Some Things MS

I have met and interviewed many positive people in the last year and I continue to be amazed at the resilience of people with a life altering disease. Brian Peters is a positive force living with multiple complications and enjoying every ounce of what life throws his way. Whether it is supporting his family in BIKE MS or rocking out at live music events, Brian is taking one day at a time and smiling his way through it. Give a listen or a watch to hear his journey with Multiple Sclerosis!

If you are looking for a badass biker and MS warrior, stop in your tracks, Nicole Odell might be it! She is managing her Multiple Sclerosis, riding in multiple Bike MS events, splitting time in multiple states to finish off her master’s degree, mastering mailbox repair. Badass. Join us on this milestone episode number 20 as we get into it, including a discussion on the Wright Bros. legacy.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Jennifer Cowan, earlier this year, to hear about how she was plagued for years with what she called her “Left-Side Failure” before an actual MS diagnosis. She was constantly modifying her routines to try and help her condition, and it was on a family trip to Steamboat that she found out she had MS. Hear more from Jennifer and her journey in Biking and E-Biking that has given her confidence and hope!

If you are riding Bike MS in Colorado, you know Lucas. He smiles... sticks his tongue out in sheer irreverence, and his spirit is infectious! This positive attitude in life has helped him overcome a myriad of health concerns including going from other health issues, being wheelchair bound to bike riding, and Multiple Sclerosis. An incredible story of perseverance and positivity you should not miss!

One of my favorite people, Meg always has a smile and is ready with a laugh. We had a good time a few months back, pre-ride, chatting MS and about the journey supporting her husband, a local doctor diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, and how his passing inspired her to create a bike team in his honor, El Equipo en Fuego, to raise awareness and money to find a cure!

This episode I am talking with Jordan Acosta, a person I met at CSU in the neuroscience lab during an MS Study on mobility. She is dedicated to neurologic sciences, passionate about Multiple Sclerosis research, and a person that through her own journey with a neurologic affliction found unexpected empathy with her research and a new focus in life; to help others quickly address lifestyle changes to support and optimize their health. I love her energy and positive attitude. Find out more about here here: https://www.optimaluhealth.com/

If you are newly diagnosed or wondering about what getting an DMT infusion entails, hear directly from two people involved, one a person living with MS, Steve Clayton. The other, his infusion nurse, Patricia Caporale. It is an open discussion on Steve's experience and what one might expect in the process.

Megan Catalfomo (Learn the emphasis with me) is the horcrux I didn’t know I was missing! We bond over a ton in this chat including MS, our “Angels” that showed up at the right time, and how life with MS can be messy and so can podcasts! I love this unfiltered and fun podcast and so will you. Tune in to learn more about Megan and her journey through diagnosis, pregnancy, and how she coped from the start with humor and optimism!

A story of passion that created a career! Get to know your Colorado Bike MS Manager as we chatted with Crystal Fiederl, Bike MS Manager in Colorado. She shares how she started as an MS volunteer in Oregon to honor her Grandmother and how this effort landed her a job with the MS Society! We talk Multiple Sclerosis, Vinyl, and manage a few giggles as well.

From zero to sixty, Christina Dostal went from a passive fundraiser to the top twenty in a blink of an eye; even taking on the leadership of a top fundraising team in the Colorado BIKE MS. Her leadership keeps the team motivated and informed on the mission and her dedication is bringing in tens of thousands of dollars each year to the cause. Hear her “WHY” in this story as she explains her connection to MS and what motivates her to take on this challenge each year!

I love this week’s guest, Vega Brhely, and so will you. She is a shining example of how you can go from no connection to Bike MS to being a consistent top fundraiser and you are going to burst with joy when you hear the MEET/CUTE story about how she became a Conehead! She has turned her passion for biking into action; accelerating her involvement with the MS Society and starting a bike collective, Inspire Cycling in the Roaring Folk Valley, to uplift women.  You will be inspired by her determination to stay focused on the missions in her life... she is helping us ride for a cure, even as she battles through her own recent health challenges!

This week's guest has been a game changer for Multiple Sclerosis nationwide. He is the COO of Left Hand, a wicked cool Colorado brewery that has embraced BIKE MS as a companywide initiative. Left hand is a national sponsor and Chris leads a team of teams and passionate people that participate across the country, and they have raised over… wait, I won’t spoil it. Chris and I discuss building a team, how he got started, his magnificent group of leaders, and why he is unapologetic when it comes to the mission and asking for donations. It may be controversial but don’t thank him for RIDING… thank him for FUNDRAISING. (This is the most important part)

This week's guest was diagnosed during the pandemic and has a unique story to tell! It includes a frank discussion around a low point in the year or so after diagnosis and how she overcame this to become a CHAMPION in the fight against Multiple Sclerosis and a search for a CURE, all of this while navigating life with young children! Catherine Kuwazaki Vonachen shares a heartfelt and inspiring story! (Plus, she is a hoot! 🧡)

This guest has been riding and raising money for decades. He has seen it all out on the road and curated a small donor base that lifted his overall fundraising total to over 200K. He still consistently brings in FIVE figures each year and to boot he loves rock-and-roll. We talk all of this and more with Dick Snyder!

This episode welcomes another MS Warrior living in Colorado with roots in Ohio. He has been riding Bike MS for years and has chosen to face the disease and his journey with a positive outlook and forward thinking mentality. Join us as we discuss his story and learn from his experience.

Behind the scenes there are so many people working diligently to help those of us living with MS. They are caregivers, MS Society employees, volunteers, and people in the medical and research community, dedicating their lives to making our better. We were lucky to have caught up with one such person, Andrew Hagan, PHD candidate at CSU. We talk about research, past and present and where to eat in Fort Collins!

I have had the pleasure of riding around Colorado for years with one of the most positive and uplifting people you will ever meet! He is the captain of the Bike team “Ain't Too Proud to Sag,” getting close to crossing the lifetime fundraising mark of 1 million dollars, is doing it all while living with MS. He will always bring a smile on his face and to anyone he meets. Join us and listen to him tell his story.

It was a special afternoon getting to chat with Senior Development Director of Bike MS, Erika Barnum. Not only is she a cool person, I learned a lot about her motivation to join Bike MS as a rider and eventual leader, including the reasons that make it even more personal.

If you are in Colorado, you likely know Heather! Even if you are not in Colorado, you likely know Heather! She is an amazing life force that is living with MS (Multiple Sclerosis). In this episode, hear from Heather on how she turned her initial reaction of fear into positive action to fight this disease! When you see her next time at a ride or out in the world, make sure you get a we-fie!

For the last 10+ years I have been participating in Bike MS Colorado as a part of a team named the Coneheads. I get asked all the time about the origin of the cone affixed to my helmet and I gladly tell the tale. In this episode, you get to hear the story from one of the co-founders and a driving force behind a national, million dollar fundraising team, Craig Mason. The true story lies in why a healthy person, with no connection to the disease, commits himself to the cause!

I was a 35-year-old father of two young kids when I got the news that I had RRMS, remitting relapsing Multiple Sclerosis.  The uncertainty was daunting, and I knew I had to act. Join me in this debut episode as I discuss my journey with Multiple Sclerosis form pre-diagnosis to today.