If you’d like to be interviewed and share your story, please email me at info@liss-ms.com!
I was diagnosed with MS at 26. Prior to that I was very active and pretty healthy. My symptoms came on suddenly and progressed pretty rapidly over the course of a few months. I went from running half marathons, to barely able to walk down the hallway at school with my students. My vision was deteriorating, my hands and feet hurt, I was losing feeling in my right hand and leg and I was so exhausted I was sleeping through days and weekends. It took a few months of drs appointments, seeing auto immune specialists, endless blood work.. but a bunch of abnormal MRIs and a spinal tap sealed the deal. The whole experience was intense. But looking back, it really taught me how strong and resilient the body is!
In the beginning, I thought that finding a medication or treatment plan would be the hardest part. The doctors appointments, testing, medication changes.. it was all a lot! I have learned over time that the hardest part of MS is not about medication or making plans. It was about finding balance, creating a new normal and setting different expectations that can make you just as happy and feel good.
It took me about 2 years to figure out what works, but I currently receive Ocrevus infusions 2x a year. It has worked for me thus far, keeping fingers crossed!
That is a toss up! I still struggle a lot with inflammation and neuropathy in my upper body and hands/feet. I always say that my neck and back feels like Im 30 going on 90. It can very be hard to sleep at times with nerve pain and muscle spasticity.
I try to stick to an anti-inflammatory diet with no gluten/or dairy and try to eat as clean as I can… but would be lying if I didn’t treat myself to a spicy margarita and good meat & cheese board here and there! 🙂 I work with an amazing nutritionist who has helped me evolve my diet that helps keep my energy up, inflammation low, and consuming gut/brain healthy foods. I am still learning so much about the role diet plays and holistic ways of healing!
It was hard at first to have to say no, miss trips, cancel last minute on activities, but I have really learned to slow down and try to find some balance! Quality not quantity is my new life motto! I schedule quiet time for myself, practice self care, and try not to feel guilty about resting and recharging when its needed. I made these lifestyle changes and learned to take better care of myself so when I can do things.. I show up and am a better friend, sister, partner, daughter, teacher.. and cat mom! This is always a work in progress.
All of my family and friends let me process and do what I have felt best for my own life. My parents help me a lot My family, friends and fiance have been amazing through all of this. In the beginning I think it was difficult for people to fully understand my prognosis and what MS is, because it looks so different for everyone. But I think what has been really incredible is to see everyone learn more so they can understand what I’m going through and rally behind me. I’ve had friends come to treatments, visit me in the hospital, send care-packages, you name it. I’ve never felt alone through it all, so I feel very grateful.
I think shifting my mindset and attitude has made the biggest impact. I’ve learned to accept what MS has brought to my life and know that MS is a part of me, but it doesn’t define me. Thats not to say I don’t have tough days. I still have a lot of challenges and have to work really hard at this.. but shifting my mindset helps me stay more positive, present and truly appreciate the days I’m feeling good!
I would say to take it one day at a time! Be gentle and patient with yourself. MS is a life-long marathon, not a sprint and it can be very easy to immediately feel defeated or overwhelmed. Listen to your body and trust your instincts because your MS is unique to you and you know it best!
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I’d love to support you over the 8 weeks together!!
Imagine how good you could feel by Thanksgiving.
Comment HEALING to join the waitlist
I’d love to support you over the 8 weeks together!!
Imagine how good you could feel by Thanksgiving.
Comment HEALING to join the waitlist
My reality has changed a whole bunch over the years.
I started out with only a few symptoms. But I could get through the day.
Until all of a sudden I couldn’t.
All within a few years I went from “fine” to:
Having horrible symptoms, had 3 relapses and found myself with “aggressive MS”
This was not ok with me.
Eventually, I took my life into my own hands and rethought how I did most things.
I realized I had to make some changes, or else idk what else was gonna happen to me.
So I did.
I changed my diet.
I changed how I worked out.
I changed my job in the name of stress management.
This is just the tip of the iceberg.
If you want this transformation for you too (I know it’s possible) I’m launching my signature course: Holistically Healing MS in a few weeks.
This is the course you need to get started on this path for yourself.
Only the waitlist is gonna get the pre sale price…
Comment WAITLIST below and I’ll add you to it!!
My reality has changed a whole bunch over the years.
I started out with only a few symptoms. But I could get through the day.
Until all of a sudden I couldn’t.
All within a few years I went from “fine” to:
Having horrible symptoms, had 3 relapses and found myself with “aggressive MS”
This was not ok with me.
Eventually, I took my life into my own hands and rethought how I did most things.
I realized I had to make some changes, or else idk what else was gonna happen to me.
So I did.
I changed my diet.
I changed how I worked out.
I changed my job in the name of stress management.
This is just the tip of the iceberg.
If you want this transformation for you too (I know it’s possible) I’m launching my signature course: Holistically Healing MS in a few weeks.
This is the course you need to get started on this path for yourself.
Only the waitlist is gonna get the pre sale price…
Comment WAITLIST below and I’ll add you to it!!
This is the reality I lived, I want you to experience it too.
No, this is not a quick fix.
No, these results wont happen overnight.
No, this won’t cure you.
BUT-
Yes, you can have your life back.
Yes, you can feel better than you do right now.
Yes, your current reality doesn’t have to be a forever reality.
My success years ago was all thanks to the diet changes and the work I put in to know exactly how to eat to support MY body and MS at the same time.
Yes it took a few months, but what it gave me back was my life- and that’s priceless.
I’m spilling all the beans on what this process looks like and how to do it in my upcoming Masterclass:
5 Secrets To Creating Your Own MS Diet.
Comment CLASS below and I’ll send you the link to sign up!!
This is the reality I lived, I want you to experience it too.
No, this is not a quick fix.
No, these results wont happen overnight.
No, this won’t cure you.
BUT-
Yes, you can have your life back.
Yes, you can feel better than you do right now.
Yes, your current reality doesn’t have to be a forever reality.
My success years ago was all thanks to the diet changes and the work I put in to know exactly how to eat to support MY body and MS at the same time.
Yes it took a few months, but what it gave me back was my life- and that’s priceless.
I’m spilling all the beans on what this process looks like and how to do it in my upcoming Masterclass:
5 Secrets To Creating Your Own MS Diet.
Comment CLASS below and I’ll send you the link to sign up!!
This is my vision for the masterclass I’m hosting next Monday.
I want this to be an interactive experience where you learn how to best take care of yourself and MS symptoms through the food you’re eating.
Instead of:
- feeling hesitation and confusion around what foods are best for MS
- not making changes because you’re afraid you’ll do it wrong
- saying no again to going out to eat with friends
Find the freedom and confidence you’ve been looking for.
Comment CLASS below and I’ll send you the link to sign up!!
This is my vision for the masterclass I’m hosting next Monday.
I want this to be an interactive experience where you learn how to best take care of yourself and MS symptoms through the food you’re eating.
Instead of:
- feeling hesitation and confusion around what foods are best for MS
- not making changes because you’re afraid you’ll do it wrong
- saying no again to going out to eat with friends
Find the freedom and confidence you’ve been looking for.
Comment CLASS below and I’ll send you the link to sign up!!
Do any of those hit home?
If yes… comment MASTERCLASS below.. I got you
I get asked this question about different foods at least once a week.
Are potatoes with olive oil ok?
Are tomatoes ok even though Tom Brady doesn’t eat them?
What about grains?
It’s all gonna get the same answer from me….
Sure there are foods with nutrient profiles that match the needs of MS, ✨BUT✨if you don’t tolerate them or feel good eating them, they’re not for you.
I’m hosting a Masterclass next week all about this.
⭐️5 Steps to Creating Your Own MS Diet⭐️
You’ll walk away with:
✨Confidence you’re moving in the right direction regarding changing your diet. You’ll know where to start, how to troubleshoot when you “fall off the wagon” and how to find what works for you.
No more feeling like:
- you have to start AGAIN on Monday..
- you can’t go out to eat with your friends..
- you’re at the mercy of the few foods you tolerate..
Come join me to learn the balanced way out of all or nothing food land.
Comment MASTERCLASS below and I’ll send you the link to sign up!!
I get asked this question about different foods at least once a week.
Are potatoes with olive oil ok?
Are tomatoes ok even though Tom Brady doesn’t eat them?
What about grains?
It’s all gonna get the same answer from me….
Sure there are foods with nutrient profiles that match the needs of MS, ✨BUT✨if you don’t tolerate them or feel good eating them, they’re not for you.
I’m hosting a Masterclass next week all about this.
⭐️5 Steps to Creating Your Own MS Diet⭐️
You’ll walk away with:
✨Confidence you’re moving in the right direction regarding changing your diet. You’ll know where to start, how to troubleshoot when you “fall off the wagon” and how to find what works for you.
No more feeling like:
- you have to start AGAIN on Monday..
- you can’t go out to eat with your friends..
- you’re at the mercy of the few foods you tolerate..
Come join me to learn the balanced way out of all or nothing food land.
Comment MASTERCLASS below and I’ll send you the link to sign up!!
My mom will confirm, this was me HARD as a kid.
I used to hate all forms of vegetables, just cause they were vegetables. Whether or not I had tried them was irrelevant, I hated them all the same.
Now, I’m not saying this to blame myself for anything, I’m more saying this as a message of solidarity and that it’s never too late to change.
But I also understand that process is hard!!
Sometimes getting support can help you move forward.
If you:
- are wanting to change your diet to help MS symptoms but aren’t sure where and how to start
- feel frustrated when you do make changes because you can’t stick to them
- have already been eating super strict and can’t seem to add more foods back to your diet
My Masterclass the 5 Secrets to Creating your Own MS Diet is for you!!
Comment MASTERCLASS below and I’ll send you the link to sign up!!
My mom will confirm, this was me HARD as a kid.
I used to hate all forms of vegetables, just cause they were vegetables. Whether or not I had tried them was irrelevant, I hated them all the same.
Now, I’m not saying this to blame myself for anything, I’m more saying this as a message of solidarity and that it’s never too late to change.
But I also understand that process is hard!!
Sometimes getting support can help you move forward.
If you:
- are wanting to change your diet to help MS symptoms but aren’t sure where and how to start
- feel frustrated when you do make changes because you can’t stick to them
- have already been eating super strict and can’t seem to add more foods back to your diet
My Masterclass the 5 Secrets to Creating your Own MS Diet is for you!!
Comment MASTERCLASS below and I’ll send you the link to sign up!!
It’s been a week for me… maybe you too?
Use this short video for a moment of peace and regulation.
What do you notice in your body and about your emotions when you exhale and drop your shoulders?
Or when you hear bird songs?
Notice what makes you feel more calm, relaxed and at peace.
Do more of that..
It’s been a week for me… maybe you too?
Use this short video for a moment of peace and regulation.
What do you notice in your body and about your emotions when you exhale and drop your shoulders?
Or when you hear bird songs?
Notice what makes you feel more calm, relaxed and at peace.
Do more of that..
I get it… I was once in paralysis by analysis for years!!
I’m creating a Masterclass/Workshop experience in August to cover this exact topic: what and how to eat for MS.
BUT!! I need your help to narrow down what we’ll be talking about.
Which of these options sounds most helpful?
Comment the number below!!
Workshop ideas:
1. Simple Nutrition for MS: what you need to know about eating for healing
2. Create Your Own MS Diet: How to know what is best for YOU, while also helping MS symptoms
3. Education into Action: How to put the knowledge you have into action steps that make progress
4. Blend of it All: Education, steps to finding your own MS diet and how to get started
Want something else?? Tell me 👇🏼👇🏼
I get it… I was once in paralysis by analysis for years!!
I’m creating a Masterclass/Workshop experience in August to cover this exact topic: what and how to eat for MS.
BUT!! I need your help to narrow down what we’ll be talking about.
Which of these options sounds most helpful?
Comment the number below!!
Workshop ideas:
1. Simple Nutrition for MS: what you need to know about eating for healing
2. Create Your Own MS Diet: How to know what is best for YOU, while also helping MS symptoms
3. Education into Action: How to put the knowledge you have into action steps that make progress
4. Blend of it All: Education, steps to finding your own MS diet and how to get started
Want something else?? Tell me 👇🏼👇🏼
FYI- This process took several YEARS for me . So please stop beating yourself up if you’re not here yet.
Tbh- I needed to go through the scared, intimidated, rebellious no way before I got to the heck yes.
It took me being at rock bottom, symptoms out of control and knowing I needed something else.
So I didn’t really “do anything” to be ready.
I just was when I was.
If you’re feeling ready to make diet changes to help your MS symptoms, I created an Eating for MS guide just for you!
Your guide includes:
- The best foods to be eating when you have MS
- Several ways to get started
- Fast and easy meal ideas
- And so much more!!
Comment GUIDE below and I’ll send you the link to download!
FYI- This process took several YEARS for me . So please stop beating yourself up if you’re not here yet.
Tbh- I needed to go through the scared, intimidated, rebellious no way before I got to the heck yes.
It took me being at rock bottom, symptoms out of control and knowing I needed something else.
So I didn’t really “do anything” to be ready.
I just was when I was.
If you’re feeling ready to make diet changes to help your MS symptoms, I created an Eating for MS guide just for you!
Your guide includes:
- The best foods to be eating when you have MS
- Several ways to get started
- Fast and easy meal ideas
- And so much more!!
Comment GUIDE below and I’ll send you the link to download!
I get it- it’s really easy to shame yourself into changing something, especially your diet/the foods you eat. And especially when we feel there are other things we “should be doing” because we know “it’s better for us”.
But that is NOT my wish for you.
Hi 👋🏼 my name is Alissa and we do things differently around here.
My goal is to empower you with the knowledge and tools necessary to make informed decisions about your dietary choices, tailored to your unique MS needs and preferences.
This is why I wrote my Eating for MS Guide the way I did.
I did not give you foods to fear or messages of ONLY EAT THIS FOOD FOREVER OR ELSE.
I’m giving you the tools to be confident in the choices you’re making, because you know it works for YOU. Not because you “should” do it this or that way.
If you’ve been wanting:
- to eat in a way that supports your body with MS, but are confused about all the different messages online
- to feel empowered about your choices, not shamed
- to do it all in a gentle, slow way, not a crash diet..
My guide is for you!!
Comment GUIDE below and I’ll send you the link to download!!
I get it- it’s really easy to shame yourself into changing something, especially your diet/the foods you eat. And especially when we feel there are other things we “should be doing” because we know “it’s better for us”.
But that is NOT my wish for you.
Hi 👋🏼 my name is Alissa and we do things differently around here.
My goal is to empower you with the knowledge and tools necessary to make informed decisions about your dietary choices, tailored to your unique MS needs and preferences.
This is why I wrote my Eating for MS Guide the way I did.
I did not give you foods to fear or messages of ONLY EAT THIS FOOD FOREVER OR ELSE.
I’m giving you the tools to be confident in the choices you’re making, because you know it works for YOU. Not because you “should” do it this or that way.
If you’ve been wanting:
- to eat in a way that supports your body with MS, but are confused about all the different messages online
- to feel empowered about your choices, not shamed
- to do it all in a gentle, slow way, not a crash diet..
My guide is for you!!
Comment GUIDE below and I’ll send you the link to download!!
Or for when you’re trying to talk yourself out of being sick.. 🙋🏻♀️🙋🏻♀️😂😂
Even if you feel fine, try saying a few of these out loud. Feel what happens to your body when you do.
Do you feel an expansion or lightness in your chest?
Does breathing get a little easier?
Just notice the shifts in your body.
I’m not saying we can talk ourselves out of it (illness, flares etc) … but… our body and cells respond to our thoughts.
So how we think about ourselves is definitely in the conversation of how we can take care of ourselves overall.
🧡🧡🧡
Or for when you’re trying to talk yourself out of being sick.. 🙋🏻♀️🙋🏻♀️😂😂
Even if you feel fine, try saying a few of these out loud. Feel what happens to your body when you do.
Do you feel an expansion or lightness in your chest?
Does breathing get a little easier?
Just notice the shifts in your body.
I’m not saying we can talk ourselves out of it (illness, flares etc) … but… our body and cells respond to our thoughts.
So how we think about ourselves is definitely in the conversation of how we can take care of ourselves overall.
🧡🧡🧡
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