The MS Gym Podcast

Episode: "When Restriction Rules The Plate"

Hosts: Brooke Slick & Jodi Feltham
Guest: William Dickinson, Gut Health Coach
Date: September 30, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode tackles the emotional and physical complexities around restrictive diets in the MS (Multiple Sclerosis) community. Co-host Jodi Feltham shares her struggle with disordered eating, shame, and fear around food, especially after years spent chasing the "perfect" MS diet. The featured guest, gut health coach William Dickinson, joins from Portugal to unpack the interplay of restrictive eating patterns, gut health, psychosomatic symptoms, and genuine food sensitivities. Their open, nuanced conversation delves into the mental and physical facets of healing, with advice relevant for anyone experiencing chronic illness—or anyone who’s ever feared or moralized food.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Trap of Restriction and “Moral” Eating

• Chasing the perfect "MS diet" led Jodi (and many listeners) into exhaustion and fear, where food became deeply moralized and shame attached to every “mistake.”

  “I was constantly fearful, ashamed, and just plain fed up with food... attached morality to food.” – Jodi, [00:00]

• William mirrors the experience: his own chronic illness journey brought him to an extreme five-food diet over five years, leaving him isolated and still unwell.
• Social isolation often results from strict diets, with restrictive choices becoming a “badge of honor” but ultimately a prison.

  “I almost wore that as a badge. Like, I don’t eat this, I don’t eat that...be proud of me.” – Jodi, [32:38]

Gut Health, Chronic Illness, and Food Sensitivities

• William explains that almost all his clients—including those with MS—have digestive dysfunction at the root of their issues.

• There’s a strong link between gut health, autoimmunity, and exposure to toxins (e.g., mercury), especially relating to MS progression.

• The key functions of the gut: stomach acid, digestive enzymes, bile, motility, mucosa. If any are compromised, food sensitivities arise ([16:19]).

  “If any one of these single functions is ineffective... you’ll have a whole bunch of different problems.” – William, [18:06]

The Role and Misunderstanding of ARFID

• ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder): A relatively new eating disorder, now officially classified, often stemming from trauma or negative food experiences.

• ARFID’s scope is broader than trauma—sometimes a real allergic or digestive reaction embeds a fear/avoidance pattern that outlasts the original problem.

  “There is a more nuanced layer... a somatic expression of ARFID...the fear, this aversion, actually manifests as symptomology inside of the body.” – William, [08:54]

The Psychosomatic-Psychological-Physiological Puzzle

• William and Jodi discuss how psychosomatic symptoms are real and can result from both physical and emotional origins. The stigma around “it’s all in your head” can delay proper investigation and healing.
• William stresses that practitioners should always rule out physical issues before attributing symptoms to psychological causes.

  “I had a huge resistance, even the word now psychosomatic. I find this very triggering... it was so invalidating when I had all of these actual physical problems…” – William, [16:39]

• Often, both factors play a role: healing means addressing both.

Healing Beyond Food Lists: Embracing Flexibility and Color

• Moralizing food (good/bad) narrows thinking, fueling restriction and reinforcing anxiety.
• William encourages clients to listen to the body, experiment gently, and be open to the possibility that “bad foods” may not always be problematic.

  “My two biggest food triggers right now are onions and garlic...objectively healthy foods... for me, I eat them, I feel bad. That’s all I need to know.” – William, [24:15]

• Healing comes from cultivating self-awareness, flexibility, and willingness to experiment—not rigid adherence to restrictive lists.
• Living in the “color” (not just black and white) is a learned skill through therapy, mindfulness, and self-compassion.

  “I used to phrase it as living in the gray and now I actually see it as living in the color... Between black and white it could be gray, but it could also be color spectrum.” – William, [30:32]

Restoring Joy, Social Connection, and the Meaning of Healing

• Social pleasure, celebration, even “forbidden” foods (wine, pizza, McDonald’s) may be part of healing if they restore joy and connection.

  “There is healing in that...in some contexts, you need to go and have a blast.” – William, [22:36]

• Jodi reflects on how expanding her diet brought freedom and happiness back to life.

  “I was in a prison and I was so afraid of food...now...I’m enjoying life so much more. And that’s part of what healing is.” – Jodi, [36:42]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On restrictive eating as a form of control:

  “If I could just find the perfect diet or cut out enough foods, I would feel better...but all I noticed was growing shame and frustration.” – Jodi, [00:00]

• On embracing social eating:

  “For one of my clients, the homework task was to have some wine… I think one of your tasks was to go and enjoy a pizza.” – William, [22:10]
  “Yep, that’s exactly…” – Jodi, [22:36]

• On duality and authenticity:

  “To be a health practitioner...and to also be a person who loves the McDonald’s breakfast menu...that is the art of healing.” – William, [33:34]

• On the journey of healing:

  “Healing is a journey and I don’t know if there’s ever a finish point because every time I heal a little bit more, the goal posts move and I want more.” – William, [03:29]

• On compassion for where clients are:

  “I can still help everyone that’s at step one, two, three, four, and five. And if I can figure out which step they’re on, I can attune to where they’re at.” – William, [35:36]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00–02:00: Jodi’s journey—restrictive diets and emotional toll
• 03:00–05:30: William’s backstory—chronic fatigue, severe restriction, slow recovery
• 07:00–12:00: Introduction and explanation of ARFID
• 13:00–15:30: Fear-based food decisions and MS
• 16:15–21:00: Distinguishing physical vs. psychological triggers; “the art of being a good practitioner”
• 21:45–27:00: Moralizing food, self-awareness, and learning to listen to the body
• 30:32–32:16: Living in “color,” the skill of flexibility, and emotional healing
• 32:38–34:18: Restriction as a badge, isolation, and breakthrough moments of acceptance
• 35:38–37:50: Practical supports—pillars, coaching, social eating, emotional healing
• 39:06–41:30: Where to start—resources, quiz, personalized reports
• 42:00–44:31: Empowerment through understanding test results and self-agency
• 44:31–46:04: Closing reflections, resources, and gratitude

Actionable Takeaways

• Investigate both gut function and emotional history if you struggle with food sensitivities—never assume one cause.
• Avoid moralizing foods as “good” or “bad”; learn to observe how foods affect you without judgment.
• If in doubt, seek a practitioner who can help you investigate both physiological and psychological roots—and who will meet you where you are.
• Emotional healing work matters as much as dietary changes, especially in chronic illness.
• Restore pleasure and connection with food where possible; healing may include celebrating life, not just restriction.

Resources & Further Information

• William Dickinson’s free digestive quiz (link in show notes/on his website)
• William’s YouTube channel—weekly videos on gut health and healing
• One-on-one coaching and consultation opportunities

This episode is essential listening for anyone burnt out on “perfect diets,” feeling isolated by restriction, or seeking a way to heal both their gut and relationship with food. The honesty and practical wisdom from Jodi and William offer a roadmap to a healthier, freer, more compassionate approach to living with MS (or any chronic condition)—by design, not by diagnosis.