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

Walking Wonderlands

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

The MS Gym

Tuesday Jan 25, 2022

CANES VS. TREKKING POLES: What’s Right for You and When with Trevor Wicken

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

Shifting from Sadness to Smiles

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

The MS Gym

Motivation Monday: If you can walk 3 steps, you can walk 30

Wednesday Dec 22, 2021

Dancing to a NEW Rhythm

Wednesday Dec 22, 2021

Be encouraged and entertained as we chat with Charla about her:

Symptoms and diagnosis
Career adaptations as a dancer and coach
Severe dietary reactions
Ability to become a detective of her MS symptoms
Finding The MS Gym
Improvements that came from neurologically-based exercise vs. traditional weight lifting
Motto of "I'll improve you wrong"
Gratitude in finding victory in all things
Never giving up spirit

The MS Gym Links

The MS Gym

Wednesday Dec 08, 2021

RAISING YOUNG CHILDREN WHEN YOU HAVE MS: with Julie Stamm, Author, MS Advocate, Mother

Wednesday Dec 08, 2021

This episode welcomes Julie Stamm, author, MS advocate, and proud mom of Jack to the podcast.

Julie, who wrote the recently-released book, Some Days, A Tale of Love, Ice Cream and My Mom's Chronic Illness, shares with us her insight on raising a young child while having MS.

Her thought-provoking book, written from a child's perspective, proves that through a child's eyes, things may not be exactly as they seem, and the pressure you may be putting on yourself to perform for your child is likely an unrealistic, self-imposed expectation.

We hope you walk away from this episode with an enlightened feeling of relief, knowing that in the end, all your child needs is your time and your love.

EPISODE NOTES

- About Julie's book, Some Days

- The fears that come with pregnancy when you have MS

- How she and her son view "bad days" differently

- Turning obstacles into games

- Teaching your child resilience

- How the book is uniquely from a child's perspective

- Teaching your child that "everyone has something"

- Explaining MS to your child

- Incorporating your disability into fun

- Adapting how you play with your child based on your current symptoms

- The importance of talking to your child

- The things your child will and won't remember

- Whether to disclose your disease from your child or not

- Teaching about disability/chronic illness and empathy in the classroom

- Customizing the cover of her book

- Book #2 coming out next Fall...Book #3 the following Fall.

- Julie's advice to pregnant moms and women considering having children

LINKS:

Some Days, A Tale of Love, Ice Cream and My Mom's Chronic Illness

Motion Censor Night Light

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 Nov 17, 2021

Finding Victory in Vulnerability

Wednesday Nov 17, 2021

In today’s episode, we journey to England to chat with Ann about her:

First symptoms and diagnosis
Sudden disruption of career opportunities
Ability to adapt to changing circumstances
Threat bucket
Willingness to be vulnerable
Passion for writing and poetry
Love letter to The MS Gym (see below)

Acrostic poem to Trevor Wicken and The MS Gym

Thousands of strangers are connected by hope.

Redefining their abilities and expectations.

Evolving in their bodies and minds.

Virtually family.

Ordinary people experiencing extraordinary miracles.

Results speak for themselves.

Wisdom and passion fuel our journeys.

Individuals feel valued.

Compassion is contagious.

Kisses and hearts festoon the house you created.

Endurance is easy.

Now that you have brought us together.

The MS Gym Links

The MS Gym

Motivation Monday: Threat bucket

Wednesday Oct 27, 2021

COVID 19 & MS - The Latest Guidance on the Vaccine, the Booster and What to Expect with Dr. Marwa Kaisey

Wednesday Oct 27, 2021

SUMMARY:

In this episode, I welcome board certified neurologist, Dr. Marwa Kaisey, to the podcast where we discuss the most up-to-date information on COVID vaccines and COVID boosters. In particular, we discuss how all of that information relates to people living with MS.

Dr. Kaisey, an assistant professor in the Department of Neurology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles focuses her practice on caring for people with MS and other neuroimmune conditions. She teaches Cedars-Sinai neurology residents in both inpatient and outpatient settings and assists with the MS fellowship. She's won multiple teaching awards including the AB Baker teacher recognition award from the American Academy of Neurology.

Dr. Kaisey is active in research and has several publications on the diagnosis and misdiagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Her work includes developing novel tools to more quickly and accurately diagnose MS.

She can be found on Instagram @themsmd and YouTube where she provides, in a quick and concise way, all the latest in MS research as well as tips for living well with MS. Links to both of those can be found in the Episode Notes.

In this episode, Dr. Kaisey and I cover not only the most commonly asked questions regarding COVID and MS, but also the questions that we might be curious about but aren't often discussed.

EPISODE NOTES:

- Is MS alone considered an underlying condition?

- Which MS treatments put you at higher risk?

- What about the timing of a vaccine and your infusion?

- Which MS drug puts you at 4x higher risk of being hospitalized from Covid?

- Tysabri and the blood brain barrier.

- The sweet spot for timing your vaccine and your infusion for best vaccine efficacy.

- Vaccine response and antibody testing.

- Will the vaccine evolve as new variants emerge?

- How the vaccine was designed.

- What to do if you want to get a Covid vaccine and a flu vaccine and when? Can you get them at the same time?

- Typical side effects of first and second doses of the COVID vaccine.