How Rumination and Catastrophising Can Worsen Chronic Pain

126 Days Flare-Free: My Longest EVER Without Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain (And How I Did It)

It's been 126 days since my last ankylosing spondylitis (AS) flare! That's the longest I have EVER gone as an adult without any debilitating sacroiliac joint pain whatsoever (that includes other AS related rib, joint pain or skin issues). In this episode, I look at how I got to this milestone: ✔️ The nitty-gritty of my AS flares ✔️ My 3-year, 7-month journey with diet changes (and why Year 1 was just the start) ✔️ The microbiome: how your gut is like a wildlife park ✔️ My top flare-fighting strategies (including the one everyone hates) ✔️ The accidental supplement detox that surprised me ✔️ Why stress didn't derail me this time (despite life throwing curveballs) Whether you're battling AS, another autoimmune condition, or just curious about how diet and lifestyle can transform your health, I hope you find this episode useful. To access links and resources mentioned in this podcast: 🔗 Show notes [https://gutheroes.com/podcast/podcast-episode-21-126-days-flare-free-my-longest-ever-without-ankylosing-spondylitis-pain-and-how-i-did-it/] For more information, head to the Gut Heroes website: 🔗 https://gutheroes.com [https://gutheroes.com] Disclaimer: Please note, this is for informational purposes only. Gut Heroes does not offer medical advice. We are all different and what works for me may not work for you. I setup Gut Heroes to share information with you. To shine a light on my own personal discoveries (as I currently understand them) and to help you with your own personal research.

The 9 Strangest Things I Do to Manage My Autoimmune Disease (AS)

Welcome to another episode of Gut Heroes! In this episode, I dive into some of the strangest things I do to manage my autoimmune disease. I share my personal insights and experiences using some 'unconventional' approaches that have helped me manage ankylosing spondylitis (AS), but can also be helpful for anyone dealing with a chronic health condition. This includes: ✔️ Making my own natural skin cream ✔️ Using beef tallow soap to stop skin irritation ✔️ Following a no-starch, no-dairy diet ✔️ Incorporating specific oils like olive oil and avocado oil ✔️ Using fasting for flare management and overall health ✔️ Taking cold showers to beat inflammation ✔️ Using apple cider vinegar for gut health ✔️ Supplementing with magnesium ✔️ Experimenting with a "Bed of Nails" for back pain relief I explore how these seemingly strange practices have become valuable tools in my AS management toolkit. I also look at how small, incremental changes can lead to significant improvements over time. The benefits of challenging our bodies beyond constant comfort and the need for personalised approaches in managing autoimmune disease. To access links discussed in this podcast: 🔗 Show notes [https://gutheroes.com/podcast/podcast-episode-20-the-9-strangest-things-i-do-to-manage-my-autoimmune-disease-as/] For more information, head to the Gut Heroes website: 🔗 https://gutheroes.com [https://gutheroes.com] Disclaimer: Please note, this is for informational purposes only. Gut Heroes does not offer medical advice. We are all different and what works for me may not work for you. I setup Gut Heroes to share information with you. To shine a light on my own personal discoveries (as I currently understand them) and to help you with your own personal research.

How to Travel With an Autoimmune Disease and a Challenging Diet

In this episode, I explore practical strategies for travelling with an autoimmune disease and specific dietary requirements. I share my own personal experiences from my recent trip to the Faroe Islands and offer some of the insights I've gained over the years managing my ankylosing spondylitis through diet and lifestyle changes. I discuss: ✔️ Preparation and knowing your dietary needs ✔️ Strategies for packing and storing food while travelling ✔️ Tips for finding suitable foods in unfamiliar locations ✔️ How to navigate restaurants and menus more confidently ✔️ The benefits of embracing local produce and frozen foods ✔️ Managing stress and anxiety around food when away from home ✔️ The unexpected joys of rediscovering natural flavours These approaches can help you maintain your health while still enjoying your travels. Best of all you can tailor them to your individual needs and circumstances. To access links discussed in this podcast: 🔗 Show notes [https://gutheroes.com/podcast/podcast-episode-19-how-to-travel-with-an-autoimmune-disease-and-a-challenging-diet/] For more information, head to the Gut Heroes website: 🔗 https://gutheroes.com [https://gutheroes.com] Disclaimer: Please note, this is for informational purposes only. Gut Heroes does not offer medical advice. We are all different and what works for me may not work for you. I setup Gut Heroes to share information with you. To shine a light on my own personal discoveries (as I currently understand them) and to help you with your own personal research.

Fixing the Now: Powerful, Practical Ways to Reduce Pain and Stress ‘In the Moment’

In this episode, I explore powerful, practical ways to reduce pain and stress 'in the moment'. I share personal strategies I've developed over the years to help shift into a better, less painful, less stressful state, including: ✔️ Using the 'third person' perspective to reframe stressful thoughts ✔️ Tackling challenging tasks immediately to avoid stress snowballing ✔️ The benefits of hot and cold exposure for lowering inflammation ✔️ How a stroll in nature can act as a powerful anti-inflammatory ✔️ The restorative power of short naps ✔️ Using heat and cooling gels for quick pain relief ✔️ The importance of social connection in managing pain and stress ✔️ Creating a clear action plan for flares or high-stress periods ✔️ Practicing gratitude to reframe your perspective ✔️ The pain-relieving power of laughter I discuss how these cognitive and physical strategies can work in tandem to help manage both stress and pain, which are often interconnected. I emphasise the importance of tailoring these approaches to suit your individual needs and incorporating them into your routine in a way that feels natural and beneficial. To access links to the studies discussed in this podcast: 🔗 Show notes [https://gutheroes.com/podcast/podcast-episode-18-fixing-the-now-powerful-practical-ways-to-reduce-pain-and-stress-in-the-moment/] For more information, head to the Gut Heroes website: 🔗 https://gutheroes.com [https://gutheroes.com] Disclaimer: Please note, this is for informational purposes only. Gut Heroes does not offer medical advice. We are all different and what works for me may not work for you. I setup Gut Heroes to share information with you. To shine a light on my own personal discoveries (as I currently understand them) and to help you with your own personal research.

How Rumination and Catastrophising Can Worsen Chronic Pain

Welcome to another episode of Gut Heroes! In this episode, I look at the fascinating relationship between rumination, catastrophising, and chronic pain. I explore the latest research and share personal insights on how our mental states and relationships could affect our pain management journey, including: ✔️ The role of stress in chronic pain (and how our thought processes and social interactions can influence pain levels) ✔️ The concept of "distress contagion" and a social media tip ✔️ The power of social support in reducing pain intensity and promoting positive pain adaptation ✔️The complex relationship between social validation, self-sufficiency, and pain management ✔️ Key findings from studies on pain catastrophising in rheumatic diseases like AS and rheumatoid arthritis ✔️ The importance of finding a supportive, positive "tribe"  To access links to the studies discussed in this podcast: 🔗 Show notes [https://gutheroes.com/podcast/podcast-episode-%E2%80%A6sen-chronic-pain/] For more information, head to the Gut Heroes website: 🔗 https://gutheroes.com [https://gutheroes.com/] ----------------------------------------- Disclaimer: Please note, this is for informational purposes only. Gut Heroes does not offer medical advice. We are all different and what works for me may not work for you. I setup Gut Heroes to share information with you. To shine a light on my own personal discoveries (as I currently understand them) and to help you with your own personal research.