration. 09:13 Consequences of ineffective breathing. 11:00 Monitoring and slowing your breathing helps with fatigue and stress management. 14:05 Posture and nasal breathing are important. 20:19 Deep breathing exercises can be part of your meditation practice to strengthen respiratory muscles. 27:23 Benefits of exercise for people with MS. 33:00 Include both aerobic and anaerobic activities in your routine. 36:38 Vestibular retraining, physiotherapy, Tai Chi and Thera Bands can be helpful for people with MS. 38:16 Breathing exercises can strengthen your pelvic floor and abdominals. 40:06 Virtual reality and visualisation can both be used to improve wellbeing. 41:53 Noticing your breathing is the first step to improving it. Selected Key Takeaways Breathing can be affected by MS, so it’s important to keep active to strengthen muscles in the respiratory system. 04:24 “It's only in recent years that it's been demonstrated that the respiratory system can be affected quite early on in MS. I think most of us are aware that it can be affected in the more advanced stages of MS. [These early effects are] logical really, as we know that muscle strength can be affected by MS in the disease process itself, as wherever your lesions are, they can cause muscle weakness in the rest of our body. So, it makes sense that it will cause muscle weakness in our respiratory system. Not only is this primary weakness a result of the MS itself, but if you're not using [your] muscles and reducing levels of activity, you can develop secondary weakness or deconditioning.” Nasal breathing is really important for optimal health. 17:17 “Nasal Breathing is really important. We know that chronic mouth breathing can cause problems with your respiratory system and your lung function and certainly impair the effectiveness of your breathing. You can get dental problems by breathing through your mouth, and you're losing 40% more moisture than you do by breathing through your nose.” Visualisation whilst breathing can help strengthen muscles. 41:00 “An interesting bit of research out there shows that through visualisation activities alone, you can improve muscle strength. So, if you struggle with activity and getting your body moving, visualise activities that you might enjoy. The more detail that you can add to your mental imagery, the better and the more likelihood of success. Just try to bring your awareness of your breath. We've talked about how important breathing technique and exercising your respiratory muscles is.If your breathing is optimised, it most definitely has a knock-on effect on your wider wellbeing.” Noticing your breathing is the first step to improving it. 42:39 "Notice your breathing responses during activity, so notice what your breathing patterns do. Do you start to get more shallow as you get more effortful? Do you start to breathe through your mouth? Be more mindful of how your breathing responds to activity." 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: Watch the original webinar and access downloadable content Find out more about the breathing techniques Gillian has mentioned Find out more about the Wim Hof method 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 episode 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. If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation. Gillian’s bio: Gillian’s qualifications and career background After graduating from Dundee University with a BSc Hons in Anatomical Sciences, Gillian went on to study physiotherapy. She graduated in 2002 and worked in Croydon University Hospital for 10 years where she cemented her passion for neurology. During her time in Croydon, she completed an MSc in Acupuncture from Coventry University, a useful tool for the treatment box. The MS Therapy Centre In 2012, Gillian moved to Edinburgh where she began working at the MS Therapy Centre Lothian as Lead Physiotherapist. Here she has developed a reputable service for those who attend the centre and has established strong links with the medical and healthcare professionals who are involved in their clients’ care. The ethos promoted by the MS Therapy Centre is one of supported self-management, encouraging and enabling the clients to understand and take control of their symptoms. Within her role Gillian is dedicated to helping people explore their capabilities and facilitate them to achieve a fitter, healthier, happier self. The Health Design Collective – designing products to support people with MS. Gillian is also a director of the social enterprise, Health Design Collective. Set up in 2019, they have a vision to create innovative products for people with long-term health conditions through co-design with the end users. Their first product currently under development is footwear for people with foot drop.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

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A Newfound Gratitude for Health with Mike Kennedy | S5E27 57:28

2 years ago57:28

57:28

Welcome to Living Well with MS. In this episode, we are pleased to welcome Mike Kennedy as our guest. Mike was diagnosed with MS over 10 years ago and is an advocate for living a healthy life and following the Overcoming MS Program. He will be discussing with Geoff the lessons he has learnt along the way, including when he deviated from the Overcoming MS diet. Keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Questions and Timestamps: 00:33 Could you introduce yourself? 02:32 Can you tell us about your MS and Overcoming MS journey? 11:21 Unhealthy vegan food 18:25 Experience with first neurologist 21:42 Cryotherapy or cold exposure 25:26 Hyperbaric oxygen therapy 29:50 Homeopathy 33:15 The placebo effect 38:31 Family prevention 43:44 Tea and plant-based milks 45:38 Matt Embry’s influence 49:28 What advice would you give to someone newly diagnosed? Selected Key Takeaways: Change your life for life 15:01 “If I was told right now, ‘Mike, you no longer have MS, you will not [get] it again', I would not go back to eating cheese. I would not go back to eating dairy. I would not go back to eating big fat burgers. Honestly, I think that it's all habitual because these are the habits that I built around my life.” Cryotherapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy helped Mike’s inflammation. 23:13 “At the 10-year mark, my symptoms at that time were a little more pronounced. I tried hyperbaric oxygen [therapy] for an hour and then cryotherapy. I can only say it was the most incredible relief or feeling I've [ever] experienced. [When] I got out of the cryotherapy tank, I felt like I could run a marathon, and I have never run a marathon. All the inflammation in my legs [was] gone; it was just like fresh blood came into my legs and it was the most incredible feeling. I recommend anyone with problems with inflammation or MS to try cryotherapy.” There can be a silver lining to an MS diagnosis 53:40 “Believe me, it's not all bad news. There's so much you can do to make this situation much better for yourself. In fact, in so many ways, I'm a lot healthier now than I would have been had I not had MS. I know that sounds pretty strange, but it's true. I got healthier; my weight’s a lot healthier. I'm not saying I wouldn't wish I didn't have it, but it certainly gives me a lot of positives as well as negatives, without doubt.” 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: Connect with Mike on Twitter @mrmikekennedy or Instagram @miketonykennedy Watch the BBC programme 'Ultraprocessed Foods: A recipe for ill health?' Visit Conor Devine’s MS site Watch 'The Placebo Experiment: Can My Brain Cure My Body?' by Dr Michael Mosley Listen to Trevor Wicken's podcast episode MS Workouts with Overcoming MS Listen to Dr Gretchen Hawley's podcast episodes: Season 2 episode 18 Season 3 episode 39 Listen to Dom Thorpe's podcast episode Listen to Matt Embry's podcast episode Find out more about Mike’s mum’s charity, ‘Ladies Fighting Breast Cancer’ 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.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

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Assistive Technology with Kristi Peak-Oliveira | S5E26 38:00

2 years ago38:00

38:00

Welcome to Living Well with MS. In this episode, we are pleased to welcome Overcoming MS Ambassador Kristi Peak-Oliveira, who has been following the Overcoming MS Program since 2016 and is an Ambassador for the Boston Circle. She is also a pathologist and the assistant director for assistive technology services at ‘Easterseals Massachusetts’, whose clients include people with multiple sclerosis. Watch this episode on YouTube here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways and Kristi's bio. Questions and Timestamps 01:00 Could you tell us a bit about yourself and your MS diagnosis? 05:08 How did you come across Overcoming MS? 07:14 Tell us about how you became the Ambassador for the Boston Circle. 11:44 Have you talked to your neurologist about Overcoming MS? 18:28 You work as a speech pathologist and as the assistant director for assistive technology services at ‘Easterseals Massachusetts’. Could you tell us what that is? 21:08 What are some examples of assistive technology that can help symptoms like cog fog and memory issues? 24:54 Do you have examples of assistive technology for fine motor control as well? 26:13 Is there anything we can do ourselves to make our devices more accessible? 26:59 Can you tell us about your upcoming trip to Peru, to take assistive technology to orphan children with disabilities? 31:39 You have always loved dancing, are you still able to dance with your MS symptoms? 35:41 What advice would you offer to someone who has been newly diagnosed with MS? Selected Key Takeaways Assistive technology helps people complete daily tasks more independently. 18:45 “Assistive technology is a broad category, but it's basically almost anything that can compensate for your disabilities to help you access different life skills, whether it's working on a computer, cleaning your house, or remembering to take your medication. Augmentative communication is what I do as a speech pathologist, [and] is a subset of assistive technology. It focuses on someone who is not able to use speech as their primary means of communication. So, we're helping them with technology.” Kristi credits the Overcoming MS Program for giving her the confidence to take a humanitarian trip to Peru. 30:32 “My yoga teacher got this idea; it's called ‘Project Give a Voice’. I'm going with her in September for two weeks to bring augmentative communication to students in Peru who are not able to speak. I'm really excited about it [and] she's excited about it [too]. It's because of Overcoming MS. If it wasn't for Overcoming MS, I might not ever have tried yoga or ended up with this teacher. [Following] Overcoming MS gives me the confidence to know that I'm going to physically be able to participate in this trip.” Finding a reason to live well helps Kristi stay motivated. 32:58 “You have to find something that's really motivating. For me, it was my dance class. I didn't want to give up my dance class, I love the women there. That was the thing that really motivated me to dig into Overcoming MS. Over time, foot drop was an issue [and] I've definitely fallen in the class. But over time, I've definitely noticed especially my right foot, (my right side is more affected) has gained in strength.” 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 Project Give a Voice Easterseals Massachusetts Home Page Easterseals Massachusetts assistive technology page Read a guide for doctors and other healthcare workers when speaking with patients about assistive technology and MS . It was written by a speech-language pathologist who works at a nursing home dedicated to people with progressive neurological diseases whom Kristi knows professionally. Listen to the episodes Vickie the Ambassador from Connecticut was on: Coffee Break Building Community through Overcoming MS Circles 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. Kristi’s bio: Kristi’s MS and Overcoming MS journey Kristi was diagnosed with MS in July of 2016 and started following the Overcoming MS program later that year. She has been a part of the Boston, US Circle since it began and now serves as the Ambassador. Kristi’s personal life Kristi is married with two adult children, and thanks to Overcoming MS continues to enjoy activities such as yoga, dance class, gardening, and singing in her church choir. Kristi’s career Kristi has been a speech-language pathologist for over 30 years and currently serves as assistant director of assistive technology services at Easterseals Massachusetts, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to serving the needs of individuals with disabilities. Clients include those with multiple sclerosis, and they are provided with assistive technology (AT) solutions to compensate for sensory, physical and cognitive challenges. Kristi has used AT solutions herself to deal with MS symptoms and exacerbations and is happy to share the information so others with MS can benefit.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

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HSCT with Professor Richard Burt | S5E25 58:17

2 years ago58:17

58:17

Welcome to Living Well with MS, where we are pleased to welcome Professor Richard Burt as our guest! Professor Burt is a leading expert in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for autoimmune diseases including MS and has been awarded a number of prestigious accolades. Watch this episode on YouTube here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways and Professor Burt’s bio. Questions and Timestamps 02:35 Could you introduce yourself and tell us about your work with patients with autoimmune conditions and MS? 12:03 What do you think about the idea of flipping the model and offering the most aggressive treatment options to patients first? 16:27 What are the risks of HSCT? 21:18 Can you tell us about the costs associated with stem cell transplantation? 24:13 What type of patients respond best to HSCT? 31:16 Do you see a future where doctors are trained in multiple fields and understand the whole picture of autoimmunity? 38:10 If someone’s interested in exploring HSCT, what should they look for in a clinic or physician? 41:47 HSCT has a high upfront cost but how does that compare to being on an MS drug for years or perhaps a lifetime? 53:50 The Dalai Lama wrote the introduction to your book ' Everyday Miracles' . How did that come about? Selected Key Takeaways Randomised controlled trial results for HSCT have been very positive 05:12 “In a randomised trial, [HSCT] was just hands down much better than any [other] drug. All the drugs you use for MS are based on approval for slowing disease activity. That is slowing the number of relapses or slowing the rate of progression of disability but not stopping it or not reversing it. Often you stay on these drugs indefinitely. A transplant, on the other hand, is a one-time treatment and afterwards, you get better, your neurologic disability reverses, nothing else had done that.” It’s important to consider the disease trajectory, risks, and benefits of stem cell transplants. 14:02 “MS causes accelerated loss of brain volume, that is brain atrophy. Unfortunately, as we age, we get brain atrophy and a normal, very low, but normal decline. But once you get MS, that decline takes a much sharper drop, and you're losing neural function a lot faster than normal ageing. For some reason, that's not viewed as a sub-acute or semi-emergency situation that you want to reverse. Traditional drugs have mostly just slowed that rate of decline, but it's still faster than what happens with normal ageing. I would think a more aggressive approach up front would be wise, but you always have to remember [the] risk–benefit. If we could do a stem cell transplant with zero risk of mortality, I would say absolutely for everybody. But you can't do that right now.” A medical speciality and institute for autoimmunology could help push the field forward 34:20 “There are 80 different autoimmune diseases that I can think of offhand. They're all “homeless” in different departments like Crohn's disease [which is] in gastroenterology, Scleroderma [which] is in rheumatology, and multiple sclerosis [which] is in neurology. They're all separated [into] different areas. If there was a better organisation, beginning at a federal level with a national institute of autoimmune diseases that supports centres of excellence around the country, that would really help this go forward.” 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: Visit Professor Burt’s website Read Professor Burt’s new book on HSCT for autoimmune diseases ‘ Everyday Miracles ’ Check out Professor Burt’s medical textbook ‘ Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapies for Autoimmune Diseases ’ Find out more about the StarMS trial in the UK 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. Professor Richard Burt’s bio: Professor Richard Burt is a Fulbright Scholar, Professor of Medicine at Scripps Health Care, tenured retired Professor of Medicine at Northwestern University, and CEO of Genani Biotechnology. He endeavored for 35 years, first with animal models and then with some of the world’s first clinical trials, to bring the field of stem cell and cellular therapy to the patients’ bedsides. Publishing Professor Burt has published more than 145 first-author articles and is the editor of four medical textbooks. He was the first Autoimmune Committee Chairperson for the International Bone Marrow Transplant Registry (IBMTR) and was the principal investigator of a National Institutes of Health (NIH) $10 million multicenter contract to develop stem cell clinical trials for autoimmune diseases. Hematopoietic stem cell transplants Professor Burt performed America’s first hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) for multiple sclerosis (MS), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Crohn’s disease (CD), stiff person syndrome (SPS), and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and published the world’s first randomised clinical stem cell transplantation trials for systemic sclerosis and multiple sclerosis. Awards and achievements He has been awarded the Leukemia Scholar of America, the Lupus Foundation of America Fidelitas Award, the van Bekkum Award by the European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, the Distinguished Clinical Achievement Award by the Clinical Research Forum, and the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Clinical Achievement Award. Professor Burt was presented in Vatican City, Rome, with the “Keys to the Vatican,” was a speaker at the Festival of Thinkers in Leadership in Healthcare in the United Arab Emirates and chaired the biotechnology session at the Baku Azerbaijan International Humanitarian Forum. Professor Burt was recognised by Science Illustrated for accomplishing one of the top 10 medical breakthroughs for the next 10 years and by Scientific American as one of the top 50 individuals for improving humanity and outstanding leadership.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

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Menopause and MS Roundtable | S5E24 43:42

2 years ago43:42

43:42

In this episode of Living Well with MS, Overcoming MS Medical Advisor Dr Jonathan White, who is an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, welcomes Neurologist, Dr Kate Petheram, and Gynaecologist and Menopause specialist, Dr Siobhan Kirk for a round-table discussion on multiple sclerosis and menopause. Watch this episode on YouTube here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways. Questions and Timestamps: 00:34 The importance of talking about menopause and MS. 01:33 What is menopause? 04:48 What do we know about the effect of menopause on MS? 07:12 What are the symptoms somebody may experience with menopause, that a gynaecologist can help with? 08:47 What is hormone replacement therapy (HRT)? 10:17 Is HRT safe to take with disease-modifying therapies for MS? 12:31 Can blood tests diagnose menopause? 15:02 Is HRT safe for someone who has a family history of breast cancer? 16:33 Does HRT cause people to put on weight? 19:01 Should someone start HRT because they have MS? 21:58 Will supplements or dietary changes help menopause symptoms? 23:14 What about this concept of bioidentical HRT? 24:19 Do you think somebody with MS would benefit from testosterone patches? 26:40 What's the latest research we know about the impact on hormones and menopause treatment, and the outcomes? 28:15 Are hot flushes and heat sensitivity a concern for people with MS? 29:49 What is the Mirena coil and how that may be a part of HRT? 32:23 What are the side effects of progestogen? 32:55 Does early menopause (before 40) affect the rate of progression of someone's MS, either for the better or for worse? 39:26 Topical oestrogen and bladder symptoms Selected Key Takeaways: There is a lot of overlap between MS symptoms and menopause symptoms. 6:42 Dr Kate Petheram: “Because of the overlap in symptoms. There are perhaps elements which are so relevant to menopause, which we can perhaps talk about as well in terms of symptoms such as hot flushes and heat intolerance, which again may exacerbate symptoms of MS. So, there may not be a biological difference, but the symptoms of menopause and perimenopause may influence and make worse MS symptoms, which is why I believe it's so important to recognise and point women in the right direction to get the right help." There is no evidence that Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) causes cancer. 15:19 Dr Siobhan Kirk: “There is no evidence that HRT causes breast cancer. But if you're taking extra hormones, and you've got abnormal cells, then the extra hormones can promote the growth of the abnormal cells. There's no increased risk of breast cancer with use of HRT under the age of 50, for earlier menopause, because you're just replacing what the uterus should be producing.” There is a lot of research taking place around the world on different aspects of living with MS including menopause. 34:12 Dr Jonathan White: “It is reassuring [for] someone living with MS to know that there is just a colossal amount of research going on around the world on all sorts of aspects of living with MS. I feel like reproductive health and women's health is getting to that place slowly. There's a really big push, I can see that in the research community and I'm glad to hear that menopause and post-reproductive health is getting it too.” 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: Watch the YouTube video Find out more about Women’s Health Concern Visit The British Menopause Society Read more about menopause and MS 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 . 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. If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation here . Bios: Dr Siobhan Kirk’s Bio: Dr Siobhan Kirk is an Associate Specialist in Gynaecology and Clinical Lead for Sexual & Reproductive Health in Belfast HSC Trust. Siobhan’s career She is a Fellow of both the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists and the Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare. She is a British Menopause Society accredited menopause specialist and trainer, based in the menopause clinic in the Mater Hospital, Belfast. She is passionate about all aspects of women’s health, is on NI RCOG and FSRH committees, and is involved in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching. Dr Kate Petheram’s Bio: Dr Kate Petheram is a Consultant Neurologist in Sunderland where she is currently MS lead. Kate’s career background Kate studied medicine in Bristol and stayed in the southwest to do her medical training in Bristol and Exeter moving to London to do Neurology jobs at St Georges and The Royal Free. She made the move to the North East to undertake Neurology specialist training. She is a local PI for a number of observational studies. She is a member of the ABN quality committee and one of the medical advisors for the MS Society. She has recently been appointed as training programme director for the North East. Dr Jonathan White’s Bio: Jonathan’s Career: Dr Jonathan White went to the University of Glasgow Medical School, graduating in 2008 (MBChB). He completed a further five years of training in Obstetrics and Gynecology and is a member of the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (MRCOG). He works at the Causeway Hospital, Coleraine and has a special interest in early pregnancy and recurrent pregnancy loss. In April 2022, Jonathan was awarded “Doctor of the Year” at the inaugural Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Awards. He contributed to the ‘Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis Handbook: Roadmap to Good Health’ by writing the chapter about medication. Overcoming MS and personal life: Jonathan was diagnosed with RRMS in October 2015 and has been following the Overcoming MS Program ever since. Dr White assists Overcoming MS as a medical advisor and event facilitator. He lives on the North Coast of Northern Ireland, is married to Jenny and father to Angus and Struan. His interests include the great outdoors, cycling and running (reluctantly), reading, rugby, film, and spending time with his family.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

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The Mind-Body connection with filmmaker Shannon Harvey | S5E23 21:21

2 years ago21:21

21:21

Welcome to Living Well with MS, where we are pleased to welcome Shannon Harvey as our guest! Shannon is an Australian journalist and filmmaker specialising in wellness, mental health, and optimising wellbeing for those with chronic conditions. Watch this episode on YouTube here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways and Shannon’s bio. Questions and Timestamps: 03:17 Can you tell us about your film ‘ The Connection: Mind Your Body ’? 05:22 In your film ‘ The Connection ’ you interview some of the top scholars on mindfulness and the mind-body connection including Jon Kabat-Zinn and Dr. Herbert Benson. Can you tell us a bit about their work and what you learned from them? 08:05 You mentioned that for your project ‘ My Year of Living Mindfully ’ (both a film and book) you tried out the science on yourself. How did that go? 10:01 Is there a big difference between doing mindfulness rigorously every day and doing it three or four times a week? 11:21 You've also written a book, ‘ The Whole Health Life ’, and have interviewed dozens of scientists and patients about living a healthy life with an autoimmune disease. So, what are the takeaways from writing that? 12:55 You count Professor George Jelinek as a personal hero of yours. Could you tell us about what it was like to meet George? 15:44 Could you tell us about your latest project called ‘What if mental illness was preventable’? 18:38 How can listeners find out more about your work and watch your films? Key Takeaways: Making lifelong changes is hard but worth it. 12:19 “‘The Whole Health Life’ is broken up into very practical things that the Overcoming MS community is already [doing]. Things like making sure I regularly exercise, get enough sleep, have meaningful connections with the people that I love, and [how to] nurture those relationships. Then, [it] talks about the fact that making these lifelong changes is really, really hard. The book is also about how we can apply the science of behaviour change to actually make [these] changes [so] that we can actually stick to [them].” Professor George Jelinek shows that people can live well with chronic conditions. 13:04 “I met George (Jelinek) when I was first shooting ‘The Connection’. It was very much the beginning of my understanding of the many things that we can do for ourselves in order to live well with a chronic illness. He blew me away the first time I met him, because he was really well, despite everything. Despite his family history, despite his prognosis, he was just so well, and meeting him was quite inspirational because I thought to myself, ‘well, if, if he can do it, then he's like a living case study for me to show that I can do it, too.’” Shannon’s next project asks, “What if mental illness was preventable?” 16:53 “While I was making ‘ My Year of Living Mindfully ’, I learned that so much of mental illness actually begins before the age of 20 or 22, I think it is. If you develop a mental illness at a young age, you are significantly more likely to develop it again later in life. If you've developed it a second time, it greatly increases your chances of developing it a third time. So, I'm really personally interested in this idea of prevention.” 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: Find out more about Shannon’s work Find out more about ‘ The Connection’ Find out more about ‘ My Year of Living Mindfully ’ Jon Kabat-Zinn and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Find out more about Dr. Herbert Benson Read about George Jelinek’s personal story Listen to S5E13 Meditation tips with Professor Craig Hassed Visit the Overcoming MS Mental Health Hub 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. Shannon’s bio: Shannon Harvey is the multi-award-winning director of two internationally acclaimed documentaries, The Connection: Mind Your Body and My Year of Living Mindfully. She’s currently working on a new film project while balancing her life as the mother of two adventurous boys. Shannon’s career background Shannon was the recipient of the National Press Club of Australia’s “Health Journalist of The Year” award for her first book, The Whole Health Life, which is about finding good health after being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. Shannon has worked as a news and current affairs journalist for leading news organisations such as ABC, Nine Network and Fairfax and her latest book, My Year of Living Mindfully is published by Hachette.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

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Webinar highlights: Women’s Heath with Dr. Jonathan White and Professor Helen Rees Leahy | S5E22 40:23

2 years ago40:23

40:23

In this episode, we are sharing the highlights from our webinar 'Women’s Health' with Dr. Jonathan White and Professor Helen Reese Leahy. Dr. Jonathan White is an Obstetrician and Gynecologist, and the Overcoming MS Medical Advisor. Helen lives with primary progressive MS and follows the Overcoming MS Program. They discuss how MS impacts women’s health and how the Overcoming MS Program can best support women’s health. This webinar was recorded as part of our Finding Hope with Overcoming MS webinar series. You can watch the whole webinar here or the podcast highlights on YouTube here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways and bio information. Topics and Timestamps 00:56 The history of MS research with women (Helen) 08:15 Reproductive health and MS (Jonathan) 26:14 The Overcoming MS Program supports every aspect of women’s health (Helen) 34:51 Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) (Jonathan) 47:41 Bladder issues with MS and menopause (Jonathan and Helen) Selected Key Takeaways More research is needed to understand menopause’s effect on MS "The age group with the highest number of people with MS, both men and women, is now 55-64. So, if you think about [that] within the general MS population, that's obviously a very large number of women who are either menopausal or postmenopausal. But very, very few women over 50 are recruited for MS research trials. So, the effects of menopause on the lives and health of women with MS, in general, but also our response to DMTs, are very under-researched.” Inflammation can worsen as we age "‘Inflammageing’ is a fascinating term, which essentially [means] the inflamed pro-inflammatory state that people exhibit as they get older. A lot of the conditions we develop at an older age are actually due to increases in inflammation. Cardiovascular disease would be a prime example of that. We think that ‘Inflammageing’ certainly has a role in this mixed bag of MS and menopause, and of course, the obvious one to look at will be oestrogen deficiency. Is HRT beneficial if you have MS? There is some evidence to say that it is. But again, none of those studies are prospective or randomised control studies. Generally speaking, it's not recommended to take HRT just by virtue of having MS to protect yourself. But there's certainly no reason not to [take it] because you have MS [and menopause] and in fact, it may be beneficial. So, if you are struggling with the hot flushes, the night sweats or your urinary symptoms have suddenly got much worse, you're suffering from vaginal dryness, then this is definitely a conversation that you should be having." Bladder issues are common with MS and menopause "With MS in both males and females, we think up to between 50% and 70% of people will have bladder dysfunction due to MS. That usually affects the nerves supplying the muscle, the detrusor muscle in the bladder wall, and makes it very irritable, so it tends to be an overactive or urge problem with MS. That's also very common post-menopause, and the mechanism isn't entirely the same, but it does share a bit, and part of it is certainly to do with oestrogen deficiency." More Info and Links: Watch the original webinar Listen to Dr. Jonathan White’s podcast episodes on Season 1 Episode 2 , Season 2 Episode 19 , Season 3 Episode 32 , the 100th Episode , and Season 4 Episode 64 Read the paper‘ Effects of Menopause in Women with Multiple Sclerosis: An Evidence-Based Review ’ Read ‘ Does menopause influence the course of MS? ’ Visit the Royal College of Obstetricians, Gynecologists’ women's health hub The British Menopause Society The Women’s Health Concern Listen to Dr. Rachael Hunter discuss the 3Ps on S4E67 Listen to Helen’s podcast episode about Primary Progressive 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 https://www.facebook.com/OvercomingMS/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/overcomingms/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/overcomingms Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/overcomingms/ Website https://overcomingms.org/ 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. Dr. Jonathan White’s Bio Career: Jonathan went to the University of Glasgow Medical School, graduating in 2008 (MBChB). He completed a further five years of training in Obstetrics and Gynecology and is a member of the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (MRCOG). He works at the Causeway Hospital, Coleraine and has a special interest in early pregnancy and recurrent pregnancy loss. In April 2022, Jonathan was awarded “Doctor of the Year” at the inaugural Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Awards. He contributed to the ‘Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis Handbook: Roadmap to Good Health’, by writing the chapter about medication. Overcoming MS and personal life: Jonathan was diagnosed with RRMS in October 2015 and has been following the Overcoming MS Program ever since. Dr. White assists Overcoming MS as a medical advisor and event facilitator. He lives on the North Coast of Northern Ireland, is married to Jenny and father to Angus and Struan. His interests include the great outdoors, cycling and running (reluctantly), reading, rugby, film and spending time with his family. Professor Helen Rees Leahy’s bio: MS and Overcoming MS Helen was diagnosed with Primary Progressive MS in 1997 when she was 37 years old. Being ineligible for any Disease Modifying Treatment (DMT) within the UK National Health Service, she began to explore holistic approaches to managing her condition. She discovered Overcoming MS in 2008 and has followed the Program ever since. She was previously a Trustee for Overcoming MS. Personal life and career Helen lives in Conwy, a small, medieval town in North Wales. In 2017, she took medical retirement from the University of Manchester where she was a Professor in the Department of Art History and Cultural Practice. As an Emerita Professor, Helen continues to research and teach doctoral students. She also spends time hand-weaving and learning Welsh, the language of her ancestors.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

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Phil King: An MS nurse with Multiple Sclerosis | S5E21 44:59

2 years ago44:59

44:59

Welcome to Living Well with MS, where we are delighted to welcome MS Nurse, Phil King, as our guest! Phil offers a great perspective: as a Multiple Sclerosis nurse who also has MS himself, he has been following the Overcoming MS Program for more than a decade. Watch this episode on YouTube here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways and Phil’s bio. Questions and Timestamps 00:54 Can you tell us about your personal MS journey and professional MS journey? 05:35 Did you become an MS nurse before or after your diagnosis? 11:36 Do you recommend Overcoming MS to your patients? 17:09 Would you say that your patients are typically keen to add in lifestyle modifications? 20:41 How does smoking affect MS? 25:06 Medication is a pillar in the Overcoming MS Program. 26:07 How does having MS yourself help you in your role as an MS nurse? 29:43 What are your tips for us as patients for interacting with nurses and neurologists? 38:48 Meditation can take on many different forms. 40:15 If you could give some advice to someone recently diagnosed or just starting the Overcoming MS program, what would it be? Selected Key Takeaways Be honest with your nurse about your symptoms, even if you think they are embarrassing. 32:19 “I'll be honest, I've had bladder issues before. If I'm talking to a patient and they say, ‘I'm having to get up two or three times a night, and it's embarrassing. Sometimes I don’t make it to the toilet in time. I don't really want to speak to a nurse about it, and I don't want to go into the bladder and bowel clinic about it,’ I say, ‘Well, why not? I've been [to the clinic].’” Work with your healthcare team to manage your condition for life. 37:25 “[MS is] not a condition that is going to end your life very quickly. This is a condition for life. We're now seeing that people with MS have a near-to-normal lifespan, [just like] any other person. So, it's about managing your condition, [and] it's about being honest with your nurse. If your nurse or neurologist asks you to keep a diary [of] how often these symptoms occur, it's really helpful to us because we want you to live the best life that you possibly can.” You can live a very good life with MS. 43:17 "MS is frightening when you're newly diagnosed, but it does settle down, and there is hope. There is a life to be lived with MS. You can live a very good life. I would say that I look at MS as a gift, which I never thought I'd say. It’s shown me so many different things, different ways of living, [and] different friend groups. If I was told tomorrow, 'Phil, we've made a big mistake. You haven't got MS,' I wouldn't change my lifestyle at all." 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 The Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis Handbook Are you a Healthcare Professional? Visit our Healthcare Professionals webpage 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 Twitter 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. Phil’s bio: Phil’s journey with Overcoming MS and fitness Phil King has been following the Overcoming MS program for 11 years. He discovered Overcoming MS through Rebecca Hoover’s site An Intelligent Person’s Guide to Beating MS while he was scouring the internet for help just before diagnosis. Phil still runs, cycles and lift weights (he admits, “I’ll never be Mr. Muscle but I’m working on it!”) Phil’s MS and career as an MS Nurse Phil has only had 1 relapse since diagnosis and follows the Overcoming MS program strictly. He works as a multiple sclerosis nurse for England’s National Health Service and contributed his story to the Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis Handbook.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

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Nutrition Facts for MS with Dr Michael Greger | S5E20 31:33

2 years ago31:33

31:33

Welcome to Living Well with MS, where we are pleased to welcome Dr Michael Greger as our guest! Dr Greger is a physician, New York Times bestselling author, and internationally recognised speaker on nutrition, food safety, and public health issues. He speaks to Geoff about gluten and MS, how to get enough iron from food and how to ensure you don’t get a leaky gut. Keep reading for the key episode takeaways and Dr Greger’s bio. Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS. And if you’re new to Overcoming MS, visit our introductory page to find out more about how we support people with MS. Selected Key Takeaways: Fibre from whole intact grains and legumes will decrease intestinal permeability AKA “Leaky Gut” The most important thing to decrease intestinal permeability or [to] seal up a leaky gut is [to get enough] short-chain fatty acids that our body makes from fibre and resistance starch. These prebiotics that we eat are turned by our good gut bacteria into what are called ‘post-biotics’. What are the most concentrated sources of fibre in the diet? Number one, whole intact grains and legumes including beans, split peas, chickpeas and lentils are the most important sources of fibre. There are many health benefits to eating ground flaxseeds I'd rather people get their flaxseed oil within their flaxseeds, so from ground flaxseed (that's part of my daily dozen). Just because, in addition to getting the short-chain Omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid in those flax seeds that are found in the oil, you also get a nice low soluble fibre [and] most importantly the lignans which are cancer-fighting compounds which are not found in oil. Vitamin C improves the absorption of plant-based iron sources To get enough iron from plant-based sources, you combine sources of iron like legumes and whole grains with Vitamin C-rich foods. Vitamin C actually improves the absorption of plant-based iron. Vitamin C-rich foods [are foods such as] citrus, tropical fruits, broccoli [and] bell peppers. You just want to have it all in your stomach at the same time and that will improve your absorption. Related Links: Visit Dr Michael Greger’s website Find out about Nathan Pritikin (an early pioneer in lifestyle medicine) Listen to S4E53 Ask Jack on the topic of sodium 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 Twitter 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. Dr Michael Greger’s bio: A founding member and Fellow of the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, Michael Greger, M.D., is a physician and internationally recognised speaker on nutrition. He is a graduate of Cornell University School of Agriculture and Tufts University School of Medicine. Dr Greger’s career His science-based nonprofit, NutritionFacts.org , offers a free online portal hosting more than 2,000 videos and articles on myriad health topics. Dr Greger is a sought-after lecturer and has presented at the Conference on World Affairs and the World Bank, testified before Congress, and was invited as an expert witness in Oprah Winfrey’s defence in the infamous “meat defamation” trial. Dr Greger’s books Dr Greger is also an acclaimed author. How Not to Die, The How Not to Die Cookbook, and How Not to Diet became instant New York Times Best Sellers. More than a million copies of How Not to Die have been sold. All proceeds Dr Greger receives from the sales of his books and speaking honoraria are donated directly to charity.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

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Webinar highlights: Progressive MS with Phil Startin and Helen Rees Leahy | S5E19 33:25

2 years ago33:25

33:25

In this episode, we are sharing the highlights from our webinar ‘Living Well with Progressive MS’ with Dr Phil Startin and Professor Helen Reese Leahy. Both Phil and Helen have progressive MS and follow the Overcoming MS Program. They discuss what progressive MS is and how the Overcoming MS Program can benefit people with progressive MS. This webinar was recorded in July 2021 as part of our Finding Hope with Overcoming MS webinar series. You can watch the whole webinar here or the podcast highlights on YouTube here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways and bio information. Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS. And if you’re new to Overcoming MS, visit our introductory page to find out more about how we support people with MS. Selected Key Takeaways Overcoming MS is for every type of MS Helen Rees Leahy: “Overcoming MS is really determined to be an inclusive space in which everybody's experience of MS is acknowledged and honoured. So, though we [people with progressive MS] may be small in number, our voice is growing, and we're very much being heard within the Overcoming MS conversation.” Exercise is still important with progressive MS but be gentle and kind with yourself Phil Startin: “Be kind to yourself, try not to judge [and] compare what you can do now to what you used to be able to do. I've certainly spoken to people who refuse to exercise saying exercising reminds them of what they now can't do and that's really upsetting. We still need goals but hold them more lightly [and] more gently.” Think of the Overcoming MS Program as a toolkit rather than a set of rules Helen Reese Leahy: “I started following the Overcoming MS Program in the 2000s. It's become a framework for my daily life. I've never been eligible for any disease-modifying therapy, so in a sense, Overcoming MS is my health care programme. I feel very empowered by following the Program. I am taking responsibility and managing my own health to the best of my ability. I always regard Overcoming MS not as a book of rules, but as a kind of toolkit and to be honest, I really enjoy following the Program.” More info and helpful links: Watch the original webinar here Try yoga with Overcoming MS facilitator Veronique Gauthier-Simmons here Read more about Progressive MS Join the Progressive MS Circle New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page Visit the Overcoming MS website Follow us on social media: Facebook Instagram Twitter YouTube Pinterest Don’t miss out: Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS episode 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. If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation here . Dr. Phil Startin’s bio: Career and Overcoming MS: After a DPhil in Quantum Physics, Phil left his academic roots for a more peripatetic career in management consulting, initially with Price Waterhouse. After years of travelling around the world for both work and pleasure, including a two-year assignment in Geneva, he was diagnosed with Primary Progressive MS (PPMS) in 2007. Phil discovered Overcoming MS in 2011, and coupled with his earlier discovery of mindfulness meditation, it awakened a whole new area in his life. With training and supervision from Bangor University, he now teaches an eight-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) course to people with MS and to the general community on a pro-bono basis. He is also a trustee for MS-UK. Personal life: Phil lives in Arrochar, Scotland with his American wife, Cristina, whom he met over a weekend at the Jazz Fest in New Orleans. Phil’s completely convinced that the Overcoming MS Program and mindfulness have positively affected the trajectory of his condition Professor Helen Rees Leahy’s bio: MS and Overcoming MS: Helen was diagnosed with Primary Progressive MS in 1997 when she was 37 years old. Being ineligible for any Disease Modifying Treatment (DMT) within the UK National Health Service, she began to explore holistic approaches to managing her condition. She discovered Overcoming MS in 2008 and has followed the Program ever since. She was previously a Trustee for Overcoming MS. Personal life and career: Helen lives in Conwy, a small, medieval town in North Wales. In 2017, she took medical retirement from the University of Manchester where she was a Professor in the Department of Art History and Cultural Practice. As an Emerita Professor, Helen continues to research and teach doctoral students. She also spends time hand-weaving and learning Welsh, the language of her ancestors.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

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Parkinson’s and MS with Dr Jonny Acheson and Dr Jonny White | S5E18 53:32

2 years ago53:32

53:32

In this episode of Living Well with MS, Dr Jonathan White, Overcoming MS Medical Advisor who is living well with MS, welcomes Dr Jonny Acheson as our guest. Jonny Acheson is a physician who lives with Parkinson’s Disease. They chat about Dr Acheson’s diagnosis, the cross-over between MS and Parkinson’s and the importance of healthy lifestyle to manage symptoms for neurological conditions. Watch this episode on YouTube here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways, which include great tips and advice for people living with MS and other neurological conditions. Questions and Timestamps: 02:54 Could you start by just giving us an introduction about yourself, your background, your personal background and what you do for a living? 05:48 What was it that initially brought you to that first consultation? 09:41 Was your consultation done any differently because of the fact that you're a doctor? 18:09 Can you explain what Parkinson's disease is? 20:44 Most people with MS are diagnosed between around the ages of 20 and 40. It's maybe slightly later in Parkinson's disease normally, is that right? 21:37 Does everybody with Parkinson's end up taking Levodo? 25:09 I know for you, exercise has become a really important part of how you manage your Parkinson's. Can you tell us about that side of things? 29:59 How has work changed for you since your diagnosis? 33:12 Do you think that Parkinson's has changed the way you are a doctor in any way? 36:06 When and how do you disclose your diagnosis to your patients? 38:52 The cross over between MS and Parkinson’s lifestyle changes. 41:49 Environmental factors linked to chronic conditions. 45:33 The role of stress and how that affects you. Key Takeaways A lifechanging Diagnosis 11:07 “I was totally blindsided. I thought I had Multiple Sclerosis. I thought I had Motor Neuron Disease. I thought I had I had a brain tumor. So, for him [the doctor] to say those words [you have Idiopathic Parkinson’s disease], it was life changing news, but I think he was quite sensible. He said, "take four weeks off." I think he was wise and doing that - I needed time to get my head around it. Now you don't get your head around it in four weeks, but at least you start to educate yourself about it and some things started to make sense.” Taking time off when possible to process and learn about a diagnosis can benefit your wellbeing 16:31 “There are the invisible symptoms that you don't see: the anxiety, the apathy, the problems sleeping. All that stuff is very difficult for people to understand because they don't see it. The four weeks off really helped me, and I think it taught me two things. One, this disease wasn't going to kill me. Well, not directly anyway. And secondly, that high intensity exercise of two and a half hours a week, may slow progression, and it'll certainly help you feel better and reduce your symptoms.” Find an exercise that you enjoy, that is easy and accessible to keep you motivated 27:50 “I think the difficulty is that the general population has difficulty exercising and motivating themselves to exercise. I think if you're living with a long-term neurological condition, it's so important to keep the motivation. That is really quite a challenge. I think it's about finding something that you enjoy doing. It's finding something that you'll stick at, it's something that you know that is easy, and accessible.” More info and helpful links: Read The Imaginary Patient: How Diagnosis Gets us Wrong by Jules Montague Find out more about Every Victory Counts from the David Phinney Foundation Read about Scott, a Parkinson’s patient uses exercise to control his symptoms Find out more about Aerobic exercise for Parkinson’s Find out more about Sport Parkinson’s Jonny Acheson’s art website New to Overcoming MS? visit our introductory page Visit the Overcoming MS website Follow us on social media: Facebook Instagram Twitter 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 . 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. If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation here . Dr Jonny Acheson’s Bio: Jonny’s background Jonny Acheson is an Emergency Medicine Consultant in Leicester who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2016 when he was 41. Originally from Northern Ireland, he moved to England in 2004 to continue his medical training. He uses his art to educate people about Parkinson’s and he has recently taken up the post as Director of Engagement at the Parkinson’s Excellence Network. Advocacy for Parkinson’s He advocates about the importance of exercise in managing Parkinson’s and is presently running a campaign to ensure people in hospital with Parkinson’s get their t ime critical medication when they need it. Jonny’s personal life He is married to Heather, and they have two children Ben (17) and Anna (12). He enjoys watching Leicester City and playing golf.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

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Webinar highlights: NEU updates with Associate Professor Sandra Neate | S5E17 46:33

2 years ago46:33

46:33

Welcome to Living Well with MS. In this episode we are delighted to welcome Associate Professor Sandra Neate as our guest! Sandra is from the Neuroepidemiology Unit (NEU) at the University of Melbourne where she researches lifestyle modification and diet quality for people with MS. This webinar was recorded in September 2022 as part of our 'Finding Hope with Overcoming MS - 10th-anniversary edition' webinar series. You can watch the whole webinar here or the podcast highlights on YouTube here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways and bio. Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS. And if you’re new to Overcoming MS, visit our introductory page to find out more about how we support people with MS. Selected Key Takeaways: Evidence shows there are benefits to regular meditation (28:57) “The most compelling result was that meditation resulted in reduced depression, and increased feelings of mastery. It's about the feeling that one's life is under one's own control and not controlled by external forces, feelings of empowerment, that sort of thing. The interesting finding was that those who were meditating even as little as once weekly for 20 minutes were still experiencing a benefit.” Sticking to the Overcoming MS diet can lead to improved health outcomes (21:34) “We've conducted two studies that have looked at sticking with an MS-specific diet. Now some of these are named MS diets, like the Swank diet, the Overcoming MS diet, the Wahls style, etc. One of our studies looked at whether following an MS-specific diet led to improved health outcomes. It found that persistent adherence to the Overcoming MS diet led to lower fatigue, disability and depression than both non-adherence and ceased adherence to the diet. So, your ability to stick with the diet is a very important thing.” The Neuroepidemiology Unit wants to provide the tools for people with MS to take control of their health (45:15) “We're trying to build a picture of what lifestyle modification can do in MS. By doing that we hope to help people with MS find confidence and empowerment through the knowledge they've gained. We hope to provide people with MS with the tools to self-manage because the principles are fairly simple. The practicalities may not be so simple, but the tools are there. We hope that people will live with hope, based on the evidence that we've provided.” Related Links: Watch the original webinar here Read the Overcoming MS Handbook: Roadmap to Good Health Listen to previous episodes with Sandra Season 3E36 NEU - What's on the research horizon Season 4E47 Hello 2022, Hello OMS Handbook Find out more about the NEU here New to Overcoming MS? visit our introductory page Visit our website Follow us on social media: Facebook Instagram Twitter 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 . 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. If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation here . Associate Professor Sandra Neate’s bio: Sandra’s career Associate Professor Sandra Neate is a clinician researcher who is the head of the Neuroepidemiology Unit (NEU) within the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health at the University of Melbourne in Australia. NEU research The NEU researches lifestyle-related risk factors in MS and health outcomes and the experiences of people who adopt lifestyle modification. The NEU is also developing and researching novel ways to deliver evidence-based information about lifestyle modification to people with MS, including online modalities. Sandra's personal research interest is in talking with people with MS and their families regarding the experiences of lifestyle modification.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

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Giving Back with Circle Ambassador Jesse Mirsky | S5E16 22:21

2 years ago22:21

22:21

Welcome to Living Well with MS, where we are pleased to welcome the Ambassador of the Overcoming MS Toronto Circle, Jesse Mirsky, as our guest! He chats to Geoff about how he felt after being diagnosed with MS, how he adapted to the Overcoming MS Program and why he became an Ambassador. Watch this episode on YouTube here . Keep reading for the key episode takeaways and Jesse’s bio. Questions and Timestamps: 00:50 Could you introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about where you live and what you do? 02:03 Can you tell us a bit about your MS journey and how you found out about Overcoming MS? 02:57 Why did Overcoming MS resonate as something to follow? 03:39 Has your perspective changed at all since diagnosis and finding Overcoming MS? 06:51 How did you find quitting smoking? Did you just stop instantly? And what would be your tips for someone who is a smoker and has MS? 09:50 What aspects of the Overcoming MS Program do you like most and have found most straightforward to implement? 12:45 You're the ambassador for the Toronto area. What's the value of being the ambassador for Overcoming MS? 15:03 Could you tell us a bit about your volunteer work with MS Canada? 19:37 If you were to give advice to yourself as a newly diagnosed person, what would that advice be? Selected Key Takeaways: The Overcoming MS Program empowers and informs people to make positive lifestyle changes 03:02 “[Professor] Jelinek's voice really spoke to me like I'm a relatively intelligent adult. It was the first time I heard ideas like ‘follow this very healthy evidence-based lifestyle program, and still take your DMT with your neurologist’s guidance, if that's a good fit for you.’ It was also the first time I felt like I had a say in my health, in my approach to my MS.” Grieving your former self can be an important step in making healthy changes 04:02 “I discovered the concept of grieving for the loss of my former self and finding the new me. That concept really resonated with me. In a lot of ways, I actually saw it as a really positive thing. Through that I embraced dietary, exercise and mindfulness initiatives fully. Through the process of discovering who this new me is, I made a lot of decisions to cut out toxic elements from my life, whether that's food and lifestyle related, people, or even something like social media. Overcoming MS was a major factor in helping all this.” Find the method that works for you to quit smoking 07:40 “I really struggled for about two years with smoking. Whereas [with] my drinking, getting that under control was actually almost easy and immediate in comparison. It feels like I tried everything to quit before I got a handle on it, which included things like tracking every time I smoked, and then trying to reduce the number of times each day, going cold turkey, reading about how horrible smoking is for your health, the scare tactics, etc. All those things. At the end of the day, I actually found Allen Carr's ‘Easy Way to Stop Smoking.’ That book really worked for me.” 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 helpful links: Join an Overcoming MS Circle Listen back to our episode about Mathew Embry and the Best Bet diet Read Allen Carr’s Easy Way to Stop Smoking Live in Canada? Get more information about MS Canada support groups New to Overcoming MS? visit our introductory page Visit our website Follow us on social media: Facebook Instagram Twitter 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 . 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. If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation here . Jesse’s Bio: Jesse lives in Toronto, Ontario. He works for a Toronto-based tech startup focused on accessible digital products. Jesse’s volunteer work Jesse volunteers for Overcoming MS and MS Canada, Canada’s national MS-focused charity. As an ambassador with Overcoming MS, he facilitates the Greater Toronto Area online Circle support group. He is also a member of the Overcoming MS Communications Advisory Group. At MS Canada, he facilitates a support group for people who are newly diagnosed with the disease and gets to work with the charity’s education team on webinars and events, too. Discovering Overcoming MS A major turning point in coming to terms with his diagnosis was discovering Overcoming MS. The program has helped him to change his perspective, offered him access to a community of others who can relate and has reinforced a positive outlook that he can always come back to for inspiration and hope.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

1
MS and Creativity with Molly Meng | S5E15 31:03

2 years ago31:03

31:03

Welcome to Living Well with MS, where we are pleased to welcome Molly Meng as our guest! Molly has been following the Overcoming MS Program since 2020 and is an artist with a passion for storytelling. She chats to Geoff about how she adapted to the Overcoming MS Program, how she has found ways to manage stress and how her MS diagnosis has led her to build connections with others living with MS. Watch this episode on our YouTube here. Keep reading for the key episode takeaways and Molly's bio. Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS. And if you’re new to Overcoming MS, visit our introductory page to find out more about how we support people with MS. World MS Day Tuesday 30th May is World MS Day, this year we're joining charities all over the world to share stories of connection using #MSConnections. Join the global campaign to make a difference to people with MS here: overcomingms.org/worldmsday Key Takeaways: Understanding how diet affects your health can help you make changes “I was such a dairy hound. I was not only raised on dairy, but if you asked me one thing that I love having in my life ever it was dairy cream. Didn't have to be ice cream, just cream, milk, butter. I loved dairy so much that I thought, ’how will I ever give it up?’ But the moment I read [the research on] the Overcoming MS website, I walked into my kitchen, and I just emptied out my fridge.” Following the Overcoming MS diet can get you excited to try new flavours and food combinations “[Following the Overcoming MS Program] has changed my excitement for food. I thought I was a foodie before, but now I wake up in the morning [and] I think what kind of flavours do I want to put together? Do I want salty and sweet? What can I use to get to that flavour? Can I use dates? Can I actually use a little tahini and dill? I just love it. I now cook and make things as a relaxing hobby.” Mindful walking can be a form of stress-reduction “When I'm on my dog walk, I don't take a phone. I don't have conversations. On the dog walk, I just find that I'm really mindful and I'm noticing the robins and the flowers. My whole body tends to lower its adrenaline and by the time I get home from that walk, I don't find a lot of things to be stressed about.” Related Links: Molly’s Website: https://www.mollycmeng.com/#/ Molly’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/molly_c_meng/ New to the program? Check out our quick guide to getting started: https://overcomingms.org/new-to-oms Overcoming MS Recipes: https://overcomingms.org/resources/recipes New to Overcoming MS? visit our introductory page Find out more about Overcoming MS here: https://overcomingms.org/ Follow us: Facebook Instagram Twitter 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 . 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. If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can make a donation here . Bio: Molly’s personal life and MS diagnosis Molly Meng is a Los Angeles, California native who recently moved with her husband to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. She was diagnosed with MS in August 2020 and started following the Overcoming MS program that same month. The move from CA to NH was largely influenced by this diagnosis, in an effort to slow down and live deeper in nature. Molly’s career as an artist Molly is an artist, working with ephemera, vintage photos and textiles, who also teaches creative workshops throughout the year. She loves being on stage performing stand-up comedy, and storytelling. Molly finds enjoyment and ease in seeking out new people and speaking with strangers. Her motto that “strangers are just friends you haven't met yet” has led her to meet a wide variety of others who are living well with MS.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

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Webinar highlights: Mindfulness and Meditation with Phil Startin | S5E14 46:53

2 years ago46:53

46:53

Welcome to Living Well with MS. In this episode we are sharing the highlights from our ‘Mindfulness and Meditation with Overcoming MS’ webinar with Overcoming MS Facilitator Dr Phil Startin. Phil discusses ways to make mindfulness and meditation part of your daily life. This popular webinar was recorded on 17 April 2022 as part of our Finding Hope with Overcoming MS - 10th anniversary edition webinar series. Keep reading for the key episode takeaways and bio. Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS. And if you’re new to Overcoming MS, visit our introductory page to find out more about how we support people with MS. Selected Key Takeaways: Starting a new meditation habit can be difficult 3:17 “When we run Overcoming MS retreats or events, often one of the first questions we ask the group is ‘which steps in Overcoming MS do you find the hardest to adopt?’ And it's always meditation. If you do struggle with meditation, and getting a practice going, you're definitely not alone. Of all the different steps within the Overcoming MS program to actually adopt about 34% of us really, really struggle with that.” Give yourself permission to take time out to meditate 6:28 “We’re almost addicted to activity at times. Activity has become a measure of success, which just seems to be crazy. We're almost ‘not allowed’ to sit and do nothing. There's a phrase I really like, ‘we’re not human beings, we're human doings.’ We just spend all our time doing things. But perhaps the biggest reason why we don't meditate, or why we stop meditating is we just don't give ourselves permission.” Keep yourself accountable for your meditation practice 10:34 “At the end of the day, you need to be accountable for actually getting yourself to start meditating. I recommend that you journal, and record every time you meditate: what was that meditation experience like for you? I did for a number of years. And I found it extremely helpful to be able to look back over my experiences, and to see how it worked. It's a great way of learning about the practice. Give yourself a little reward now and again, as well. If you manage, let's say, a week of meditating within no gaps, then reward yourself for a month of meditating.” Related Links: Watch the original webinar here Overcoming MS Meditation resources Other Living Well with MS episodes on mindfulness S2 Episode 24 Top hacks for getting into a meditation habit with Alison Potts S1 Episode 7: Building a Daily Meditation Practice with Craig Hassed Sign up for the next live webinar . 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 favourite podcast listening app. If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you tune into the show. 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. If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation here . Dr. Phil Startin’s bio: Career and Overcoming MS: After a DPhil in Quantum Physics, Phil left his academic roots for a more peripatetic career in management consulting, initially with Price Waterhouse. After years of travelling around the world for both work and pleasure, including a two-year assignment in Geneva, he was diagnosed with Primary Progressive MS (PPMS) in 2007. Phil discovered Overcoming MS in 2011, and coupled with his earlier discovery of mindfulness meditation, it awakened a whole new area in his life. With training and supervision from Bangor University, he now teaches an eight-week mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) course to people with MS and to the general community on a pro-bono basis. He is also a trustee for MS-UK. Personal life: Phil lives in Arrochar, Scotland with his American wife, Cristina, whom he met over a weekend at the Jazz Fest in New Orleans. Phil’s completely convinced that the Overcoming MS program and mindfulness have positively affected the trajectory of his condition.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

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Meditation tips with Professor Craig Hassed | S5E13 53:31

2 years ago53:31

53:31

Welcome to Season 5 of Living Well with MS, the Overcoming MS podcast where we explore all topics relating to living well with multiple sclerosis (MS). In this episode, we are pleased to welcome internationally renowned mindfulness expert, Professor Craig Hassed. Watch this episode on our YouTube here. Keep reading for the key episode takeaways and Craig's bio. Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS. And if you’re new to Overcoming MS, visit our introductory page to find out more about how we support people with MS. Key Takeaways Improving mental health will have an anti-inflammatory effect on the body 2:40: “Improving our mental health and well-being and reducing our stress has an anti-inflammatory effect. High levels of stress, anger, hostility, and poor emotional health have a pro-inflammatory effect. This is very important for an inflammatory based condition, like MS. But also, if there are any symptoms that we're dealing with, the "bothersomeness" of various symptoms seems to be improved through the practice of meditation.” Recordings are very helpful, but the ultimate goal is to meditate unguided 22:13 “It's very useful to get comfortable with knowing the practice, feeling like we're understanding it [and] having guidance for a while. To wean ourselves off [guided meditation], maybe revisit the guided practice every so often, if you feel you need a top up or reminder. But ultimately, you want to be independent, so that you take it anywhere you go.” Visualising our bodies doing specific actions can aid in rehabilitation 40:01 “What happens when we imagine that physical action is that it stimulates the circuits in the brain that are associated with doing that action. If there's a blockage for getting the message through, it keeps knocking on the door, and stimulates either new growth to try and bridge that gap or to find another way of getting the message through. What they found in the research is that people rehabilitate faster, better and get more function back if they have the mental practice, as well as the physical physiotherapy rehabilitation.” Professor Criag Hassed leads a 5-minute meditation at 46:15 Related Links Listen to episode S1E7 Building a Daily Meditation Practice featuring Craig Hassed: https://overcomingms.org/resource/podcast/s1-episode-7 Take Craig’s free Mindfulness courses on Future Learn: Maintaining a Mindful Live: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/mindfulness-life Mindfulness for Wellbeing and Peak Performance: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/mindfulness-wellbeing-performance Practice guided meditations from Overcoming MS: https://overcomingms.org/resources/guided-meditation Listen to Geoff’s guided walking meditation on Insight Timer: https://insighttimer.com/geoffallix 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. If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you tune into the show. Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org . Make sure you also 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 . Professor Craid Hassed's Bio Craig’s career Professor Craig Hassed OAM has worked with the Faculty of Medicine at Monash University since 1989 but now teaches in many faculties as coordinator of mindfulness programs across Monash and the Director of Education at the Monash Centre for Consciousness and Contemplative Studies (M3CS). His teaching, research and clinical interests include mindfulness, mind-body medicine and lifestyle medicine. Craig has authored 120 papers in peer-reviewed journals and published 14 books and 17 book chapters. He is regularly invited to speak and run courses in his native Australia and overseas in health, educational, government and corporate contexts. He is patron of Meditation Australia, a regular media commentator and co-authored the world’s two leading mindfulness massive open online courses in collaboration with Monash University and FutureLearn. In 2019 Craig was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to Medicine. Craig and Overcoming MS Craig has previously worked with Overcoming MS as a facilitator at Overcoming MS retreats. He also wrote a chapter in the Overcoming MS Handbook on ‘Meditation, mindfulness and the mind-body connection’.…

Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

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The MS Stage with Megan Evans | S5E12 35:37

2 years ago35:37