Welcoming back Overcoming MS Facilitator and Health Coach Laura Crowder as she speaks to Hayley Baker about the changing your life, for life following the Overcoming MS Program.
In this webinar, Overcoming MS Facilitator and Health Coach Laura Crowder talks with Overcoming MS Trainee Facilitator and community member Hayley Baker about the Change your Life, for Life pillar, as well as their own experiences of living with MS, accepting a diagnosis and the importance of self-compassion.
03:29 Overview of the Overcoming MS Program
07:39 Key concepts of pillar seven – positivity and realistic hope
13:30 Mind-body connection and stress management
21:58 Negative emotions and chronic illness
26:15 Planning habit changes
29:31 Empowerment and community support
34:57 Hayley’s experience of MS and the Overcoming MS Program
40:58 Challenges and strategies
48:32 Advice for newcomers and personal reflections
51:00 Is January a good time to make a change?
53:09 Motivation to start the Overcoming MS Program
56:12 Starting again after losing motivation
59:23 When did you know the Program was working for you?
01:03:59 Primary Progressive MS
01:06:39 Survival mode vs thriving mindset
01:08:29 Celebrating milestones or small victories
01:14:41 Habit stacking
01:16:47 Is it important for others to know about my MS?
01:23:36 Handling mobility issues
01:27:24 Upcoming events and courses with Overcoming MS
Laura Crowder
After spending 18 years as a teacher and school leader, Laura was inspired to train as a Health Coach following a diagnosis of Relapsing-Remitting MS in 2018. She read Overcoming MS by Professor George Jelinek whilst recovering from a relapse which left her struggling to walk and talk and immediately began implementing the pillars outlined in the Program. Laura attended an Overcoming MS retreat in 2018 which she describes as “life changing” and is an active member of her local Overcoming MS Circle in the South West of the UK.
Since qualifying as a Health Coach, Laura helps people to understand how to implement healthy lifestyle changes into their everyday life, working alongside clients as they create lasting, positive change.
Laura lives in Cornwall, UK with her husband and two teenage children. She enjoys reading, spending time with her family, exploring the South West Coast path and she completed her first marathon in 2023.
Hayley Baker
After the birth of her second child, Hayley began experiencing various symptoms which later led to her diagnosis of Primary Progressive MS. Through perseverance and support from family, friends and healthcare professionals, Hayley transformed her outlook and embraced strategies to manage her symptoms, including the Overcoming MS Program.
Hayley is passionate about breaking taboos around bladder and bowel health by openly sharing her journey. She advocates for speaking about difficult topics, seeking medical advice and finding humor, positivity and being kind to yourself.
A transcript for this webinar will be available soon.
This webinar was recorded on 8th January 2025 as part of our Living Well with MS Webinar Series.
Watch other recent webinars and podcasts by Laura Crowder