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Episode 30: Krista Deveau, 18-year Crohn’s Warrior and Kindergarten Teacher

Cover image of the Crohn's Fitness Food podcast with special guest, Krista Deveau, Crohn's Warrior

In this week’s episode, Krista Deveau shares her 18-year Crohn’s journey. Diagnosed at just 9 years old, Krista has gone through multiple surgeries, had a feeding tube twice (one time as a child and another as an adult), and tried just about every medication available for IBD. A little over a year ago, she received an ostomy and has been enjoying a new lease on life, thanks to Stella the Stoma. Continue reading “Episode 30: Krista Deveau, 18-year Crohn’s Warrior and Kindergarten Teacher”

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Episode 28: Rachel Epplin-Rincker, Part 2 – Nutrition, fitness, medications, and advocacy

Crohn's Fitness Food podcast cover with Rachel Epplin-Rincker for part 2

In part 2 of my interview with Rachel Epplin-Rincker, she continues to share her journey with Crohn’s Disease and how important both nutrition and physical activity were, in addition to Remicade, to helping her achieve the best health of her life. Continue reading “Episode 28: Rachel Epplin-Rincker, Part 2 – Nutrition, fitness, medications, and advocacy”

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Episode 27: Rachel Epplin-Rincker, Crohn’s Warrior, shares part 1 of her story of misdiagnosis and infertility

Photo of the Crohn's Fitness Food podcast cover with Crohn's Warrior Rachel Epplin-Rincker

In today’s episode, Rachel Epplin-Rincker shares her Crohn’s story and how she went more than 20 years undiagnosed. With symptoms from the time she was a baby until her early adult life, she was dismissed by doctors, believed to be anorexic, and slowly worsened as the years went by. Continue reading “Episode 27: Rachel Epplin-Rincker, Crohn’s Warrior, shares part 1 of her story of misdiagnosis and infertility”

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Episode 26: Katie Dolgert, 18-year Ulcerative Colitis Warrior

Crohn's Fitness Food podcast cover with Katie Dolgert

In this episode, 18-year Ulcerative Colitis Warrior Katie Dolgert shares her journey with IBD. She talks about her story from diagnosis at age 21, her experiences with medications, and how her pregnancy with her second child put her into remission. Focusing on good overall health through lifestyle practices, nutrition, and fitness, she continues to be in remission–medication free–for the past four years. Continue reading “Episode 26: Katie Dolgert, 18-year Ulcerative Colitis Warrior”

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“Those Pants”…Replacing negative thoughts with positive ones

Stephanie Gish posing in those pants for her blog post

Most women have “those pants.” You know, the ones we wore 20 years ago or the ones that we keep in our closet because “one day” we’ll fit into them again…

My weight has fluctuated over the years, admittedly not very much, only +/- 10 pounds since I graduated high school 20 years ago (with the exception of my first Crohn’s flare when I rapidly lost more). But even still, I have (like I’m sure many of you have) received countless comments over the years related to how I look and my weight; people notice when I gain five or lose five…and some actually make comments, good and bad. Continue reading ““Those Pants”…Replacing negative thoughts with positive ones”

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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 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”