Live Well Podcast | Ep #63 Montel Williams shares what helps him thrive with Multiple Sclerosis
Today I’m honored to have TV-personality and chronic illness advocate Montel WIlliams on The Live Well Podcast to speak about his experience with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and partnership with Novartis and the MSAA on the My MS Second Act program.
Montel Williams earned his media celebrity status as an inspirational Emmy Award winning television personality whom Americans invited into their homes for more than 17 years. He is a decorated former naval officer, inspirational speaker, author, entrepreneur and advocate for patients worldwide.
Montel was diagnosed with MS in 1999, but his disease had been undiagnosed for almost 20 years before then despite flare-ups that felt like “his feet were on fire” and continuous doctors’ appointments. Montel reflects back on his diagnosis as a mixed blessing, because it taught him the importance of willpower and advocating for yourself. He urges others diagnosed with MS not to let the disease define them, and to talk to their doctor about disease progression.
Shortly after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 1999, Williams established the Montel Williams MS Foundation to further the scientific study of MS, provide financial assistance to select organizations and institutions conducting research, raise national awareness, and educate the public. The MWMSF has granted over $1.5 million dollars to research and has supported a study done at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, which discovered an MS gene.
Over the years, Montel has been involved with many initiatives that are focused on improving the lives of people living with various brain impairments and injuries. He has personally participated in studies and trials surrounding non-invasive brain stimulation therapy with phenomenal results. He continues to work with researchers and the U.S. Army to further develop their findings with the hopes of helping soldiers who have experienced blast-related traumatic brain injuries.
Montel is an amazing advocate in the autoimmune and chronic illness community and I’m absolutely honored to speak with him on The Live Well Podcast!
In this interview Montel speaks about:
The importance of being your own advocate
The holistic approaches that most helped him heal
His daily mindfulness practice that helps him stay positive and thrive with chronic illness!
His project, My MS Second Act, that aims to educate the MS community about disease progression including secondary progressive MS (SPMS).
Watch the video interview below or tune into The Live Well Podcast to listen. Enjoy this powerful episode!
LISTEN BELOW (AND DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE SO YOU'LL NEVER MISS OUT!)
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Show Notes:
0:00 Intro
4:00 Montel speaks about the importance of advocacy
“You alone own the definition of who you are.”
5:47 Montel speaks about his MS diagnosis in 1999 and how he felt being told “you’re going to be in a wheelchair in 4 years.”
“How can you give me that prognosis when you don’t know who I was when I walked in here?”
7:30 Montel speaks about the importance of conventional and holistic methods of care when treating MS and what pieces have helped him the most.
“You don’t go to battle with one weapon in your arsenal.”
9:30 Montel speaks to how he adapted his lifestyle to best serve his MS.
13:00 The top holistic practices that have helped Montel heal:
Diet
Mindful movement
14:30 Montel speaks about the individuality of MS diagnoses
16:45 Montel speaks about what gifts his disease has given him
“It’s made me more aware and more empathetic to my fellow man no matter what their plight might be.”
17:30 Montel’s personal mindfulness and self care routine
“What did I do today that’s worth talking about tomorrow?”
Montel writes down this statement, reads it out loud, and journals in the evening. First thing in the morning he reads it out loud to start the day with a positive win.
22:30 Montel speaks about My MS Second Act - a project to educate and empower MS survivors and share with them the tools that give them the ability to tell their own story so they can share it with others.
26:39: Outro
In partnership with Novartis and the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America (MSAA), Montel has created My MS Second Act, a project that aims to educate the MS community about disease progression including secondary progressive MS (SPMS). MS doesn’t look the same for everyone. People may consider it one disease, but there are actually different forms, including the lesser known form of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). SPMS is characterized by progressive and irreversible neurological disability [1].
Around 400,000 people are living with MS in the US [2]. Of these, 80% of patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), an earlier phase of the disease, have the potential to progress to SPMS [3].
The goal of My MS Second Act is to inspire individuals to be vocal and vigilant about the next phase of MS and discovery that by sharing your story you can face this “second act” with confidence, hope and a resounding voice! Download your Storytelling Toolkit Here >>
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If we haven't met before, I'm Christina Tidwell, founder and owner of Live Well with Christina. I'm so excited that you're here and have begun to delve into your health and wellness journey! Here at Live Well we help people with autoimmune disease take control of their health through nutrition, lifestyle shifts and personal empowerment.
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