Living Well with Multiple Sclerosis

Mari L. McCarthy is an award-winning and international bestselling author whose books Journaling Power: How to Create the Happy, Healthy Life You Want to Live and Heal Yourself with Journaling Power have introduced people around the world to the power journaling has to help heal the body. After losing feeling and function in the right side of her body in 1998, Mari was diagnosed with MS. Undaunted, she took up a daily journaling practice which over time helped improve her MS symptoms to the extent that she is now an accomplished recording artist with three full-length albums. Mari’s website, CreateWriteNow.com, is the platform she runs to share her methods, expertise and passion for journaling.

Originally broadcast in 2020, this episode has been edited to remove out-of-date content and reuploaded in 2026 to ensure it remains relevant and useful.

In this episode of Living Well with MS -- where we explore topics relating to living a full and healthy life with multiple sclerosis -- we are pleased to welcome Brett Drummond and Karen Campbell. Brett is from MSTranslate and hosts the European Committee for Treatment and Research In Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) patient day and podcast. Karen is a nurse and MS researcher who lives with MS and attended the conference this year.

Watch this episode on YouTube. Keep reading for the topics, timestamps, and our guest’s bio.

00:00 Introduction to ECTRIMS 2025 and Speakers

02:02 Overview of ECTRIMS Conference Highlights

02:41 Brett's Insights on MS Research

09:07 Emerging Treatments and Therapies for MS

15:10 The Role of Viruses in MS

18:28 Lifestyle Modifications and Rehabilitation in MS

20:03 Biomarkers and Their Importance in MS

24:24 Engaging the MS Community in Research

28:24 Karen's Perspective as a Patient and Researcher

33:55 Q&A Session: Addressing Community Questions

Watch the original presentation here

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In this episode of Living Well with MS -- where we explore topics relating to living a full and healthy life with multiple sclerosis -- we are pleased to welcome Véronique Gauthier-Simmons as our guest!

Véronique is a yoga and breathwork teacher who lives with MS and the author of Taming the Walrus: Inner Intelligence, Yoga, and the Science of Healthy Ageing.

Watch this episode on YouTube. Keep reading for the topics, timestamps, and our guest’s bio.

02:05 Journey with MS: Reluctance, Learning, and Transformation

05:25 The Unexpected Love for Yoga

07:16 Taming the Walrus: Insights from the Book

15:25 The Importance of Interoception

19:55 Movement for Healthy Aging: Strength, Stretching, and Speed

26:08 Breathwork: A Tool for Wellbeing

32:09 The Necessity of Deep Rest

34:42 Longevity: Quality of Life Over Quantity

37:38 Healing: Wholeness and Inner Alignment

39:54 Final Thoughts for Those Recently Diagnosed with MS

Check out other Living Well with MS episodes featuring Veronique

S6E10 Webinar Highlights: Accessible Movement for the Overcoming MS Community with Véronique Gauthier-Simmons

S6E18 The latest research in exercise for MS with Dr Robert Motl

S5E31 Webinar Highlights Breathwork with Véronique Gauthier-Simmons

S5E11 Exercise at home with Véronique Gauthier-Simmons

S1E6 The Overcoming MS guide to getting fit with Véronique Gauthier-Simmons

Read the study on arm strengthening as diabetes prevention

Read the study on yoga rats and inflammation

Download a Free Sample of Taming the Walrus: Inner Intelligence, Yoga, and the Science of Healthy Ageing

 

New to Overcoming MS? Learn why lifestyle matters in MS - begin your journey at our 'Get started' page

Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub

Visit the Overcoming MS website

Follow us on social media:

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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 help us continue creating future podcasts, please leave a donation here.

Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org.

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

In this episode of Living Well with MS -- where we explore topics relating to living a full and healthy life with multiple sclerosis -- we are pleased to welcome Healther O’Neil and Lyndsey Housden as our guests! Heather and Lyndsey live with MS and are program facilitators for the Overcoming MS charity.

Keep reading for the key episode takeaways and Dr Brayer’s bio.

00:55 Understanding MS and Its Impact on Physical Activity

06:18 Physical Activity's Impact on Brain Health

08:36 Exercise as a Disease Modifying Intervention

15:36 Benefits of Regular Physical Activity

18:29 Practical Guidelines for Exercise

24:57 Tailoring Exercise for MS: Personalization is Key

25:50 Balance Training: Tools and Techniques

32:22 Assistive Devices for Exercise: What Works?

34:42 Increasing Heart Rate with Limited Mobility

Learn more about exercise and MS

View all our past webinars

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

Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS.

Follow us on social media:

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube

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 podcast@overcomingms.org.

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

In this episode of Living Well with MS -- where we explore topics relating to living a full and healthy life with multiple sclerosis -- we are pleased to welcome Zillah Smart as our guest! Zillah is a nutritional therapist and trainee facilitator for Overcoming MS who lives with MS and follows the program.

Watch this episode on YouTube. Keep reading for the topics, timestamps, and our guest’s bio.

00:58 Introduction to Zilla Smart and Her Journey

04:04 Zilla's Diagnosis and Initial Reactions

08:30 Discovering Lifestyle Changes and Overcoming MS

13:43 Implementing Lifestyle Changes: Diet, Stress, and Exercise

17:16 Balancing Family Life with Overcoming MS

21:12 Encouraging Healthy Choices in Children

26:03 Adapting Lifestyle Changes Through Life Stages

30:07 The Importance of Sleep for MS Management

38:18 Final Tips for Sustainable Lifestyle Changes

zillahsmartnutrition.com

New to Overcoming MS? Learn why lifestyle matters in MS - begin your journey at our 'Get started' 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 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 help us continue creating future podcasts, please leave a donation here.

Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org.

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