Episodes
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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 @GeorgeMckintyLearn more about the 300 Challenge and how you can get involvedNew to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory pageConnect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well HubVisit the Overcoming MS websiteFollow us on social media:FacebookInstagramYouTubePinterestDon’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 [email protected].
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.
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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 breathingHypnotherapyGuided editationSchedule your worry time earlier in the dayDenise’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 postResearch discussing Ghrelin and Leptin’s connection to sleepNew to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory pageConnect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well HubVisit the Overcoming MS websiteFollow us on social media:FacebookInstagramYouTubePinterestDon’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 [email protected].
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.
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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 highlightsS1E4 The OMS Diet in a Nutshell (Part 2)S1E3 The OMS Diet in a Nutshell (Part 1)Overcoming MS Meal planning toolNew to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory pageConnect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well HubVisit the Overcoming MS websiteFollow us on social media:FacebookInstagramYouTubePinterestDon’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 [email protected].
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.
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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 pageConnect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well HubVisit the Overcoming MS websiteFollow us on social media:FacebookInstagramYouTubePinterestDon’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 [email protected].
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.
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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 ChoicesS2E17: Lifestyle Choices and Their Impact on MSS3E43: Let’s Talk About Sex (and MS)S5E5 Webinar highlights from Ask Aaron with Dr. Aaron BosterS5E36 Webinar Highlights: Ask a Neurologist with Dr Aaron BosterS6E19 Webinar Highlights: Ask a Neurologist with Dr Aaron BosterCheck out Dr Boster’s popular YouTube channel covering all aspects of MSNew to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory pageConnect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well HubVisit the Overcoming MS websiteFollow us on social media:FacebookInstagramYouTubePinterestDon’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 [email protected].
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.
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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 LeahyS5E14 Webinar highlights: Mindfulness and Meditation with Phil StartinJon Kabat-Zinn's Mindfulness Based Stress ReductionDr Walter Cannon’s fight or flight responseMeditation expert Ian GawlerListen to meditation expert Craig HassedS5E13 Meditation tips with Professor Craig HassedS1E7 Building a daily meditation practice with Dr Craig HassedShannon Harvey’s film My Year of Living Mindfully or listen to her podcast episodeHardwiring Happiness by Rick HansonNew to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory pageConnect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well HubVisit the Overcoming MS websiteFollow us on social media:FacebookInstagramYouTubePinterestDon’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 [email protected].
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.
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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 meditationLearn more about Disease Modifying Therapies for MSListen to a podcast featuring OMSer chefRead Yvette’s article on executives and disabilityLearn more about mindfulness expert Jon Kabat-ZinnJoin a mindfulness course with Yvette through MS-UKBecome an Overcoming MS volunteerTo take part in the next Pathway to Overcoming MS course email [email protected] to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory pageConnect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well HubVisit the Overcoming MS websiteFollow us on social media:FacebookInstagramYouTubePinterestDon’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 [email protected].
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.
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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 [email protected].
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.
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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-SimmonsLearn more about Dr Motl’s Exercise Neurology Reseach LaboratoryNew to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory pageConnect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well HubVisit the Overcoming MS websiteFollow us on social media:FacebookInstagramYouTubePinterestDon’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 [email protected].
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.
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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 [email protected].
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.
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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 [email protected].
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.
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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 [email protected].
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.
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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 [email protected].
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.
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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 tipsFind 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 [email protected].
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.
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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.
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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 [email protected].
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.
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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 Timestamps00:00 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.
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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 careerDr 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 backgroundFraser also has a background in higher education and was formerly a Senior Lecturer in Environmental Economics, completing his PhD at Edinburgh University.
His personal lifeFraser 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 [email protected].
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.
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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!
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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 [email protected].
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.
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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 websiteFollow 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 [email protected].
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 backgroundShe 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.
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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.”
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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 [email protected].
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.
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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?’”
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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 [email protected].
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.
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