Crohn’s, Motherhood and Resilience: Liesel’s refusal to give up

Crohn’s, Motherhood and Resilience: Liesel’s refusal to give up

In this episode of the Colitis Unfiltered podcast, I speak with Liesel, who started experiencing swollen knees, extreme fatigue, weight loss, and abdominal pain while in college. It would take nearly two years before blood in the toilet finally led to a colonoscopy and a Crohn’s diagnosis. Liesel talks about navigating life with a chronic illness long before online communities and social media existed. She reflects on the isolation, anxiety, and depression that followed, as well as the devastating flare that led to emergency surgery just months after the birth of her first child. From living with an ileostomy to facing sepsis, multiple surgeries, osteoporosis, and even cancer linked to long-term immunosuppression, her journey has been anything but easy. Today, Liesel is a doctor, educator, mother, and passionate advocate who uses her experience with Crohn’s disease to help others navigate illness and adversity. Her story is one of resilience, perspective, and hope, showing that even after decades of setbacks, it is possible to build a meaningful and fulfilling life beyond IBD. For more stories from the bathroom floor, subscribe to the podcast and visit colitisunfiltered.com

Ulcerative colitis, gut health and remission: Kylie’s naturopathic IBD journey

In episode 19 of the Colitis Unfiltered podcast, I speak with Kylie, who was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at 35 after suddenly experiencing urgency, bleeding, and symptoms she immediately knew were not normal. What started shortly before her daughter’s first birthday quickly turned into a confusing diagnosis, unanswered questions, and years of feeling alone in a system that never seemed to fully listen. Diagnosed while raising three young children, Kylie talks about navigating steroids, failed medications, and the emotional toll of constantly being stuck on the toilet while trying to be present as a mom. Frustrated by a lack of answers, she eventually turned to a gut health naturopath, changing her diet, treating underlying gut issues, and ultimately reaching remission after years of trial and error. Now balancing motherhood, work, and the reality of occasional flares, Kylie shares how stress, food, and self-advocacy shaped her colitis journey. Her story is honest, hopeful, and a reminder that healing with ulcerative colitis is not always linear, and sometimes the right path looks very different for everyone. For more stories from the bathroom floor, subscribe to the podcast and visit colitisunfiltered.com

Crohn’s at nine, control and letting go: Kyle’s IBD evolution

In episode 18 of the Colitis Unfiltered podcast, I speak with Kyle, who was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at just nine years old after months of vomiting, severe stomach pain, diarrhea, and exhaustion. What began as a confusing childhood illness quickly turned into a lifelong battle with active inflammation, failed medications, and a body that never seemed to fully cooperate. Diagnosed in elementary school and never fully reaching remission, Kyle talks about growing up embarrassed by his symptoms, hiding his disease from others, and pushing his body beyond its limits through school, college, travel, and intense work environments. He reflects on years of Remicade, methotrexate, prednisone, and the emotional toll of feeling like his own body was constantly working against him. Today, Kyle uses his experience with Crohn’s disease to advocate for others living with chronic illness and co-founded Tummy, a platform helping patients better understand how food and lifestyle impact their symptoms. His story is honest, introspective, and deeply hopeful, showing that even without full remission, it’s still possible to build a meaningful life beyond IBD. For more stories from the bathroom floor, subscribe to the podcast and visit colitisunfiltered.com

Flares, denial and acceptance: Jaime’s J-Pouch journey

In this episode of the Colitis Unfiltered podcast, I speak with Jaime, who was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at 25 after months of severe symptoms she initially ignored, despite correctly self-diagnosing herself online. What started as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fatigue quickly escalated into hospitalizations, failed medications, and a body breaking down faster than she could process. Diagnosed in adulthood and thrown into a relentless cycle of flares, steroids, and biologics, Jaime talks about spending over a month in the hospital, being fed through IV, and reaching a point where surgery became the only option left. She opens up about fear, denial, body image, and the emotional weight of facing an ostomy at a young age. Now living with a J-pouch after multiple surgeries, Jaime shares how that decision ultimately saved her life. From learning how to live in her body again to building a family she once feared she couldn’t have, her story is raw, resilient, and deeply hopeful. A powerful reminder that even the hardest IBD journeys can lead to a life rebuilt. For more stories from the bathroom floor, subscribe to the podcast and visit colitisunfiltered.com [http://colitisunfiltered.com] And do not miss out on Jaime's IBD journal. Get it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FD2JGZCY [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FD2JGZCY]

Colitis diagnosis, surgery and survival: Clare’s IBD turning point

In episode 16 of the Colitis Unfiltered podcast, I speak with Clare, who was diagnosed with indeterminate colitis after a sudden and severe onset of symptoms that landed her in the hospital. With no clear diagnosis and little information available at the time, she was thrown into a confusing and frightening start to life with inflammatory bowel disease. Diagnosed as a teenager and navigating years of flares, steroids, and uncertainty, Clare shares what it was like to grow up with IBD while trying to live a normal life. After more than a decade of remission, her condition came back aggressively, leading to emergency surgery and a life-changing ostomy. She opens up about fear, complications, mental health struggles, and the reality of starting over after major surgery. Today, Clare lives with a stoma and ongoing complications, but also with perspective, resilience, and a renewed sense of purpose. She speaks honestly about body image, advocacy, and why surgery should not always be seen as a last resort. Her story is raw, complex, and a powerful reminder that life with IBD doesn’t end, it changes. For more stories from the bathroom floor, subscribe to the podcast and visit colitisunfiltered.com