The Chronic Illness Recovery Podcast

Most people try to skip this step Everyone wants to get back to living their life again. The problem is that many people try to skip the steps that make that possible. In this week's podcast, I walk you through the three stages of recovery and why building a strong foundation first is the key to making lasting progress. If you've ever felt like you're doing everything you can but still not moving...

How do you move without crashing? One of the biggest fears people with M.E/CFS have is that movement will make them worse. And for many people, that fear comes from experience. They've tried exercising before. They crashed. And now they're scared to try again. In this special compilation episode, we break down how to rebuild movement safely, how to avoid common mistakes, and how to increase capaci...

If I had M.E/CFS, I'd avoid these 9 things When you're dealing with M.E/CFS, it's natural to try everything you can to get better. The problem is... Some of the things that feel helpful in the moment can actually keep you stuck in the long run. In this week's podcast, I share 9 common recovery mistakes I see people make and what to focus on instead. Here are 4 ways we can help. 1. Join our free co...

If you need some hope today If you've been struggling with M.E/CFS for a while, it can be easy to wonder if things will ever change. That's why I've put together this special video. It's a collection of recovery stories from women of all ages and backgrounds who were once struggling with chronic fatigue syndrome and eventually got their lives back. Their stories are honest, inspiring, and a powerf...

How recovery actually works After helping thousands of people with M.E/CFS over the last 17 years, I've noticed something interesting... Most people aren't stuck because they aren't trying hard enough. They're stuck because they're focusing on the wrong things. In this workshop, I break down some of the most important recovery lessons I've learned over the years and explain what actually helps peo...

 5 hours of recovery stories I’ve put together something really special. 5 hours of recovery stories from men of all ages who were suffering from M.E/CFS… and eventually got their life back. These are real conversations with real people who understand what it’s like to lose your health, your identity, your confidence, and your life to chronic illness. If you need hope, inspiration, or simply...

Nervous System Healing for M.E/CFS If you feel stuck in fight or flight, constantly wired, exhausted, or shut down with M.E/CFS… This video will help you understand why. I break down what actually creates nervous system healing — and why so many people stay stuck despite trying everything.   Here are 4 ways we can help. 1. Join our free community to meet others, be inspired, and get more reco...

7 signs you’re actually getting better One of the hardest parts of recovering from chronic fatigue syndrome is feeling like nothing is changing… even when progress is happening. In this new episode, I break down 7 signs your health may actually be improving — even if you haven’t fully noticed it yet. Some of these signs might surprise you.   Here are 4 ways we can help. 1. Join our free commu...

10 things draining your energy If you have M.E/CFS and feel like your energy is getting drained for no clear reason… It might not be what you think. In this episode, I break down 10 hidden energy drainers that can quietly make your symptoms worse -  even if you’re doing everything “right”. Some of these are small, but they add up in a big way.   Here are 4 ways we can help. 1. Join...

Start here if you have M.E/CFS If you have M.E/CFS and feel overwhelmed by all the conflicting advice online… I made this for you. This is my most complete recovery guide covering the key lessons that helped me recover — and have helped thousands of others around the world. If you’re unsure where to focus right now, start here. Here are 4 ways we can help. 1. Join our free community to meet others...

The honest truth about M.E/CFS recovery A client recently said to me: “Toby… I don’t believe I can get better.” Not because recovery wasn’t possible for others. Because she believed she was too different, too far gone, and had been sick for too long. Maybe you’ve felt that too. In this week’s episode, I share the honest truth about recovery from M.E/CFS — and what actually helps people move forwar...

Bedridden to CEO Margot was once bedridden for years with chronic fatigue syndrome. She was told there was no cure. Doctors dismissed her. She lost friends, lost hope, and thought life was over. Today? She has her health back, runs a successful company, and helps other women rebuild their lives. In this new episode, she shares what actually helped her turn everything around. If you need hope right...

This is different I’ve just shared something I’ve been working on for a long time. It’s a conversation about my new book — and why I spent 3.5 years writing it. If you’re dealing with M.E/CFS, this matters. Because most advice out there is either confusing, overwhelming, or just doesn’t work in real life. This book is different. It’s simple. It’s practical. And it’s something you can actually appl...

5 mistakes that keep people stuck If you feel like you’re doing everything you can… but still not progressing… This might explain why. I’ve put together a new video breaking down the 5 most common mistakes I see in M.E/CFS recovery. These are things that look right on the surface but actually hold people back. Once you understand them, everything starts to make more sense.   Here are 4 ways w...

How to stop post-exertional malaise If you have M.E/CFS and keep experiencing post-exertional malaise, this video is for you. In this week’s episode, I break down exactly why PEM happens, why the push-crash cycle keeps you stuck, and what actually helps you get out of it. If you’re tired of doing too much, crashing, and feeling like you’re going around in circles, I think this will really help. &n...

This took 4 years to create When I went through chronic fatigue syndrome over two decades ago, recovery was incredibly isolating. There was no YouTube. No social media. Almost nothing online that offered practical help. And I remember thinking to myself: No one should have to go through this alone. That’s why, for the past 16½ years, I’ve dedicated my life to helping people recover. And it’s also...

It’s finally ready After more than 16 years of helping people recover from chronic fatigue syndrome… I’ve finally written the book. It’s a practical, step-by-step guide that brings together everything I’ve learned from my own recovery and from working with thousands of people around the world. In this new video I share why I wrote it, what’s inside it, and why I believe it’s going to help a lot of...

  Here are 4 ways we can help. 1. Join our free community to meet others, be inspired, and get more recovery info -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/cfshealthrecoveryhub   2. Watch the newly released past members "Guest Panel" Workshop where they share their top 5 recovery secrets -   https://www.cfshealth.com/guestpanelreplay   3. Get our free most popular recovery traini...

Are you scared of losing people? There’s a part of recovery that doesn’t get talked about enough. You want connection. You want to feel normal. You don’t want to miss out. But you also know that doing too much can set you back. And then the guilt creeps in. “Am I being difficult?” “Am I an inconvenience?” “Will people stop inviting me?” In this week’s podcast, I answer a member’s question about ho...

Why this happens in recovery Have you ever noticed one part of recovery improving while another feels worse? It’s more common than people realise and it doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. In this short podcast, I explain why progress can feel uneven and how to stop one area improving at the expense of another.   Here are 4 ways we can help. 1. Join our free community to meet others, be...

This will save you a lot of energy One of the biggest energy leaks in recovery is trying to explain yourself. Someone asks how you are… and you feel pressure to justify everything. Your symptoms, your limits, why you can’t do what you used to do. And you leave the conversation feeling drained. In our today's podcast episode, I share a simple way to respond that protects your energy, keeps the conv...

The energy trap that keeps people stuck One of the biggest reasons people stay stuck in M.E/CFS recovery is misunderstanding energy. What feels like energy is often adrenaline and that’s what keeps the push-crash cycle going. In this week’s podcast, I explain the difference between adrenaline and real energy, and why learning to spot it can change your recovery. If you’ve ever thought, “I felt bet...

If You’re Struggling With M.E/CFS, Read This When I was going through chronic fatigue syndrome over 20 years ago, I genuinely thought my life was over. I went from fit, healthy, and full of energy… to barely being able to lift my head off the pillow. What made it harder wasn’t just the symptoms. It was the confusion, the mixed messages, and the loss of hope. In this week’s podcast, I share the thi...