Guts and Glory

Dr. Eric Benchimol, Professor of Pediatrics and Northbridge Chair in Inflammatory Bowel Disease at The Hospital for Sick Children and University of Toronto, and Kate Lee, Vice President of Research and Patient Programs at Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, discuss some of the key findings outlined in the 2023 Impact of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Canada Report. We […]

Discover the inspiring story of Abigail Redding, a resilient teenager who was diagnosed with fistulizing Crohn’s disease at just 16 years old. In this episode, Abbie, who is now 17, shares her journey with IBD, shedding light on the various aspects of her life as a teen navigating a new diagnosis, relationships, school, and dealing […]

For 27 years and counting, Alia Abutalib has been battling IBD. Most recently, she underwent a full proctocolectomy and now lives with a permanent ileostomy (#BarbieButt). Alia speaks openly about her disease, surgery, and having to navigate a lot of her journey alone because not everyone has the support system in place that they need […]

Founder and CEO of Partake Brewing, Ted Fleming shares his IBD journey and how it led to him brewing the world’s best non-alcoholic beers. Partake Brewing is currently the 14th fastest growing company in Canada and shows no signs of slowing down! Are you looking to try Partake’s non-alchy beer? Use promo code GUTSGLORY15 for […]

Not only is Peter Dobranowski an IBD Warrior but he has literally dedicated his life to IBD…by choice. Why? Well, he says, “someone’s gotta do it”. In this episode, Peter shares his story about his diagnosis and his journey with IBD. But Peter’s journey doesn’t end there because his life really does involve everything IBD. He […]

Noah Weber is a pretty incredible teen and IBD Warrior who co-founded the organization ‘Athlete vs. Crohn’s & Colitis’ with Larry Nance Jr., NBA Basketball Player for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Noah shares his journey with Crohn’s Disease from diagnosis, surgery, and various medications. A journey that led him to reaching out to NBA star Larry […]

This episode features two Registered Dietitians working in Toronto. Inez Martincevic, a Clinical Dietitian practicing within the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at The Hospital for Sick Children and Julie Cepo who is an Inpatient Clinical Dietitian with the GI Medicine & Surgery Program at Mount Sinai Hospital. We discuss how a Registered Dietitian […]

Dr. Ahola Kohut is a Clinical Health Psychologist at Sick Kids, who works specifically with children with IBD. She splits her time between research and clinical work. In this episode she shares valuable information regarding mental health and IBD. We discuss how our minds are wired to survive and socialize and this sometimes relates to negative feelings. […]

Shawn Reynolds is an IBD Warrior that has been living with Crohn’s Disease for over 20 years. Shawn shares his experiences as an entrepreneur, husband, dad, former actor, brother of two siblings who also have Crohn’s Disease, etc. and how he was able to find success despite living with a chronic illness. He talks about […]

Amanda Lapidus is a Registered Dietitian in Toronto who focuses on digestive disorders. She is actively involved in research related to diet and the gut microbiome in the IBD community. We talk about what set Amanda on the path to dedicate her energy to diet, nutrition, and preventable health. She answers questions about the difference […]

Jason Singh, the Manager of Innovative Health Initiatives for Crohn’s & Colitis Canada (CCC) talks all about two apps launched by CCC, GoHere & MyGut. What is the GoHere Washroom Access Program? How does the app work? Where can I get a Washroom Access Card and how can you become a GoHere Volunteer Ambassador? Jason […]

Gastroenterologist at Mount Sinai Hospital and University Health Network, Dr. Mark Silverberg, discusses the importance of multi-disciplinary care in IBD. How important it is that we begin treating #IBDWarriors with a more holistic approach. This is why he is opening his own clinic, the Toronto Immune and Digestive Health Institute (TIDHI) that will not only be a […]

Want to help an IBD Warrior that you love? Why not volunteer?! Host, Chantel from Toronto, ON sits down with Matthew Sebastiani from Vancouver, B.C. and Shannon Epstein from Montreal, QC and together they share their experiences as volunteers with Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. They discuss why they are involved, the roles they play, and the […]

Mina Mawani, President & CEO of Crohn’s and Colitis Canada and Dr. Laura Targownik, Clinician Scientist and Gastroenterologist at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto and Division Director for Gastroenterology at University of Toronto discuss some of the key findings in the ‘Impact of IBD in Canada Report’, especially related to healthcare costs associated with IBD. […]

IMAGINE Network is conducting a number of Fecal Microbial Transplantation (FMT) studies. Dr. Paul Moayyedi, Lead Investigator of IMAGINE Network and Gastroenterologist at McMaster University discusses what is FMT and the evidence, to date, on fecal transplantation as a potential therapy for patients with IBD. Mr. Ziyaad Mia, who is a FMT study participant & patient […]

IMAGINE Network is conducting a number of mental health studies in IBD patients. Studies that focus on topics like the brain-gut connection in IBD & IBS, Suicide Risk in IBD, and Stress Reduction (to name a few). We chat with Dr. Dean Tripp about what studies he has been involved in and Kim Daley, an […]

Why is Patient Oriented Research so important? What is the IMAGINE Network? What is the CIHR SPOR and how is it helping patients with IBD? What is the role of patient partners in IMAGINE? Answers to all these questions and more on this episode! We chat with Aida Fernandes, Executive Director, IMAGINE Network; Sandra Zelinsky, […]

Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2015, Effie Siamalekas takes us through her diagnosis and navigating the many questions and uncertainty she experienced. She discusses her journey of educating herself about ulcerative colitis and taking her health into her own hands. Being admitted to hospital, steroids, 5-ASA, blood transfusions, iron infusions, biologics, missing out on social […]

IBD Warrior, Lyndsay Hunter-McWaters, chats with us about her journey. Diagnosed with UC at 14, later diagnosed with Crohn’s at 25, ileostomy at 35, and all the details in between. She openly shares her experiences as a teenager struggling with her diagnosis and illness and how that impacted the path she traveled for awhile. However, […]

This is Part Two of our episode with the resilient, Montana Skurka who is an IBD Warrior, Health & Wellness Coach, and Yoga Teacher. She continues to share her personal experiences with childhood cancer, eating disorders, anxiety, and ulcerative colitis. We share how we often feel the need to “be strong” and continue with life’s […]

Montana Skurka is an Integrative Wellness Educator who is dedicated to providing patients with guidance, education and support as they overcome the unique challenges of chronic illness. In this episode (Part 1 of 2), Montana opens up about her personal life struggles with illness, including childhood cancer, eating disorders, anxiety, depression, and eventually a diagnosis of […]

Nathan Pember is a fellow IBD Warrior who is not afraid to advocate for himself and others with IBD. What should you do if you aren’t happy with the treatment you receive at a medical facility? Nathan will tell you! He shares his personal journey with Crohns Disease that began at the age of 14. […]

It’s almost that time of year again, Gutsy Walk time! Every year, Crohns and Colitis Canada hosts a 5 km walk at over 60 locations across Canada! This year we walk on Sunday, June 2nd, 2019! Have you signed up yet? Want to be a sponsor? Maybe you want to be a volunteer? Check out […]

We have personal trainer, Mike Short back again. Mike not only trains athletes but also people living with chronic illness. He speaks about how his lifestyle of taking his medications and paying attention to his fitness has him feeling positive physically and mentally. Baby stepping your way into more movement when living with IBD can […]

We are joined, once again, with the resilient Rasheed Clarke, this time to talk specifically about his personal journey with IBD: pancolitis, total colectomy, pelvic pouch (J-pouch), temporary ileostomy, percutaneous tube to drain an abscess. He’s been through quite a bit. Rasheed also speaks about his book, ‘Three Tablets Twice Daily’ and about his participation […]