The MS Gym Podcast

Episode: Re-Routing the Road Map
Hosts: Brooke Slick & Jodi Feltham
Guest: Missy (MS Gym member)
Date: February 19, 2025

Episode Overview

In this heartfelt episode, co-host Jodi Feltham sits down with Missy, a member of the MS Gym community, to discuss her winding journey through multiple autoimmune diagnoses, the difficult transitions they've required, and her determination to shape her life by design, not diagnosis. Missy’s story is one of perseverance, self-advocacy, community, and continual adaptation in the face of challenges from both rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and multiple sclerosis (MS).

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Missy’s Diagnostic Journey

• First Symptoms & Early Medical History
  • Early symptoms began in 1993 with unexplained, migrating joint pain following a virus.
  • Years of “crazy-making” elusive symptoms (shoulder pain, recurring episodes), with little explanation from doctors.
    "Honestly, I thought I was crazy. Doctors probably did, too." (03:00, Missy)
  • Finally diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis nearly a decade later after doctors could no longer avoid it.
• Transition to Multiple Sclerosis
  • In 2011, after beginning biologic medication (Enbrel), Missy experienced new, odd symptoms: unexplained itching, vision disturbances during exercise, foot drop, accidents while hiking/biking, and loss of strength in familiar activities (skiing, paddle boarding).
  • In 2013, MRI for vision issues showed minor spots on the brain—minimized at the time when her “life was falling apart.”
    "I didn't have the emotional bandwidth to deal with anything other than a brain tumor." (06:37, Missy)
  • Official MS diagnosis came in 2016 after more progressive symptoms and a revealing spinal MRI.

Coming to Terms & Letting Go of “What Ifs”

• Processing the Diagnosis
  • Relief at not being “crazy”—validation of her experiences (08:30).
  • Grappling with the knowledge that her RA medication may have triggered her MS.
  • Struggles with regret:
    "It doesn't do any good to dwell on the past. All I can do now is just move forward." (10:05, Missy)

Navigating the Healthcare System & Advocacy (11:10–14:30)

• Missy emphasizes advocating fiercely for herself, especially in gaining faster access to neurology appointments:
  "I have to advocate for me...be the squeaky wheel." (11:10, Missy)
• Medication journey: from Aubagio (ineffective), to Ocrevus (“worked beautifully for 3-4 months, then tanked”), to Kesimpta, which has been much easier to manage in terms of side effects and lifestyle.

Career, Disability, and Life Redesign (15:09–18:10)

• Missy was a dedicated speech-language pathologist whose RA had minimal impact early on, but signed up for long-term disability insurance “providentially” during her career.
• As MS progressed with fatigue, vision, and mobility issues (notably foot drop), her work became unsustainable even with numerous workplace accommodations (parking, accessible bathroom, reduced travel, and a custom scooter).
• The emotional difficulty of letting go:
  "No job is worth your health and, and you know, watching yourself decline." (21:18, Jodi)
  • Ultimately, Missy decided that “a healing lifestyle had to become my full time gig.” (21:36, Missy)

Tools, Adaptations, and Devices (19:34–21:36)

• Creative mobility solutions:
  • A custom three-wheeled scooter (E Wheels and Triad brands), which she calls her “favorite mobility device.” Children loved it:
    "If you got to have a disability, you might as well be cool." (19:34, Missy)
• Grateful for her school’s flexibility and support, which extended her career by several years.

Community & Support Systems (16:58–18:10, 23:49–24:20)

• Remarried in 2017 to a highly supportive partner aware of her medical realities.
• Church “village” provided spiritual and practical strength.
• The MS Gym (found via social media and quickly joined) became a touchstone for movement, mindset, and faith-based alignment.

Rediscovering Joy, Embracing Possibility (23:20–25:03)

• Realizing restricted activities due to MS, but intentionally finding ways to still enjoy life (e.g., going on a cruise with support from her husband and church friends):
  "We went everywhere and just did...we had a fabulous time." (24:20, Missy)

Handling Social Interactions & Mindset (25:03–27:50)

• Reacting to insensitive or unaware comments about her scooter:
  "I will gladly trade you two legs that work for—you can have it right now if I can get off of here and walk." (26:38, Missy)
• Striving to remain grace-filled, but acknowledging human frustration and grief.

Looking Forward: Goals & Advice (28:04–34:10)

• Recently left work to focus on healing and hasn’t “even been off for a whole year.”
• Emphasizes giving herself grace: started tracking daily movements, still exploring this new chapter without pressure to “expand into more.”
• Advice for others:
  • Mindset is Key:
    "Work on your mindset as intentionally and intensively as you work on your physical body." (31:37, Missy)
    • Favorite quote (from MS Gym founder Trevor):
      "What you think about, is what you speak about, is what you bring about." (32:22, Missy)
  • Don’t Blame Everything on MS: Hormonal and other issues may contribute.
  • Be Your Own Advocate:
    "Face this disease on your terms...don’t be passive. Be your own advocate, be your own case manager." (33:18, Missy)
  • Use Every Tool Available: Mobility devices are nothing to be ashamed of—use what helps you thrive.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Self-Advocacy:
  "Nobody's going to do that for me...You really do have to be the squeaky wheel." (11:10, Missy)

• On Regret and Perspective:
  "It doesn't do any good to dwell on the past. All I can do now is just move forward." (10:05, Missy)

• On Therapy and Mindset:
  "Work on that mindset, work on your heart, work on what you can’t see just as much as working on what you can see." (32:22, Missy)

• On Living with Mobility Aids:
  "If you got to have a disability, you might as well be cool." (19:34, Missy)

• On Facing Loss:
  "Life with MS does involve a lot of loss and trying to process and grieve it...everyone's on a journey with that." (25:03, Jodi)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:00–01:09 | Welcome and Missy's Early Background
• 01:17–04:00 | Initial Symptoms and RA Diagnosis
• 04:00–08:21 | Biologic Medications and Onset of MS Symptoms
• 08:21–10:59 | Emotional Response to MS Diagnosis & Looking Back
• 11:10–14:30 | Advocacy and Navigating the Healthcare System
• 15:09–18:10 | Career Impact and Adaptations
• 19:34–21:36 | Devices and Mobility Solutions
• 22:11–23:20 | Discovery of the MS Gym
• 23:49–25:03 | Traveling with MS and Finding Joy
• 26:01–27:50 | Managing Public Perception of Disability
• 28:04–34:10 | Goals, Acceptance, and Missy's Advice for Others
• 34:22–35:27 | Upcoming Milestones and Family Support

Closing Thoughts

Missy's journey is emblematic of resilience found and forged through chronic illness. Her story underlines the importance of adapting practically, prioritizing mental health, seeking strong personal and community support, and designing life intentionally—even when rerouted unexpectedly.

“Face this disease on your terms...don’t be passive. Be your own advocate.” (33:18, Missy)

Listeners are left with a sense of hope, affirmation, and the critical reminder: mindset matters as much as medicine when living with MS.