The MS Gym Podcast

In today's message Jodi Feltham shares about her own humble beginnings and healing journey from a broken rib injury. She also recounts the early beginnings of The MS Gym.

I have the privilege today to interview our latest guest Dr. Samantha Roman, better known on TikTok as Dr. Sam. You'll learn valuable insights from our guest, who's not only a John Hopkins MS-trained neurologist, but a fellow MS warrior. In today's podcast, we'll discuss Dr. Sam's: Links Dr. Sam on TikTok thatmssdoc on Instagram thatmsdoc on Facebook The MS Gym

Join us for our podcast as we learn more about Brenda, one of the Original Gymmers (OG) in The MS Gym. Today, she'll talk about her: MS Gym Links The MS Gym

Life can change so quickly when diagnosed with a chronic illness. Things we once held tightly to like our jobs, hobbies, abilities, family and friends can disappear in the blink of an eye. We can find ourselves lost and isolated from the world around us. Today’s podcast guest tells us how she channelled her own struggles, fear and uncertainty into her TikTok videos and created a safe space and community for others who are struggling with chronic illness. What started out as a wobbly dance turned into 41,000 engaged followers, and a whole world of purpose. Join me as we get social with Julie and learn about: Links: The MS Gym Connect with Julie on TikTok Connect with Jodi on TikTok , Facebook

Social media is all around us and is a valuable tool for spreading knowledge, influencing others, and creating awareness. Today, we will learn from Toronto-born Christina Andaya as she shares about how she uses social media to: Learn more about Christina Andaya. Instagram Christina Andaya - Social Media Marketing Specialist

Today's episode is a super special one because I get to reintroduce and/or introduce the MS Gym to the masses. The MS Gym has been around for almost 6 years and has thousands of followers, but there are upwards of 3 million people worldwide who have MS, so there's always someone newly diagnosed out there or just discovering us who may want to know more about exactly who we are. Who's the founder? Where's it located? What's it all about? How can I benefit from it? And, what does it cost? Our audience is going to get all of that information and more in today's episode as I had the unique opportunity to have an in-depth conversation with the creator and founder of the MS Gym, Coach Trevor Wicken. Let's goooo! EPISODE NOTES: - Its founder, programs, and pricing - Reintroducing The MS Gym - What is it? - What is neuroplasticity? - The role of the central nervous system. - The brain is plastic - The truth about neural pathways - Trevor's credentials - His own neurologic events - Defending MS practitioners who don't have MS - Fighting for people's lives - The free online resources and where you can access them - The difference between the free MS Gym information and the paid for program - When you want more structure - Details on the paid-for products and programs - The Members Only Corner (MOC) - The value of community and connection - Mindset training - A healing lifestyle - Can you continue your regular exercise while using The MS Gym programs? - Where to start - Two of the most popular free programs - Programs for people who use wheelchairs and/or mobility aids - Full program pricing: semi-annual, annual, monthly - Link to a promotional discount for podcast listeners - Are the programs self-paced? - The MS Gym app - Consistently up-leveling the programs - What the MS Gym isn't - A fun random question about food LINKS: THE MS GYM: Website YouTube Facebook Instagram The MS Gym Programs and Products with Pricing: Symptom Solutions Individual Products Membership Program including Members Only Community (MOC) SPECIAL PROMOTION PRICING! (mentioned in this podcast episode) BROOKE SLICK: Website Instagram

With summer, vacation months upon us, at least here in the U.S., for those of us living with mobility issues, it adds on an extra layer of complexity and consideration into planning a trip. Things like...Is your vacation rental gonna have steps? Is it going to have an elevator? Are you going to be able to get to your connecting flight fast enough through the airport? Are you going to hold everybody back because you're slow? Are you even going to be able to enjoy yourself on the trip? You know what I'm talking about. Today's guest is going to tell you how you can conquer all of your fears with ease...on a scooter. That's right. It's the mobility device you didn't know you needed. Maybe the mere thought of using one makes you want to stop listening. Maybe you think you're not ready or bad enough yet to use a scooter. Well, you can keep wasting your time and your physical energy trying to get all of your daily tasks completed. You can struggle through trying to keep up with the crowd. You can continue to rely on others to get you where you need or want to go. Or, you can listen to today's guest debunk all of your misgivings and tell you how it's done. Join me in welcoming Jodi Johnson, one of our fellow MS Gymmers, to the podcast. EPISODE NOTES: - Rapid decline - Most symptoms -related - Persistent foot drop - Tripping - Enter mobility aids - From strolling to rolling - Starting with canes - The joy and frustration that came with deciding to use a mobility aid - Embarrassment - Traveling with aids - Discovering a workaround for walking longer distances - Renting a wheelchair even though she wasn't "ready" - Feeling small - Being an ambulatory wheelchair user - Trying out a walker/wheelchair combo…even in Portugal and Costa Rica - Getting unapologetically used to using a mobility aid - Mobility aids in the home - Getting her first scooter - Pride Gogo Scooter - Shocked at the freedom and portability of a scooter - Going to the mall again! - Getting her independence back - Using multiple mobility aids depending on how she was feeling on any given day - Canes/walker/wheelchair/scooter - Acquiring her bumblebee scooter - Flying with a foldable scooter - The Transformer by Solax - Getting a lift for her car - Bruno Scooter Lifts for vehicles - Opening up doors for travel - Been on over 40+ flights - Being aware of potential airline damage LINKS: Jodi Johnson on Instagram Pride Gogo Scooter Solax Transformer Automatic Folding Scooter Bruno Scooter Lifts for vehicles THE MS GYM: Website YouTube Facebook Instagram BROOKE SLICK: Website Instagram

In today's MS Gym podcast episode, we'll chat with MS Gym member Kim as she shares about her: MS Gym Links: The MS Gym Join host Jodes Feltham, on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook Reels to learn more about disability awareness and inclusion.

Welcome back to our 3rd and initially unplanned episode with Dr. Richard Burt, author of the recently released book, Everyday Miracles and the OG provider of HSCT here in the US. Let me explain why we thought it would be useful for our listeners, as well as Dr. Burt to come back and re-hash some of Dr. Burt's touch points from the first two episodes. In particular his stance on NOT treating PPMS and non-active SPMS with HSCT. You see, after the first two episodes, I witnessed rumblings of concern and discontent within the online HSCT community. I belong to multiple HSCT groups and most had at least one or two conversations going on addressing Dr. Burt's most recent interviews, including ours on this podcast. So, who was most concerned? Well, primarily PPMS patients, and non-active SPMS patients who are either considering HSCT, are already booked to have HSCT or those who've recently had HSCT. I 100% understand how Dr. Burt's stance on the efficacy of HSCT on their types of MS would have been reason for pause. Knowing that, I felt a responsibility to revisit the topic with him and drill down on the details. It would also give us a chance to ask him a couple of questions we missed on the first interview, like dietary restrictions before and after HSCT as well as questions on second transplants. We feel so fortunate that Dr. Burt graciously agreed to come on again and address a lot of these pressing issues. Also, if you hold on until the end, Jodi and I have a short chat about what we took away from today's interview and recap our thoughts on our entire experience with Dr. Burt. Because she and I have had HSCT, and each in different facilities, Russia and Mexico, we have a unique perspective and are able to relate to the concerns of an HSCT patient no matter what stage they're at in their HSCT journey. EPISODE NOTES: - 2nd transplants - Were you misdiagnosed? - Do you even have MS? - Many diseases mimic MS - The average percentage of patients who relapse post HSCT - Explaining in detail his thoughts on treating PPMS and non-active SPMS patients - What is RPMS (relapsing progressive MS) and would he offer HSCT to RPMS patients? - The type of regimen he would recommend If progressive MS is treated with HSCT - If not HSCT, what types of treatments does he recommend for PPMS and non-active SPMS patients? - Does he have any dietary recommendations for HSCT patients either before or after HSCT? - His thoughts on carbohydrates - The Epstein Barr virus (EBV) connection to MS - Following EBV titers after transplant LINKS: Episode #1 on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ezjhqHtYA8Y This episode, #2 of 2, on YouTube: https://youtu.be/40dqLdIeZlc Dr. Burt's book, EVERYDAY MIRACLES: https://www.amazon.com/Everyday-Miracles-Scleroderma-Autoimmune-Hematopoietic/dp/1637631251 Dr. Burt's website: https://astemcelljourney.com/about/drrichardburt/ Email to apply for HSCT with Dr. Burt: BURTRRMSTrial@scrippshealth.org THE MS GYM: Website YouTube Facebook Instagram BROOKE SLICK: Website Instagram JODI FELTHAM: TikTok Instagram

Today, we'll chat with one of our Original Gymmers, Jan J, and learn about her: The MS Gym Links: The MS Gym

Join me today to uncover what purposes and desires reside in your heart that you want to share with the world. Are you passionate about a specific hobby, diet, activity or cause? Today, I'll talk about my own desire to become an advocate for disability and also my favorite clothing line lululemon. It's my desire that disability be part of the "diversity" movement in word and in action. Links The MS Gym Join me on my advocacy journey: Jodesfeltham on Tiktok Jodesfeltham on Instagram

Welcome to part two of two of our interview with Dr. Richard Burt. I can't tell you how many people have reached out to me after listening to part one and how anxious they are to see what awaits in part two. I even had one listener message me to say the interview with Dr, Burt should be required watching for everyone with MS, and I'm not going to disagree with that deduction. If you have PPMS, whether you're considering HSCT or not, you should definitely listen to this episode. Dr. Burt completely reframes the type of disease PPMS is or isn't. If you want to hear about the future of organ and tissue repair including but not exclusive to remyelination, you should listen to this episode. Those topics are just scratching the surface of what this medical innovator brings to the table for the future of the treatment of chronic illnesses, debilitating injuries, and to the exciting new world of neuroregeneration. I feel certain that what he's working on today is laying the groundwork for treatments that will be considered commonplace over the next 30 years. Before we jump into this next episode, I wanted to let you know that this episode will be available to view on the MS Gym’s YouTube page, and there will be links in the episode notes to that YouTube page. There will also be links to part one of this interview as well as links to Dr. Burt’s book, and his website, as well as an email, where you can contact Dr. Burt’s team if you're considering HSCT. EPISODE NOTES: - His thoughts on PPMS and why he doesn't treat it - How disease labels can evolve over time - How HSCT drug protocols vary per autoimmune disease - What can trigger a relapse post HSCT - IPS stem cells and neuroregeneration - Starting a new biotech company - The future of HSCT in Chicago - How IPS could help patients with SPMS and PPMS - Where patients can receive non-myeloablative HSCT in the US now - Neurodegenerative treatment for non-active SPMS and PPMS - Pseudo flares post HSCT and what can cause them…don't panic! - Tweaking the healthcare system to make the patient first - Medicine is a profession, healthcare is a business LINKS: Episode #1 on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ezjhqHtYA8Y This episode, #2 of 2, on YouTube: https://youtu.be/40dqLdIeZlc Dr. Burt's book, EVERYDAY MIRACLES: https://www.amazon.com/Everyday-Miracles-Scleroderma-Autoimmune-Hematopoietic/dp/1637631251 Dr. Burt's website: https://astemcelljourney.com/about/drrichardburt/ Email to apply for HSCT with Dr. Burt: BURTRRMSTrial@scrippshealth.org THE MS GYM: Website YouTube Facebook Instagram BROOKE SLICK: Instagram

I'm super excited about these next two episodes! Of course, any episode that has to do with HSCT (hematopoietic stem cell transplant) is super important to me. For the last 10 years, I've been a vocal advocate for HSCT. Screaming about it from the top of my lungs through social media, blogging, and to anyone who would listen or inquired. As you may or may not know, my co-host, Jodi, and I have both received HSCT for our MS. I had mine in Russia 10 years ago, and Jodi in Mexico in 2018. So when Dr. Richard Burt's team reached out to us to discuss all things HSCT, as well as his recently released book, Everyday Miracles, that puts forth, in lay terms, his long road to accomplishing his goals, we were beyond open to having the opportunity to ask all the questions we ever wanted to know. Those questions include the reasoning behind his choices for inclusion and exclusion of certain patients for this treatment...in particular, MS patients. Questions like…Which MS patients does this treatment work for? Who doesn't it work for? and why? So who is Dr Richard Burt? He's the determined and innovative physician who pioneered the use of HSCT in the US. Within the HSCT community, he's considered the Godfather of HSCT, and yes, in case you're wondering, he IS the Dr. who treated actress Selma Blair. For the last 35 years, with laser focus and blinders on to block out any peripheral static from naysayers, Dr. Burt has been quietly and methodically raging against the machine that is today's medical system. Armed with the knowledge he gained while treating patients with leukemia with HSCT, he felt certain it could potentially halt the progression of certain autoimmune diseases and in many cases, reverse symptoms. So he plowed forward with a mission to prove his hypothesis. But it wouldn't happen overnight. There were randomized trials, hundreds of patients, many diseases and, in the end, life-changing success stories. Dr. Burt was the first doctor in the US to give hope to patients with MS, Lupus, Crohn's, Stiff Person Syndrome and CIDP, when in the past they'd grappled with a life filled with a long list of ineffective drugs and certain disease progression. To be clear, just because he was butting up against systemic red tape here in the US, doesn't mean he wasn't becoming a highly decorated peer by the international medical community and beyond. His list of awards granted by esteemed medical organizations is lengthy and impressive. I mean seriously, how many doctors do you know who've been presented with the "keys to the Vatican" in Vatican City, Rome? He was even recognized by Science illustrated for accomplishing one of the top 10 medical breakthroughs for the next 10 years. And, the forward for his book was written by the Dalai Lama! Yes! Dr. Burt has got the juice! So much so that we had to squeeze it out in two full episodes. Both of which are packed with answers from pointed questions that you won't find anywhere else. Asked by HSCT veterans who, for over a decade, have been privy to all the insider speculation regarding Dr. Burt's methodology. Like why he will or won't treat certain MS patients, why he uses certain drugs in his protocol, and what he considers a successful HSCT. It's time to dig in and peel back the curtain on HSCT with Dr. Richard Burt. EPISODE NOTES: - Dr. Burt's book, Everyday Miracles - Making HSCT easy to understand - 54 patient stories - Being a patient-oriented physician - Insurance coverage - How HSCT works - The mistake of thinking that the stem cells are what resets your immune system - Whose stem cells are used? - Myeloablative or non-myeloablative HSCT…which one does Dr. Burt prefer for AI disease - HSCT for cancer vs. an autoimmune disease - Stronger protocols don't always mean better - A one-time treatment - How long will it last? - The important role of measuring brain atrophy in MS progression - The colonialistic attitude of doctors toward patients - The risks associated with a...

Let's travel the globe to chat with one of our international gym Member, Birgit. We'll unpack her: The MS Gym Links The MS Gym

Today we're going to be talking about integrative and functional medicine and how you can use them in tandem for your best and healthiest outcome while living with MS. No matter where you are in the trajectory of your disease. Whether you've just been diagnosed or you've had it for 30 years, you may have asked yourself, "What can I be doing for myself above and beyond the drugs I'm taking, or the infusions I'm getting? There has to be something else." That's where our next guest, Dr. Susan Payrovi, comes into play. Dr. Payrovi is the co-founder of True Medicine which you'll hear more about in this episode. She's board certified in integrative and functional medicine and has dedicated her practice to a whole-person approach to treatment that goes beyond simply throwing drugs at a patient to see what sticks. Over and above her degrees that hang on her wall, Dr. Payrovi is even more uniquely qualified to provide advice to her patients because she herself lives with MS. Please join Jodi and I in welcoming Dr. Susan Payrovi as she educates us on the power of lifestyle habits that can lead to lifelong wellness. EPISODE NOTES LINKS DR. PAYROVI & TRUE MEDICINE THE MS GYM: Website YouTube Facebook Instagram BROOKE SLICK: Instagram

Welcome to part two of our podcast about the gut and microbiome with coach William Dickinson. In today's episode, we'll learn more about: Links: The MS Gym William Dickinson Linktree

We’ve all heard so much information about the importance of good gut health. But what does that really mean? Today’s guest, coach William Dickinson, will help us unravel some of the mystery around autoimmune disease and the gut. In part one of this podcast, we will learn about William and his own health journey through chronic fatigue syndrome. He’ll share his: Links: The MS Gym William Dickinson Linktree

Welcome back to the second episode of our interview with actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler. In this episode, we pick up where we left off when I asked Jamie if she'd experienced a postpartum relapse of her MS. We also discuss Jamie's MS mom guilt, and how she makes vacationing with young children and MS easier. Also in this episode, she shares her experience with Coach Trevor and the hope that his advice has given her. We finish out this intriguing interview by touching on Jamie's diet choices as well as what and how she uses cannabis for spasticity. EPISODE NOTES: -Raising young children with MS -Remission of symptoms during pregnancy -Postpartum depression -What she can and can't do with her children -The guilt of having others do things with her kids -"Other moms can run" -Focusing on what she CAN do -Would I have been a better mom without MS -When your spouse and children become your cheerleader -Raising children with a conscious -Julie Stamm's book, Some Days -Bringing value despite MS -The value of therapy -Finding solace in friendships -Vacationing with young children and MS -Not slowing anybody down -Choosing smaller hotels -Making vacation easier with accessibility -Jamie's experience with Trevor and the MS Gym -Feeling so much hope -The handbook for living -Blown away by Trevor's compassion -Infectious and genuine -Diet -She's tried ALL the diets -Being kind to herself -Nothing strict -Everything in moderation -Whatever makes her feel normal and not restrictive -Sugar is the enemy -Restricting water intake -Avoiding stimulants -Cannabis for spasticity LINKS Jamie's Instagram Page Big Sky on ABC Big Sky on Hulu Julie Stamm's book, Somedays THE MS GYM: Website YouTube Facebook Instagram BROOKE SLICK: Website Instagram

Welcome back to another season of The MS Gym Podcast. Jodi and I had planned on taking the summer off as we typically do, but opportunities kept presenting themselves that we simply couldn't turn down. We've been absolutely humbled and honored that potential guests have been coming to us, instead of the other way around. That's right. Word continues to spread about The MS Gym. continues to spread about Coach Trevor, his 100% commitment to and extensive knowledge of how the MS body responds to movement, and his well-informed grasp on how neuroplasticity can restore functionality that was perceived as being impossible. With that kind of reputation, word gets around fast and far, and that's exactly how it happened with this episode's guest. A friend of hers told her about The MS Gym, she took a look at some of Trevor's videos and was intrigued, so she decided to contact The MS Gym to see how she could work with Trevor, only to find out that we had been trying to contact her to be on the podcast. You see, this was no random guest we were reaching out to. This was a Hollywood actress, famous for her role as Meadow Soprano on the long running HBO series The Sopranos, and now appearing in the ABC series Big Sky, who, after keeping her MS diagnosis under wraps for around 16 years, decided to go public. Little did she know, the MS world was cheering her on, anxious to see how she could use her far-reaching platform to shine a light on MS. If you haven't figured it out by now, our guest on today's episode, as well as an upcoming episode, is Jamie-Lynn Sigler, a 42-year-old mother of two young boys, and wife to an incredibly supportive husband. Over the next two episodes, Jamie opens up about a wide range of topics, from how she handled being diagnosed at a young age, making the decision to go public, the gift of workplace accommodation, raising young children, how she uses cannabis for relief, to, most importantly, her own experience with Trevor and The MS Gym. EPISODE NOTES: -Being diagnosed with Lyme disease -MS at 20 when Sopranos was peaking -Avonex -Not being a good patient -The stress of divorce -Keeping her MS a secret -Wanting to get rid of MS -Finding a partner who was "in it" with her was a turning point -The emotional side of MS -Figuring out how to thrive with MS -Dating with MS -Being pleasantly surprised by the acceptance of others -The tipping point for revealing her diagnosis to the public -Making excuses for her visible symptoms -Taking time off after having her son -Coming clean about her MS -The People magazine article that changed everything -Her celebrity status doesn't make MS any easier -Feeling a great sense of responsibility as a celebrity with MS -Accommodating her MS symptoms when filming -Not wanting to feel like a burden on the set -Masking her gait issues -Using a stunt double -Inclusivity in Hollywood -Dreaming of a role that incorporates her MS -Feeling guilt and shame about her limitations LINKS Jamie's Instagram Page Big Sky on ABC Big Sky on Hulu THE MS GYM: Website YouTube Facebook Instagram BROOKE SLICK: Website Instagram

Tune in for the second part of our discussion with world-renowned Dr. Terry Wahls, creator of The Wahls Protocol. In today's discussion, we'll learn more about Dr. Wahls' role as a researcher. She shares about her upcoming randomized study, Efficacy of Diet on Quality of Life in Multiple Sclerosis. Diet is often heralded as the key ingredient to managing MS symptoms. But, with over a dozen "MS diets" out there that are often contradictory to each other, how do we really know which one is best? Or is there even one diet that works for everyone? Everyone shares their opinions about the "proper" MS diet, from fellow MSers to complete strangers. But is the only evidence available anecdotal? What makes this study so exciting is that it's the largest, longest, randomized study about diet and MS. Study outcomes will be measured both with physical measures, such as MRI findings and changes in walking ability, and patient-reported outcomes in regards to fatigue and mood. We're all looking forward to the proof in that "gluten and dairy free" pudding. So grab those spoons and let's dig in. In this episode, we'll learn more about the study. Dr. Wahls also discusses: For more information about Dr. Wahls upcoming study check out these links: Study information Recruitment Poster Screening eligibility Additional links: DR. TERRY WAHLS: Website Book - The Wahls Protocol - with access to BONUS content THE MS GYM: Website YouTube Facebook Instagram