Welcome to the Living Well with MS Coffee Break, where we are pleased to welcome Gillian Robertson as our guest! Gillian lives in Gimentz, Switzerland. She lives with MS and follows the Overcoming MS program.  

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

Topics and Timestamps: 

01:25 Can you tell us a little about yourself, your family, and your life?   

03:09 How about your experience with MS? When were you diagnosed and how did you initially cope with it? 

05:50 At which point did you come across the Overcoming MS program? Why did you decide to start following it?  

07:59 What are some of the challenges you’ve faced at first in adopting the Overcoming MS program?   

11:15 When did you first start to see any kind of positive indicators in following Overcoming MS guidelines?  

13:20 You contribute recipes to the Overcoming MS website. What’s that experience like?  

14:57 On a personal note, do you have any interesting hobbies you can tell us about? 

16:02 Is there a piece of advice you can share with people new to the Overcoming MS program?  

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

More info and links:    

• Follow Gillian on Instagram, for Overcoming MS-friendly recipe ideas, as well as photos of her cooking and life in Switzerland.  

 Follow us on social media:  

• Facebook  

Don’t miss out:   

Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS episodes here.

If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review. Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing [email protected].

Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS. 

Support us: 

If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, we would really appreciate it if you could leave a donation here. Every donation, however small, helps us to share the podcast with more people on how to live well with MS.

On this episode of Living Well with MS, our guest, Dr Gretchen Hawley, will explain neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to continually change, a sign of brain health) and how exercise can impact it, as well as share her insights on helping people with MS improve their strength, balance and mobility.  

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

Topics and Timestamps: 

02:02 We hear a lot about new training methods, such as HIIT (high intensity interval training); is it effective for people with MS?  

04:16 How long should the intensity intervals be?  

05:30 If you’re doing strength training as well, should you do cardio before or after?  

06:47 How does an MS-specific exercise differ from regular training?  

08:07 Can you provide some examples of MS-specific exercise?  

10:15 What’s the right exercise order for different types of exercises?  

11:43 Is it better to do exercise like walking even if you’re having an off day and do it badly or wait till you can do it well with good form?  

14:25 How do you find the motivation to exercise consistently?  

19:06 Do you recommend days off from exercise?  

20:47 You have an online wellness program called The MSing Link. Can you tell our audience a bit about it?  

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

More info and links:     

• Learn more about The MSing Link  

Follow us on social media:  

• Facebook  

Don’t miss out:   

Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS episodes here. If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review. Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing [email protected]. Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS. 

Support us: 

If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, we would really appreciate it if you could leave a donation here. Every donation, however small, helps us to share the podcast with more people on how to live well with MS.

Welcome to Ask Jack, featuring the prodigious culinary talents of professional holistic chef Jack McNulty answering food-related questions generated by you, our community.

In this episode, we dig into some topical questions about foods and activities that are part of every summer culinary package, and Jack makes sure to advise you on how to make sure they align with the Overcoming MS diet pillar and still taste great. Given how central a role grilling and BBQing plays in summer eating, we focus on understanding the growing segment of meat replacers and how they fit into the Overcoming MS lifestyle, plus addressing summer cooking ideas and techniques. 

Topics and Timestamps: 

02:23 For cooking appliances, is induction a good way to control temperature? 

09:24 What is the best way to reheat foods that have some oil in or on them (roasted vegetables come to mind)? Is it problematic to microwave leftovers?   

15:01 What are your thoughts about plant-based meat substitutes? Are they okay on an Overcoming MS Diet? 

34:49 What are your thoughts on seafood/fish grilling and barbecuing? 

42:44 What are the best types of Overcoming MS-friendly foods to bring with you to a picnic? 

47:02 What are the best veggies to make on an open flame and any good tips on grilling vegetables. 

51:25 Do you have any suggestions on what desserts to bring to a picnic?   

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

More info and links:     

• Read more about induction hubs 

Follow us on social media:  

• Facebook  

Don’t miss out:   

Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS episodes here. If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review. Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing [email protected]. Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS. 

Support us: 

If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, we would really appreciate it if you could leave a donation here. Every donation, however small, helps us to share the podcast with more people on how to live well with MS.

Welcome to the Living Well with MS Coffee Break, where we are pleased to welcome Joia Lewis as our guest! Joia lives in Estoril, Portugal. She was diagnosed primary progressive multiple sclerosis and follows the Overcoming MS program.   

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

Topics and Timestamps: 

02:01 You’ve had quite an international and multicultural life, which has taken you full circle back to Portugal. Can you tell us a bit about this whirlwind trajectory?  

04:27 When were you diagnosed with PPMS how did you initially deal with it?  

07:30 You have had a rich career as an academic, serving as a professor of philosophy of science. And now you’re an essayist, blogger and occasional editor. How did your academic focus inform your approach to dealing with the realities of experiencing MS? 

10:24 At which point did you come across the Overcoming MS program? Why did you decide to start following it?  

13:33 Why did you choose to follow Overcoming MS?  

15:10 What are some of the challenges you’ve faced at first in adopting the Overcoming MS program? How did you overcome them? 

17:07 When did you first start to see any kind of positive indicators in following Overcoming MS guidelines? What were these?  

18:45 How can people best deal with the anxieties surrounding experiencing MS symptoms? 

21:27 You’ve been a valuable member of the Overcoming MS community. You’re the ambassador of the Overcoming MS Circle currently covering all of Portugal. What’s that experience like?  

25:43 If there is one piece of advice you can share with people new to the Overcoming MS program, what would that be?  

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

More info and links:    

• Read Joia’s blog post about her PPMS journey   

Follow us on social media:  

• Facebook  

Don’t miss out:   

Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS episodes here. If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review. Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing [email protected]. Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS. 

Support us: 

If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, we would really appreciate it if you could leave a donation here. Every donation, however small, helps us to share the podcast with more people on how to live well with MS.

On this episode of Living Well with MS, we meet David Lyons, bodybuilding champion, media personality and founder of a global fitness training program. Did we mention David also has MS? Through the MS Fitness Challenge among many other endeavors, David has dedicated his personal and professional life to helping people with MS of all abilities learn how to overcome their physical challenges and lead healthier lives.   

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

Topics and Timestamps:  

02:31 Can you tell us a little bit about yourself, your background and anything our audience should know to get a sense of who you are?  

04:06 You’re the creator of the MS Fitness Challenge. What is that?  

07:21 What are the key things people with MS are missing when it comes to fitness, in your view?  

11:11 Does the MS Fitness Challenge program work for people with different kinds of MS, and different levels of mobility?  

13:46 How does your approach to helping people with MS improve mobility through exercise and strength training differ from other offerings out there?  

15:28 If you could give someone with MS 3 quick hacks to fitness what would these be?  

17:45 Why did you established the MS Fitness Challenge as a nonprofit organization? 

20:44 What is the difference between the MS Fitness Challenge and your virtual personal fitness program, Optimal Body Personal Fitness?  

22:09 What’s next for you in the MS fitness space? Any new programs or ideas on the horizon to enable you to reach more people with MS?  

25:10 Is there fitness advice you would give to people newly diagnosed with MS? What is the best thing they could do? 

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

More info and links:     

• Learn more about MS Fitness Challenge founder David Lyons  

Follow us on social media:  

• Facebook  

Don’t miss out:   

Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS episodes here. If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review. Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing [email protected]. Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS.

Support us: 

If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, we would really appreciate it if you could leave a donation here. Every donation, however small, helps us to share the podcast with more people on how to live well with MS.

Welcome to Living Well with MS Coffee Break, where we are pleased to welcome Rachel Knight as our guest! Rachel lives with multiple sclerosis and follows the Overcoming MS program.  

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

Topics and Timestamps:

01:29 Can you tell us a little about yourself, your family, and your life? 

02:05 How about your experience with MS? When were you diagnosed and how did you initially cope with it? 

04:48 At which point did you come across the Overcoming MS program? How was that experience for you? Why did you decide to start following it?  

07:32 What are some of the challenges you’ve faced at first in adopting the Overcoming MS program?  

10:00 When did you first start to see any kind of positive indicators in following Overcoming MS guidelines? 

12:31 You’ve been a valuable member of the Overcoming MS community. As an example, you’re the ambassador for the Overcoming MS Circle in Hawke’s Bay. What’s that experience like?  

14:06 You also test Overcoming MS-friendly recipes for our website. What does that entail?  

16:14 On a personal note, do you have any unusual interests you can tell us about? 

18:43 If there is one piece of advice you can share with people new to the Overcoming MS program, what would that be?  

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

More info and links:    

• Check out Overcoming MS-friendly recipes 

Follow us on social media:  

• Facebook  

Don’t miss out:   

Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS episodes here. If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review. Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing [email protected]. Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS. 

Support us: 

If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, we would really appreciate it if you could leave a donation here. Every donation, however small, helps us to share the podcast with more people on how to live well with MS.

On this episode of Living Well with MS, we are excited welcome Hana Javurkova as our guest. Hana is an Overcoming MS volunteer coordinator who started following the Overcoming MS program after being told she might have MS.  

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

Topics and Timestamps:  

01:17 Can you tell us a little bit about yourself, your background and anything our audience should know to get a sense of who you are?  

02:02 What is your MS journey? 

04:44 Can you tell us a bit about your experience on the Overcoming MS program? Can you share the good and bad, what was hard and what was easy? 

09:23 You’re a volunteer coordinator for Overcoming MS. What is that role about?  

12:52 What kind of impact do you think the volunteers you work with make in helping Overcoming MS further its mission?  

14:08 Why did you decide to dedicate so much of your volunteer energy to Overcoming MS?  

16:13 If you had to provide some advice to people considering volunteering for Overcoming MS, what would it be?  

18:07 Can you share any inspirational moments or experiences you’ve had as an Overcoming MS volunteer?  

19:04 If there is one tip or piece of advice you can give to new members of the Overcoming MS community, perhaps something that’s served you well in your own journey, what would it be?  

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

More info and links:     

Hana’s favorite Instagram feeds

• Dr. Gretchen Hawley  

Follow us on social media:  

• Facebook  

Don’t miss out:   

Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS episodes here. If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review. Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing [email protected]. Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS. 

Support us: 

If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, we would really appreciate it if you could leave a donation here. Every donation, however small, helps us to share the podcast with more people on how to live well with MS.

Welcome to the latest Living Well with MS Coffee Break, where we are pleased to welcome Yasmin Neves as our guest! Yasmin lives with MS and follows the Overcoming MS program.   

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

Topics and Timestamps:

01:35 Can you tell us a little about yourself, your family, and your life? 

03:04 How about your experience with MS? When were you diagnosed and how did you initially cope with it?  

11:47 At which point did you come across the Overcoming MS program?  

14:03 What are some of the challenges you’ve faced at first in adopting the Overcoming MS program? 

17:02 When did you first start to see any kind of positive indicators in following Oercoming MS program?  

22:40 You’ve been a valuable member of the Overcoming MS community. As an example, you’re part of an Overcoming MS Circle in Wales. What’s that experience like?  

25:22 On a personal note, do you have any unusual interests you can tell us about?  

28:21 If there is one piece of advice you can share with people new to the Overcoming MS program, what would that be?  

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

More info and links:    

• Check out Yasmin’s HR and coaching website here.  

Follow us on social media:  

• Facebook  

Don’t miss out:   

Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS episodes here. If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review. Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing [email protected]. Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS. 

Support us: 

If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, we would really appreciate it if you could leave a donation here. Every donation, however small, helps us to share the podcast with more people on how to live well with MS.

On this episode of Living Well with MS, we are excited welcome Dr Sandra Neate as our guest. Dr Neate is the head of the Neuroepidemiology Unit (NEU) within the Melbourne School of Population and Global Health at the University of Melbourne in Australia. Dr Neate and her team are researching the impact of lifestyle interventions on MS disease progression.  

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

Topics and Timestamps:   

01:52 You’re presently the head of the Neuroepidemiology Unit at the University of Melbourne. Can you tell us what the NEU is?  

05:33 Is the NEU carrying on the research studies begun by Professor George Jelinek, such as HOLISM and STOP-MS?  

07:51 What is the overarching aim of the NEU as a research body?  

11:43 Who are the researchers that work for the NEU?  

13:27 What do you think the future impact of the MS Online Course will be?  

14:38 What are your expectations for the relationship with UK MS Registry and how can it advance the cause of elevating lifestyle intervention or modification approaches?  

17:08 What’s on the horizon for the NEU? What kind of projects and collaborations are you shaping for the future? 

19:29 Where can people find out more about how to take the MS online course in the future? 

20:24 How does the NEU engage with Overcoming MS?  

22:42 What can the next generation realistically expect for MS treatment?  

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

More info and links:     

• Learn more about the NEU here and on the University of Melbourne School of Population and Global Health website  

 Follow us on social media:  

• Facebook  

Don’t miss out:   

Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS episodes here. If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review. Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing [email protected]. Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS. 

Support us: 

If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, we would really appreciate it if you could leave a donation here. Every donation, however small, helps us to share the podcast with more people on how to live well with MS.

Welcome to Living Well with MS, where we welcome Jack McNulty as our guest. Ask Jack, featuring the culinary talents of professional holistic chef Jack McNulty answering food-related questions generated by you, our community. Submit your questions for Jack to [email protected]. 

Topics and Timestamps:  

03:06 Is it a problem to have some peanut butter (from 100% raw peanuts) since we can also eat tahini, sunflower seeds and cashew nuts? 

12:16 Can we use grapeseed oil? And is it okay for baking too? 

14:34 Are Impossible Burgers okay for people with MS who want to follow an anti-inflammatory diet? 

19:01 What's your view on canned legumes and fruits? Are there some to avoid, and if so which ones? 

24:10 Any recommendations for coconut milk/oil replacements?  

30:41 Any helpful tips to get crisp chips/French fries? 

37:40 How can you make sour cream at home in a whole-food, plant-based way? 

41:35 Any recipe suggestions for Overcoming MS-compliant Yorkshire Puddings which replicate as near as possible the original in which the batter contains eggs and fat? 

45:27 How do you make cakes taste light and moist when many of the ingredients needed to do so aren’t Overcoming MS-friendly? 

53:13 Do you have any recipe ideas for gluten-free crackers and snacks, or anything savory that packs a crunch? 

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

More info and links:     

•  Read Jack’s thought on coconut essence and oat milk 

Follow us on social media:  

• Facebook  

Don’t miss out:   

Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS episodes here. If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review. Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing [email protected]. Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS. 

Support us: 

If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, we would really appreciate it if you could leave a donation here. Every donation, however small, helps us to share the podcast with more people on how to live well with MS.