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Multiple Sclerosis Podcast, hosted by Brooke Slick and Jodi Feltham: For Living a Life by Design not Diagnosis
Episodes
Wednesday Jul 27, 2022
Wednesday Jul 27, 2022
Hello everyone and welcome to a very special 2-part episode of the MS Gym podcast. At the moment, Jodi and I are currently on our usual summer podcast hiatus, but when author Dr. Terry Wahls, the creator of The Wahls Protocol, reached out to us to help share information about a new study she's working on, we were honored and MORE than happy to oblige. We both thought it would be a perfect opportunity to host an episode together and, of course, we couldn't wait to share the episodes with our listeners.
So, you might be thinking, who is Dr. Terry Wahls? What's the Wahls Protocol?
Dr. Wahls is currently a clinical professor of medicine at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine in Iowa City, Iowa, U.S.A., where she teaches internal medicine residents in their primary care clinics. She also does clinical research and has published over 60 peer-reviewed scientific abstracts, and papers.
What gives Dr. Wahls a unique perspective in her field, is the fact that in. 2003 she was diagnosed with RRMS and quickly transitioned to SPMS a few short years later.
At that time, she put her researched-oriented brain to work and discovered that most MS treatments centered around drugs that were years away from approval. Given that, she diverted her attention to the role of vitamins and supplements, which were readily available, in helping brain disorders, as part of a treatment plan. She added to her research repertoire functional medicine, a biology–based approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root cause of disease and from there started compiling a list of supplemental nutrients that would assist in brain health. Her ah ha moment came when she asked herself, what if she created a diet that would include those important brain nutrients, not from supplements, but from the foods she ate...and the rest is Wahls Protocol history!
In this episode one of two, we'll get a closer look at Dr. Wahls own physical decline and how she ate her way back to health and onto creating the now infamous Wahls Protocol. We'll also ask her about the new study she's working on.
EPISODE NOTES:
- Who is Dr. Terry Wahls?
- Her unique perspective
- Eating her way to healthy
- Too weak to sit in a chair
- Why mitochondria is key
- Diet, exercise and supplements
- How it changed her career path
- What MS drugs she's taken over the years
- Her chemotherapy experience
- Redesigning her Paleo diet
- When the magic happened
- The highlights of the Wahls Protocol
- Where are the nutrients in the food?
- Her troublesome trigeminal neuralgia
- Being able to sit at the dining table
- Making symptomatic strides from food alone
- The bike ride that changed everything
- Bringing the Wahls Protocol to the masses
- When her own residents started trying her protocol
- Running her own clinic
- "Give me your sickest people"
- Is it a healing diet?
- A body's regenerative capacity
- Fixing the microbiome
- Is it a high fat, low carb diet?
- Less sugar, more vegetables and protein, yes or no?
- FATS, what types are important?
- How the standard American diet is destructive
- Meeting people where they're at
- Explaining why there is NOT a one size fits all diet
- Is coconut oil really like "the devil"?
- Pre-diet blood work
- How our genetic differences change the efficacy of our diet choices
- Should children be on a ketogenic diet
- Who you shouldn't be listening to
- The family factor
- Dr. Wahls study
LINKS:
DR. TERRY WAHLS:
Book - The Wahls Protocol - with access to BONUS content
THE MS GYM:
BROOKE SLICK:
Wednesday Jun 22, 2022
Wednesday Jun 22, 2022
Travel with us overseas today as we chat with Julie Wake and explore her:
- Initial symptoms and delayed diagnosis
- Defeated feelings and "death sentence" mindset
- Lifestyle commitments to diet, mindfulness and exercise
- New found ability to see her mobility tools as an aid and not a crutch
- Recent travel endeavours
- Daily motivation for pressing play
The MS Gym Links
Wednesday Jun 08, 2022
Wednesday Jun 08, 2022
What an encouraging podcast episode we've got for you today from one of our superstar gymmers, Annika.
Join us as we learn about her:
- Prolonged diagnosis and denial
- Tangled web of disease-modifying therapies
- Experience with the Coimbra Protocol (high-dose vitamin D medical treatment)
- Finding The MS Gym
- Hope through neuroplasticity
- Inspiration and courage to tackle new adventures
- Daily exercise habits
"My advice to other disabled people would be, concentrate on things your disability doesn't prevent you doing well, and don't regret the things it interferes with. Don't be disabled in spirit, as well as physically.” - Stephen Hawkin
The MS Gym Links
Wednesday May 25, 2022
Wednesday May 25, 2022
This episode is up close and personal for me. It explains why I've been off grid for the last few months, my continued battle with trigeminal neuralgia, and, even more disturbing (at least to me), my mental struggle with fear.
I will share how even the most strong-willed, strong-minded person you know, may need to seek counseling to get over the mental hurdles of living with a chronic illness.
Most importantly, I want you all to know that seeking counseling is for the wise, not the weak. It can set you free from your time-wasting, joy-sucking struggle with fear and mental angst.
EPISODE NOTES:
-Flu, shingles and a trigeminal neuralgia (TN) attack
-How pain can make your life very small
-Surgery, surgery and more surgery over the years
-My next move
-Weighing options
-My choice to have gamma knife (radiation) treatment
-The patience required for recovery
-The disappointment of attacks after surgery
-Being offered pain meds as a stopgap
-Waiting for the healing to happen
-A long history of medical mishaps
-A stroke at age 35
-An unexpected autoimmune clotting disorder
-Finally, an MS diagnosis
-A pile of failed MS drugs
-Suck it up buttercup mentality
-Constantly revisiting painful medical trauma
-Getting stuck in a loop
-Reliving past traumas
-The difference in past trauma and trauma now
-The unpredictability of TN
-The fear that led me to counseling
-Having your fear validated
-Simple tools to reprogram your thoughts
-Shutting down the stigma
-Seeking counseling does not mean you're weak. It means you're wise
-Stop letting fear waste your time and destroy your joy
LINKS:
The MS Gym
Instagram - @themsgym
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/TheMSGym
Website - www.themsgym.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheMSGym/?ref=share
Brooke Slick
Instagram - @brooke.slick
Website - www.brookeslick.com
Thursday May 12, 2022
Thursday May 12, 2022
Today, we chat with Susan and learn about her two-decade journey with MS. Join us as she talks about her:
- First symptoms
- Diagnosis
- Familial connection with MS
- Challenges with employement
- Lifestyle and medical choices
- Dedication to exercise and The MS Gym
- Her upcoming "why"
- Meaningful walking victories and community support
- Freedom and joy in doing everyday chores
- Advice for new MS Gym members
- Buddy Group
The MS Gym Links
Wednesday Mar 23, 2022
Wednesday Mar 23, 2022
Feel refreshed today as we chat with MS Gymmer Jennifer Laymon and hear about her:
- Houdini symptoms
- Treatment choices
- Belief in The MS Gym
- Negative self-talk
- Dedication to growth
- Many physical and mental victories
- Winner mindset about exercise and effort
- Goals and dreams for the future
MS Gym Links
Motivation Monday: How To Live a Life By DESIGN..NOT by Diagnosis
Motivation Monday: You are NOT Alone Anymore
Mindset Minute: Feed Your Mind Well
Monday Mar 07, 2022
Monday Mar 07, 2022
Are you fighting for control?
It can be so tiring to make the "right" choices. So exhausting to do everything perfectly. What happens when we think we're on the right path but it doesn't lead to the destination we were hoping for? What then?
What would it look like for you to embrace your inability to control everything?
Wednesday Feb 09, 2022
Wednesday Feb 09, 2022
Today, we venture overseas to chat with Susannah to learn more about her:
- Multifaceted diagnosis
- Support system
- Teaching career
- Love of travel
- Walking adaption with trekking poles
- Increased Confidence
- Improvements, mentally and physically
- Deep desire to connect with friends and family
- Her goals and plans for the future
MS GYM LINKS
Tuesday Jan 25, 2022
Tuesday Jan 25, 2022
Welcome to the episode I've been dying to bring to you! It's all about the use of canes and trekking poles, and, most importantly, the advantages or disadvantages of using one or the other; and, yes, believe it or not, there are HUGE differences in these two modes of assistance.
Luckily for us, today we have access to wisdom and professional insight of Trevor Wicken, founder of the MS Gym, to break it all down for us.
I think it's important to point out that though many of you may know him as Coach Trevor, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that Trevor holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Medicine and Master’s Degree in Exercise Physiology & Biomechanics. His education AND his 21+ years of professional experience are steeped in biomechanical analysis, neurologic strength training and neuroplasticity in addition to his other specialties. I can think of no better resource to give us advice on how, when, and which assistive device we should be using.
EPISODE NOTES:
- At what point in your mobility journey should you be considering a assistive device?
- The stigma that accompanies assistive device use
- Paying attention to your patterns of mobility difficulty
- Giving yourself permission to allow yourself to feel safe
- Why Trevor loves trekking poles
- Our bodies are wired for symmetry
- Assistive devices give your brain the opportunity to chill and concentrate on walking
- What's missing in your walking chain when you use a cane?
- The danger of asymmetry
- Restoring gait patterns with trekking poles
- Who wouldn't you recommend a cane or trekking poles for?
- When one trekking pole or cane should be used
- You've got to check your ego!
- What comes first, a rollator or a cane/trekking pole?
- When you're not ready for trekking poles
- In which hand should you be holding your cane trekking pole
- How reaching for things throws you off balance
- Are there programs within the MS Gym (membership or free) that specifically address cane and trekking pole use?
- The final word on which device Trevor favors...canes or trekking poles?
- The ongoing conversation we have with ourselves regarding the stigma of mobility device use
- Learning not to be ego driven
- You can't control what people think
- What's good for you is good for your social circle
- The gift of the disease
LINKS:
The MS Gym
Instagram - @themsgym
Website - www.themsgym.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheMSGym/?ref=share
Brooke Slick
Instagram - @brooke.slick
Website - www.brookeslick.com
Wednesday Jan 12, 2022
Wednesday Jan 12, 2022
Today's journey takes us to Quebec, Ontario to chat with one of our members, Mae. Join us as we learn more about her:
- Initial symptoms
- Diagnosis at a young age
- Decision to pursue a career in the medical field
- "Forced" retirement
- Daily exercise routine
- Positive Mindset
- Ability to celebrate victories big and small
- Contagious smile
The MS Gym Links