Podcast
Long Covid Podcast
Hosted by Jackie Baxter · EN
The Podcast by and for Long Covid sufferers.
Long Covid is estimated to affect at least 1 in 5 people infected with Covid-19. Many of these people were fit & healthy, many were successfully managing other conditions. Some people recover within a few months, but there are many who have been suffering for much much longer.
Although there is currently no "cure" for Long Covid, and the millions of people still ill have been searching for answers for a long time, in this podcast I hope to explore the many things that can be done to help, through a mix of medical experts, researchers, personal experience & recovery stories. Bringing together the practical & the hopeful - "what CAN we do?"
The Long Covid Podcast is currently self-funded. This podcast will always remain free, but if you like what you hear and are able to, please head along to www.buymeacoffee.com/longcovidpod to help me cover costs.
~ Follow me on: Facebook @longcovidpodcast ~ Instagram @longcovidpod ~ Twitter @longcovidpod ~ Website www.LongCovidPodcast.com ~ Please do get in touch with feedback and suggestions, either via the social media links or at longcovidpodcast@gmail.com - I'd love to hear from you.
The Long Covid podcast is entirely self-funded and relies on donations - if you've found it useful and are able to, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/longcovidpod to help me cover the costs of hosting.
16episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
219 - Boundaries, Breath, and Belonging - Foundations for Recovery
5d ago00:52:35Tap to summarizeI'm joined by Bal Matharu to talk about how breathing links the nervous system, stress biology, and Long Covid symptoms, and why recovery often begins with creating a genuine felt sense of safety. We share practical ways to assess and change breathing patterns, plus the role of co-regulation, boundaries, and carefully held breathwork support. • Bal’s path from advanced respiratory physiotherapy and ICU work to lifestyle medicine and PhD breathwork research • The six pillars of lifestyle medicine and why stress management often underpins the rest • Acute stress versus chronic stress and how the body shifts blood flow, hormones, and immune function • Cell danger theory, mitochondria, ATP, and why fatigue can be a protection signal • Safety as a felt sense through neuroception rather than a purely cognitive idea • Breath assessment basics, posture, high chest breathing, diaphragm use, and longer exhales • Overstimulation, silence avoidance, and letting emotions move through the body in short windows • Co-regulation, practitioner capacity, and building safe spaces for nervous system work • Boundaries, people pleasing patterns, and choosing relationships that support regulation • Selecting credible breathwork practitioners and avoiding unsafe cathartic methods Links:Bal's Website: https://www.bodymind-iq.com Embody Ecosystem: https://go.bodymind-iq.com/embody-ecosystemMessage me! (I can't reply to these messages) 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 costsTranscripts available on individual episodes herewww.LongCovidPodcast.comFacebook Instagram Twitter Facebook Creativity GroupSubscribe to mailing listI 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**
Transcribe →
218 - Learning to Listen: Neurodiversity, Trauma, and Long Covid Recovery
2w ago00:50:17Tap to summarizeWe hear Ana’s honest recovery story, from a gradual slide into Long Covid to the moment her nervous system finally stopped treating everyday life as a threat. We talk through neurodivergence, trauma, hypermobility and the practical tools that helped her rebuild a calm, creative life. • The slow build of stressors that leads to a major crash • Hypermobility and why intense workouts can backfire • ADHD and autism discovery and how it reframes burnout • Tests, uncertainty and how fear can keep symptoms loud • Restrictive diets, supplement spirals and removing fear around food • Nervous system regulation using polyvagal ideas and body listening • Meditation with music, creative visualisation and breathing• Trauma as unmet safety needs plus small experiences that stack up • The “spreading” practice and learning to handle activation • Returning to work slowly and dropping all-or-nothing thinking • Creativity as a recovery pillar and building a life that fits Links:Ana's Substack: https://becomingcreative.substack.com/Somia Heal: https://somiainternational.com/heal/ Jackie's Insight Timer (as mentioned by Ana at the start) https://insig.ht/sT6iUelAR3b Ed the Osteopath who Ana found super helpful: https://movementandwellbeingclinic.co.uk/about-us/#ed-madeleyMessage me! (I can't reply to these messages) 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 costsTranscripts available on individual episodes herewww.LongCovidPodcast.comFacebook Instagram Twitter Facebook Creativity GroupSubscribe to mailing listI 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**
Transcribe →
217 - Three Common Recovery Traps (and How to Avoid Them)
3w ago00:16:34Tap to summarizeI share three common recovery traps and how we can find our way out of them without blame. Today's episode focuses on pacing, nervous system safety, and emotional processing so your body can stabilise and move forwards. • Pushing too hard on a better day and triggering the boom and bust cycle • Banking energy for healing by spending some, enjoying some, and saving some • Stepping off the symptom-fixing merry-go-round and reducing pressure • Creating safety through kindness, gentleness, and small consistent cues • Recognising the emotional load of long COVID, ME/CFS, and health challenges • Finding a safe place to feel emotions without judgement So do let me know how you get on, if these resonate with you, and if you've noticed any other common recovery traps that you might be getting waylaid by. Links to relevant practises (free tracks)Finding Emotional Safety: https://insig.ht/A7bEwwAXF3bMeeting your body kindly: https://insig.ht/Jlnf2P0w32b STOP: From overwhelm to ease: https://insig.ht/1UCyrM2w32bMessage me! (I can't reply to these messages) 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 costsTranscripts available on individual episodes herewww.LongCovidPodcast.comFacebook Instagram Twitter Facebook Creativity GroupSubscribe to mailing listI 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**
Transcribe →
216 - More Than Just Covid: Stress, Grief, and Jacqui’s Journey to Recovery
4w ago00:51:09Tap to summarizeI talk with Jacqui from New Zealand about dropping from a high-energy, ultra-active life into severe Long Covid, then building her way back to running, swimming and full work. Mel Abbott joins us to explain why calming the stress response comes before increasing activity, and how tools like breathwork, visualisation and emotional processing can change the trajectory. • Jacqui’s pre-illness pace as a high achiever and endurance athlete • Catching Covid during grief and prolonged stress, then dismissing the risk the second time • The slide into dizziness, dysautonomia and post-exertional malaise after pushing through • Hitting a severe crash, insomnia and becoming bedbound with full-time care needs • The first shift: education about the nervous system, threat responses and prediction loops • Practical regulation: frequent calming exercises, breathing, meditation and timers • Using visualisation to rebuild safety and confidence before returning to exercise • Gradual return to normal life: walking, driving, swimming, cycling and running • Handling setbacks and symptom flares by reducing fear and regulating stress • Maintaining wellness long-term with compassion, flexible movement and emotional tools Links:https://www.curablehealth.com/ https://thesteadycoach.com/ https://unlearnyourpain.com/mind-body-syndrome/ Alan Gordon - The Way Out, Mel's website: https://empowertherapies.co.nz/The webinar that Jacqui talked about: https://empowertherapies.co.nz/pages/webinarThe Switch Programme: https://empowertherapies.co.nz/pages/the-switchMessage me! (I can't reply to these messages) 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 costsTranscripts available on individual episodes herewww.LongCovidPodcast.comFacebook Instagram Twitter Facebook Creativity GroupSubscribe to mailing listI 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**
Transcribe →
215 - Overwhelm 101: Why Your System Says “Too Much” (and What to Do Next)
May 2000:20:20Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Long Covid Podcast, I explore one of the most common — and often most confusing — parts of recovery: overwhelm.Overwhelm can feel like your whole system suddenly says “too much”:too much noise, too many sensations, too many decisions, too many feelings, too much uncertainty. It can build slowly over time or arrive out of nowhere — and in Long Covid, ME/CFS, & other post-viral conditions, it often shows up faster and more intensely than before you were ill.In this gentle, practical episode, I look at:What overwhelm actually isHow overwhelm shows up in the bodyWhy overwhelm is so common in recoveryReframing overwhelm as communication, not failurePractical tips to avoid overwhelm, and to meet it when it hitsBy the end of this episode, my hope is that you feel less alone, less confused by your own reactions, and more equipped with language and understanding that can help you navigate overwhelm with more compassion for yourself.Links: Breath Awareness: https://insighttimer.com/LongCovidPod/guided-meditations/gentle-breath-awareness-from-loch-ness-with-waves Reset Button - 2 mins to tranquility: https://insig.ht/xee2ILEGaZb?utm_source=copy_link&utm_medium=live_stream_shareGentle Somatic Tracking: https://insig.ht/Jlnf2P0w32b STOP: From Overwhelm To Ease: https://insig.ht/1UCyrM2w32b Amy Davies episode on Internalised Pressure: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1835170/episodes/19021956Message me! (I can't reply to these messages) 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 costsTranscripts available on individual episodes herewww.LongCovidPodcast.comFacebook Instagram Twitter Facebook Creativity GroupSubscribe to mailing listI 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**
Transcribe →
214 - Out of the Long Covid Maze: How Lalita Found Her Way Back to Health
May 1300:56:19Tap to summarizeWe hear Lalita’s Long Covid recovery story, from tachycardia and air hunger to a steady return to health by focusing on nervous system safety. We share practical tools for regulating symptoms in the moment, plus the mindset shifts that make self-compassion possible when you’ve been dismissed or frightened. • Early signs after COVID including raised blood pressure, numb lips and fatigue • Second infection followed by tachycardia, dizziness, vertigo, chest tightness, brain fog and air hunger • Repeated emergency visits and the impact of being told it is anxiety • Understanding Dysautonomia and the autonomic nervous system as a unifying explanation • Combining nervous system work with naturopath-guided supplements and gut support • Using Bowen therapy, Craniosacral work and sleep practices such as yoga nidra • What bioresonance is and why some people use it to check for layers of stressors • Breathwork as the main anchor, including longer exhales and quick calming techniques • Stacking breath with tapping, somatic tracking and reassuring self-talk to build “proof of safety” • Emotional processing with body scans and EAET-style exploration of deeper patterns • A client case study showing how addressing stress and trauma can reduce symptoms fastLinks:Lalita's Website: www.stressfreefast.com.auMessage me! (I can't reply to these messages) 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 costsTranscripts available on individual episodes herewww.LongCovidPodcast.comFacebook Instagram Twitter Facebook Creativity GroupSubscribe to mailing listI 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**
Transcribe →
213 - East Meets West: A New Paradigm for Long Covid Healing
Apr 2200:55:58Tap to summarizeI'm joined by Pierre Brunschwig & Margaret Hampton as we explore how Chinese medicine and conventional western medicine can work together to treat Long Covid, where symptoms are complex and constantly shifting. We focus on subtypes, nervous system safety, immune recovery and the practical foundations that help people feel like themselves again.• Why combining medical “languages” can fill treatment gaps• Subtyping Long Covid and treating the person rather than the label• The five foundations: sleep, diet, inner life, outer life and movement• Acupuncture as a way to calm the nervous system and restore hope• Adrenaline versus oxytocin and why safety enables healing• Trauma, adverse childhood events and the role of somatic therapy• Vagus nerve practices including breathwork, humming and self-soothing pressure• Latent virus reactivation plus T cell exhaustion• Rebuilding immune competence alongside antivirals and targeted therapies• Building nutrient-rich blood, protein needs and why cooked food can help digestion• Gut health basics including stomach acid support, H. pylori and probiotics• Creating a care team that listens, pivots and fits your real lifeLinks: More about Margaret & Pierre and their work: http://www.heliosintegratedmedicine.comMessage me! (I can't reply to these messages) 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 costsTranscripts available on individual episodes herewww.LongCovidPodcast.comFacebook Instagram Twitter Facebook Creativity GroupSubscribe to mailing listI 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**
Transcribe →
212 - Amy Davies - Internalised Pressure in Recovery: Letting Go Of Your Inner Drill Sergeant
Apr 1500:50:23Tap to summarizeWe talk about how internalised pressure can keep the nervous system in threat mode and make recovery from Long Covid, ME/CFS and other health challenges harder, even when we are doing “all the right things”. We explore perfectionism, shame, and control, then land on practical ways to create space and choose small steps that help us feel a bit more okay. • what internalised pressure means and why it matters for nervous system regulation • why stress responses are meant to be short bursts, not a constant state • how external pressures differ from unconscious inner demands • perfectionism in recovery and how helpful practices become overscheduled • self-criticism, shame spirals and the idea of mental self-harm • stepping out of comparison culture and fear-driven fixing • learning to tolerate not knowing and loosening the need for control • using tiny actions and body-based cues to reduce overwhelm Links:Connect with Amy: https://amydavies.co.uk/Message me! (I can't reply to these messages) 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 costsTranscripts available on individual episodes herewww.LongCovidPodcast.comFacebook Instagram Twitter Facebook Creativity GroupSubscribe to mailing listI 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**
Transcribe →
211 - Nora Rodden - What If Your Symptoms Are A Signal, Not A Sentence
Apr 900:44:49Tap to summarizeNora shares her journey from years of back pain, gut troubles, and crushing insomnia to a calm, steady baseline by retraining a sensitised nervous system. Her story blends science, practical tools, and honest moments of fear, relapse, and quiet wins.• linking pain, GI symptoms and insomnia through fear-based conditioning• what "psychophysiologic symptom relief therapy" taught her• outcome independence and reducing sleep pressure• practical insomnia steps using soothing phrases and data• gentle exposure to feared foods and spotting inconsistent triggers• expressive writing and creative outlets to access emotion• personalising tools rather than copying blueprints• measuring progress by life, not daily symptom scores• maintenance habits to stay well and handle flares• redefining success as wise interpretation of body signalsLinks:Nervana app: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/nervana-chronic-symptom-coach/id6754898332 Back pain study (2021): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34589642/Books mentioned: Scarcity Brain by Michael Easter & The F*ck It Diet by Caroline DoonerMessage me! (I can't reply to these messages) 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 costsTranscripts available on individual episodes herewww.LongCovidPodcast.comFacebook Instagram Twitter Facebook Creativity GroupSubscribe to mailing listI 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**
Transcribe →
210 - Roddy Schrock - Old Medicine for a New World: Is It Time to Revisit Homeopathy?
Apr 100:48:29Tap to summarizeI talk with board-certified homeopath Roddy Schrock about what homeopathy is and why it can appeal to people recovery from Long Covid, ME/CFS and other complex, hard-to-explain symptoms. We dig into symptoms as messages, the power of deep listening, and how homeopathy can sit alongside Western medicine as one piece of a bigger recovery puzzle. • Roddy’s path from chronic pain and insomnia to studying classical homeopathy • Homeopathy as an energetic intervention and why the full symptom picture matters • Dilution and succussion and what “gentle” treatment means in practice • Using how you feel as a primary marker of progress • Creating space to be heard as part of healing • Working alongside GPs and specialists rather than replacing them • A real-world case example with fatigue, migraines, cycle disruption and inflammation markers • Avoiding protocol-driven Facebook advice and choosing a trained practitioner • First steps including research and trusted sources like the Homeopathic Research Institute Links:Homeopathy Research Institute: https://www.hri-research.orgFind Roddy's website at: ultradilute.comAnd his substack at: https://ultradilute.substack.comMessage me! (I can't reply to these messages) 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 costsTranscripts available on individual episodes herewww.LongCovidPodcast.comFacebook Instagram Twitter Facebook Creativity GroupSubscribe to mailing listI 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**
Transcribe →