Cassie and Chelsea talk about their experience in the fitness industry, their reason for diving headfirst into the chronic illness sphere and more. They emphasize the importance of not only physical healing but also spiritual and emotional work as well. Nat discusses the importance of community with chronic illness and how  that can be brought to fruition in your own life.They are Aerie Real Changemakers and they talked about how that happened and what they are doing to make a change in the world."The biggest thing I realized for myself was that I had felt better, and I could get back to that point""When we realized that no one had created a community space for chronic illness we just knew that it was something we needed to do."Find Cassie and Chelsea: @therealspooniesunite

Thrive With IBD

Episode 27: Coffee Chat with The Real Spoonies Unite

Nat dives into drinking culture and her experience with a chronic illness. She gives you tips to find the right balance for your life and being confident in your choices that help you live your best life. A choice to drink or not to drink doesn't define you and being able to live authentically is the number one priority. Alcohol is a huge part of culture and the pressure to fit in and managing a chronic illness on top of that is a huge struggle. KEY QUOTES:"Just because you make a choice not to drink doesn't mean that you can't go out and have fun with friends...""The most important thing you can do is do what makes you feel best- even if that's not how other 20-something year old spend their twenties.""Define each stage of your life how you want to define it...what other people think does. not. matter.""It is possible to fully not care what others think, and have the best emotional and physical health."FOLLOW ALONG:Follow along with Nat on instagram @plentyandwellwithnat Find her coaching services, blog posts, recipes, and more on her website plentyandwell.com 

Episode 26: Drinking Culture and Chronic Illness

Natalie breaks down the morning routine that absolutely changed her life. A morning routine is more than just rolling out of bed and getting ready for the day. She dives into what has helped revolutionize her life and the steps you can take to do the same. While not every morning routine is the same, there are keystones for every routine to make it successful. She dives into a step-by-step way to dive into creating your own routine to set yourself up for success and fall in love with your morning rituals. "There are so many ways to make your morning routine right for you: be it meditation, journaling, movement, coffee, tea, or so much more""Having a routine every morning allows you to set yourself up for success and give you the best chance at creating the life of your dreams by approaching each day with a centered focus with your intentions and actions.""While not necessary, a mug of something warm in the morning makes everything better for me, basically a hug in a mug!"

Episode 25: Tips For Creating a Morning Routine + How Mine Changed my IBD Journey

Eli dives into his story of being diagnosed at 18 years old and how it affected his career and life choices. We dive into how to cope with a diagnosis and communicating with family members to create a line of open communication and trust. Eli talks about his experience as a therapist in New York City and how his chronic illness has shaped how he approaches his practice and his lifestyle. We also get into the nitty-gritty about dating in chronic illness, and the highs and lows that come navigating the dating world while battling a chronic illness. He also talks about learning to give yourself grace and that accepting help is not a sign of weakness. He mentions his transformation from total confusion to thriving with his chronic illness through radical acceptance of his life and his body. Find Eli on Instagram @Elivation_Therapist and @thedudetherapist or at Elivation.org! "It felt like I was in so much pain- curled up in a ball- and I had no idea what was going on..." "It's about taking the time to spend with family and friends when you are feeling good enough and have the energy- and then taking the time for yourself to rest when your body needs to slow down.""I pack a pharmacy in my suitcase when I travel-it's just a part of chronic illness- and to thrive means learning to accept that somethings in life need extra preparation." 

Episode 24: The Importance of Mental Health and Chronic Illness

Terry discusses her personal journey with studying nursing but not becoming a nurse, going through an eating disorder, and eventually finding herself in yoga and human design. She breaks down what it means to be a manifesting generator and the importance of understanding what you need as a person. She explains the importance of learning to listen to your body even when it's difficult. Terry also discusses her relationship with her husband, the pros and cons of being married young, and how the two of them grow together. Terry's main focus is on encouraging people to live in alignment and learning to find alignment in all aspects of life. She empowers people to make the changes needed to discern what alignment is for them, and the importance of constantly learning about yourself. Terry also explains her struggle of learning to make decisions and finding confidence in who she is and what her passion is. Through all of this she dives into her spirituality journey from growing up in a strong Catholic home and how she has made her spirituality journey her own through yoga, human design, and astrology as well.You can find Terry on Instagram: @alignwithterryYou can follow Natalie on Instagram @plentyandwellwithnat and find her on her website: plentyandwell.com

Finding Alignment and Purpose After Recovering from an Eating Disorder with Terry Williams

Lauren uses her own personal experience to drive her passion for intuitive eating and helping others while pursuing her PhD for counseling and as an intuitive eating coach.  She breaks down the rules that society has established that creates warped views in our mind of how things should be and what we think we need to do to be 'healthy'. Intuitive eating isn't just eating to stay alive but also enjoying food and nourishing the body and soul. Lauren creates a space where we can free ourselves of rules about food and give ourselves "unconditional permission to eat" because the body will always  tell you what it needs if we listen. We talk about the one size fits all movement and how being skinny doesn't equate to being healthy.  Lauren also explains how her viewpoint has changed over time and she has gone deeper into intuitive eating and the emotions behind why we do what we do.  We also dive into how food rules affect our daily lives and how to find freedom in life and enjoy food without the baggage that comes along with it. You can find Lauren on Instagram  @living.as.lauren And also on her website and blog with posts and resources:https://www.liveasyouwellness.com/ 

Episode 22: Intuitive Eating, Movement, and Breaking Down Diet Culture

Shawn dives into her Crohn's journey and how she found healing with herself. Shawn also discusses the importance of mindset in healing and how it has helped her develop her platform in which she is an advocate for social justice, chronic illness, dating and so much more. Shawn also discusses her hopes for a more inclusive IBD community in the future.You can check out Shawn on instagram, youtube, and her blog. She is also on my 'takeovers' highlight on my instagram @plentyandwellwithnat.Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ShawnBethea/featuredInstagram: @twofourth_Website: https://twofourth.com/Key Quotes from the Episode:"I love creating art and I really feel like it is an art form. I'm taking a vision, and I'm turning it into a tangible and a visible statement. I love being able to create a story behind that post, or that picture..""It's been unintentional performative actions by healthcare providers...and not realizing the change starts in the doctors office at a very young age.""I think sometimes we go into relationships thinking we are lucky to have this person because we are broken or damaged but that's not true, we are all equal, we are all worthy."

Episode 21:

Do you ever feel like most of the talk surrounding IBD is around diet and "bathroom issues." In this solo episode, I dive into experiences that aren't talked about as often as the two above mentioned topics - hair loss, sex drive and body image - all things that many individuals with IBD struggle with.  I remember standing in my shower pulling out handfuls of hair and shedding an ungodly amount of hair on the bed of the guy I was seeing. I remember being 22 with no interest in sex. I remember staring at my body at it's lowest post-flare weight and later staring at my 20+ pound heavier body - hating both bodies the same.I felt so alone in these experiences thinking I was the only one. My hopes for this episode is to not only help you feel less alone but to provide some tips and knowledge that helped me move through  these struggles.Key Quotes From This Episode:"Being open with people is so important if you are feeling self-conscious. It takes time to find a healthy balance.""Hair loss is normal. Focus on getting healthier and your hair will follow.""OMG I'm a 22 year old girl and I could not care less about sex...I finally realized that the reason I had no sex drive was from being so extremely underweight after my flare and eating disorder."Instagram: @plentyandwellwithnat

Episode 20: Let's Chat Hair Loss, Sex Drive, & Body Image!

You can check out Gali Health here at: https://galihealth.app.link/NatalieKelley as well as downloading the Gali Health App on the app store with an android app coming soon! Instagram: @galihealth IBD Footprints Study: https://galihealth.com/footprints-press-release/Email: Arielle@galihealth.comKey Quotes from the Episode:"Gali Health is a complete in-house research and development operation, everything we learn will stay at Gali and drive our research in order to better serve people with chronic illness by partnering with academic research facilities.""The representation of the entire patient community is generally lacking in most research but Gali focuses on community and every member's experience and demographic  representation is embraced and celebrated and acknowledged." 

Episode 19: What if You Could Predict a Flare? Arielle from Gali Health Discusses the New IBD FootPrints Program

"At the beginning I thought my diagnosis was going to define me and that I didn't deserve my own love, but through The Path to Empowered Acceptance I know I deserve love and I am there for me and that makes me feel like I have power over my disease." Marissa is a crohn's warrior and recently a part of the Path to Empowered Acceptance. Marissa works for an environmental non-profit in Maryland and loves self-care and believes self-worth, self-love, and taking care of yourself are the most important things you can do in your life.You can follow Marissa on instagram @mindbodycrohns and also @mcspratleyKey Quotes from this episode:"My diagnosis and my journey have come full circle. The connections I have made with truly incredible women are invaluable and the lessons I learned from the conversations and modules were so eye opening. Through all of that is where I began to find love for myself again.""I hadn't valued myself or loved myself enough to take care of myself...I now know I am strong, and capable, and worthy of living a great life""I deserve to feel happy, strong, and loved and then I win over crohn's disease, my IBD, and chronic illness when I come from a place of love and make empowered decisions." 

Episode 18: Self Worth, Diagnosis Acceptance, and The Path to Empowered Acceptance with Marissa Spratley

I realized, although I have shared snippets of my own experiences through the other episodes, I have never share my FULL story on the podcast. And since this platform is some of your first pieces of contact with me, I thought it would be helpful to put the story behind the voice where all of you could listen. I think we all have a "story" in our head when people ask "so what's your story?" We have puzzle pieces that fit together in a messy, complicated way that show the world why we are how we are, what we've been through, what we've dealt with in life. So this is my version of that "story."My story begins about three years before my actual IBD diagnosis. It starts with heart-wrenching loss and grief my freshman year of college that led me to developing an eating disorder and exercise addiction. Through it all, every memory is riddled with stomach pain and discomfort - leaving sorority meetings early, calling in sick from work, missing out on social plans. Finally, after years of being told "nothing was wrong," I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis on August 4, 2017 (and the rest is history as cliche as that sounds). After months of being naive and dealing with denial and a traumatizing flare and hospitalization, I finally made it to where I am today - sharing my story and experiences with the world, coaching other women with IBD to lean into acceptance + confidence despite their diagnosis, and ultimately being who I had needed on my own journey. I hope you enjoy this episode and learning more about me! Xx Read the full-length blog post about my story.Follow along on Instagram:@PlentyandWellWithNat@ThriveWithIBDPodcastVisit my website: plentyandwell.comChronic Illness Mindset + Lifestyle Coaching

My Story: Grief, Loss, ED Recovery and My Ulcerative Colitis Diagnosis

“I’m trying to give it all to you, each day I’m just getting by, and I need you, I just want to live my life, trying to make it through day by day.” 21-year-old Anna Tope will have you sitting with chills and tears in your eyes as she sings two of her original songs about her Crohn’s Disease journey at the end of this moving episode. Anna went through a rollercoaster of misdiagnoses, strange speculations, and hospital visits before finally getting her Crohn’s diagnosis, all while juggling college and trying to be active within her music major. Her strength and determination to help others through her struggles is truly inspiring and shows the power of the mind. From her personal journey, tips for others living with IBD and her beautiful singing, you’re in for a treat with this episode!Follow along on Anna's journey on Instagram: @myvoice.myjourneyFor more about the podcast and the host head to: @thrivewithIBDpodcast and @plentyandwellwithnat

A Rollercoaster of a Crohn's Diagnosis, College with IBD and BONUS SONGS with Anna Tope

I’m back!!! I took a mini hiatus from the podcast to focus on other aspects of my business, as well as my mental health, the last couple of months. The start of 2020 was a rough one for me mentally, but after making some necessary changes in my life, seeking more regular therapy, and focusing on self-care, I’m on the up and up! Another reason I took a hiatus was because I felt… well… ~weird~ (in a way) being so integral in our chronic illness community. Let’s just say I was dealing with a major case of THRIVER’S GUILT. Thriver’s guilt is when someone feels guilty for doing better than others they know who may be struggling. This is seen often if, for example, one person survives a car accident and the other person doesn’t. But this is also common in the chronic illness space. When we start feeling physically better, perhaps go into remission even, we start to feel guilt for how well we’re doing because we know so many who aren’t doing as well. For me, especially, I’ve felt this guilt because I play such a big role in our community with my Instagram, podcast, coaching, etc. I thought – “If I’m doing so well right now physically, will the community still find my words valuable?” Thankfully I sat with these feelings, did a lot of personal development, and realized that that’s EXACTLY why I need to keep sharing and advocating! Because I’m doing well physically right now, I can show up even better for our community. I can work more, help you all more, produce more meaningful content. So, I’m back. Not as frequently (because ya girl is BUSY), but I’m back. In today’s mini solo episode, I dive into what I’ve been feeling lately, thriver’s guilt and why you shouldn’t feel guilt for doing better! Not following along on Instagram yet? Follow the podcast @thrivewithibdpodcast and follow me @plentyandwellwithnat!Photo for this cover taken by Danielle Knapik Photography (@danielleknapikphoto).

Where I'm At (And Where I've Been) and Dealing With Thriver's Guilt

“SCD to me is an expansive diet.” Dr. Ali Arjomand’s (PhD in nutrition and certified nutritionist) life was controlled by Crohn’s Disease for over 15 years. He tried every medication available and kept being met by failure. Over and over and over again, he tried medications that left him still feeling sick, fatigued and unable to live with full quality of life. After many hospitalizations and two intense surgeries, as a last-ditch effort in 2016, Ali began the Specific Carbohydrate Diet and reached remission one year after starting SCD. Ali found such success with SCD that he is still in remission and medication free to this day. Ali, seeing his own success, now runs his own nutrition clinic, Modulla Health, where he sees clients in person and via telehealth to help them with their gut issues. Ali helps clients identify and customize the right plan to fit their specific need and help them implement these changes and guide them through the stages in order to better their health, their energy and their life (while still understanding and respecting that some patients still do need a mixture of medication and diet – like me!). In today’s episode we discuss Ali’s personal experience with the Specific Carbohydrate diet, what the Specific Carbohydrate Diet really is and how it helps, how Ali sees it as an expansive diet, the mindset to go into the diet with, in order to stick with it and so much more! If you’ve ever been interested in SCD, never even heard of SCD or are interested in the healing benefits of nutrition in general, this episode is for you!You can learn more about Dr. Ali Arjomand at modullahealth.com and on Instagram @ali_arjomand_phd.Key Quotes From This Episode: “If you can make it through one year of SCD and when you see pogress, when you see healing, when you see energy coming back, you’re like ‘I’m sticking with this, this is amazing.’”“SCD to me is an expansive diet.”“At some point, if its healed, you should be able to add in [new foods] carefully and thoughtfully… it’s not a lifelong sort of restriction that you stay on. No, it’s a healing prescription.”

What is the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, Reaching Remission on SCD and Feeling Liberated Not Restricted with Dr. Ali Arjomand

"It’s easy to have a strange relationship with food when it seems like food is the enemy and is causing symptoms." Brittany Roman-Green, a registered dietician specializing in individuals with Crohn's Disease, ulcerative colitis and IBS, shines light on how she helps transform her clients' mindsets around food by helping them figure out their trigger foods and start living with less symptoms and more energy. In today's episode we talk all about foods to eat for energy and fatigue relief, what to eat and avoid during an IBD flare, as well as how to make sustainable lifestyle changes. Although lifestyle changes and dietary changes can be one of the the hardest parts after an IBD diagnosis, they're also one of the most important. If you've ever felt the need for guidance on these changes - this is for you!You can follow along with Brittany on Instagram at @brittanyb_therd and on Youtube.Key quotes from this episode:"With suffering comes the gift of appreciation.""I honestly think the lifestyle changes are one of the hardest parts because you’ve had a certain lifestyle for so long and it’s habitual.""Give yourself some grace because you’re healing your body right now. You’re healing wounds."

Eating For Energy, Eating During an IBD Flare, and Making Lifestyle Changes with RD Brittany Roman-Green

Thrive With IBD is a space to bring comfort and education to your Crohn’s and colitis journeys, end the stigma around chronic illness and show you that you’re never, ever alone. Hosted by Natalie Kelley, a wellness blogger, holistic health coach and a 20-something-year-old navigating life, love and everything in between with ulcerative colitis, Thrive With IBD is sure to bring the laughs, inspiration and real talk you need on your journey. From life with an ostomy, to navigating relationships and full-time jobs, to juggling restricted diets, to balancing exercise and listening to your body, there's something for everyone with IBD here.

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