Welcome back to Bathroom Break -- The best IBS podcast on the internet! ;)

On today's episode, Matt (@glutenfreestreetgang) and Christine (@myibslife) are discussing their weirdest, wildest, potentially uncommon IBS triggers they've discovered over their years of living with Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

These unhinged IBS triggers include:

What are your weirdest IBS treatments? Let us know on Instagram!

A few breakout quotes from this episode include:

"I feel like stress is one of the most annoying IBS triggers because it’s just so hard to get to the root cause and fix it. Life is just always stressful for so many reasons, let alone sh*tting your pants like once a week... You know?” — Christine (⁠@myibslife⁠)

“You heard it here first guys — Airplanes are the newest IBS trigger” — Matt (⁠@glutenfreestreetgang⁠)

"One time I tried learning a really high intensity TikTok dance and I gave myself a flare -- And I remember I was like ‘...This is my lowest point.’” — Christine (⁠⁠@myibslife⁠⁠)

"I really hope that someday when our planet is dead and aliens are looking through the ruins of society, they find a hard drive with this podcast on it and listen to it like “what the f*ck are they talking about?” — Matt (⁠⁠@glutenfreestreetgang⁠⁠)

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to click "Subscribe" or “Follow” so you don’t miss future ones!
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Our next episode will be out later this month ➡️ “Unpacking buzzwords in the IBS/gut space”

Talk soon, friends!

HAPPY IBS AWARENESS MONTH, FRIENDS! :)

Welcome back to Bathroom Break -- The best IBS podcast on the internet! ... Did ya miss us? ;)

On today's episode, Matt (@glutenfreestreetgang) and Christine (@myibslife) are playing the beloved game of "smash or pass" ... But with common treatments or "cures" for Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Here's what we came up with:

What are your "smash or pass" IBS treatments? Let us know on Instagram!

A few breakout quotes from this episode include:

“Gut flora gives me the ick” — Matt (@glutenfreestreetgang)

"I feel like a lot of people are going to hate us for this episode" - Christine (@myibslife)

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to click "Subscribe" or “Follow” so you don’t miss future ones!
Follow Christine on Instagram
Follow Matt on Instagram

Our next episode will be out later this month ➡️ “Unpacking buzzwords in the IBS/gut space”

Talk soon, friends!

The internet is both a beautiful, and a terrifying, place to be.

Welcome back to Bathroom Break -- The best IBS podcast on the internet! ;)

For today's episode, Matt (@glutenfreestreetgang) and Christine (@myibslife) scoured the internet for the WORST IBS advice they could possibly find on social media... And were able to fill an entire 35 minute episode only after 30 minutes of research. Yikes.

A summary of the bad advice in question:

As mentioned in the previous Bathroom Break episode, "Is social media the best place for IBS advice?" there are both pros and cons about the uprise in discussions about Irritable Bowel Syndrome on TikTok, Instagram, Twitter and all social platforms. Just always be cautious of who you're following, take advice only from credible sources and ALWAYS ask your doctor before taking any new supplements or medications!

A few breakout quotes from this episode include:

“I dont trust anything that says the word ‘superfood.’ What does that mean? Like, chocolate cake is a ‘superfood,’ ok? I will be taking no questions at this time.” — Matt (@glutenfreestreetgang)

"Take it from 2 people on social media…. Don’t take advice from social media — Matt (@glutenfreestreetgang)

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to click "Subscribe" or “Follow” so you don’t miss future ones!

Our next episode will be out on 2/22 ➡️ “Unpacking buzzwords in the IBS/gut space”

Talk soon, friends!

“When it comes to taking/receiving/seeing advice on social media... You should always take it with a grain of salt.” — Christine (@myibslife)

Welcome back to  Bathroom Break -- The best IBS podcast on the internet! ;)

Today, Matt (@glutenfreestreetgang) and Christine (@myibslife) are here to discuss the question... Is social media the best place for IBS advice?

And to be completely honest... The answer is complicated.

As with most things in life, there are both pros and cons about the uprise in discussions about Irritable Bowel Syndrome on TikTok, Instagram, Twitter and all social platforms.

Pros:
- Social media allows creators to build communities for those who suffer with IBS and chronic illnesses/conditions
- Social media has given people with IBS a space to talk about their experiences and  raise awareness about Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Social media creates a place for IBS patients to feel heard, understood and validated
- Social media DOES give people (including licensed healthcare professionals) the opportunity to share helpful advice on how to cope with and manage IBS symptoms

Cons:
- Social media allows anyone to call themselves a "gut health expert" or "health coach" with zero to minimal medical background
- Social media has given people a space to share advice that might not stem from a credible source and may not be true
- Social media creates a place for influencers to advertise supplements, medicines or  "treatments" that may not be effective, but will promote it to receive money from a brand
- Social media DOES give trolls a chance to tell you that an "All Raw Meat Diet" will cure your IBS

In summary, social media can be a GREAT place for people struggling with IBS to find new Low FODMAP recipes, discover new products to help manage symptoms, laugh at dank IBS memes from @myibslife and @glutenfreestreetgang & meet others who know exactly what you're going through! Just always be cautious of who you're following, take advice only from credible sources and ALWAYS ask your doctor before taking any new supplements or medications!

We're all in this crazy sh*t together, ya'll -- Stay safe out there!

A few breakout quotes from this episode include:

“The beautiful thing about social media is that everyone has a voice! The problem with social media is… Everyone has a voice.” - Christine (@myibslife)

“And they're not afraid to use it.” - Matt (@glutenfreestreetgang)

“Just because someone on TikTok with half a million followers is saying something is true… Does not make it true.” - Matt (@glutenfreestreetgang)

“'Health Coaches' gotta go… It's 2023” - Christine (@myibslife)

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to click "Subscribe" or “Follow” so you don’t miss future ones!

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Talk soon, friends!

“I need to take a second to raise a glass to everyone currently going through the seventh circle of hell that is the Low FODMAP diet” - Matt (@glutenfreestreetgang)

Welcome back to the fifth episode of Bathroom Break!

Today, Matt (@glutenfreestreetgang) and Christine (@myibslife) are here to talk all about all the low points they've experienced during their time on the Low FODMAP diet, or in their IBS journey in general.

AKA, we're voluntarily exposing our most awkward & embarrassing poop stories to everyone on the internet. You're welcome. enjoy!

A few breakout quotes from this episode include:

“Sorry that my bowel movements take precedence over your smoking needs, but alas… Here we are,” - Matt (@glutenfreestreetgang)

"How come every time you’re having the most embarrassing medical problem, you get the hottest doctor? Like, there is some universal thing that makes those two things line up every time.” - Christine (@myibslife)

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to click "Subscribe" or “Follow” so you don’t miss future ones!

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Our next episode will be out on 1/25

Talk soon, friends!

“I can’t describe to you how stressful it is asking a waiter ‘Um… Is there onion or garlic in this?’ And having them look at me like ‘Why the f**k are you asking me this?’” - Matt (@glutenfreestreetgang)

Welcome back to the fourth episode of Bathroom Break!

Today, Matt (@glutenfreestreetgang) and Christine (@myibslife) are here to talk all about their restaurant anxiety.

Remember when going out to eat was exciting? Relaxing? A luxury? And now all of a sudden instead of sitting down at the restaurant and instantly reading the menu, you're walking in and immediately scoping out where the bathrooms and closest exits are?

You're not alone - We're right there with you.

In this episode, Matt and Christine take a deep dive into the awkward scenarios that can happen while going out to eat with IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and/or food intolerances. Christine even trauma dumps about a time when her acid reflux, mixed with her extreme emetophobia (fear of vomiting), decided to act up in the middle of a first date.

Bad times, ya'll. Bad times.

But don't worry - Matt and Christine are also here to give you some tips on how to go to restaurants more confidently and comfortably, so you don't repeat their same mistakes.

“In the beginning, it’s always the hardest when you’re trying to navigate how to go out to eat while trying to stay safe and avoiding the things that make you sick — but it DOES become easier.” - Christine (@myibslife)

“It never goes away, you just kind of learn to live with it and go with the flow” — Matt (@glutenfreestreetgang) 

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to click "Subscribe" or “Follow” so you don’t miss future ones!

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Our next episode will be out on 1/11 ➡️ “Low Points in the Low FODMAP diet”

Talk soon, friends!

Is it really "Happy Holidays" if Aunt Karen won't stfu with saying "OnE BiTe WoN't KilL Ya" all of Christmas dinner?

Welcome back to the third episode of Bathroom Break!

Today, Matt (@glutenfreestreetgang) and Christine (@myibslife) are here to give you tips on how to survive this holiday season... Hopefully without the stress of your Irritable Bowel Syndrome giving you an unwanted surprise gift.

Whether you're traveling to go see family, trying to figure out what gluten free/Low FODMAP foods you can *actually* eat at family gatherings, or if you're navigating the holidays for the first time since your diagnosis, we're here to help guide you through these next few weeks of festivities.

Remember... The holidays are supposed to be FUN!  We hope you all have a happy, healthy holiday season!

"And DEAR GOD... PLEASE don't eat things you know you can't eat just because people are f*cking annoying." -- Christine (@myibslife)

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to click "Subscribe" or “Follow” so you don’t miss future ones!

Follow Christine on Instagram
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Our next episode will be out on 12/28 ➡️ “Restaurant Anxiety”

Talk soon, friends!

The only thing lower than our dating standards is the number of things we can eat without causing a self-inflicted medical emergency

Welcome back to the second episode of Bathroom Break!

Today, Matt (@glutenfreestreetgang) and Christine (@myibslife) talk all about how to talk to boys (or girls, or whoever you fancy) about your stomach issues.

Listen, there’s no doubt that hot people have IBS... But sometimes the thought of mentioning your stomach problems to the person you wanna smash feels anything but "hot" or "sexy."

We get it. And we’re here to talk about it.

Check out this new episode to hear all about how we navigated our own relationships, tips on how to take control of your dating/romantic life and how to stay confident while dealing with IBS and food intolerances.

"I think it’s important to bring up your stomach problems, whether it be right away or later down the line, to see if that person is even worth being with. When you have any type of chronic pain or chronic illness, dating and romantic relationships are a LOT of energy. you’re giving a lot of yourself - and you really have to know whether it’s worth it or not." -- Christine (@myibslife)

"Your stomach issues are nothing to be ashamed of, they are just something you have to deal with. The right person will understand. And if they don't, then you can find better than that person." -- Matt (@glutenfreestreetgang)

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to click “Follow” so you don’t miss future ones!

Follow Christine on Instagram
Follow Matt on Instagram

Our next episode will be out on 12/14 ➡️ “Surviving the holidays with stomach problems & special diets”

Talk soon, friends!

"Have you ever found a band that you thought was really cool, and everyone thought you were weird for talking about them, but then suddenly they became really popular and you started hearing them on the radio? ...That's kinda what it feels like to have IBS now." -- Matt, @glutenfreestreetgang

WELCOME to the first ever episode of Bathroom Break with Matt & Christine!

On this episode, Matt & Christine take it back 10+ years ago to when they were first diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome, before it was "hot" to have stomach issues. Honestly, it was ROUGH back then... And we're glad to see the stigmas breaking.

As Christine, @myibslife said in a recent tweet:

I love that one day some baddie was just like "you know what? having IBS is hot" and we all collectively just said "yes it is."

Thank you for hanging out with us on our first episode of Bathroom Break! Make sure to subscribe to our podcast, and give us a review if you enjoyed this episode!

Our next episode will be out on Wednesday, November 30th: "How to talk to boys about your stomach problems"

Make sure to follow Matt on Instagram
Make sure to follow Christine on Instagram

P.S. Bear with us while we sort through the audio issues LOL. we're getting there.