Chronically Living and how to make the most of it

Weight gain is common in people with chronic illness and can happen for a variety of reasons. I often see people asking how to lose weight or better manage it, which is a great question. And so Dr. Franchell Hamilton is sharing with us both Western approaches and holistic approaches to this question.
In this episode we talk about:

• holistic approaches to weight loss
• 4 pillars of transformation
• 4 transformational steps
• the app Fresh Tri

Guest Bio:
Dr. Franchell Hamilton has several years of training not only in medicine but chemistry and psychology which she obtained all over the world. After completing her medical degree, Dr. Hamilton went to work helping patients struggling with their weight. She founded A Better Weigh Center providing a wide range of wellness services without judgement. As her practice grew many patients had the same recurring issue, weight regain with return of their other medical conditions. Dr. Hamilton wanted permanent solutions. Thus the 4 Pillars of Transformation was founded, this weight loss and wellness system reaches communities where they are and has changed the practice of medicine. This program can better provide a treatment plan for each patient that not only addresses their disease but also the root cause and methods to prevent it from recurring. She uses her book, Transformation is a mindset as a guide to help all struggling with unhealthy strongholds in their life find the root and overcome.
Follow her on Instagram @drfhamilton.
Follow her on LinkedIn and Facebook @drfranchellhamilton
Check out her website: www.drfhamilton.com

Follow the show on Instagram @chronically.living_ and on Facebook @chronicallyliving.
Check out the companion blog: www.chronically-living.com
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Feeling that sense of accomplishment is linked to well-being, but many Spoonies struggle to feel that because they are limited in their daily activities. If this sounds like you, then in tune in because APS and Lupus Warrior, Darren Radke shares how he manages to feel a sense of accomplishment often, despite having two chronic illnesses.
In this episode we talk about:

• two coping skills: music and exercise
• what gives Darren feelings of accomplishment
• how having fun is important for the well-being of chronic illness warriors
• Darren's new book, Deceived From Within

Guest Bio
Darren Radke is a 49 year old male, from Marshall, Wisconsin. Proud Husband and a Father of two. He has an Associates Degree in Business Management. Loves to exercise when his body allows, study history, music enthusiast and a huge Green Bay Packers fan. First time Author with hopes to help others living with Invisible Chronic Illnesses.
Check out Darren's website: www.deceivedfromwithin.com
Follow Darren on Instagram @deeradke_apsandlupus

Follow the show on Instagram @chronically.living_
Check out the companion blog: www.chronically-living.com
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This week we're exploring the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy process of Creative Hopelessness to see if we can get ourselves to a place where we are open to trying something new and different when dealing with our physical and emotional pain. If nothing you're trying is working, and you feel hopeless about your situation, then this is definitely an episode for you to check out.
In this episode we talk about:

• what creative hopelessness is
• how to figure out if your emotional control strategies are helping you
• what to do with the emotional control strategies that aren't working

TW: mentions of substance use and self-harm

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Follow the show on Instagram @chronically.living_ and on Twitter @janevspain.
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Whether you've been listening to this podcast for awhile or it's your first time here, we have an emphasis on integrating Western and Eastern medicines to improve our well-being and quality of life with chronic illnesses and chronic pain. But the question is often, where do I even start when it comes to doing this? My guest this week, Dr. Richard Harris, is here to help answer that question.
In this episode we talk about:

• benefits of Western medicine and Eastern medicine
• where to start when it comes to integrating holistic medicine into our lives
• three things we can do that cost $0 and have 0 negative side effects

Guest Bio
Dr. Richard Harris is a board-certified internal medicine physician and pharmacist. Dr. Harris attended the University of Texas at Austin for pharmacy school then pursued medical education at the McGovern School of Medicine in Houston. Dr. Harris is a lifelong learner and completed his MBA at the University of Houston. Dr. Harris has a client-centric view of focusing on building relationships and trust through a comprehensive lifestyle medicine system. He currently hosts the Strive for Great Health Podcast, has several online wellness courses, and consults for several companies. He is an avid reader, weight lifter, video game enthusiast, and author in his spare time. Dr. Harris also enjoys sports, traveling, philanthropy, church, and keto donuts.
Follow Dr. Harris on all social media channels @drharrismd

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Follow the show on Instagram @chronically.living_ and on Twitter @janevspain.

• why humour is helpful
• tips to integrate humour into your life
• personal growth and lifestyle balance

Guest Bio
Edie Sohigian was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis on Easter Sunday in 2015. Four days before that she checked herself into the hospital because she was numb from her neck to her toes. A neurologist told her that was the only way she was going to get diagnosed.

She says that her MS diagnosis saved her life. She was in a spiral of unhealthy behaviors from stress to sleep, diet, and movement. She has changed many aspects of her life since being diagnosed, but the most important is her mindset.

She is still a work in progress, but the guests on her podcast, Thriving Over Surviving, are inspiring her to live a more healthy and balanced lifestyle. She encourages everyone to keep thriving.

Edie launched her podcast, Thriving Over Surviving, on July 12, 2021. She chats with MS warriors who are living their best lives. Having a positive mindset is essential when managing an autoimmune disease.

There is a lot of shame and stigma associated with disability. It is her intention to break down those barriers, dispel the myths, and bring awareness to others. It is her mission to find what brings people the most joy and spread it like wildfire.

Her core values are growth and humor. It is her intent to learn from each other while growing community and enjoying the process. Laughter is contagious so she does as much of it as possible.

Also, you can find the show, Thriving Over Surviving, wherever you listen to podcasts. Join her as she chats it up on another episode.

Follow Edie on Instagram: @thrivingoversurvivingpodcast and @ediesohigian
Follow Edie on Facebook: @thrivingoversurvivingpodcast and @ediesohigian
Website: thrivingoversurviving.godaddysites.com

Follow the show on Instagram @chronically.living_ and on Twitter @janevspain.
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The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in the U.K. put out a list of recommendations in April 2021, for the treatment of chronic pain, based on a meta-analysis of research in the area. In this episode we talk about the recommendations and what it could mean for the well-being of Chronic Pain Warriors.
In this episode we discuss:

• 5 evidence-based treatment for chronic pain
• what was not included as a recommendation and why
• what we should do with this information

Remember that this podcast is for psychoeducation/health education only, and you should always consult with your healthcare team before making any lifestyle changes.
Here's the link to the full report by NICE.

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Improving well-being and quality of life when you have a chronic illness takes a lot of work. Connecting with your authentic self can be helpful in improving your day-to-day life, even though it's not going to make your illness go away. My guest this week is Amber Gilkerson, chronic illness warrior and health coach, who is sharing how reconnecting with her authenticity has helped her improve her well-being.
In this episode we talk about:

• what authenticity is
• 4 steps to reconnecting with your authenticity
• how authenticity can improve well-being

Trigger Warning: mentions of suicidal ideation

Guest Bio:
Amber Gilkerson is the owner and founder Overcoming Starting Over, Holistic Health & Embodiment Coaching. Her mission is to show fellow chronic illness warriors how to reconnect with a body they feel as betrayed them, so they can reclaim their power, and live in authentic alignment to the healthy lifestyle they have been dreaming about.

Follow Amber on Instagram @ambergilkerson and on FaceBook @ A Home for Chronic Illness Warriors
Amber's Website: www.overcomingstartingover.com
Support the show on Patreon. 
Follow me on Instagram @chronically.living_ and on Twitter @janevspain.

As Chronic Illness Warriors we often hear about all these diets that are supposed to be super helpful, but do they actually work? And who do they work for? My guest, Mandy Podlesny, shares her experience not only as a health coach but as a person with ankylosing spondylitis and how the ketogenic diet in particular has been helpful for her symptoms.
In this episode we discuss:

• what the ketogenic diet is
• what ketosis can help with (hint: inflammation)
• how to make a diet work for you
• where mindset comes into play in all of this

Guest Bio:
Starting college, dating, and meeting new friends is what Mandy Podlesny had in mind for her coming of age story. Instead, she was spending time in between classes at doctors’ offices, taking medications, having surgery, or filing insurance claims. 

While medical professionals shrugged at her mysterious symptoms and told her “it's just something you'll have to live with”, Mandy constantly jumped at the chance to try the latest supplement and detox, even attempting several diet trends claiming to reduce inflammation. Still, something didn’t feel quite right, and Mandy’s life would never be the same as she began what turned out to be a 12-year uphill battle. 

Recovery isn’t always easy or pretty, but after undergoing five surgeries over the course of two years, she knew there had to be more to this life. 

Through rigorous exploration and bio-hacking, Mandy discovered the healing power of ketosis, shifts in her thinking, dietary choices, and lifestyle changes for chronic illness. With her health beginning to improve, she felt an intense desire to give back and help eliminate some of the guesswork. Since 2016, Mandy has helped others visualize their own roadmaps of success, whether they are Keto or Burrito, to drop the weight and fix their relationship with food--all while learning to love themselves, exactly as they are. 

When she isn’t busy showing others that optimal health doesn’t have to be complicated or out of reach, you can find Mandy practicing her backswing for the golf league she’s in!

Mandy's website: mandyp.com and Keto Club: ketoclubwithmandy.com
Mandy's social: @moremandyp

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I will admit that I am a self-proclaimed self-care guru. Why? Because self-care has been so important for my physical and mental health with a chronic illness. And to be honest, self-care is important for everyone. I even did a seminar presentation to my fellow therapists-in-training about the need for therapist self-care. However, we know that Spoonies sometimes encounter problems getting self-care done.
In this episode we talk about:

• what self-care is and why we should do it
• basics of self-care
• activities of daily living
• advanced self-care

Tag me on Instagram @chronically.living_ with your takeaways from the episode, questions you may have, or topics you'd like discussed.
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We've heard a lot about gut health the past several years and how it's an important factor in the onset and maintenance of chronic illness. This week I have Beau Berman, the marketing director for Layer Origin, a company that specializes in prebiotic supplements, to share some ways we can potentially improve our gut health.
In this episode we talk about:

• Why gut health is important
• Prebiotics vs. Probiotics
• A type of prebiotic called HMO

Guest Bio:
Beau Berman is a co-founder and marketing director of Layer Origin Nutrition in Ithaca, NY. Berman spent 11 years as an Emmy Award-winning television news anchor and reporter for CBS, FOX, and ABC news affiliates, before pivoting to media relations and marketing in 2019. He holds a Master of Arts in Communications from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He lives in New York with his wife, their two dogs, and three goats.
Check out the Layer Origin website: https://layerorigin.com/
Follow Layer Origin on Instagram: layer_origin

Support the show on Patreon.
Follow me on Instagram: @chronically.living_