The MSing Link – Episode 264: Celebrating OUR Wins: The MSing Link Reached 33 Countries in 2025!

Host: Dr. Gretchen Hawley, PT, DPT, MSCS
Release Date: December 24, 2025

Episode Overview

In this festive year-end episode, Dr. Gretchen Hawley shifts from her usual educational approach to share personal and community milestones from 2025. Inspired by a touching message from a new member in Kuwait, Dr. Hawley reflects on the global growth and impact of the MSing Link community, detailing nine major “wins” from the year—ranging from international expansion, new program features, groundbreaking partnerships, and deeply personal life updates. The episode radiates gratitude, empowerment, and optimism, making it especially engaging for long-time listeners and newcomers alike.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. A Global Community: Reaching 33 Countries

[03:16]

• The MSing Link online program now boasts members in 33 countries.
• New countries added in 2025: Romania, Kuwait, Holland, Saudi Arabia, Croatia, Bahrain, New Zealand, Malaysia.
• Motivation behind the original virtual program: enable those with MS to receive specialized care at home, regardless of mobility or location barriers.
• Dr. Hawley reflects, "This need for accessible care is universal and access to this specialized MS care shouldn’t depend on where you live." (04:56)
• The global community enables meaningful connections—e.g., members from Kuwait and Kansas interacting and supporting each other.

2. Sharing Expertise on "The Messy Podcast"

[08:15]

• Dr. Hawley was featured on the high-profile "Messy Podcast" hosted by Jamie Lynn Sigler and Christina Applegate, bringing MS-specialized care into the spotlight for millions of listeners.
• "I was so nervous… but it was such a unique opportunity that I am so beyond grateful for." (08:58)
• The experience highlighted the importance of community and representation for people with MS.

3. Launch of Dr. Gretchen AI: 24/7 Support

[11:25]

• Debuted a secure, AI-powered virtual assistant trained in Dr. Hawley’s expertise and voice, available around the clock for members.
• Members use it for: exercise modifications, symptom understanding, management strategies, and even pep talks.
• "They asked Dr. Gretchen AI for a pep talk and she gave them one... they were able to feel like I was actually the person giving them that pep talk." (13:10)
• Special launch event: "Chatober" in October encouraged member feedback and rapid improvements.

4. MS Research Made Simple: Demystifying Science

[15:32]

• Launched a new course to make 2025’s MS research clinically accessible and understandable.
• 433 enrollments in five days; feedback emphasized the empowerment of informed healthcare conversations.
• Covered topics like exercise parameters, BTK inhibitors, remyelination, menopause and women’s health, depression, and more—10 modules in total.
• "You guys want to know about the research. And what I was hearing from feedback is that either you just don’t have time to look through the research, so you just want to be told what it’s saying, or... it’s too hard to interpret." (18:55)

5. Podcast Growth: 57 Countries & 65,000+ Downloads

[20:24]

• The MSing Link Podcast now has listeners in 57 countries, totaling over 65,000 downloads in 2025 (excluding December).
• Each episode averages 1,300+ downloads.
• Listener input greatly influences topics and guests, amplifying the show’s impact worldwide.
• "Your curiosity, your courage to ask those questions … creates the ripple effect that reaches even further than we will ever know." (21:15)

6. Mainstream Validation: Representing MS Wellness

[22:24]

• The Missing Link was featured at the MS Society’s Dinner of Champions Gala in New York, specifically in the inaugural Wellness Pavilion.
• Marks a dramatic shift from past medical skepticism about wellness and exercise in MS management.
• "To go from that as little as 20 years ago to now having exercise and wellness be seen as such a big component of MS care is such a huge step in the right direction." (23:11)
• Dr. Hawley’s participation alongside top MS clinicians highlighted the evolution and integration of multidisciplinary care.

7. Mission Refined: "Helping People with MS See What’s Possible"

[25:01]

• Rebranding and a clarified mission statement following deep consultation: "We help people with MS see what's possible in your daily life."
• Emphasis on micro and macro wins: anything from getting dressed without falling to walking down the aisle.
• "Some days the win honestly is just getting out of bed or even staying in bed and just exercising in bed that day. And other days it’s hiking a mountain... Either way, both days are worth celebrating." (27:50)
• Promotes a culture of celebration, inclusion, and individualized progress over "warrior" or "fighter" mentalities.

8. Accessibility Milestone: "Pay What You Can" Initiative

[29:00]

• For MS Awareness Month (March 2025), the program experimented with “pay what you can” pricing.
• Over 630 new sign-ups, making the course accessible for people previously unable to afford it.
• Minimum payment: $1.
• "Experimenting with this and seeing people join who’d been watching from the sideline for months... reminded me why we do this work." (29:59)

9. Personal Win: Pregnancy & Team Expansion

[31:02]

• Dr. Hawley announces she’s expecting another baby girl in April 2026.
• To ensure continued support, the Missing Link has grown its operations team with a COO and more, enabling Dr. Hawley to focus on content and research.
• Emphasizes the vital role of community and teamwork, both in professional and personal life.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Access to this specialized MS care shouldn’t depend on where you live." (04:56 – Dr. Hawley)
• "Their podcast is very real and raw. And it was just such an honor to be able to share my vision, my support, my guidance, everything on their podcast." (09:40 – Dr. Hawley on "The Messy Podcast")
• "They asked Dr. Gretchen AI for a pep talk and she gave them one. And... it actually sounds like me." (13:10)
• "We help people with MS see what's possible in your daily life." (25:10 – Dr. Hawley on the refined mission statement)
• "Some days the win honestly is just getting out of bed or even staying in bed and just exercising in bed that day. And other days it’s hiking a mountain… Either way, both days are worth celebrating." (27:50)
• "Every one of these wins happened because of this community. Because you showed up. You asked questions, you shared your stories…" (30:53)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:16] – International reach: Members in 33 countries
• [08:15] – Guest appearance on The Messy Podcast
• [11:25] – Dr. Gretchen AI: 24/7 member support
• [15:32] – MS Research Made Simple course launch
• [20:24] – Podcast reach: 57 countries, 65,000+ downloads
• [22:24] – Representing wellness at MS Dinner of Champions Gala
• [25:01] – Mission statement refined
• [29:00] – Pay What You Can campaign
• [31:02] – Personal news: pregnancy and team growth

Final Thoughts

Dr. Hawley closes the episode with gratitude, emphasizing that true growth often means doing things differently, not just more. She thanks her listeners and community, reinforcing the message of collective progress and ongoing support:
"Keep seeing what’s possible in your life. You’ve got this. We are here for you every step of the way. And you’ve got us, too." (30:53)

For more resources, community access, and information on MS-specific exercises and strategies, check out themsinglink.com/insider and follow Dr. Hawley on her social channels.