All Things Adrenal

Crystal-Lee Banks joins Vanessa to discuss the joys and challenges of taking on big adventures when living with Addison's disease. Crystal-Lee shares her journey from adrenal insufficiency diagnosis to Mount Kilimanjaro summit, and how she learned to embrace physical wellness through activity and rest alike. Plus they touch on why recovery from a big undertaking can be just as much of a hill to climb as the event itself.

Follow Crystal-Lee on Instagram

Read Crystal-Lee's story on the Addison's Self-Help Group website

NADF invites you to join our second annual Navigating Adrenal Health conference: two days of expert presentations on current adrenal research, adrenal crisis education, patient advocacy, and more. Free! Registration required.

Navigating Adrenal Health 2026
November 6 & 7 - 11:30am-3pm ET / 8:30am-12pm PT
Click here to register

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'All Things Adrenal’ is sponsored by the National Adrenal Diseases Foundation and Neurocrine. 

NADF is non-profit organization for patients and caregivers, with a vision of a world without suffering or death from adrenal disease. 

NADF does not practice medicine and does not provide medical advice. NADF is not a medical authority and does not claim to have medical expertise. The information shared in this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.

Follow us on social media: Facebook - Instagram - TikTok - X

NADF Support Group leader Joanne Siegel sits down with Vanessa to discuss balancing life with multiple medical conditions, including Cushing's. Joanne details the start of the Curageous Cushing's support group and how she is working to connect members to encourage a net of support for all involved, including Joanne herself.

More info:

• Cushing's syndrome
• Join the Courageous Cushing's support group
• Other NADF support groups

NADF invites you to join our second annual Navigating Adrenal Health conference: two days of expert presentations on current adrenal research, adrenal crisis education, patient advocacy, and more. Free! Registration required.

Navigating Adrenal Health 2026
November 6 & 7 - 11:30am-3pm ET / 8:30am-12pm PT
Click here to register

---------------

'All Things Adrenal’ is sponsored by the National Adrenal Diseases Foundation and Neurocrine. 

NADF is non-profit organization for patients and caregivers, with a vision of a world without suffering or death from adrenal disease. 

NADF does not practice medicine and does not provide medical advice. NADF is not a medical authority and does not claim to have medical expertise. The information shared in this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.

Follow us on social media: Facebook - Instagram - TikTok - X

Vanessa sits down with Jessica Cella to discuss Jessica's tireless advocacy work on behalf of the adrenal diseases community. Jessica shares a wealth of information, including tips on getting to know your local EMS, how to assemble and label your personal emergency kit, and small ways that everyone can get into advocacy to help us reach a world with less suffering and death from adrenal diseases.

NADF invites you to join our second annual Navigating Adrenal Health conference: two days of expert presentations on current adrenal research, adrenal crisis education, patient advocacy, and more. Free! Registration required.

Navigating Adrenal Health 2026
November 6 & 7 - 11:30am-3pm ET / 8:30am-12pm PT
Click here to register

---------------

'All Things Adrenal’ is sponsored by the National Adrenal Diseases Foundation and Neurocrine. 

NADF is non-profit organization for patients and caregivers, with a vision of a world without suffering or death from adrenal disease. 

NADF does not practice medicine and does not provide medical advice. NADF is not a medical authority and does not claim to have medical expertise. The information shared in this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.

Follow us on social media: Facebook - Instagram - TikTok - X

Dr. Joshua Stilley stops by All Things Adrenal to talk with Vanessa about emergency medical systems: their variance between states and even counties, the importance of communicating ahead of time with your emergency care system, and ways you can prepare yourself and your loved ones to face life's most challenging moments. 

Visit NADF's Emergencies page for downloadable emergency treatment orders for adults and children, plus other life-saving resources.

NADF invites you to join our second annual Navigating Adrenal Health conference: two days of expert presentations on current adrenal research, adrenal crisis education, patient advocacy, and more. Free! Registration required.

Navigating Adrenal Health 2026
November 6 & 7 - 11:30am-3pm ET / 8:30am-12pm PT
Click here to register

---------------

'All Things Adrenal’ is sponsored by the National Adrenal Diseases Foundation and Neurocrine. 

NADF is non-profit organization for patients and caregivers, with a vision of a world without suffering or death from adrenal disease. 

NADF does not practice medicine and does not provide medical advice. NADF is not a medical authority and does not claim to have medical expertise. The information shared in this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.

Follow us on social media: Facebook - Instagram - TikTok - X

Vanessa talks with her friend and NADF Teen Support Group co-leader Elizabeth Reidy about how Elizabeth restructured her athletic life after her Addison's Disease diagnosis. Elizabeth shares how she went from the ICU to a half marathon in six months, and how keeping a disease inventory helps her manage her adrenal insufficiency. Come for the practical tips, stay for the heartwarming story of family overcoming health obstacles together.

Follow Elizabeth on Instagram @eliz_21.

NADF invites you to join our second annual Navigating Adrenal Health conference: two days of expert presentations on current adrenal research, adrenal crisis education, patient advocacy, and more. Free! Registration required.

Navigating Adrenal Health 2026
November 6 & 7 - 11:30am-3pm ET / 8:30am-12pm PT
Click here to register

---------------

'All Things Adrenal’ is sponsored by the National Adrenal Diseases Foundation and Neurocrine. 

NADF is non-profit organization for patients and caregivers, with a vision of a world without suffering or death from adrenal disease. 

NADF does not practice medicine and does not provide medical advice. NADF is not a medical authority and does not claim to have medical expertise. The information shared in this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.

Follow us on social media: Facebook - Instagram - TikTok - X

Vanessa sits down with NADF's Pennsylvania Support Group leader AJ Connor to talk about how his teenage Addison's disease diagnosis played out, how it inspired his nursing career, and what advantages there are to being both a patient and a health care professional when it comes to advocacy for adrenal diseases. AJ offers helpful tips on using patient advocates in hospital settings and mindfulness in managing adrenal insufficiency symptoms.

AJ Addison's Disease Journey - YouTube

Watch AJ's presentation from Navigating Adrenal Health 2025

Support groups are for everyone! Learn more and sign up at NADF.us/support-groups

NADF invites you to join our second annual Navigating Adrenal Health conference: two days of expert presentations on current adrenal research, adrenal crisis education, patient advocacy, and more. Free! Registration required.

Navigating Adrenal Health 2026
November 6 & 7 - 11:30am-3pm ET / 8:30am-12pm PT
Click here to register

---------------

'All Things Adrenal’ is sponsored by the National Adrenal Diseases Foundation and Neurocrine. 

NADF is non-profit organization for patients and caregivers, with a vision of a world without suffering or death from adrenal disease. 

NADF does not practice medicine and does not provide medical advice. NADF is not a medical authority and does not claim to have medical expertise. The information shared in this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.

Follow us on social media: Facebook - Instagram - TikTok - X

Vanessa sits down with Meg Zinky, NADF's interactive media designer, to talk about all the plans falling into place for Adrenal Disease Awareness Month. From online conferences to social media challenges to getting proclamations issued, find out how you can join in the activities online, on your couch, and in your community.

Follow us on social media: Bluesky - Facebook - Instagram - Threads - TikTok - X

NADF.us/AADAM for information on Light Up for Adrenal, proclamation template letters, conference registration, and more. 

NADF.us/April7 for information on international celebrations, the AAES webinar registration, and the IAC's incredible work.

We are excited to raise awareness with you!

NADF invites you to join our second annual Navigating Adrenal Health conference: two days of expert presentations on current adrenal research, adrenal crisis education, patient advocacy, and more. Free! Registration required.

Navigating Adrenal Health 2026
November 6 & 7 - 11:30am-3pm ET / 8:30am-12pm PT
Click here to register

---------------

'All Things Adrenal’ is sponsored by the National Adrenal Diseases Foundation and Neurocrine. 

NADF is non-profit organization for patients and caregivers, with a vision of a world without suffering or death from adrenal disease. 

NADF does not practice medicine and does not provide medical advice. NADF is not a medical authority and does not claim to have medical expertise. The information shared in this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.

Follow us on social media: Facebook - Instagram - TikTok - X

Vanessa and her friend (and NADF's newest employee) Lesley Myrvold get in deep with a discussion about grief and adrenal insufficiency. Along the way they chat about Lesley's teenage diagnosis with Addison's, the importance of true friendship, and how Lesley balances a full work life, weekend volunteer work, and her PAI diagnosis.

A friendly reminder from Vanessa and Lesley: It's ok to stress dose when you feel like you need it! Click here for NADF's Stress Dosing Guidelines

NADF invites you to join our second annual Navigating Adrenal Health conference: two days of expert presentations on current adrenal research, adrenal crisis education, patient advocacy, and more. Free! Registration required.

Navigating Adrenal Health 2026
November 6 & 7 - 11:30am-3pm ET / 8:30am-12pm PT
Click here to register

---------------

'All Things Adrenal’ is sponsored by the National Adrenal Diseases Foundation and Neurocrine. 

NADF is non-profit organization for patients and caregivers, with a vision of a world without suffering or death from adrenal disease. 

NADF does not practice medicine and does not provide medical advice. NADF is not a medical authority and does not claim to have medical expertise. The information shared in this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.

Follow us on social media: Facebook - Instagram - TikTok - X

Dr. Elizabeth Regan joins Vanessa to discuss how her skills as a researcher and her adrenal insufficiency diagnosis combined to motivate her to create the MyAI registry and be a medical detective in her own healthcare. They also lay out a vision for how the whole community can come together to further adrenal insufficiency research.

Watch Dr. Regan's presentation on the MyAI registry >>

Learn more about the MyAI registry >>

NADF invites you to join our second annual Navigating Adrenal Health conference: two days of expert presentations on current adrenal research, adrenal crisis education, patient advocacy, and more. Free! Registration required.

Navigating Adrenal Health 2026
November 6 & 7 - 11:30am-3pm ET / 8:30am-12pm PT
Click here to register

---------------

'All Things Adrenal’ is sponsored by the National Adrenal Diseases Foundation and Neurocrine. 

NADF is non-profit organization for patients and caregivers, with a vision of a world without suffering or death from adrenal disease. 

NADF does not practice medicine and does not provide medical advice. NADF is not a medical authority and does not claim to have medical expertise. The information shared in this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.

Follow us on social media: Facebook - Instagram - TikTok - X

Come be a fly on the wall as Vanessa chats with her friend Heidi Engelhardt about living an active life with Addison's disease, what it's like to receive a diagnosis at a young age, and the importance of stress dosing for emotional stress and grief.

Plus Heidi and Vanessa share their words of advice for teens and young adults living with adrenal disease.

Heidi is the NADF Colorado Support Group leader. Are you part of our network of support groups? We want to connect you with people who understand what you're going through, whether as a patient or a caregiver. Check out our list of regional and specialized support groups and get signed up today.

Reach out to NADF for support with your adrenal disease: [email protected]

NADF invites you to join our second annual Navigating Adrenal Health conference: two days of expert presentations on current adrenal research, adrenal crisis education, patient advocacy, and more. Free! Registration required.

Navigating Adrenal Health 2026
November 6 & 7 - 11:30am-3pm ET / 8:30am-12pm PT
Click here to register

---------------

'All Things Adrenal’ is sponsored by the National Adrenal Diseases Foundation and Neurocrine. 

NADF is non-profit organization for patients and caregivers, with a vision of a world without suffering or death from adrenal disease. 

NADF does not practice medicine and does not provide medical advice. NADF is not a medical authority and does not claim to have medical expertise. The information shared in this podcast is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice.

Follow us on social media: Facebook - Instagram - TikTok - X