161: Rewriting the Prognosis: Jessica Faulds on MS, Plant-Based Living, and Self-Advocacy

At just 15 years old, Jessica Faulds woke up one morning with one eye frozen in place. Weeks later, she received a diagnosis that came with a lifetime label: Multiple Sclerosis. For the next 18 years, Jessica navigated relapses, mobility loss, vision loss, countless medical opinions, and a healthcare system that often dismisses women's symptoms. But through research, self-advocacy, movement, and nutrition — along with a stem cell transplant — Jessica eventually received a letter from her doctor stating she no longer needed to be monitored for MS. In this powerful conversation, Jessica shares what MS really is, how dramatically symptoms can vary, and why lifestyle choices matter more than most people realize. She also talks about entering menopause at 27 as a side-effect of treatment and how she refused to accept "just live with it" as an answer. Today, Jessica is a holistic nutrition coach, cycle instructor, writer, and speaker, helping others build resilience, confidence, and clarity in their own health journeys. This episode is for anyone who's ever been told "there's nothing you can do." Highlights include: • What multiple sclerosis actually does in the body • The emotional reality of diagnosis at age 15 • Why food, movement, and data-tracking mattered • What her stem cell transplant experience was really like • How women can advocate for better healthcare • The difference between vegan and plant-based eating • The power of choosing people who stay www.veganvisibility.com/161-jessica-faulds