The Recovery Room with Jackie Baxter

Recovery doesn't have to be perfect to be effective, and sometimes the very quest for perfect recovery can keep us stuck in our healing journey. Jo Thomas shares her personal experience with overcoming POTS and chronic fatigue, highlighting how shifting mindsets and letting go of perfectionism accelerated her healing process.

• Jo's recovery journey came in layers—medical management first, followed by lifestyle changes and nervous system regulation
• Perfectionism, people-pleasing, and overachieving often contribute to chronic fatigue and can hinder recovery
• Focus on responding appropriately to your body rather than pushing for linear progress
• Your responsibility is to take appropriate recovery actions, not to control how your body responds
• What feels like a setback might actually be a normal bodily response to increased activity
• Recovery often means living life differently than before—usually in better alignment with your values
• Becoming overly focused on achieving "full recovery" can create pressure that impedes progress
• Our bodies communicate through symptoms—learning to interpret them rather than fear them is key
• Many people discover that post-recovery life is actually better than pre-illness life
• "Keeping yourself in wellness" becomes a lifelong practice rather than reaching a finish line

Links:

Jo's website: https://jothomascoaching.com/

Message me! (I can't reply to these messages)

For more information about Long Covid Breathing courses & workshops, please check out LongCovidBreathing.com

(music credit - Brock Hewitt, Rule of Life)

Support the show

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thankyou for joining me in The Recovery Room. If you found this episode useful & are able to, you can support the show by buying me a coffee or checking out the merch

Visit The Recovery Room website: www.JackiesRecoveryRoom.com 

Follow me on social media channels: @JackiesRecoveryRoom

**Disclaimer - you should not rely on any medical information contained in this Podcast and related materials in making medical, health-related or other decisions. Please consult a doctor or other health professional**

Aaron West shares his remarkable two-and-a-half-year journey with Long COVID and his unexpected path to recovery. From being a highly athletic cyclist who once rode across South Carolina in a single day to becoming bedbound with debilitating symptoms, his story demonstrates that recovery is possible—sometimes in the most unexpected ways.

• Previously an avid athlete who competed in triathlons and rode 237 miles across South Carolina in one day
• Contracted COVID in Fall 2021 during the Delta wave
• Developed severe symptoms including persistent cough (500-1,000 times daily), neurological issues, and "electromagnetic pulse" sensations
• Forced to go on disability due to inability to work while coughing
• Found some relief through antihistamines (Zyrtec, Pepcid) and beta blockers
• Practiced pacing using "spoon theory" and heart rate monitoring to manage symptoms
• Experienced a "light switch" recovery after contracting Omicron variant in January 2024
• Post-recovery, rediscovered creative abilities and is now writing a book and running a business
• Emphasizes the importance of community support during illness and recovery
• Doctor described him as someone who came back after being "far gone"

For those still suffering with Long COVID—there is hope. While everyone's recovery journey is different, healing is possible, and sometimes it comes in unexpected ways.

Links:

Aaron's website: https://www.cinejourneys.com

Follow Aaron on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/awest505.bsky.social

Message me! (I can't reply to these messages)

For more information about Long Covid Breathing courses & workshops, please check out LongCovidBreathing.com

(music credit - Brock Hewitt, Rule of Life)

Support the show

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thankyou for joining me in The Recovery Room. If you found this episode useful & are able to, you can support the show by buying me a coffee or checking out the merch

Visit The Recovery Room website: www.JackiesRecoveryRoom.com 

Follow me on social media channels: @JackiesRecoveryRoom

**Disclaimer - you should not rely on any medical information contained in this Podcast and related materials in making medical, health-related or other decisions. Please consult a doctor or other health professional**

Amy Mooney shares her unique perspective as both an occupational therapist and caregiver to her daughter with ME-CFS, revealing essential insights about rest, recovery, and meaningful approaches to chronic illness management.

• 25 years of occupational therapy experience transformed by caring for her daughter with ME-CFS for the past decade
• Learning to see "beyond the iceberg" - what practitioners miss when they only observe patients during clinical visits
• The concept of "aggressive rest" as an active strategy rather than simply doing nothing
• Understanding different forms of exertion: physical, cognitive, emotional, and sensory
• How each person has different "buckets" for various types of exertion and unique symptom patterns
• The importance of preemptive rest before activities and recuperative rest afterward
• Creating personalized support systems that address individual symptoms and priorities
• Safely testing boundaries rather than pushing through prescribed exercise protocols
• Why prioritizing activities that bring joy and meaning is crucial for quality of life
• Being cautious about delayed responses to increased activity - sometimes PEM hits 3 days later

Amy has been working with Bateman Horne Center to provide education and resources to medical providers, helping ensure patients receive appropriate care focused on true rest rather than harmful exercise regimens.

Links:

• Amy's private practice: www.OT4ME.com
• Bateman Horne Center's rehabilitation professional resources and videos: https://batemanhornecenter.org/providers/mecfs/diagnosing-managing/rehab-professionals/
• Peer-to-peer Facebook group (for therapists only) - PT, OT & SLP Resources for Treating ME/CFS: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1EEnAJvf6v/

Message me! (I can't reply to these messages)

For more information about Long Covid Breathing courses & workshops, please check out LongCovidBreathing.com

(music credit - Brock Hewitt, Rule of Life)

Support the show

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thankyou for joining me in The Recovery Room. If you found this episode useful & are able to, you can support the show by buying me a coffee or checking out the merch

Visit The Recovery Room website: www.JackiesRecoveryRoom.com 

Follow me on social media channels: @JackiesRecoveryRoom

**Disclaimer - you should not rely on any medical information contained in this Podcast and related materials in making medical, health-related or other decisions. Please consult a doctor or other health professional**

Jackie explores recovery themes in today's episode, as she identifies five key themes that emerge across different healing journeys: consistency in daily practices, mindset that fosters healing, understanding what's happening in your body, building personal strategies, and creating a healing environment.

• Consistency means showing up daily for practices that help, even when progress feels invisible
• Mindset isn't about toxic positivity but creating biochemical conditions for healing through belief in improvement
• Understanding your body's responses and triggers makes interventions more effective and reduces fear
• Building strategies involves creating a personalized toolkit of what actually works for your unique body
• Creating a healing environment means being mindful about what you consume—food, media, thoughts
• Mental health support is crucial, not because illness is psychological but because chronic illness affects mental wellbeing
• Small 1% improvements compound over time into significant progress
• Recovery isn't about finding one miracle cure but assembling your own unique puzzle pieces

Have questions? Contact me through the fan mail function in show notes, social media, email or visit longcovidpodcast.com. Your feedback helps shape future episodes!

Links:

• Podcast feedback form: www.tinyurl.com/LCpodcastfeedback
• Dr Sarah episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1835170/episodes/15544786
• Dr Sanjay Gupta (the PoTS specialist) episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1835170/episodes/11374770
• My recovery story: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1835170/episodes/13235996
• Work with me page: https://www.longcovidpodcast.com/services-1
• Curable app: https://www.curablehealth.com/

Message me! (I can't reply to these messages)

Support the show

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thankyou for joining me in The Recovery Room. If you found this episode useful & are able to, you can support the show by buying me a coffee or checking out the merch

Visit The Recovery Room website: www.JackiesRecoveryRoom.com 

Follow me on social media channels: @JackiesRecoveryRoom

**Disclaimer - you should not rely on any medical information contained in this Podcast and related materials in making medical, health-related or other decisions. Please consult a doctor or other health professional**

Rachael's inspiring journey through long COVID showcases the resilience of the human spirit in the face of ongoing symptoms and challenges. The episode delves into her unique recovery strategies, including her tailored exercise protocols designed specifically for individuals battling long COVID, emphasising the importance of consistency, adaptability, and trust in one's body.

• Rachael redefines recovery as a journey, not solely symptom-free living 
• Importance of building confidence through gradual, consistent movement 
• Development and success of the "90-Day Rebound Method" 
• Emphasis on mindset: focusing on consistency over progression 
• Insights on dosage, effort, and individualised exercise approaches 
• Real-life success stories from Rachael's coaching 
• Flexibility in training to accommodate fluctuating symptoms 
• Encouragement for listeners to seek supportive communities in their recovery process

Links: 

Our previous episode (Rachael's recovery story):
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1835170/episodes/14084650 

Rachael's Website:
www.rebound-athletic.com

Rachael's Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/rebound.athletic/ 

Message me! (I can't reply to these messages)

For more information about Long Covid Breathing courses & workshops, please check out LongCovidBreathing.com

(music credit - Brock Hewitt, Rule of Life)

Support the show

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thankyou for joining me in The Recovery Room. If you found this episode useful & are able to, you can support the show by buying me a coffee or checking out the merch

Visit The Recovery Room website: www.JackiesRecoveryRoom.com 

Follow me on social media channels: @JackiesRecoveryRoom

**Disclaimer - you should not rely on any medical information contained in this Podcast and related materials in making medical, health-related or other decisions. Please consult a doctor or other health professional**

We explore the complexities of long COVID and the energy crisis it creates in the body, with Dr Jacob Teitelbaum sharing insights from his own struggles and professional experience. Listeners will find practical advice on mindset, nutrition, and treatment options essential for recovery.

• Discussion on the energy crisis and its impact on health 
• Overview of the SHINE protocol for treating long COVID 
• The link between long COVID and ME/CFS 
• Variability of symptoms in individuals with long COVID 
• Importance of mindset in the recovery process 
• Practical advice on supplements, nutrition, and lifestyle changes 
• Strategies for pain management and hormonal balance 
• Encouragement for individuals feeling isolated and frustrated 
• Final thoughts on reclaiming your health and setting boundaries

Links:

Our previous episode:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1835170/episodes/11358909 

https://www.energyanalysisprogram.com/

Learn more at www.Vitality101.com

Dr T website for supplements: www.EndFatigue.com 

In Europe: www.iherb.com

Email [email protected] for info sheets mentioned.

Europe and Canada, the Recovery Factors is available from www.recoveryfactors.com

Message me! (I can't reply to these messages)

For more information about Long Covid Breathing courses & workshops, please check out LongCovidBreathing.com

(music credit - Brock Hewitt, Rule of Life)

Support the show

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thankyou for joining me in The Recovery Room. If you found this episode useful & are able to, you can support the show by buying me a coffee or checking out the merch

Visit The Recovery Room website: www.JackiesRecoveryRoom.com 

Follow me on social media channels: @JackiesRecoveryRoom

**Disclaimer - you should not rely on any medical information contained in this Podcast and related materials in making medical, health-related or other decisions. Please consult a doctor or other health professional**

Rebecca Tolin shares her transformative journey from chronic illness to recovery and self-discovery. Her insights into the mind-body connection, the impact of trauma on health, and the importance of self-compassion offer listeners a path toward healing.

• Introduction to Rebecca's journey with ME/CFS 
• The effect trauma has on physical health 
• Searching for answers and the limitations of traditional medicine 
• The role of mindfulness and somatic awareness in recovery 
• Embracing self-compassion and its benefits in the healing process 
• The shift in identity away from being defined by illness 
• Finding hope and possibility in the face of struggle 
• The importance of connection with oneself 

Rebecca encourages you to embrace self-compassion and kindness towards yourself on your healing journey. 

Links:

Rebecca's Website: https://www.rebeccatolin.com/jackie (this includes info about her "Be your own medicine" course) 

Info about next "Be your own medicine" course: https://courses.rebeccatolin.com/courses/be-your-own-medicine-spring-2025?ref=ec478f

Free Meditation: https://www.rebeccatolin.com/newsletter 

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7gpLhnQU8NaC9fzlEmxIVw

Message me! (I can't reply to these messages)

For more information about Long Covid Breathing courses & workshops, please check out LongCovidBreathing.com

(music credit - Brock Hewitt, Rule of Life)

Support the show

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thankyou for joining me in The Recovery Room. If you found this episode useful & are able to, you can support the show by buying me a coffee or checking out the merch

Visit The Recovery Room website: www.JackiesRecoveryRoom.com 

Follow me on social media channels: @JackiesRecoveryRoom

**Disclaimer - you should not rely on any medical information contained in this Podcast and related materials in making medical, health-related or other decisions. Please consult a doctor or other health professional**

Lizzie shares her heartfelt journey through Long COVID, detailing the challenges she faced as well as the strategies that eventually led her to recovery. By embracing the importance of rest, celebrating small victories, and gaining knowledge about her condition, she transformed her approach to health and wellness.

• Lizzie's active life before contracting COVID
• Initial mild symptoms promptly deteriorating into fatigue and brain fog
• The cycle of boom and bust many long COVID patients experience
• Importance of learning to properly rest and embrace downtime
• Insights gained from Jan Rothney's book on recovery
• The challenge of online support groups and potential negative impacts
• Emphasising the power of language in shaping recovery experiences
• Celebrating small victories as a key strategy for motivation
• The journey towards emotional and psychological healing
• Long COVID as a catalyst for personal growth and renewed appreciation for health

Link to Nurosym:
https://nurosym.com

Breaking free from Chronic Fatigue by Jan Rothney:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Breaking-Chronic-Fatigue-Covid-Symptoms-ebook/dp/B09ZT6PJC9

Message me! (I can't reply to these messages)

For more information about Long Covid Breathing courses & workshops, please check out LongCovidBreathing.com

(music credit - Brock Hewitt, Rule of Life)

Support the show

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thankyou for joining me in The Recovery Room. If you found this episode useful & are able to, you can support the show by buying me a coffee or checking out the merch

Visit The Recovery Room website: www.JackiesRecoveryRoom.com 

Follow me on social media channels: @JackiesRecoveryRoom

**Disclaimer - you should not rely on any medical information contained in this Podcast and related materials in making medical, health-related or other decisions. Please consult a doctor or other health professional**

Discover the transformative journey of Clayton Powers, a dedicated doctor of physical therapy who transitioned from orthopedic and musculoskeletal issues to specializing in complex conditions like ME/CFS, PoTS, and Long Covid. 

• Clayton's PoTS rehabilitation showcases continuous learning and collaboration with experts.
• Telehealth is vital for Long Covid and ME/CFS patients, but faces legislative challenges.
• Healthcare systems need to adapt to support unique health needs, as highlighted by personal stories.
• Patient education and support, especially listening and validation by doctors, are crucial.
• Practical solutions for energy conservation and managing post-exertional malaise are explored.
• Prioritizing joy and building social connections enhance recovery and quality of life.

Links:
Basic PEM Explanation Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkS6L3Klc00

Orthostatic Intolerance Explanation Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=Gh4vpKsLbr8

Life with a Low Battery: Living with ME/CFS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKWk99Fsd_o

Bateman Horne Center Crash Survival Guide: https://batemanhornecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/filebase/crash_care/Dark_Blue_Survival_Guide_Complete.pdf

Resources for Rehab Providers: https://batemanhornecenter.org/providers/mecfs/diagnosing-managing/rehab-professionals/

Message me! (I can't reply to these messages)

For more information about Long Covid Breathing courses & workshops, please check out LongCovidBreathing.com

(music credit - Brock Hewitt, Rule of Life)

Support the show

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thankyou for joining me in The Recovery Room. If you found this episode useful & are able to, you can support the show by buying me a coffee or checking out the merch

Visit The Recovery Room website: www.JackiesRecoveryRoom.com 

Follow me on social media channels: @JackiesRecoveryRoom

**Disclaimer - you should not rely on any medical information contained in this Podcast and related materials in making medical, health-related or other decisions. Please consult a doctor or other health professional**

Long Covid recovery can be significantly influenced by personalised nutrition and the right supplement regimen. Carrie Bailey shares essential insights into the importance of B vitamins, Vitamin C, zinc, and herbs in supporting the immune system and overall health recovery, emphasising bio-individuality and the need for tailored approaches.

• Carrie Bailey, functional nutritionist, introduces her expertise in Long Covid 
• Understanding bio-individuality in selecting supplements 
• Importance of a strong immune system for recovery 
• Key nutrients: B vitamins, Vitamin C, and zinc for Long Covid 
• Overview of healing herbs: lemon balm and cat's claw 
• Exploring elimination diets and food intolerances 
• Listening to your body to adapt dietary choices 
• Navigating nutrition in social contexts without feeling overwhelmed 
• Conclusion on a holistic approach towards Long Covid recovery

Previous episode available here:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1835170/episodes/16434559

Carrie's Free Gift:
https://longcovidrecoveryguide.com/

Carrie's website:
https://carriebaileyfunctionalnutritionist.com/

Carrie's YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxEjeFag2UR96BQy0kcJqnw

Message me! (I can't reply to these messages)

For more information about Long Covid Breathing courses & workshops, please check out LongCovidBreathing.com

(music credit - Brock Hewitt, Rule of Life)

Support the show

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thankyou for joining me in The Recovery Room. If you found this episode useful & are able to, you can support the show by buying me a coffee or checking out the merch

Visit The Recovery Room website: www.JackiesRecoveryRoom.com 

Follow me on social media channels: @JackiesRecoveryRoom

**Disclaimer - you should not rely on any medical information contained in this Podcast and related materials in making medical, health-related or other decisions. Please consult a doctor or other health professional**