Crohn’s Fitness Food

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...

In today’s episode, Mylissa Merten, a Crohn’s Disease Warrior who was diagnosed almost 17 years ago, shares her experience as a camper at the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation’s Camp Oasis and how, after 10 years of fighting to find something that would put her into remission, found that medications paired with the right nutrition and exercise program led to her first colonoscopy that showed no sign...

Today’s episode is a special solocast where I’m taking the opportunity to answer the most common questions that many of you, my fellow IBD warriors, ask me through Instagram, email, and my blog. My first “solocast” was Episode 6 where I shared my full Crohn’s story, so be sure to check that out if you haven’t yet and want to learn more about my journey. Most of the questions I receive are centered...

In this episode, my husband, Jeff Gish, shares his perspective of Crohn’s Disease as an IBD spouse. He shares his view of what it’s like to live with someone who has IBD and answers my questions about what are some of the things that maybe I should have told him in the beginning or what I could have done (and maybe still do) to help him understand this disease and the roller coaster that comes alo...

Today’s guest is Katie Vyn, who was diagnosed in her early 20s with Ulcerative Colitis. Only one year after her diagnosis in 2000, a blood clot in her leg was the driving force that took her to the hospital where her colon ruptured and she underwent an emergency colectomy. Since then, she’s been growing stronger, living life, sharing her story, raising awareness for IBD, and advocating for fellow...

Today’s guest is Veronica Blancato. With more than 15 years of fighting Crohn’s Disease, she shares her journey from diagnosis to remission, battling a variety of extra-intestinal manifestations along the way. She shares her experiences with surgery, arthritis, osteochondromas, pancreatitis, fatigue, and more. Veronica’s symptoms began when she was 8 years old, but it wasn’t until she was 15 that...

It’s the 20th episode of the Crohn’s Fitness Food podcast and today I wanted to share an interview I did recently on the Anthoney Q Total Human Performance podcast. For this episode, I sat down with Anthoney and we talked about my Crohn’s Disease and some of the updates and changes that I’ve gone through with my diet and fitness in trying to manage my disease over the years. We talked about how my...

In this week’s episode, I caught up again with Carrie Combs (@carriethecrohnie) to follow up on her recent race at the Nashville Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon and to go deeper into some of the emotional aspects of Crohn’s Disease, along with the coping mechanisms and habits that made dealing with a Crohn’s diagnosis even more challenging. At the end of this episode we talk about the half marathon she com...

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 fo...

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...

Today’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....

Today’s guest is Natalie Suppes, who was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 2007 and, after a 12-year flare, is finally in remission. She is a certified personal trainer and sport nutritionist who is passionate about helping women (especially those whose bodies are not functioning!) become the healthiest versions of themselves. In this episode, she shares her story with IBD and why it’s so importan...

In this episode, Luciana Podschun shares her nearly 30-year journey with Crohn’s Disease and talks about everything from international travel, the support and love of her husband over the years, and how she doesn’t let Crohn’s stop her from living her life. Luciana grew up in Brazil, has lived and traveled all around the world, and now resides in California. When she was first diagnosed as a teena...

Today’s guest is Carrie Combs, who was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease 8 years ago at the age of 22. Within her first 5 years after diagnosis, she had three surgeries, countless medication changes, and–as she puts it–a lot of really bad days. During those times, the thought of running a marathon never even crossed her mind. But, fast forward today and she’s now run two half marathons and getting re...

Today’s guest is Elizabeth Alvarez, also known as The Dancing Crohnie. Elizabeth was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease in 2011 at the age of 21. Since then, she’s described her journey as one wild ride trying to attain remission.  She’s been on numerous medications–including included Remicade, Entyvio, Humira, Stelara, Prednisone, Dilaudid, Valium and many others–and is now pairing conventional medic...

Today’s guest is Will Jenkins, founder of Intestinal Fortitude–supplements for IBD patients created by an IBD patient. Will was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease 7 years ago in his mid-30s. After a short time on prednisone and mesalamine, he began searching for a different way to treat his disease. His diagnosis led him down a path of research, natural healing, and eventually to developing his own su...

Today’s guest today is Jim Bell, a Crohn’s Warrior since the age of 8 who was inspired to run his first marathon at the age of 44. In this episode, Jim share his Crohn’s journey, why running has become a passion for him now, and what he’s doing to raise awareness for Crohn’s and Colitis. Though he describes his disease as mild, Jim has been through 4 different surgeries that has resulted in about...

Today’s guest is Samantha Rynearson, a cake artist, wife, mother, and Crohn’s Warrior since 2012. In this episode, she shares her journey with Crohn’s and how she’s learned to balance family, pursuing her passions, and life with IBD. Samantha talks about her struggles with anxiety, joint pain, medications, and how she communicates with her daughter about her Crohn’s. We discuss the mental aspects...

Today’s guest is Alexa Federico, a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, AutoImmune Paleo Coach, author, blogger, Crohn’s Warrior since 2007. Alexa’s healing journey began with her Crohn’s diagnosis at the age of 12. Since then, it has shaped her entire career and the path that she is on now. As a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, she helps people learn how to utilize food in support of their health a...

Today’s guest is Nathalie Begin, an architecture student, blogger, and Crohn’s advocate who focuses on self care, self love, meditation, and gratitude. Nathalie was diagnosed with Crohn’s 10 years ago at the age of 11. Throughout the years, she has gone through waves of remission and flares, with the last few years being her worst and what led to a bowel resection this past summer. In this episode...

Hi Everyone! In this episode, I wanted to share my own Crohn's story and give you a chance to get to know me a little more. I've been interviewing other Crohn's Warriors and asking them to share their stories and experiences, so I also wanted to share my own so that you knew a little more about what inspired me to start this podcast and how Crohn's has shaped my own life.  In this episode, I ask m...

Today's guest is Dayne Sullivan, a Phoenix-based naturopathic medical student from Georgia, who is pursuing his dream to become a gastroenterologist. Battling Crohn’s Disease himself since 2009, Dayne is the hardest working future GI doctor you’ll ever meet! In this episode, Dayne shares his IBD story and talks about his path to becoming a gastroenterologist. As a third-year medical student, Dayne...

Today’s guest is Patrick Lee, co-owner of Tropical Smoothie Cafe in Hicksville, NY, and Crohn’s Warrior since 2007. Since his diagnosis, Patrick has been learning to manage his Crohn’s Disease through a combination of medication, diet, supplements, and lifestyle and is hoping to help raise awareness for IBD. Along with Crohn’s, Patrick battles Fibromyalgia and shares his experience with supplement...

Today’s guest is Jen Bubert, a nearly 20-year Crohn’s Warrior and health coach. If you follow her on Instagram, you’ll recognize her as @jenvsgut. Jen has gone through the gamut of medications, clinical trials, surgery, and even trying to go it alone for a year. In this interview, she talks about what it was like to be diagnosed in high school, her struggles with medications, what led to her first...

Today’s guest is Theresa Spiess, the Community Director (now Executive Directory) for the South Texas Chapter of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. In this episode, she talks in-depth about the patient-driven initiatives, research, educational programs, and activities of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. Research: Theresa gives a brief overview on some new, exciting diagnostic tests being devel...