Long Covid Hope Podcast

By Sarah, Long Haul Yogi

Welcome to the Long Covid Hope podcast: the podcast that tells the more hopeful stories of people with Long Covid. The Long Covid Hope podcast is created by a former Long Covid sufferer, for people wi... more

· Health & Fitness

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FAQs about Long Covid Hope Podcast:

How many episodes does Long Covid Hope Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 44 episodes available.

Long Covid Hope Podcast episodes:

April 09, 2023 Gez
Our next guest needs no introduction! Here is the Long Hauler that supplied Sarah with so much hope throughout her Long Covid recovery journey…Gez Medinger! Gez has been a consistent feature of most Long Hauler's experience of Long Covid, with his groundbreaking videos on Youtube that have attempted to work out what has been happening to us from Day 1, and continue to lead with updating Long Haulers on the research landscape and current thinking around the condition. It was such an honour and a delight to have him join the podcast. We have been saving the best for last.
In the final interview of Season 1 of the Long Covid Hope Podcast, the podcast that aspires to shine a light on the more hopeful stories of Covid 19 Long Haulers, Sarah is talking with Gez Medinger, the filmmaker renowned for his Long Covid films on his Youtube channel and now also the co-author of The Long Covid Handbook with Professor Danny Altmann. Gez discusses his new book: the intentions for writing it, how he managed to write a book while also pacing, and the writing process of writing collaboratively alongside Professor Altmann. He shares his own hopeful thoughts on the current status of the Long Covid research landscape, and we discuss Gez’s own patient-led surveys and what they have shown. Finally, we manage to touch upon his own recovery journey, however, for the full story of his own experiences, do see his videos on his Youtube channel.
Disclaimer: **Please note that we are not medical professionals and this does not constitute medical advice. The Long Covid Hope Podcast or Sarah, Long Haul Yogi does not endorse any treatments described in the podcast episodes. Always speak to your doctor or medical practitioner before starting any new treatments, supplements or beginning a new exercise routine.**
Links:
Gez’s Youtube channel RUNDMC1: https://www.youtube.com/c/RUNDMC1/videos
Long Covid at 2.5 Years - Green Shoots of Recovery (latest study): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePtgvC_O5SE
The Long Covid Handbook (2022), US: https://a.co/d/0gvkJCU
The Long Covid Handbook (2022), UK: https://amzn.eu/d/9KjurGb
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1h 1min
April 02, 2023 Charlie
In this episode of the Long Covid Hope Podcast, the podcast that aspires to shine a light on the more hopeful stories of Covid 19 long haulers, we’re talking with Charlie, an actor and photographer living in London. Charlie is a first waver who had a difficult time with Long Covid, but has since fortunately recovered his health and returned back to fitness and exercise in a big way. Charlie is doing an amazing thing to raise awareness and raise funds for the Long Covid SOS charity: he's about to leave on a 17 day hiking expedition in Nepal! Charlie, with family members Tony and Howie, are going to the Himalayas from the 4th April and are taking part in a guided walk at high altitude which finishes at the Everest base camp. We'll be hearing it in Charlie's own words, but going to the Himalayas is a life long dream of his, and this trip is a once in a lifetime opportunity- all in the name of Long Covid SOS and Long Covid Awareness!!

I'd like to make a quick statement about the safety of what Charlie has decided to do. As many other long haulers have been, I was initially rather concerned for Charlie doing this, particularly since he had a Fatigue based version of Long Covid. However, each of us know our own bodies better than anyone else, and if he feels like he has recovered enough and trained enough without any PEM episodes, then honestly all power to him. This isn't a normal undertaking for most people, but we have to appreciate his family background as mountaineers, and his level of fitness prior to catching Covid. As we've heard countless times now on this podcast, Long Covid has often struck the people who are the most active and fit in society. Charlie is one of those people. Recovering from Long Covid can inspire you in many different ways - for me I started a yoga for chronic conditions venture and this podcast - for Charlie it is this sponsored walk for the Long Covid SOS charity. So let's all stand behind him and support him in this endeavour, and please donate to Long Covid SOS if you have the funds to do so, they do amazing work for long Haulers here in the UK. Best of luck to you Charlie!!!

Disclaimer: **Please note that we are not medical professionals and this does not constitute medical advice. The Long Covid Hope Podcast or Sarah, Long Haul Yogi does not endorse any treatments described in the podcast episodes. Always speak to your doctor or medical practitioner before starting any new treatments, supplements or beginning a new exercise routine.**

Trigger warnings: medical gaslighting, difficulty obtaining medical care, depressive thoughts.

Links:

Charlie's Just Giving Donation Page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/longclimbforcovid

Charlie's Instagram Climb for Long Covid: https://www.instagram.com/climb_for_long_covid_/

Charlie's article in the Guardian, Sept 2020: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/13/i-was-infected-with-coronavirus-in-march-six-months-on-im-still-unwell

Charlie's challenge on Long Covid SOS website: https://www.longcovidsos.org/post/charlie-s-challenge-to-climb-to-everest-base-camp-to-raise-funds-for-long-covid

Long Covid SOS Charity: https://www.longcovidsos.org/

Wim Hoff Method: https://www.wimhofmethod.com/

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1h 8min
March 26, 2023 Trixie
In this episode of the Long Covid Hope Podcast, the podcast that aspires to shine a light on the more hopeful stories of Covid 19 long haulers, we’re talking with Trixie, an architectural designer from Manila in the Philippines. Trixie’s story is particularly fascinating as she unfortunately is also a SARS survivor. She is literally a double first waver - and doubly isolated as there were very few cases locally either time. Trixie describes how she also caught SARS-CoV-1 back in 2003 and describes her experience with Long SARS and her recovery from that, before we go on to discuss her first wave Long Covid experience and how she also has mainly recovered from Long Covid, save for some ongoing Brain Fog. So this is also a double full recovery story - and whilst that is alarming in itself, it also is somewhat reassuring to hear how one person’s body can endure both of these post viral syndromes and yet still find a way to heal… twice!
Trixie describes her challenges with insomnia, breathing difficulties and needing to manually breath and focus on each breath and MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome). She explains the breathing exercises that she did that helped her - Buteko breathing and the Wim Hoff method. She mentions a particular Patrick McKeown Youtube video that helped her, as well as trying the Stasis Breathwork programme. She had a great doctor who prescribed various medicines that helped her and Trixie was also helped by Dr Tina Peers for her MCAS. Trixie and I actually connected earlier over our mutual experience of feeling some depression after full recovery and the psychology around that - the sense of survivor’s guilt. So we discuss post Covid depression in some depth as well.
Disclaimer: **Please note that we are not medical professionals and this does not constitute medical advice. The Long Covid Hope Podcast or Sarah, Long Haul Yogi does not endorse any treatments described in the podcast episodes. Always speak to your doctor or medical practitioner before starting any new treatments, supplements or beginning a new exercise routine.**
Trigger Warnings: suicide, depression, mental health, pregnancy loss, sense of isolation
Links:
Dr Tina Peers - https://www.drtinapeers.com/histamine-intolerance
Low Histamine Diet - www.whatthebleepcanieat.com
Stasis Breathwork - https://www.stasis.life/
Patrick McKeown - Long Covid Workshop Breathing Exercises - https://youtu.be/JG6b0C32izA
Wim Hof Method - https://www.wimhofmethod.com/breathing-exercises
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1h 8min
March 19, 2023 Dr Sarah
In this episode of the Long Covid Hope Podcast, the podcast that aspires to shine a light on the more hopeful stories of Covid 19 long haulers, we’re talking with Sarah, a now retired NHS doctor who caught the virus while working in a hospital. Dr Sarah discusses her first wave Long Covid story, her experiences with cold water swimming therapy off the South England coast, the ENO (English National Opera) opera singing therapy as a treatment for breathlessness, amongst other topics. Additionally, we cover in some detail how pacing management for her Chronic Fatigue (ME/CFS) was effective and helped her to return to walking, swimming and other activities.
Disclaimer: **Please note that we are not medical professionals and this does not constitute medical advice. The Long Covid Hope Podcast or Sarah, Long Haul Yogi does not endorse any treatments described in the podcast episodes. Always speak to your doctor or medical practitioner before starting any new treatments, supplements or beginning a new exercise routine.**
Time Stamps:
Links:
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48min
March 15, 2023 BONUS - International Long Covid Awareness Day - 15th March 2023
Happy International Long Covid Awareness Day! This is a brief bonus episode to discuss the International Long Covid Awareness Day on 15th March 2023. Sarah reads the UK Press Release for the LC Awareness Day and discusses the various events that are taking place on this day worldwide. Please do take part in any way that you can - whether it is attending a Twitter Space, wearing the Awareness colours, educating a friend, family member or coworker about Long Covid, marching on Downing Street with the Key Worker's Petition, writing to your MP or government official with one of the prepared letters, posting on social media with the hashtags #LongCovid and #LongCovidAwarenessDay - whatever action you are able to take all helps to raise our voices and demand recognition, research and treatment for this chronic condition. Sarah the Long Haul Yogi will be hosting a short Instagram Live at 10am Pacific / 1pm Eastern / 5pm UK / 6pm Europe in support of the Long Covid Awareness Day and offering a short live 'Release Fear' relaxation practice.

Links:
Official website with links, merchandise - www.LongCovidAwareness.life
Long Covid Awareness Twitter Space - live from 9am Pacific / 12pm Eastern / 4pm UK / 5pm Europe for several hours - https://twitter.com/i/spaces/1OwxWwAdMapxQ?s=20
Long Covid Twitter Space hosted by LCAP - live from 4pm Pacific / 7pm Eastern / 11pm UK / 12pm Europe - https://twitter.com/i/spaces/1djxXlAWnzExZ?s=20
Sarah, the Long Haul Yogi on Instagram, short Instagram Live with 'Fear Release' Relaxation Practice at 10am Pacific / 1pm Eastern / 5pm UK / 6pm Europe - www.instagram/longhaulyogi
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21min
March 12, 2023 Stephanie
In this episode of the Long Covid Hope Podcast, the podcast that aspires to shine a light on the more hopeful stories of Covid 19 Long Haulers, Sarah is talking with Stephanie from Los Angeles, an International relations professional, writer, linguist and all around very creative person. Stephanie discusses her first wave Long Covid story, her bedrest, Long Covid symptoms such as neurological and POTS, having to go through multiple surgeries during her long covid recovery including an emergency surgery for appendicitis. Stephanie describes how getting back in touch with her roots as an Asian American helped her during her Long Covid journey, how Eastern modalities of wellness contributed to her healing, including receiving mentorship from a Buddhist monk and the progression she experienced back to a state of full wellness.

Disclaimer: **Please note that we are not medical professionals and this does not constitute medical advice. The Long Covid Hope Podcast or Sarah, Long Haul Yogi does not endorse any treatments described in the podcast episodes. Always speak to your doctor or medical practitioner before starting any new treatments, supplements or beginning a new exercise routine.**

Trigger Warnings: Emergency surgery, traumatic experiences, suicidal references

Time stamps:

Links mentioned (A-Z):
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1h 1min
March 05, 2023 Anna
In this episode of the Long Covid Hope Podcast, the podcast that aspires to shine a light on the more hopeful stories of Covid 19 long haulers, we are joined by Anna, a former business owner, mum to two kids and a fellow Yorkshire lass, about her first wave LC story. She is one of the many, many long haulers who also came down with Covid on Friday the 13th 2020 (very unlucky for some). Anna describes her prior experience with chronic pain through costochondritis prior to Covid, and then how her Long Covid has centred around ME/CFS. She explains how she turned to a fatigue health coach online to help her manage her fatigue and extensive symptoms, and the large improvements she has made over that time through pacing, rest breaks, some supplements and a lot of positive thinking affirmations and yoga nidra. Here are Anna’s wonderful healing affirmations from her Instagram page @healingishappening
Healing is Happening
Healing is Happening for Me
Rest / Pacing is Good, Healing is Happening
Today is a good day, Healing is Happening
Even if I can’t see it right now, Healing is Happening
I’m on the right track, Healing is Happening
I’m improving, Healing is Happening
I trust in my journey, I know that Healing is Happening for me today
Disclaimer: **Please note that we are not medical professionals and this does not constitute medical advice. The Long Covid Hope Podcast or Sarah, Long Haul Yogi does not endorse any treatments described in the podcast episodes. Always speak to your doctor or medical practitioner before starting any new treatments, supplements or beginning a new exercise routine.**
Trigger Warnings: references to suicide, medical gaslighting, traumatic experiences
Time stamps:
(00:00) Introduction
(2:24) Interview with Anna
(6:00) Anna’s acute Covid infection and initial post-acute recovery period
(10:00) Anna’s Long Covid story
(30:30) Recovery journey - beginning to work with Pamela Rose
(48:45) Anna’s Instagram @healingishappening and advocacy
Links mentioned (A-Z):
Anna’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/healingishappening/
Long Covid Affirmations Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/longcovidaffirmations/
Pamela Rose Fatigue Coach (UK) - https://www.pamelarose.co.uk/
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1h 5min
February 26, 2023 Angela
In this episode of the Long Covid Hope Podcast, the podcast that aspires to shine a light on the more hopeful stories of Covid 19 Long Haulers, Sarah speaks with the wonderful Angela, or Lady with Long Covid / @theextrafiles on Twitter, who lives in the Pacific Northwest of the USA with her two kids and partner. Angela has done an amazing thing: she has selflessly and tirelessly created a grassroots awareness movement from her couch. We discuss how the Long Covid awareness colours and day were democratically polled across all Long Haulers in all different online communities. She also explains how her efforts have been in collaboration with many long haulers who have helped with design work, the website, coming up with the wonderful merchandise and everything else involved in setting up a brand-new Awareness Day.
I want to shine a strong spotlight on The International Long Covid Awareness Day on 15th March and you can find out all about it on the website, which is in the show notes. Long Haulers have been speaking for years now about how we need an awareness day or month like so many other conditions, and also awareness ribbon and colours. Now we have it! Speaking of the Long Covid awareness colours - Grey, Teal and Black - I really love what they represent, and how represented everyone who cast a vote is in their existence.
Last but by no means least, Angela briefly shares her own Long Covid story with us, which actually began back in December 2019 - speaking of first wave pioneers! Angela describes her Long Covid experience, and how certain medications such as Acyclovir for epstein barr and Pavlovid for a reinfection helped her to ‘level up’, as she puts it. She also describes her experience as a mother homeschooling her children through the pandemic and Long Covid, and how helpful the community online and through the Open Zoom Rooms have been in her journey with Long Covid.
Disclaimer: **Please note that we are not medical professionals and this does not constitute medical advice. The Long Covid Hope Podcast or Sarah, Long Haul Yogi does not endorse any treatments described in the podcast episodes. Always speak to your doctor or medical practitioner before starting any new treatments, supplements or beginning a new exercise routine.**
Trigger Warnings: references to suicide, medical gaslighting, traumatic experiences
Time stamps:
(00:00) Introduction
(4:30) Interview with Angela
(7:30) How the Long Covid Awareness Day and Colours happened
(18:30) Long Covid Awareness Colours - Grey, Black and Teal
(27:00) How to take part in Long Covid Awareness Day
(40:00) Discussing support resources available for Long Haulers - and Hope
(49:00) Angela’s Long Covid experience
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1h 1min
February 19, 2023 Theresa
In this episode, Sarah speaks with Professor Theresa Levitt, Professor of History at the University of Mississippi in the US. Theresa spent a long time struggling with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) post-Covid and was mainly bed-bound. She explains how she got from bed-bound back to being healthy and active, back to running, and even writing a book! Theresa’s book, Elixir: A Parisian Perfume House and the Quest for the Secret of Life Hardcover is available from April 2023. We discuss our shared love of Ed Yong, a writer for the Atlantic, and the Body Politic Slack group, antihistamines, and her experiences taking Paxlovid and a possible turning point around that -- although she is keen to caveat by saying she doesn’t believe Paxlovid to be a ‘magic bullet’.
Disclaimer: **Please note that we are not medical professionals and this does not constitute medical advice. The Long Covid Hope Podcast or Sarah, Long Haul Yogi does not endorse any treatments described in the podcast episodes. Always speak to your doctor or medical practitioner before starting any new treatments, supplements or beginning a new exercise routine.**
Time stamps:
(00:00) Introduction
(2:24) Interview with Theresa
(6:00) Her acute Covid infection
(10:00) Theresa’s Long Covid story
(30:30) Recovery journey - breathing exercises, sleep, meditation
(48:45) When Theresa felt fully recovered - Paxlovid
Links mentioned (A-Z):
Paxlovid for Long Covid article: https://time.com/6237201/can-paxlovid-treat-long-covid/
Theresa’s book: Elixir: A Parisian Perfume House and the Quest for the Secret of Life: https://www.amazon.com/Elixir-Parisian-Perfume-House-Secret/dp/0674250893 Hardcover.
Ed Yong article in The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/06/covid-19-coronavirus-longterm-symptoms-months/612679
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1h 4min
February 12, 2023 Roweena
In this episode, Sarah talks with Roweena, a community organiser in North East England, UK, about her first wave Long Covid story. Roweena shares her story with us today but also shares her poetry that she wrote through this experience. Roweena describes having a horrendous time with swallowing disorders, which led to an inability to eat and losing a great deal of weight. Roweena and I discuss her experiences with inability to eat and retain food, having a feeding tube and time spent back and forth to hospital. She shares how taking amitriptyline off-label significantly helped her fatigue, and how deep-thinking visualisation exercises helped her get back to cycling and indeed cycling with her electric bike 20 miles a day back and forth to work. **Please note that we are not medical professionals and this does not constitute medical advice. The Long Covid Hope Podcast or Sarah, Long Haul Yogi does not endorse any treatments described in the podcast episodes. Always speak to your doctor or medical practitioner before starting any new treatments, supplements or beginning a new exercise routine.**
Trigger Warnings: severe illness, weight loss, difficulty receiving healthcare, UK public health policies
Time stamps:
(00:00) Introduction
(1:52) Interview with Roweena
(11:40) Her acute Covid infection
(16:00) Swallowing disorder and Achalasia diagnosis
(32:00) Recovery journey - ‘Deep-thinking’ visualisation exercises into cycling to work
(43:00) Discussion of movement alongside ME/CFS
(49:00) Roweena’s message to listeners
Links mentioned (A-Z):
Achalasia - rare swallowing disorder: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/achalasia/
Amitriptyline for CFS (off-label): https://www.verywellhealth.com/amitriptyline-for-fibromyalgia-mecfs-715765
Visualisations for Athletes: https://www.peaksports.com/sports-psychology-blog/sports-visualization-athletes/
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53min

FAQs about Long Covid Hope Podcast:

How many episodes does Long Covid Hope Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 44 episodes available.