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Multiple Sclerosis Podcast, hosted by Brooke Slick and Jodi Feltham: For Living a Life by Design not Diagnosis
Episodes
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
Wednesday Dec 22, 2021
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
Wednesday Dec 08, 2021
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
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
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
Motivation Monday: Threat bucket