Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

• Bonus from the archive: Running marathons with MS with Alex Tsirigotis | S7 bonus

  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 [email protected].  If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review.  

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• Relationships and MS with Nikoma and Simone Bell | S7E09

  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 [email protected].    If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review.   

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• Open Communication about MS with Program Facilitator Hayley Baker | S7E08

  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 [email protected].  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. 

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• Finding your 8th Pillar with comedian Rabiah Coon | S7E07

  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 [email protected].   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.

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

  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  [email protected]. 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.

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