In this episode of Living Well with MS – exploring topics relating to living a full and healthy life with multiple sclerosis – host Geoff Allix welcomes Jake Connor, Service Delivery Manager at Overcoming MS, for a deep dive into the charity’s evolving support services and what it means to be part of a global MS community. From his personal connection to MS through his mother’s diagnosis, Jake shares how his journey from the corporate world to the charity sector has been driven by purpose and empathy.

Jake talks through the range of Overcoming MS's evidence-informed offerings, including webinars, courses, retreats and the Live Well Hub, and the impact they have on individuals living with MS. He also introduces Living Well Live, Overcoming MS’s brand-new all-day hybrid event, designed to inspire, educate and connect the MS community both in person and around the world.

01:20 Meet Jake: his role at Overcoming MS and what drives him

02:51 A personal journey: Jake shares his MS connection

04:35 Finding purpose: why Jake joined the Overcoming MS team

07:39 Beyond support: the wide range of services we offer

10:33 All about the Pathway to Overcoming MS course

12:11 Awards, recognition and journal articles

13:13 Transformation at Overcoming MS residential retreats

16:33 Why our Living Well with MS webinars are so popular

18:31 Exploring community in the Live Well Hub

20:36 A new event for 2025: Living Well Live

• Living Well Live
• Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub
• Events including Discover Overcoming MS
• Webinars
  • Replay with Dr Rob Motl
  • Replays with Dr Aaron Boster
  • Replay with Dr Michelle O’Donoghue
• Overcoming MS Retreats
• Pathway to Overcoming MS Course
• New to Overcoming MS?Visit our introductory page 
• Visit the Overcoming MS website

• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube
• Pinterest

• Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS
• Make sure you sign up to our newsletterto hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS.

If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation here.

Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org.

If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review.

In this episode of the Living Well with MS podcast we are pleased to welcome Sam Josephs as our guest. Sam is a qualified Nutritional Therapist and has worked as a retreat facilitator for Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis. In this episode, we demystify the Overcoming MS diet and provide helpful tips and tricks on how to hack the food portion of the Overcoming MS lifestyle and make it as scrumptious as possible!

01:24 Sam’s journey with Overcoming MS

08:54 Basic recommendations for the Overcoming MS diet

10:26 What type of fish is included in the diet?

15:46 Tips and ideal substitutes for Overcoming MS-recommended foods

26:06 Navigating meals during seasonal holidays with the Overcoming MS diet pillar

29:46 Is chicken breast really a problem?

• Listen to part 2 of ‘The OMS Diet in a Nutshell’ here
• Learn more about Sam Josephs’ professional background
• Learn more about the Overcoming MS diet recommendations
• New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page 
• Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub
• Visit the Overcoming MS website

• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube
• Pinterest

• Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS here.
• Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS.

If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation here.

Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org.

If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review.

In this inspiring episode of Living Well with MS, we're joined by Rob Carter, Head of Income Generation at Overcoming MS. With over two decades of experience in the not-for-profit world – including organisations like the MS Trust and Youth Music – Rob brings strategic insight, compassion, and a deeply personal connection to his work.

Rob sits down with CEO Alex Holden to explore the power of community fundraising – and how every challenge, skydive, cake sale, or regular gift fuels the future of Overcoming MS.

Whether you're already fundraising or simply curious, this episode is packed with practical ideas, powerful stories, and motivation to make a difference.

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

Topics and Timestamps:

01:44 Rob’s journey into fundraising and his personal connection to MS

06:29 Why fundraising is essential to the Overcoming MS mission

09:35 What is fundraising and how does it work?

14:45 Real life stories from independent Overcoming MS fundraisers

18:26 Big adventures: Overcoming MS organised challenge events

20:07 Fundraising for all: ideas beyond physical challenges

21:41 How to get in touch with the fundraising team

22:30 The huge impact of regular giving

25:42 Non-financial ways to support Overcoming MS

More info and links:

• Donate to Overcoming MS
• Sign up for Give as you Live
• Sign up for Easy Fundraising
• Join a fundraising event
• Start your own fundraiser
• Jane and Ian’s Door to Door Challege podcast episode
• New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page 
• Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub
• Visit the Overcoming MS website

• Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS here.
• Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS.

If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation here.

Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org.

If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review.

In this inspiring and info-packed episode of Living Well with MS, we welcome the brilliant Heather O’Neil – a social worker, Overcoming MS Program Facilitator, and member of the MS community – to break down the Overcoming MS Program in a clear and relatable way.

Diagnosed with MS in 2020, Heather quickly discovered the Overcoming MS Program and never looked back. With warmth and insight, she walks us through each pillar, from diet and Vitamin D to movement and mindfulness, sharing both evidence and her personal experience.

Whether you're new to Overcoming MS or need a refresher, this episode is your perfect starting point to explore how the Program can empower you to take charge of your health and well-being.

01:54 Heather's MS journey

03:56 Discovering Overcoming MS

04:59 Becoming an Overcoming MS Program Facilitator

06:27 The Overcoming MS Diet explained

08:58 Sunlight, vitamin D and why they matter

11:49 The Overcoming MS approach to Physical Activity

14:27 Mindfulness and stress reduction

16:48 Medication as an Overcoming MS Pillar

17:48 Family health matters

19:54 Change your life, for life

21:05 How to connect with the Overcoming MS community

• Join a Pathway Program
• Learn more about Overcoming MS Retreats
• Hear more from Heather on stress management
• New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page 
• Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub
• Visit the Overcoming MS website

• Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS here.
• Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS.

If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation here.

Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org.

If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review.

Most people, regardless of whether or not they have MS, may think running a marathon is, simply put, crazy. While exercise is an important part of the Overcoming MS Program, many people with MS will have symptoms that preclude them from running long distances, or indeed running at all.

This Living Well with MS episode’s special guest, Alex Tsirigotis, is someone who not only runs, but has pushed his body to his limits by regularly running marathons. And the fact that he has MS is just a footnote in his story.

01:17 Alex’s symptoms, diagnosis, and experience with MS.

04:20 What lifestyle changes Alex’s diagnosis led to.

06:09 Finding out about Overcoming MS and learnings.

07:25 How long was it after you started following Overcoming MS did you start to see noticeable improvements?

09:40 Tips on implementing the Overcoming MS program.

12:39 Alex’s marathon running.

17:02 Tips for people with symptoms that can affect their ability to run.

20:10 Long-term side effects from running marathons.

21:03 What is the most important piece of advice for anyone contemplating starting the Overcoming MS program?

24:50 Reasons Alex runs marathons and what’s next.

• Learn more about exercise as a key pillar of the Overcoming MS program
• Learn more about Alex’s running coach services.
• New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page
• Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub
• Visit the Overcoming MS website

• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube

• Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS here.
• Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS.

If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation here.

Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org.

If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review.

Love, resilience and real talk – that’s what today’s episode of Living Well with MS is all about. We're thrilled to welcome husband-and-wife team Nikoma and Simone Bell, authors of Marriage & MS: Embracing Life and Love Beyond the Diagnosis.

Together, they open up about navigating life, love and MS – sharing practical advice on relationships, caregiving, intimacy, and creating space for honest conversations, especially in underrepresented communities. Whether you're living with MS, supporting a partner, or simply curious about how real connection thrives through life's challenges, you won’t want to miss this heartfelt and inspiring discussion.

01:41 Meet Nikoma and Simone.

03:09 Top tips for keeping a marriage strong while living with MS.

05:52 Support for Black men with MS.

08:37 Common struggles among care partners and how to handle them.

10:27 How to talk to young children about MS.

12:15 Keeping intimacy alive in relationships with MS.

13:12 Managing feelings of guilt and being a burden.

14:37 Staying together despite MS – defying the odds.

17:30 Talking about what can’t be seen – invisible symptoms.

• Learn more about Nikoma and Simone and their work
• New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page 
• Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub
• Visit the Overcoming MS website

• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube

• Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS here.
• Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS.

If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation here.

Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org.

If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review.

Welcome to Living Well with MS – the podcast where we explore real-life experiences and practical insights on living a full and healthy life with multiple sclerosis. In this episode, we are pleased to welcome trainee Program Facilitator Hayley Baker as our guest. Hayley is an artist and educator who was first diagnosed with MS in 2019. In this open and engaging conversation, Hayley talks about the importance of honest communication, tackling sensitive topics like intimacy and taboo symptoms, and the life-changing impact of connecting with the Overcoming MS community.

01:32 Meet Hayley and discover her MS journey.

08:53 Becoming an Overcoming MS Program Facilitator.

10:30 The Overcoming MS Program pillars.

14:05 Hayley’s approach to the more challenging pillars.

15:39 Her approach to the Family Health pillar.

17:57 Opening up about taboo symptoms like bladder and bowel problems.

25:32 The benefits of attending an Overcoming MS Retreat.

27:11 Balancing honesty and intimacy with a partner.

32:20 Tips for someone newly diagnosed or new to the Program.

• Read the Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis Handbook: Roadmap to Good Health
• Join an Overcoming MS Circle
• Listen to Sam Josephs’ podcast episodes
• Learn more about Overcoming MS retreats
• Read about managing bowel symptoms with MS
• Read Hayley’s blog for Overcoming MS
• Listen to Dr Aaron Boster’s podcast episodes
• New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page 
• Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub
• Visit the Overcoming MS website

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

Sign up for our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS.

Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org.

If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review.

If you enjoy this podcast an and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation here.

Welcome to Living Well with MS - your go-to podcast for making informed choices to support your health and well-being with MS! In today’s episode, we’re thrilled to welcome a very special guest: comedian and MS advocate Rabiah Coon! Rabiah joins host Geoff to share her journey with MS, how she discovered Overcoming MS through a video shoot, and why she believes that laughter should be the 8th pillar of the program.

Tune in as Rabiah blends humour with honesty, offering unique insights into life with MS while highlighting the power of positivity and community. You won’t want to miss this conversation!

01:29 Meet Rabiah and hear about her journey with MS.

02:31 Finding hope: how Rabiah discovered Overcoming MS through a video shoot.

05:13 Making lifestyle changes: Rabiah shares how she has approached change.

07:15 Transcendental meditation and mindfulness tips.

10:05 Retreat reflections: what it was like to attend an Overcoming MS retreat.

13:37 How Rabiah became a stand-up comedian.

17:17 Laughter as the 8th Pillar.

21:00 Rabiah’s passion for volunteering and the importance of giving back.

26:44 Rabiah’s top tips for the newly diagnosed.

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

• Watch the Hope Reborn music video
• Volunteer with Overcoming MS
• Learn more about Overcoming MS retreats
• Learn more about Transcendental Meditation
• Listen to mindfulness podcast episodes with Phil Startin
  • S5E14 Webinar highlights: Mindfulness and Meditation with Phil Startin
  • S5E19 Webinar highlights: Progressive MS with Phil Startin and Helen Rees Leahy
  • S6E21 Webinar Highlights: Reducing Stress through meditation and mindfulness with Dr Phil Startin
  • S7E04 Webinar highlights – Stress management and mental health
• Join MS-UK's 8-week mindfulness based stress reduction
• Check out Rabiah’s Website: https://www.rabiahsaid.com
• Connect with Rabiah on social media https://linktr.ee/rabiahcomedy
• New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page 
• Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub
• Visit the Overcoming MS website

• Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. Listen to our archive of Living Well with MS here.
• Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to hear our latest tips and news about living a full and happy life with MS.

Feel free to share your comments and suggestions for future guests and episode topics by emailing podcast@overcomingms.org.

If you like Living Well with MS, please leave a 5-star review.

If you enjoy this podcast and want to support the ongoing work of Overcoming MS, you can leave a donation here.