What does it take to live well with MS for more than 40 years? For professor and theatre maker David Peimer, the answer lies in resilience, curiosity, and transforming anger into creative energy.

In this powerful and deeply reflective episode of Living Well with MS, David shares how he went from being given just four years to live to building a successful global career – teaching, directing, and writing award-winning plays – while following the Overcoming MS Program.

With honesty and humour, David explores how diet, stress management, and self-understanding helped him rebuild his health and his life. His story is a testament to hope, perseverance, and the belief that, even when faced with MS, we can learn to surf the wave rather than be swept away by it.

Watch this episode on YouTube here. Keep reading for the topics and timestamps and David’s bio.

02:02 David’s early MS journey and life-changing diagnosis 06:09 Facing paralysis, fear, and the turning point that sparked hope 11:48 How reading Judy Graham and following the Swank diet changed everything 17:43 Managing stress and anger: finding calm in chaos 23:16 Inside the Copaxone trial: early experiences with MS treatment 29:19 Rebuilding purpose through creativity and compassion 34:51 The power of community and connection 40:10 David’s advice for anyone newly diagnosed

• Learn about Judy Graham and her books
• The history of Copaxone, the first DMT for MS
• Learn more about David’s work
• New to Overcoming MS? Learn why lifestyle matters in MS – begin your journey at our ‘Get started’ page
• Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub
• Visit the Overcoming MS website

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Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Living Well with MS podcast, where we are pleased to welcome Professor George Jelinek as our guest! Professor Jelinek is the founder of the Overcoming MS program and was, until recently, the head of the Neuroepidemiology Unit at the University of Melbourne. In this episode, he discusses how extensive scientific research is illuminating new ways to help people with MS live better and healthier lives through changes made to their diets and lifestyles.

Watch this episode on YouTube here.

00:10 Geoff’s journey with MS

01:15 Starting The Living Well with MS podcast

01:48 Introduction of Professor Jelinek

03:22 Professor Jelinek’s MS diagnosis

05:22 Roy Swank’s research paper on diet and MS

11:45 Overview of Overcoming MS

14:30 Mindfulness based meditation, is there any science to it?

22:12 Prevention tips for people with MS who have children

27:55 Will lifestyle factors enter the mainstream treatment?

31:15 Impact of diet on multiple sclerosis

• New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page 
• Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub
• Visit the Overcoming MS website

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• 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, please support the ongoing work and podcasts from Overcoming MS by leaving a donation here.

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

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In this episode of Living Well with MS, we’re excited to welcome Josie Crawley – poet, professor of nursing, and Overcoming MS community member. Josie has been living with MS for over 20 years, and she shares how poetry, exercise, honesty and joy help her navigate life with resilience and humour.

From the challenges of walking to the meditative calm of swimming, from embracing “JOYMO” (the joy of missing out) to choosing self-kindness over comparison, Josie’s reflections are moving, practical and full of wisdom for anyone on their own MS journey.

If you’d like to read any of Josie’s poems mentioned in this episode, you can find them here: A collection of poems by Josie Crawley

You can watch this episode on YouTube here.

00:00 Meet Josie Crawley and discover her journey with MS

05:42 The healing role of poetry in life with MS

09:09 Family, career and adapting to life with MS

16:03 How Josie discovered the Overcoming MS Program

18:46 Ageing with MS: acceptance and challenges

21:25 Why swimming and walking are Josie’s meditations

25:24 Finding joy and (challenge) in walking

28:15 Finding balance in life with MS

31:22 Navigating medication and treatment options

35:10 Balancing privacy and disclosure in work

• Read Josie’s scientific research on Research Gate or by using her Orchid ID 0000-0003-1011-3335
• This PDF contains a selection of Josie’s poetry referred to or about content discussed in this episode. You are welcome to share these poems, but please acknowledge Josie as the author, and the source if published.
• New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page 
• Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub
• Visit the Overcoming MS website

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• 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, please support the ongoing work and podcasts from Overcoming MS by leaving 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 Living Well with MS, we’re sharing highlights from a popular webinar on physical activity. Overcoming MS Program Facilitator Heather O’Neil hosts a fascinating conversation with renowned researcher Dr Robert Motl and community members Francis Loye and Duarte Valente. Together, they explore the science and lived experience behind why moving your body matters when you live with MS.

Watch this episode on YouTube.

02:46 Why exercise is ‘medicine’ for MS

05:50 Cells to society: how activity helps at every level

11:55 Personal experiences: community members share their stories

17:38 Overcoming challenges: motivation and mindset

23:38 Q&A: including questions on fatigue and the best types of exercise

29:25 Practical tips for starting and maintaining an exercise program

35:35 Final thoughts and encouragement to get started and keep going

• Listen to S6E18 The latest research in exercise for MS with Dr Robert Motl
• Listen to S7E10 A quick guide to the Overcoming MS Program with Heather O’Neil
• Learn more about the exercise pillar of the Overcoming MS program
• New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page 
• Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub
• Visit the Overcoming MS website

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• 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, please support the ongoing work and podcasts from Overcoming MS by leaving 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 have Véronique Gauthier-Simmons as our guest! Originally from France and now residing in Portugal, Véronique was diagnosed with MS at the age of 34, but through the Overcoming MS Program and her love of exercise found a way to make staying fit a meaningful part of her life. She now helps others do the same as an Overcoming MS facilitator and qualified yoga instructor and yoga therapist.

Watch this episode on YouTube here.

05:30 Véronique’s yoga business, Taming the Walrus

07:22 How do you decide which exercise is right for you?

12:54 Should one stay within their comfort zone, or push their boundaries?

16:25 What kind of exercises can you do if not fully mobile?

18:59 Between watching exercise videos or taking a fitness class, which is better?

• You can learn more about Véronique’s professional background here.
• New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page 
• Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub
• Visit the Overcoming MS website

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• 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, please support the ongoing work and podcasts from Overcoming MS by leaving 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 Living Well with MS – the podcast where we explore how lifestyle choices and evidence-based approaches can help people live full and healthy lives with multiple sclerosis – we look at the surprising benefits of dance with Tiffany Stott and Emily Davis from Scottish Ballet.

Tiffany leads Scottish Ballet’s Dance Health Programmes, and Emily recently completed her PhD on Elevate – a dance programme created specifically for people with MS. What makes Elevate stand out is its inclusivity: whether you’re seated, standing, brand new to dance or have years of experience, the classes are adapted so everyone can take part.

Join us as we explore how the arts and science come together to support people with MS, and why dance might be one of the most uplifting ways to live well.

01:00 Introduction to Dance for MS

01:57 Scottish Ballet’s health programmes

05:47 How the Elevate programme was developed

10:52 The research and evidence for Dance and MS

15:02 What a class looks and feels like

20:49 Emily’s PhD findings on Elevate

24:48 Overcoming barriers to participation

27:45 Benefits of dance for MS

30:48 How to get involved with Elevate

• Learn more and join an Elevate Dance for MS class
• Read Emily Davis’ research on Dance for MS
• New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page 
• Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub
• Visit the Overcoming MS website

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• 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, please support the ongoing work and podcasts from Overcoming MS by leaving a donation here.

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

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In this inspiring episode of Living Well with MS, we’re joined by the incredible Brenda Snow. Brenda is a business leader, patient advocate, and the author of Diagnosed: The Essential Guide to Navigating the Patient’s Journey. Living with multiple sclerosis herself, Brenda opens up about the realities of life with a chronic condition – from the early phases of grief and anger to ultimately finding acceptance and purpose. She shares how patients can stay connected to their identity, seek support, and even turn anger into positive action.

Whether you’re newly diagnosed or years into your MS journey, Brenda’s insights will leave you feeling understood, supported, and empowered.

Watch this episode on YouTube here. Keep reading for the topics and timestamps.

00:00 Introduction to Brenda Snow and her journey with MS.

08:28 Writing her book, ‘Diagnosed’: How Brenda turned personal experience into a guide for others.

15:30 Before the diagnosis: understanding the confusion and challenges of the early phase.

22:57 How to channel anger into action.

28:48 Supporting the supporters, why care partners need care too.

• BrendaSnow.com
• Snow Companies
• Brenda’s LinkedIn
• New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page 
• Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub
• Visit the Overcoming MS website

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• 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 special episode of Living Well with MS, we’re sharing highlights from our ‘Ask Aaron’ webinar, recorded in front of a global audience. Our guest is the dynamic and much-loved Dr Aaron Boster – a board-certified neurologist specialising in multiple sclerosis.

Dr Boster answers a wide range of thoughtful, practical questions submitted by the Overcoming MS community. From medications and MRI scans to functional mushrooms, vitamin D, menopause, and lifestyle changes, he covered it all with his trademark clarity and energy.

If you’ve ever wished you could sit down with a neurologist who really understands MS, this episode is for you.

00:00 Welcome and introduction

02:53 Understanding patient support in MS care

05:43 Symptom management and treatment options

08:41 Blood tests and regular health monitoring

11:44 Drug trials, research, and what’s on the horizon

15:52 MRI insights and tracking disease activity

18:46 Remyelination and alternative therapies

21:51 Women’s health, menopause and MS

24:42 Long-term management strategies

27:49 Diet, lifestyle, and the power of habit

30:36 The value of community and support networks

33:47 Final thoughts and closing remarks.

• Listen to other episodes featuring Dr Boster
• Check out Dr Boster’s popular YouTube channel covering all aspects of MS
• Learn more about Dr Bove’s work on menopause and MS
• New to Overcoming MS? Visit our introductory page 
• Connect with others following Overcoming MS on the Live Well Hub
• Visit the Overcoming MS website

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• 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.