Season 1, Episode 3 In Episode 3 of the Fibro Warriors Podcast, Margaret Schroeder interviews yoga therapist Janet Hennard about how she overcame fibromyalgia through the practice of yoga. Her fast-paced corporate career in which she leveraged her formal education in math and psychology provided her with a unique ability to study the effects of yoga and meditation on fibromyalgia. Her article, "Protocol and Pilot Study for Managing Fibromyalgia with Yoga and Meditation" was published in the International Journal of Yoga Therapy in 2011. Now retired, Janet is the founder of Bright Path Yoga. She teaches several yoga classes per week in Richardson, Texas and offers private yoga therapy in her home studio in Garland, just north of Dallas. In her classes, Janet teaches the yogic philosophy of the yamas and niyamas, which are like guidelines for living. The first yama, called ahimsa, means "do no harm" but some yoga practitioners believe it to mean, "eat no meat." Janet explains that ahimsa is much more than that. She talks about how we can have more compassion towards others and also to ourselves, and how the Buddhist proverb, "pain is inevitable; suffering is optional," can be applied to our daily lives. She says that the Bible is filled with psychology, teaching us how we can become self-actualized. Her prayer and meditation practiced is filled with gratitude, not for the pain she has endured with fibromyalgia, but for the good it has brought into her world. Janet Hennard, MA, E-RYT200, RYT500, C-IAYT, author, yoga therapist and founder of BrightPathYoga.com. Your Input is Needed Question:  What do you think of this podcast and what else would you like to hear? Would you like to hear interviews with medical practitioners, psychologists, or fitness experts? Do you have someone particular in mind? I want to know what you think. Please write your thoughts in the comment section at the bottom of this page.

Fibro Warriors Podcast

Janet Hennard: Managing Fibromyalgia with Yoga

Season 1, Episode 2 In Episode 2 of the Fibro Warriors Podcast, Margaret Schroeder interviews Marie Anders about what it's like to deal with a constant migraine for 3 months and counting. Since her first interview in 2016, Marie has learned that the conditions underlying her fibromyalgia include a genetic connective tissue disorder called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome in addition to POTS, MALS, gastroparesis, and Raynaud's disease. She talks about how to deal with becoming dependent on a caregiver for support and her intense struggles with migraine pain, including suicidal thoughts and delirium. Marie shares her inspiring philosophy on living with pain and has some heartfelt advice to all Fibro Warriors. She calls it, "Coping Marie Style."   Your Input is Needed Question:  What do you think of this podcast and what else would you like to hear? Would you like to hear interviews with medical practitioners, psychologists, or fitness experts? Do you have someone particular in mind? I want to know what you think. Please write your thoughts in the comment section at the bottom of this page.

Marie Anders: Coping Marie Style with a 3-Month Migraine

Season 1, Episode 1 In this first episode of the Fibro Warriors Podcast, Margaret Schroeder interviews Eric Landis about his 11 month relationship with their mutual friend and Fibro Warrior Suzanne Berg. From her grand entrance in a big white coat to his discovery of her body on her bedroom floor, Eric talks about the highs and lows of being Suzanne's lover and caregiver. In the end, he has some wise advice for anyone who supports a Fibro Warrior about getting the right help and being honest with your partner, and also with yourself. Your Input is Needed Question for You -  What do you think of this podcast and what more would you like to hear? For example, would you like to hear interviews with medical practitioners, psychologists, fitness experts? Do you have someone particular in mind? Please write your thoughts in the comment section at the bottom of this page.

Eric Landis: A Caregiver’s Advice on Fibromyalgia, Opioids, and Honesty

Announcing the Fibro Warriors Podcast I'm pleased to announce the launch of The Fibro Warriors Podcast. It all started when I interviewed Eric Landis about what it was like being the caregiver and lover to our friend and Fibro Warrior Suzanne Berg. At the time I recorded the interview, I'd never even considered creating a podcast. I was hoping to showcase my talent as a writer while at the same time, I felt strongly that I should advocate for people like Suzanne. As a volunteer writer for the Dallas Area Parkinsonism Society, I'd bought a digital voice recorder earlier in the year to make my note taking easier during their monthly meetings. You can see the articles I've written for them here. I took my recorder with me as a backup to my notes as I interviewed Eric for his story, and that is the recording you'll hear in Episode 1. Suzanne's Story Suzanne struggled for decades with opioid addiction and fibromyalgia. She entered Eric's life just a few months before I met her in June 2015. She and I became fast friends, talking on the phone almost daily. She was like a light in my life, so bubbly and witty that I never saw the depth of her pain until her first suicide attempt in December of that year. One month later, in January 2016, I hosted my first fibromyalgia support group meeting. On the morning of that meeting, Eric called to inform me that Suzanne had taken her life the night before. I was devastated, and I could barely talk, but 23 people were showing up to the meeting and I knew I had a job to do. The Statistics There are an estimated 10 million people in the US who are diagnosed with fibromyalgia, and it affects 3 to 6% of the world population. It is a debilitating condition with many symptoms, mainly long-term chronic pain and fatigue. And there's no cure. In my experience leading the DFW Fibromyalgia Support Group over the past 2 years, I've come to realize that there are no two cases alike. In fact, the underlying conditions of fibromyalgia are vastly different from one person to the next. My Hope My intention with this podcast is to let Fibro Warriors' stories be heard. After I wrote the article about my interview with Eric, we both agreed it fell flat. What was missing was the passion with which Eric told this story, and I wanted you to hear that. And that's how the concept of the Fibro Warriors Podcast was born. Let this podcast be a platform for anyone who has an inspirational story to tell about living with fibromyalgia. Please contact me if you have a story you'd like to share. Your Input is Needed Question for You -  What do you think of this podcast and what more would you like to hear? For example, would you like to hear interviews with medical practitioners, psychologists, fitness experts? Do you have someone particular in mind? Please write your thoughts in the comment section below.

Introduction

True Stories, Real Advice from People Living with Fibromyalgia

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Fibro Warriors Podcast

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