Welcome to Living Well with MS, the podcast that empowers you to take control of your health and wellbeing. In this episode, we’re sharing highlights from a recent webinar hosted by Overcoming MS Program Facilitator and Nutritional Therapist Karen Lee. Karen is joined by plant-based chef, Jack McNulty, and Overcoming MS community members, Melody Landwehr and Jenna Cox, to explore the diet pillar of the Overcoming MS Program. From practical cooking strategies and understanding fats, to batch cooking, eating out, and overcoming early challenges, our guests share a mix of lived experience and expert insight to help you feel confident and inspired in your approach to eating for MS health. 

01:17 Karen introduces the Overcoming MS diet pillar and describes what it involves 

04:36 Jack shares his story, insights from the Overcoming MS Handbook, and practical cooking tips 

19:53 Melody discusses her gradual, realistic journey into adopting the Overcoming MS diet 

23:06 Jenna reflects on going dairy-free, shares a free recipe resource, and offers tips for eating out with confidence 

28:58 The panel shares their go-to weeknight meals for busy days 

31:15 Quick and easy snack ideas that fit the Overcoming MS way of eating 

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].

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In this episode of Living Well with MS – exploring topics relating to living a full and healthy life with multiple sclerosis – host  Geoff Allix welcomes Jake Connor, Service Delivery Manager at Overcoming MS, for a deep dive into the charity’s evolving support services and what it means to be part of a global MS community. From his personal connection to MS through his mother’s diagnosis, Jake shares how his journey from the corporate world to the charity sector has been driven by purpose and empathy.

Jake talks through the range of Overcoming MS's evidence-informed offerings, including webinars, courses, retreats and the Live Well Hub, and the impact they have on individuals living with MS. He also introduces Living Well Live, Overcoming MS’s brand-new all-day hybrid event, designed to inspire, educate and connect the MS community both in person and around the world.

01:20 Meet Jake: his role at Overcoming MS and what drives him

02:51 A personal journey: Jake shares his MS connection

04:35 Finding purpose: why Jake joined the Overcoming MS team

07:39 Beyond support: the wide range of services we offer

10:33 All about the Pathway to Overcoming MS course

12:11 Awards, recognition and journal articles

13:13 Transformation at Overcoming MS residential retreats

16:33 Why our Living Well with MS webinars are so popular

18:31 Exploring community in the Live Well Hub

20:36 A new event for 2025: Living Well Live

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 the Living Well with MS podcast we are pleased to welcome Sam Josephs as our guest. Sam is a qualified Nutritional Therapist and has worked as a retreat facilitator for Overcoming  Multiple Sclerosis. In this episode, we demystify the Overcoming MS diet and provide helpful tips and tricks on how to hack the food portion of the Overcoming MS lifestyle and make it as scrumptious as possible! 

01:24 Sam’s journey with Overcoming MS  

08:54 Basic recommendations for the Overcoming MS diet 

10:26 What type of fish is included in the diet?  

15:46 Tips and ideal substitutes for Overcoming MS-recommended foods 

26:06 Navigating meals during seasonal holidays with the Overcoming MS diet pillar 

29:46 Is chicken breast really a problem? 

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 inspiring episode of Living Well with MS, we're joined by Rob Carter, Head of Income Generation at Overcoming MS. With over two decades of experience in the not-for-profit world – including organisations like the MS Trust and Youth Music – Rob brings strategic insight, compassion, and a deeply personal connection to his work. 

Rob sits down with CEO Alex Holden to explore the power of community fundraising – and how every challenge, skydive, cake sale, or regular gift fuels the future of Overcoming MS.  

Whether you're already fundraising or simply curious, this episode is packed with practical ideas, powerful stories, and motivation to make a difference.

Watch this episode on YouTube here. Keep reading for the key episode takeaways.

Topics and Timestamps: 

01:44 Rob’s journey into fundraising and his personal connection to MS 

06:29 Why fundraising is essential to the Overcoming MS mission 

09:35 What is fundraising and how does it work? 

14:45 Real life stories from independent Overcoming MS fundraisers  

18:26 Big adventures: Overcoming MS organised challenge events 

20:07 Fundraising for all: ideas beyond physical challenges 

21:41 How to get in touch with the fundraising team 

22:30 The huge impact of regular giving 

25:42 Non-financial ways to support Overcoming MS 

More info and links:  

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 inspiring and info-packed episode of Living Well with MS, we welcome the brilliant Heather O’Neil – a social worker, Overcoming MS Program Facilitator, and member of the MS community – to break down the Overcoming MS Program in a clear and relatable way. 

Diagnosed with MS in 2020, Heather quickly discovered the Overcoming MS Program and never looked back. With warmth and insight, she walks us through each pillar, from diet and Vitamin D to movement and mindfulness, sharing both evidence and her personal experience. 

Whether you're new to Overcoming MS or need a refresher, this episode is your perfect starting point to explore how the Program can empower you to take charge of your health and well-being. 

01:54 Heather's MS journey 

03:56 Discovering Overcoming MS 

04:59 Becoming an Overcoming MS Program Facilitator 

06:27 The Overcoming MS Diet explained 

08:58 Sunlight, vitamin D and why they matter 

11:49 The Overcoming MS approach to Physical Activity 

14:27 Mindfulness and stress reduction 

16:48 Medication as an Overcoming MS Pillar 

17:48 Family health matters 

19:54 Change your life, for life  

21:05 How to connect with the Overcoming MS community 

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. 

Most people, regardless of whether or not they have MS, may think running a marathon is, simply put, crazy. While exercise is an important part of the Overcoming MS Program, many people with MS will have symptoms that preclude them from running long distances, or indeed running at all.

This Living Well with MS episode’s special guest, Alex Tsirigotis, is someone who not only runs, but has pushed his body to his limits by regularly running marathons. And the fact that he has MS is just a footnote in his story. 

01:17 Alex’s symptoms, diagnosis, and experience with MS. 

04:20 What lifestyle changes Alex’s diagnosis led to.

06:09 Finding out about Overcoming MS and learnings. 

07:25 How long was it after you started following Overcoming MS did you start to see noticeable improvements?  

09:40 Tips on implementing the Overcoming MS program. 

12:39 Alex’s marathon running. 

17:02 Tips for people with symptoms that can affect their ability to run. 

20:10 Long-term side effects from running marathons. 

21:03 What is the most important piece of advice for anyone contemplating starting the Overcoming MS program? 

24:50 Reasons Alex runs marathons and what’s 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.  

Love, resilience and real talk – that’s what today’s episode of Living Well with MS is all about. We're thrilled to welcome husband-and-wife team Nikoma and Simone Bell, authors of Marriage & MS: Embracing Life and Love Beyond the Diagnosis. 

Together, they open up about navigating life, love and MS – sharing practical advice on relationships, caregiving, intimacy, and creating space for honest conversations, especially in underrepresented communities. Whether you're living with MS, supporting a partner, or simply curious about how real connection thrives through life's challenges, you won’t want to miss this heartfelt and inspiring discussion. 

01:41 Meet Nikoma and Simone. 

03:09 Top tips for keeping a marriage strong while living with MS. 

05:52 Support for Black men with MS.

08:37 Common struggles among care partners and how to handle them. 

10:27 How to talk to young children about MS. 

12:15 Keeping intimacy alive in relationships with MS. 

13:12 Managing feelings of guilt and being a burden.  

14:37 Staying together despite MS – defying the odds. 

17:30 Talking about what can’t be seen – invisible symptoms.

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.   

Welcome to Living Well with MS – the podcast where we explore real-life experiences and practical insights on living a full and healthy life with multiple sclerosis. In this episode, we are pleased to welcome trainee Program Facilitator Hayley Baker as our guest. Hayley is an artist and educator who was first diagnosed with MS in 2019. In this open and engaging conversation, Hayley talks about the importance of honest communication, tackling sensitive topics like intimacy and taboo symptoms, and the life-changing impact of connecting with the Overcoming MS community.  

01:32 Meet Hayley and discover her MS journey. 

08:53 Becoming an Overcoming MS Program Facilitator.

10:30 The Overcoming MS Program pillars.

14:05 Hayley’s approach to the more challenging pillars. 

15:39 Her approach to the Family Health pillar.  

17:57 Opening up about taboo symptoms like bladder and bowel problems. 

25:32 The benefits of attending an Overcoming MS Retreat.  

27:11 Balancing honesty and intimacy with a partner. 

32:20 Tips for someone newly diagnosed or new to the Program. 

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Sign up for our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS. 

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. 

If you enjoy this podcast an and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation here. 

Welcome to Living Well with MS - your go-to podcast for making informed choices to support your health and well-being with MS! In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to welcome a very special guest: comedian and MS advocate Rabiah Coon! Rabiah joins host Geoff to share her journey with MS, how she discovered Overcoming MS through a video shoot, and why she believes that laughter should be the 8th pillar of the program.

Tune in as Rabiah blends humour with honesty, offering unique insights into life with MS while highlighting the power of positivity and community. You won’t want to miss this conversation!

01:29 Meet Rabiah and hear about her journey with MS.

02:31 Finding hope: how Rabiah discovered Overcoming MS through a video shoot.

05:13 Making lifestyle changes: Rabiah shares how she has approached change.

07:15 Transcendental meditation and mindfulness tips.

10:05 Retreat reflections: what it was like to attend an Overcoming MS retreat.

13:37 How Rabiah became a stand-up comedian.

17:17 Laughter as the 8th Pillar.

21:00 Rabiah’s passion for volunteering and the importance of giving back.

26:44 Rabiah’s top tips for the newly diagnosed.

Want to learn more about living a full and happy life with multiple sclerosis?  Sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips.

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.

If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation here.

In this episode of the Living Well with MS podcast we are pleased to welcome Dr Craig Hassed as our guest to demystify the practice of meditation and provide very sound reasons for why you should consider meditating for its wondrous stress-relieving effects. Dr Hassed, an expert on mindfulness-based stress reduction, will also provide some commonsense tips for successfully working meditation into your daily life. 

01:59 The scientific evidence base for mindfulness.

05:57 What happens to the body under stress? 

11:13 Is there a difference between chronic stress and acute stress? 

14:38 Practicing mindfulness. 

16:51 Should you get professional help as well as mindfulness training if you experience anxiety or depression? 

19:58 Does religious faith reduce stress? 

22:28 Should we keep a journal? 

24:53 Is mindfulness the same as meditation? 

30:35 Is it necessary to follow guided meditations? 

36:15 Free online course on mindfulness.

Want to learn more about living a full and happy life with multiple sclerosis? Sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips.

Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing  [email protected].

If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation here.

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