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Episode 23: Jeff Gish (Stephanie’s husband) shares a spouse’s perspective of IBD

Crohn's Fitness Food podcast cover featuring Jeff Gish, sharing the spouse's perspective of IBD

In this episode my husband, Jeff Gish, shares his perspective of Crohn’s Disease as an IBD spouse. He shares his view of what it’s like to live with someone who has IBD and answers my questions about what are some of the things that maybe I should have told him in the beginning or what I could have done (and maybe still do) to help him understand this disease and the roller coaster that comes along with it. Continue reading “Episode 23: Jeff Gish (Stephanie’s husband) shares a spouse’s perspective of IBD”

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Episode 21: Veronica Blancato, Crohn’s and extraintestinal manifestations

Crohn's Fitness Food podcast cover with Veronica Blancato, Crohn's Queen

Today’s guest is Veronica Blancato. With more than 15 years of fighting Crohn’s Disease, she shares her journey from diagnosis to remission, battling a variety of extraintestinal manifestations along the way. She shares her experiences with surgery, arthritis, osteochondromas, pancreatitis, fatigue, and more. Continue reading “Episode 21: Veronica Blancato, Crohn’s and extraintestinal manifestations”

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“But you don’t look sick.”

 

steph smiling despite battling chronic invisible illness

My heart was racing at 100 beats per minutes. My skin was pale. My hands were cold and clammy…

Let me rewind 48 hours and take you back to Thursday with me.

My legs were weak when I arrived at work and walked down the hill toward the chapel on our school campus. I hadn’t worked out, yet my legs felt wobbly. Our seniors were graduating and every year we hold a Baccalaureate service to honor and celebrate them as they prepare for college and the next chapter of their lives. Continue reading ““But you don’t look sick.””

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Episode 20: Anthoney Q interviews Stephanie Gish on the Total Human Performance Podcast

TheLab Strength podcast, Anthoney Q interviews Stephanie Gish

It’s the 20th episode of the Crohn’s Fitness Food podcast and just one day after World IBD Day. So, today I wanted to share an interview I did recently on the Anthoney Q Total Human Performance podcast. Continue reading “Episode 20: Anthoney Q interviews Stephanie Gish on the Total Human Performance Podcast”

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Episode 19: Carrie Combs returns; we talk emotions, coping with Crohn’s, and running!

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In this week’s episode, I caught up again with Carrie Combs (@carriethecrohnie) to follow up on her recent race at the Nashville Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon and to go deeper into some of the emotional aspects of Crohn’s Disease, along with the coping mechanisms and habits that made dealing with a Crohn’s diagnosis even more challenging. At the end of this episode we talk about the half marathon she completed in April with the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation’s Team Challenge and run down a quick gear and supplement checklist for distance running! Continue reading “Episode 19: Carrie Combs returns; we talk emotions, coping with Crohn’s, and running!”

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Episode 18: Zach and Chelsie Leighter, Crohn’s Warriors

Podcast cover photo of Zach and Chelsie Leighter, The Unspoken Journey Crohn's Disease Warriors

In this episode, Zach and Chelsie Leighter share their stories of battling Crohn’s Disease. Together since high school, they are now married with a little boy, Kash. Zach was diagnosed with Crohn’s at the age of 12, has been on countless medications from steroids to biologics, and just one month ago had his temporary ostomy made permanent. His wife Chelsie, having watched Zach fight his disease for so many years, received her own Crohn’s diagnosis this past September. They are now dedicated to raising awareness about IBD and passionate about helping to educate others on what living with a chronic illness is like. Continue reading “Episode 18: Zach and Chelsie Leighter, Crohn’s Warriors”

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Episode 17: Ryan Van Voorhis, Crohn’s Warrior and co-founder Nude Dude Food

Cover of Crohn's Fitness Food podcast image with Ryan Van Voorhis of Nude Dude Food

Today’s guest is Ryan Van Voorhis, who was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in high school and has been living with an ostomy for the past 15 years. Inspired by the health care team who helped him through the early years with Crohn’s, he decided to pursue a Masters in Social Work, which allowed him to begin volunteering as a camp counselor at the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation’s Camp Oasis almost 11 years ago. And he’s been going back every summer since to continue volunteering. Continue reading “Episode 17: Ryan Van Voorhis, Crohn’s Warrior and co-founder Nude Dude Food”

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Episode 16: Meghan Cary Brown, Crohn’s/Colitis Warrior and Patient Coach

Crohn's Fitness Food podcast cover with Meghan Cary Brown

This week’s guest is Meghan Cary Brown. At 27 years old, Meghan has lived 10 years with active disease, 13 years with indeterminate Crohn’s/Colitis, and 3 years with an ostomy. But IBD can’t stop her. In that same time, she’s also gotten married, graduated college, lived in four different states, travelled abroad, adopted a zoo of fur babies, and–most recently–landed her dream job as a Patient Coach. Continue reading “Episode 16: Meghan Cary Brown, Crohn’s/Colitis Warrior and Patient Coach”

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Why I enjoy fasting

Intermittent Fasting picture with empty bowl and bottled water

I tried fasting once, years ago, and quickly held up my white flag in surrender. Fasting was not for me. So what happened? Fast forward to today and most days you’ll find me fasting for 16 hours at a time; with the occasional 36-hour fast thrown in for good measure.

The main difference is that this time, my primary fuel source is fat. I also broke my Pavlovian response to eating in accordance with the clock and my mindset is different. Although I knew there were benefits to fasting when I first gave it a try, I didn’t know then just how important fasting actually is to keeping our bodies healthy.

So, why exactly would you want to fast? Continue reading “Why I enjoy fasting”

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Can you drink wine when fasting?

Steph drinking wine on patio

I am not embarrassed to admit that I Google just about anything and everything that piques my interest. Whether it’s related to Crohn’s Disease, health, and fitness or product reviews, recipes, and life in general, I always want to know more. And–trust me–when it comes to Crohn’s, I’ve Googled some interesting things over the years. Anyway, last week when Jeff opened a bottle of wine during my fasting day, I had a decision to make. Can I (should I) have a glass of wine during my fast?

So, during the short window of time that Jeff went into the cellar to pick out a bottle and open it, I turned to Google to see what opinions were out there. Many forum goers were split on their recommendations and, of course, the short answer is no if you’re just trying to fast for the sake of fasting. But there are many different reasons for fasting and many different ways to fast. Continue reading “Can you drink wine when fasting?”