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Episode 25: Mylissa Merten, Crohn’s Warrior finding remission through medication, lifestyle, and nutrition

Photo of Mylissa Merton on the cover graphic for the Crohn's Fitness Food podcast

In today’s episode, Mylissa Merten, a Crohn’s Disease Warrior who was diagnosed almost 17 years ago, shares her experience as a camper at the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation’s Camp Oasis and how, after 10 years of fighting to find something that would put her into remission, found that medications paired with the right nutrition and exercise program led to her first colonoscopy that showed no sign of active disease. Continue reading “Episode 25: Mylissa Merten, Crohn’s Warrior finding remission through medication, lifestyle, and nutrition”

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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 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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My top 6 tips for fighting Crohn’s Disease

 

Cover image of my top 6 tips to fight Crohn's Disease

I often get asked what I do to manage my Crohn’s. I’ve been battling Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) since my first major flare back in 2006. I did OK on biologics–never really having complete relief from my symptoms–but, I’m now on my second attempt at going medication free and about to hit the three year mark (my first attempt got derailed when I decided it would be OK to binge on Papa John’s pizza and cinnamon knots on the weekends…bad idea).

While everyone with IBD is different, I believe there are great benefits to learning from each other. So today, I’m sharing my top six tips for managing my Crohn’s Disease. Continue reading “My top 6 tips for fighting Crohn’s Disease”

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Episode 14: Luciana Podschun, 30-year Crohn’s Warrior

Luciana Podschun Crohn's Warrior

In this episode, Luciana Podschun shares her nearly 30-year journey with Crohn’s Disease and talks about everything from international travel, the support and love of her husband over the years, and how she doesn’t let Crohn’s stop her from living her life. Continue reading “Episode 14: Luciana Podschun, 30-year Crohn’s Warrior”

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Episode 12: Elizabeth Alvarez, “The Dancing Crohnie”

The Dancing Crohnie Elizabeth Alvarez

Today’s guest is Elizabeth Alvarez, also known as The Dancing Crohnie. Elizabeth was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2011 at the age of 21. Since then, she’s described her journey as one wild ride trying to attain remission. She’s been on numerous medications–including included Remicade, Entyvio, Humira, Stelara, Prednisone, Dilaudid, Valium and many others–and is now pairing conventional medicine with non-conventional treatments and organic lifestyle changes. Continue reading “Episode 12: Elizabeth Alvarez, “The Dancing Crohnie””

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Episode 10: Jim Bell, Crohn’s Warrior and Marathon Runner

Jim Bell, Crohn's Warrior and Marathon Runner

Today’s guest today is Jim Bell, a Crohn’s Warrior since the age of 8 who was inspired to run his first marathon at the age of 44. In this episode, Jim share his Crohn’s journey, why running has become a passion for him now, and what he’s doing to raise awareness for Crohn’s and Colitis. Continue reading “Episode 10: Jim Bell, Crohn’s Warrior and Marathon Runner”