I talk with Kelly George about losing and rebuilding identity through Long Covid: the crashes that forced pacing, the relief of being believed, and the slow return of capacity that now lets her design a life she actually wants. Hope here isn’t vague—it’s built from activity management, nervous system care, and community that shows the way.

• life before illness as active mum and professor
• infection after mandates lifted and symptom escalation
• debilitating fatigue, brain fog and loss of identity
• isolation within relationships and shared loss framing
• early support surge then fade and asking for help
• being listened to as regulation and relief
• pacing, baseline setting and crash prevention
• links with ME/CFS knowledge and specialists
• nervous system regulation through rest and small practices
• community and CFS Health programme benefits and limits
• mindset without blame, celebrating tiny wins
• defining recovery, cautious cardio and rebuilding work
• coaching mums, caregivers and higher-ed professionals

Connect with Kelly:

https://kellygeorgecoaching.com/baseline-101

Message the podcast! - questions will be answered on my youtube channel :)

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

(music credit - Brock Hewitt, Rule of Life)

Support the show

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Long Covid Podcast is self-produced & self funded. If you enjoy what you hear and are able to, please Buy me a coffee or purchase a mug to help cover costs

Transcripts available on individual episodes here

www.LongCovidPodcast.com
Facebook Instagram Twitter
Facebook Creativity Group
Subscribe to mailing list

I love to hear from you, via socials or LongCovidPodcast@gmail.com

**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**

This episode welcomes Dr. Leo Galland, Internal Medicine Specialist with over 40 years of experience working with complex conditions, which now includes Long Covid and of course ME/CFS.

In this episode:

• Comprehensive exploration of Long Covid's complex nature
• Introduction to the "Web of Long Covid" concept
• Insights into post-viral illness from a 40-year medical perspective
• Long covid follows patterns of previous post-viral illnesses & similarities with chronic fatigue syndrome and post-infectious disorders
• Some unique characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 virus impact
• The Web of Long Covid - 10 interconnected strands explaining illness mechanisms
• Central components: ACE2 enzyme damage and mitochondrial dysfunction
• Treatment Approach, importance of individualized, multi-step treatment protocols and the importance of understanding individual health history

Links:

• Dr. Galland's "Long COVID Prevention and Treatment" document, available on website: dr.galland.com

Message the podcast! - questions will be answered on my youtube channel :)

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

(music credit - Brock Hewitt, Rule of Life)

Support the show

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Long Covid Podcast is self-produced & self funded. If you enjoy what you hear and are able to, please Buy me a coffee or purchase a mug to help cover costs

Transcripts available on individual episodes here

Podcast, website & blog: www.LongCovidPodcast.com
Facebook @LongCovidPodcast
Instagram Twitter @LongCovidPod
Facebook Creativity Group
Subscribe to mailing list

Please get in touch with feedback, suggestions or how you're doing - I love to hear from you, via socials or LongCovidPodcast@gmail.com

**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**

Technology offers unprecedented access to health information, but navigating it effectively requires understanding which tools serve our recovery and when to step away from screens. Jess from TurnTo shares insights on using AI and technology tools to support recovery from conditions like Long Covid and ME/CFS.

• Different technology platforms have different agendas - social media optimizes for view time, search engines for quick clicks
• Approximately 10,000 new updates emerge weekly about Long Covid and ME/CFS across research, expert interviews, and patient discussions
• AI tools like ChatGPT can provide referenced health information when asked properly, often delivering more comprehensive answers than time-limited doctor appointments
• Patient experiences remain undervalued as "weak data" despite containing rich insights that often precede formal research findings
• TurnTo's new Personal Health Sidekick feature reads approximately one million words weekly, filtering information based on individual health concerns
• AI works best for information gathering and making connections between disparate data points
• Balance technology use with offline activities that support recovery - nature, human connection, and reducing nervous system activation
• When using AI for health questions, always request references and specify what type of information you're seeking
• Technology cannot replace human connection, empathy, and the physical examination healthcare professionals provide

Learn more about TurnTo and their Personal Health Sidekick feature in the links below:

Check out Turny here (use code "Jackie" for 10% off)

Listen to our previous episode HERE

Message the podcast! - questions will be answered on my youtube channel :)

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

(music credit - Brock Hewitt, Rule of Life)

Support the show

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Long Covid Podcast is self-produced & self funded. If you enjoy what you hear and are able to, please Buy me a coffee or purchase a mug to help cover costs

Transcripts available on individual episodes here

Podcast, website & blog: www.LongCovidPodcast.com
Facebook @LongCovidPodcast
Instagram Twitter @LongCovidPod
Facebook Creativity Group
Subscribe to mailing list

Please get in touch with feedback, suggestions or how you're doing - I love to hear from you, via socials or LongCovidPodcast@gmail.com

**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**

Natalie Gould shares her journey from severe Long Covid to full recovery, revealing how nervous system regulation transformed not only her Long Covid symptoms but also pre-existing chronic conditions like psoriatic arthritis and migraines.

• Life before illness included working as a CFO and living on a small farm
• Initial Covid infection in July 2021 was mild but led to severe post-viral symptoms
• Main symptoms included PoTS, tachycardia, severe insomnia, cognitive impairment and sound sensitivity
• Within six months, she was essentially bedbound but continued working remotely
• Stabilized symptoms through extreme pacing but remained severely ill for over a year
• Found hope after hearing recovery stories and trying the ANS Rewire program
• Leaving her stressful job was a turning point in her recovery journey
• Used play and creativity as powerful tools for nervous system regulation
• Created characters to personify stress patterns and developed dialogues with them
• Recovery process led to healing of multiple pre-existing conditions
• Now enjoys swing dancing and a fuller life than before illness
• Continues nervous system regulation practices not out of necessity but enjoyment

Check out "Farm Stories" for more insights on recovery techniques & nervous system regulation.

Links:

https://www.sparrowcrowfarm.com/

https://sparrowcrowfarm.substack.com/ - Farm Stories

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2pSH8og5Ho&t=1981s - self recorded recovery video

Message the podcast! - questions will be answered on my youtube channel :)

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

(music credit - Brock Hewitt, Rule of Life)

Support the show

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Long Covid Podcast is self-produced & self funded. If you enjoy what you hear and are able to, please Buy me a coffee or purchase a mug to help cover costs

Transcripts available on individual episodes here

Podcast, website & blog: www.LongCovidPodcast.com
Facebook @LongCovidPodcast
Instagram Twitter @LongCovidPod
Facebook Creativity Group
Subscribe to mailing list

Please get in touch with feedback, suggestions or how you're doing - I love to hear from you, via socials or LongCovidPodcast@gmail.com

**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**

Recovery from Long Covid & ME/CFS involves exploring ways to move forward when you're nearly there or making progress but unsure how to reach the next level. Finding your own path is essential as there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to healing.

• Jackie's recovery had 3 phases: denial & pushing through, education & strategy-building, and gentle building
• Healing isn't a destination but a soft place to land—embracing the journey puts less pressure on your nervous system
• Consistent practices that show your body it's safe build confidence & trust
• The liminal space between illness & wellness allows for exploration without pressure
• Recognizing small signs of recovery counteracts negativity bias
• Celebrating small wins & bringing play into activities helps maintain regulation
• Reclaiming identity is challenging
• Getting unstuck from "80% recovered" place often requires gently challenging yourself
• Re-engaging with life in small ways demonstrates to your body that it's safe
• Recovery is built on small, consistent practices rather than dramatic interventions

Links:

"Setting an Intention for Healing" track on Insight Timer

Safety in movement/activity track

Suzy's Fern program

#77 "Managing the fear of reinfection" episode

#94 Jackie's recovery story

#100 Michelle Irving episode

#169 Recovery Themes

Message the podcast! - questions will be answered on my youtube channel :)

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

(music credit - Brock Hewitt, Rule of Life)

Support the show

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Long Covid Podcast is self-produced & self funded. If you enjoy what you hear and are able to, please Buy me a coffee or purchase a mug to help cover costs

Transcripts available on individual episodes here

Podcast, website & blog: www.LongCovidPodcast.com
Facebook @LongCovidPodcast
Instagram Twitter @LongCovidPod
Facebook Creativity Group
Subscribe to mailing list

Please get in touch with feedback, suggestions or how you're doing - I love to hear from you, via socials or LongCovidPodcast@gmail.com

**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**

Dr. Robert Groysman returns to discuss the mechanisms behind Long Covid, focusing on mitochondrial dysfunction and its role in symptoms like fatigue and brain fog.

• Dr. Groysman identifies six major mechanisms in Long Covid: dysautonomia, mitochondrial dysfunction, gut dysbiosis, endothelial dysfunction, mast cell activation syndrome, and hormone imbalance
• Most Long Covid patients experience multiple mechanisms simultaneously, requiring comprehensive treatment
• Mitochondria are cellular organelles responsible for energy production, with different cell types having varying densities based on energy needs
• COVID-19 not only damages mitochondria but uniquely impairs the body's ability to repair and replace them
• Post-exertional malaise occurs when damaged mitochondria burst during overexertion, triggering inflammatory processes
• Recovery requires gentle, patient approaches rather than aggressive interventions that can cause setbacks
• Dr. Groysman's two-step protocol involves daily antioxidant support followed by seven days per month of carefully managed mitophagy
• Complete recovery typically takes 3-12 months and cannot be rushed without risking relapses
• Dysautonomia often needs treatment before other mechanisms can be successfully addressed
• Pacing is critical to avoid crashes that cause additional mitochondrial damage

Check out my previous episodes with Dr. Groysman to learn more about the Stellate Ganglion block and other treatment approaches for Long Covid.

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/longcovidsgb https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553548547314 https://www.longcovidfamily.com/

Message the podcast! - questions will be answered on my youtube channel :)

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

(music credit - Brock Hewitt, Rule of Life)

Support the show

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Long Covid Podcast is self-produced & self funded. If you enjoy what you hear and are able to, please Buy me a coffee or purchase a mug to help cover costs

Transcripts available on individual episodes here

Podcast, website & blog: www.LongCovidPodcast.com
Facebook @LongCovidPodcast
Instagram Twitter @LongCovidPod
Facebook Creativity Group
Subscribe to mailing list

Please get in touch with feedback, suggestions or how you're doing - I love to hear from you, via socials or LongCovidPodcast@gmail.com

**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**

**Content warning for discussion of suicidal thoughts from around 8:45 for 2 minutes**

Jamie shares her powerful journey from being bedbound with Long Covid to full recovery, offering hope and practical insights into the healing process.

• Initially experiencing tachycardia, PoTS, extreme fatigue, and sensitivities to light and sound
• Deteriorating to the point of being bedbound and unable to care for herself
• Reaching a mental health crisis point that became a surprising turning point
• Discovering the concept that Long Covid could be a hypersensitive nervous system stuck in fight-or-flight
• Using brain retraining techniques to gradually rebuild activity levels and trust in her body
• Finding support through group coaching where achievements were celebrated
• Completing the Lightning Process to bridge the final gap to complete recovery
• Returning to full-time work as the milestone that marked complete recovery
• Learning to distinguish between normal tiredness and illness-related symptoms
• Finding a new identity and priorities after recovery, focusing on health and family

If you're struggling with Long Covid, remember that recovery is possible. Jamie's journey shows that understanding your nervous system and taking small, consistent steps forward can lead to healing, even from the most severe symptoms.

Message the podcast! - questions will be answered on my youtube channel :)

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

(music credit - Brock Hewitt, Rule of Life)

Support the show

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Long Covid Podcast is self-produced & self funded. If you enjoy what you hear and are able to, please Buy me a coffee or purchase a mug to help cover costs

Transcripts available on individual episodes here

Podcast, website & blog: www.LongCovidPodcast.com
Facebook @LongCovidPodcast
Instagram Twitter @LongCovidPod
Facebook Creativity Group
Subscribe to mailing list

Please get in touch with feedback, suggestions or how you're doing - I love to hear from you, via socials or LongCovidPodcast@gmail.com

**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**

Dr. Kendal Stewart shares his unique perspective on Long Covid through his background as a surgeon with training in functional medicine, neurosurgery, and cell biology. His approach examines the body as an integrated system rather than separating it into isolated specialties.

• Complex conditions like Long Covid require a holistic view of the body as an interconnected system
• Western medicine often silos patients into specialties based on symptoms, missing the bigger picture
• T-cell weakness and microglial activation are key factors in Long Covid symptoms
• The body's inflammation is doing exactly what it's programmed to do—it's not broken
• Northern Europeans have particularly aggressive genetics for inflammation (76%) and often have broken "off switches"
• Peptides like thymusin alpha-1 can help recover exhausted T-cells
• Creating an environment favorable for healing is more effective than treating individual symptoms
• Genetic testing provides a personalized "map" for treatment, focusing only on what's missing
• Many people who recover become healthier than they were before getting sick

Links:

Dr Stewart's Youtube
Dr Stewart's Instagram
Dr Stewart's website

Message the podcast! - questions will be answered on my youtube channel :)

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

(music credit - Brock Hewitt, Rule of Life)

Support the show

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Long Covid Podcast is self-produced & self funded. If you enjoy what you hear and are able to, please Buy me a coffee or purchase a mug to help cover costs

Transcripts available on individual episodes here

Podcast, website & blog: www.LongCovidPodcast.com
Facebook @LongCovidPodcast
Instagram Twitter @LongCovidPod
Facebook Creativity Group
Subscribe to mailing list

Please get in touch with feedback, suggestions or how you're doing - I love to hear from you, via socials or LongCovidPodcast@gmail.com

**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**