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Wendy Bjork, Hearts of Wellness: "Empress of MS"
Welcome back friends to our podcast, the Patients Speak. Where we learn about the voice of the patient and how the patients can contribute more to the science and business aspects of innovation in the world of medicine .
The goal is to underscore the patient's voice in drug development, new device creation, new diagnostic development, and even innovation of support programs or apps.
Our guest today is Wendy Bjork who is self-titled as the Empress of MS. She has been living with multiple sclerosis for over 35 years, and has now turned to empowering other patients. She's a pioneer in advocacy and mentorship, and she's even authored a book called Fired Up! She is also a frequent contributor to the National MS Society's Momentum Magazine, and is regularly invited to expert discussions to share her story.
Today, we talk about what a healing journey encompasses. It is not just about one thing or one quick fix. She breaks it down into two parts.
- It starts with our mindset, how we're treating ourselves, and how we talk to ourselves. She emphasizes how it makes a huge difference.
- Then the team that a patent needs around them. From a medical professional, to their neurologist, and the other people in their life to help fill in those other gaps to carry on with their journey.
In some of the other parts of her program, she highlights some of those gaps that need filling.
- One big gap is nutrition.
- Another gap is the support part of it. A lot of patients feel unsupported. Some spouses even leave because they just can't deal with this diagnosis
The MS Society does a good job of facilitating a lot of good information. Their website has tons of information to seek out. That's a great place to start, especially if someone's newly diagnosed
In her book Fired Up!, she let us know that MS isn't a death sentence, we're here to live our life even when life throws all kinds of challenges at us. So it's up to us to be our own advocates and stand up for ourselves.
She tells us not to say we're suffering from a particular illness. She prefers using the word "Navigating" as opposed to living with a condition. Because we have to see the illness as a separate entity otherwise it just becomes part of us.
On her website, she quotes "I'm not a product of my circumstances. I'm a product of my decisions." Mainly because each day is a reset and we have a whole day of 24 hours full of choices.
In conclusion, she gives us a few things to take away from this conversion
- She is really encouraging people with MS to step into that development process more by having conversations with the pharma companies.
- And reminds us that it comes down to all these different components of living a healthy life. In addition to what medicine has developed for us.
- Everybody needs to give themselves grace. And to try new things.
- That change might not be felt until 90 days later. So be patient with ourselves and to give ourselves grace.
- Be kind to somebody. Do something random for a stranger, because you might be the only person that talks to them nicely that day.
We can find Wendy and more on her patient advocacy and coaching work on her website: heartsofwellness.com
Wendy Bjork
Wendy's Website
Wendy Bjork, The Empress of MS, is the founder of Hearts of Wellness.com.
An extreme pioneer in advocacy and mentorship, Wendy is leading a global revolution to change the face of Multiple Sclerosis.
In living with MS for over 30 years, she wishes to bridge the many gaps in care.
She empowers women by sharing the keys to begin their healing journey as well as igniting their most dynamic self.
Wendy has authored two books and co-authored a third, "Fired Up!" which is a #1 International bestseller. She contributes to the National MS Society's Momentum Magazine and is regularly invited on discussions, podcasts and interviews to share her story.]
Wendy on YouTube
Wendy's Facebook page
@theempressofms on Instagram
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendybjork/
BSB Media
View all episodes
By BSB MediaWelcome back friends to our podcast, the Patients Speak. Where we learn about the voice of the patient and how the patients can contribute more to the science and business aspects of innovation in the world of medicine .
The goal is to underscore the patient's voice in drug development, new device creation, new diagnostic development, and even innovation of support programs or apps.
Our guest today is Wendy Bjork who is self-titled as the Empress of MS. She has been living with multiple sclerosis for over 35 years, and has now turned to empowering other patients. She's a pioneer in advocacy and mentorship, and she's even authored a book called Fired Up! She is also a frequent contributor to the National MS Society's Momentum Magazine, and is regularly invited to expert discussions to share her story.
Today, we talk about what a healing journey encompasses. It is not just about one thing or one quick fix. She breaks it down into two parts.
- It starts with our mindset, how we're treating ourselves, and how we talk to ourselves. She emphasizes how it makes a huge difference.
- Then the team that a patent needs around them. From a medical professional, to their neurologist, and the other people in their life to help fill in those other gaps to carry on with their journey.
In some of the other parts of her program, she highlights some of those gaps that need filling.
- One big gap is nutrition.
- Another gap is the support part of it. A lot of patients feel unsupported. Some spouses even leave because they just can't deal with this diagnosis
The MS Society does a good job of facilitating a lot of good information. Their website has tons of information to seek out. That's a great place to start, especially if someone's newly diagnosed
In her book Fired Up!, she let us know that MS isn't a death sentence, we're here to live our life even when life throws all kinds of challenges at us. So it's up to us to be our own advocates and stand up for ourselves.
She tells us not to say we're suffering from a particular illness. She prefers using the word "Navigating" as opposed to living with a condition. Because we have to see the illness as a separate entity otherwise it just becomes part of us.
On her website, she quotes "I'm not a product of my circumstances. I'm a product of my decisions." Mainly because each day is a reset and we have a whole day of 24 hours full of choices.
In conclusion, she gives us a few things to take away from this conversion
- She is really encouraging people with MS to step into that development process more by having conversations with the pharma companies.
- And reminds us that it comes down to all these different components of living a healthy life. In addition to what medicine has developed for us.
- Everybody needs to give themselves grace. And to try new things.
- That change might not be felt until 90 days later. So be patient with ourselves and to give ourselves grace.
- Be kind to somebody. Do something random for a stranger, because you might be the only person that talks to them nicely that day.
We can find Wendy and more on her patient advocacy and coaching work on her website: heartsofwellness.com
Wendy Bjork
Wendy's Website
Wendy Bjork, The Empress of MS, is the founder of Hearts of Wellness.com.
An extreme pioneer in advocacy and mentorship, Wendy is leading a global revolution to change the face of Multiple Sclerosis.
In living with MS for over 30 years, she wishes to bridge the many gaps in care.
She empowers women by sharing the keys to begin their healing journey as well as igniting their most dynamic self.
Wendy has authored two books and co-authored a third, "Fired Up!" which is a #1 International bestseller. She contributes to the National MS Society's Momentum Magazine and is regularly invited on discussions, podcasts and interviews to share her story.]
Wendy on YouTube
Wendy's Facebook page
@theempressofms on Instagram
https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendybjork/
BSB Media