What does it take to live well with MS for more than 40 years? For professor and theatre maker David Peimer, the answer lies in resilience, curiosity, and transforming anger into creative energy.

In this powerful and deeply reflective episode of Living Well with MS, David shares how he went from being given just four years to live to building a successful global career – teaching, directing, and writing award-winning plays – while following the Overcoming MS Program.

With honesty and humour, David explores how diet, stress management, and self-understanding helped him rebuild his health and his life. His story is a testament to hope, perseverance, and the belief that, even when faced with MS, we can learn to surf the wave rather than be swept away by it.

Watch this episode on YouTube here. Keep reading for the topics and timestamps and David’s bio.

02:02  David’s early MS journey and life-changing diagnosis

If you enjoy this podcast, please support the ongoing work and podcasts from Overcoming MS by leaving a donation here.

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Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Living Well with MS podcast, where we are pleased to welcome Professor George Jelinek as our guest! Professor Jelinek is the founder of the Overcoming MS program and was, until recently, the head of the Neuroepidemiology Unit at the University of Melbourne. In this episode, he discusses how extensive scientific research is illuminating new ways to help people with MS live better and healthier lives through changes made to their diets and lifestyles. 

Watch this episode on YouTube here.

00:10 Geoff’s journey with MS 

01:15 Starting The Living Well with MS podcast 

01:48 Introduction of Professor Jelinek 

03:22 Professor Jelinek’s MS diagnosis 

05:22 Roy Swank’s research paper on diet and MS 

11:45 Overview of Overcoming MS 

14:30 Mindfulness based meditation, is there any science to it? 

22:12 Prevention tips for people with MS who have children 

27:55 Will lifestyle factors enter the mainstream treatment? 

31:15 Impact of diet on multiple sclerosis 

If you enjoy this podcast, please support the ongoing work and podcasts from Overcoming MS by leaving 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.

In this episode of Living Well with MS, we’re excited to welcome Josie Crawley – poet, professor of nursing, and Overcoming MS community member. Josie has been living with MS for over 20 years, and she shares how poetry, exercise, honesty and joy help her navigate life with resilience and humour.

From the challenges of walking to the meditative calm of swimming, from embracing “JOYMO” (the joy of missing out) to choosing self-kindness over comparison, Josie’s reflections are moving, practical and full of wisdom for anyone on their own MS journey.

If you’d like to read any of Josie’s poems mentioned in this episode, you can find them here: A collection of poems by Josie Crawley

You can watch this episode on YouTube here. 

00:00 Meet Josie Crawley and discover her journey with MS

05:42 The healing role of poetry in life with MS

09:09 Family, career and adapting to life with MS

16:03 How Josie discovered the Overcoming MS Program

18:46 Ageing with MS: acceptance and challenges

21:25 Why swimming and walking are Josie’s meditations

25:24 Finding joy and (challenge) in walking

28:15 Finding balance in life with MS

31:22 Navigating medication and treatment options

35:10 Balancing privacy and disclosure in work

If you enjoy this podcast, please support the ongoing work and podcasts from Overcoming MS by leaving 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.

In this episode of Living Well with MS, we’re sharing highlights from a popular webinar on physical activity. Overcoming MS Program Facilitator Heather O’Neil hosts a fascinating conversation with renowned researcher Dr Robert Motl and community members Francis Loye and Duarte Valente. Together, they explore the science and lived experience behind why moving your body matters when you live with MS.

Watch this episode on YouTube. 

02:46 Why exercise is ‘medicine’ for MS

05:50 Cells to society: how activity helps at every level

11:55 Personal experiences: community members share their stories

17:38 Overcoming challenges: motivation and mindset

23:38 Q&A: including questions on fatigue and the best types of exercise

29:25 Practical tips for starting and maintaining an exercise program

35:35 Final thoughts and encouragement to get started and keep going

If you enjoy this podcast, please support the ongoing work and podcasts from Overcoming MS by leaving 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.

In this episode of the Living Well with MS podcast we are pleased to have Véronique Gauthier-Simmons as our guest! Originally from France and now residing in Portugal, Véronique was diagnosed with MS at the age of 34, but through the Overcoming MS Program and her love of exercise found a way to make staying fit a meaningful part of her life. She now helps others do the same as an Overcoming MS facilitator and qualified yoga instructor and yoga therapist. 

Watch this episode on YouTube here. 

05:30 Véronique’s yoga business, Taming the Walrus 

07:22 How do you decide which exercise is right for you? 

12:54 Should one stay within their comfort zone, or push their boundaries? 

16:25 What kind of exercises can you do if not fully mobile? 

18:59 Between watching exercise videos or taking a fitness class, which is better? 

If you enjoy this podcast, please support the ongoing work and podcasts from Overcoming MS by leaving 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.

In this episode of Living Well with MS – the podcast where we explore how lifestyle choices and evidence-based approaches can help people live full and healthy lives with multiple sclerosis – we look at the surprising benefits of dance with Tiffany Stott and Emily Davis from Scottish Ballet.  

Tiffany leads Scottish Ballet’s Dance Health Programmes, and Emily recently completed her PhD on Elevate – a dance programme created specifically for people with MS. What makes Elevate stand out is its inclusivity: whether you’re seated, standing, brand new to dance or have years of experience, the classes are adapted so everyone can take part. 

 Join us as we explore how the arts and science come together to support people with MS, and why dance might be one of the most uplifting ways to live well. 

01:00 Introduction to Dance for MS 

01:57 Scottish Ballet’s health programmes 

05:47 How the Elevate programme was developed 

10:52 The research and evidence for Dance and MS 

15:02 What a class looks and feels like 

20:49 Emily’s PhD findings on Elevate 

24:48 Overcoming barriers to participation 

27:45 Benefits of dance for MS 

30:48 How to get involved with Elevate

If you enjoy this podcast, please support the ongoing work and podcasts from Overcoming MS by leaving 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.

In this inspiring episode of Living Well with MS, we’re joined by the incredible Brenda Snow. Brenda is a business leader, patient advocate, and the author of Diagnosed: The Essential Guide to Navigating the Patient’s Journey. Living with multiple sclerosis herself, Brenda opens up about the realities of life with a chronic condition – from the early phases of grief and anger to ultimately finding acceptance and purpose. She shares how patients can stay connected to their identity, seek support, and even turn anger into positive action. 

Whether you’re newly diagnosed or years into your MS journey, Brenda’s insights will leave you feeling understood, supported, and empowered. 

Watch this episode on YouTube here. Keep reading for the topics and timestamps.

00:00 Introduction to Brenda Snow and her journey with MS. 

08:28 Writing her book, ‘Diagnosed’: How Brenda turned personal experience into a guide for others. 

15:30 Before the diagnosis: understanding the confusion and challenges of the early phase. 

22:57 How to channel anger into action. 

28:48 Supporting the supporters, why care partners need care too. 

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.

In this special episode of Living Well with MS, we’re sharing highlights from our ‘Ask Aaron’ webinar, recorded in front of a global audience. Our guest is the dynamic and much-loved Dr Aaron Boster – a board-certified neurologist specialising in multiple sclerosis.

Dr Boster answers a wide range of thoughtful, practical questions submitted by the Overcoming MS community. From medications and MRI scans to functional mushrooms, vitamin D, menopause, and lifestyle changes, he covered it all with his trademark clarity and energy.

If you’ve ever wished you could sit down with a neurologist who really understands MS, this episode is for you.

00:00 Welcome and introduction

02:53 Understanding patient support in MS care

05:43 Symptom management and treatment options

08:41 Blood tests and regular health monitoring

11:44 Drug trials, research, and what’s on the horizon

15:52 MRI insights and tracking disease activity

18:46 Remyelination and alternative therapies

21:51 Women’s health, menopause and MS

24:42 Long-term management strategies

27:49 Diet, lifestyle, and the power of habit

30:36 The value of community and support networks

33:47 Final thoughts and closing remarks.

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.

In this episode of Living Well with MS, we’re joined by Dr Agne Straukiene, a neurologist, researcher and MS specialist who advocates for proactive, lifestyle-based MS management. Dr Straukiene is also the host of the Bee Well with MS podcast, where she shares expert insights to support people living with MS.

Together, we explore why understanding your symptoms, using digital self-management tools, and making sustainable lifestyle choices can make a meaningful difference to your wellbeing. Dr Straukiene also shares highlights from the latest research and offers practical tips for preparing for clinical appointments.

01:59 Dr Straukiene’s journey into MS care

03:57 Why self-management matters

06:41 Using digital tools to track and manage MS

11:21 Recognising and understanding symptom patterns

15:47 How to prepare for clinical consultations

22:33 Lifestyle interventions and their impact on MS

29:47 About the Bee Well with MS podcast

37:06 Latest research into lifestyle and MS outcomes

40:33 Managing progressive MS

43:29 Where MS research is heading next.

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.

In this episode of Living Well with MS, where we explore ways to live a full and healthy life with multiple sclerosis, we’re sharing highlights from the final session of our Refresh with Overcoming MS webinar series – a wide-ranging and engaging Q&A with Dr Jonathan White.

Jonny is not only a practising doctor and medical advisor to Overcoming MS but also lives with MS himself. In this lively and informative session, he answers real questions from the Overcoming MS community, covering everything from vitamin D, diet and symptom management to hormone replacement therapy, relapse vs progression, takeaway choices, fatigue and more.

Whether you’re just starting out with the Overcoming MS lifestyle or have been following it for years, this episode is full of warmth, relatable insight and practical advice you can use right away.

01:15 Meet Dr Jonathan White and discover his journey with the Overcoming MS Program

02:51 Can HRT help women with PPMS in menopause?

04:55 What takeaway food can you enjoy on the Overcoming MS diet?

06:45 Swollen feet and legs – are they an MS symptom?

07:55 Does MS shorten life expectancy? Let’s look at the facts

09:40 Should gluten and dairy be avoided with MS?

12:20 What are paroxysmal symptoms – and should you worry if they return?

14:29 Tiny amounts of oil in foods: is it okay or a deal-breaker?

16:51 What’s new in MS research?

18:47 Does menopause speed up progression? Exploring relapse vs progression

20:22 Managing progressive MS and the idea of “smouldering MS”

21:17 Is coconut syrup Overcoming MS-friendly?

21:50 What if symptoms never fully go away? Tips for living with incomplete remission

24:44 Could propionic acid help people with MS? Gut health meets cutting-edge science

27:00 Stem cell treatment: cure, hope, or hype?

29:32 Fatigue and MS: can medication help?

31:34 What does it mean to have “inactive” MS – and can it still progress?

35:05 Worried about your children getting MS? What the evidence really says.

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.