S3_E17: Teresa, Jax Bourbon Social: The Power Behind the Pour and MS
The Other Side of MS
Teresa, Jax Bourbon Social: The Power Behind the Pour and MS Teresa Eichner is more than the co-founder of Jax Bourbon Social—she’s the relentless force behind one of Jacksonville’s most impactful fundraising events for the National MS Society. After a sudden MS diagnosis in 2016, Teresa’s world shifted. But instead of retreating, she channeled her decades of experience in PR and politics into advocacy, community-building, and bold visibility. In this raw, deeply honest conversation, Teresa opens up about the private cost of public recognition, the invisible weight of fatigue, and...
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S3_E16: Curt's Riding Against MS: The Road to One Million
The Other Side of MS
One Rider, One Team, One Million Dollars — Curtis’s Story Curtis was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in his twenties. What began as fear quickly turned into action. A chance connection to a support group sparked the creation of Team CCC — a cycling team that would go on to raise nearly $1 million for MS research and support. With every mile, Curtis has redefined what leadership looks like in the face of a chronic illness. In this episode, Curtis reflects on the moment a fellow rider convinced him to try Bike MS, the early days of hiding his diagnosis, and how polka dot jerseys became...
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S3_E15: Emma’s Story — “At 17, I Thought My Life Might Be Over”
The Other Side of MS
S3_E15: At 17, Emma Thought Her Life Was Over Emma Archuletta, from Utah, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2019 at just 17 years old. One day, she was preparing for high school graduation. The next, she was sleeping 20 hours a day, vomiting without explanation, and using a wheelchair. There was no slow decline—only confusion, fear, and the quiet thought that her life might already be over. In this episode, Emma talks candidly about the chaos of her early diagnosis: missing senior prom, crawling up stairs, and finishing school from a hospital bed while juggling college-level...
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S3_E14: The Art of Becoming – Hannah Garrison’s Story
The Other Side of MS
The Art of Becoming — Hannah Garrison’s Story Hannah Garrison was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2017, but her journey started long before that; in the silence of being dismissed, the guilt of cultural and religious expectations, and the quiet ache of never quite feeling seen. In this raw and intimate conversation, Hannah shares how MS forced her to confront not only her body, but her identity. We talk about the years she was misdiagnosed, the weight of family history with mental illness, and the internal battle between acceptance and perceived weakness. Through her art, Hannah...
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S3_E13: W.T.F., I Have MS? — Chris Brown’s Story
The Other Side of MS
W.T.F., I Have MS? — Chris Brown’s Story Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of depression, alcohol misuse, and suicidal thoughts, which may be distressing for some listeners. Just three months after being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Chris Brown sits down with us to talk about the weight of a life that hasn’t let up. He’s faced childhood trauma, infertility, the loss of triplets, depression, and addiction. And now, MS. In this conversation, Chris shares what it’s like to process a life-changing diagnosis in real time. He speaks openly about fear, identity,...
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S3_E12: Allie - MS Didn’t Break Me. Silence Almost Did
The Other Side of MS
Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of childhood trauma, depression, and suicidal ideation, which may be distressing for some listeners. What happens when you spend your life holding it all together—only to realize it’s been breaking you inside? In this powerful episode, Allie Schmidl shares what it meant to live in silence after her 2022 MS diagnosis—buried beneath shame, fear, and the weight of a lifetime of unspoken trauma. But MS wasn’t the only battle she was fighting. We talk about the weight of vulnerability, the fear of being seen as broken, and what happens...
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S3_E11: Unyielding Spirit - Susie’s Journey with MS
The Other Side of MS
Before MS, Susie Wyss’s body was her job — a fitness instructor, powered by movement and strength. Then one morning, everything stopped. She woke up unable to walk. What followed was a long, painful journey through misdiagnosis, grief, and a complete redefinition of identity. In this episode, Susie opens up about the moment she felt like a stranger in her own body, the invisible symptoms that linger even now, and the hard truth about how others see her — or don’t. We talk about the guilt of looking “normal,” the ache of feeling misunderstood, and what it really means to fight for...
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S3_E10: Will Anthony Talk MS - A Podcast about Perseverance and Positivity
The Other Side of MS
Will Anthony Talk MS - A Podcast about Perseverance and Positivity Before MS, Will Anthony built a life behind the chair — salon owner, jingle writer, entrepreneur. But MS didn’t just take his livelihood; it tested his faith, reshaped his identity, and led him to a new calling. Diagnosed in 2008 after two years of believing he’d had a stroke, Will faced a reality he couldn’t pray or push away. And yet, he didn’t fold. In this episode, we talk about what it means to be a “positive person” when positivity isn’t always enough. We explore faith as an anchor — not a shield —...
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S3_E9: A Soldier's Story - From Combat to MS with Troy
The Other Side of MS
Troy Mitchell: A Soldier's Story - From Combat to MS with Troy Mitchell Troy Mitchell spent 22 years as a U.S. Marine Corps officer—leading combat units, earning a doctorate, teaching graduate school, and chasing the next finish line. Then came progressive MS. The goals changed. The gear changed. The silence got louder. In this episode, Troy opens up about what it means to lose function but still lead, to be admired for your story while feeling invisible in your truth, and to carry the weight of independence when asking for help feels like failure. He talks about the collapse of his...
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S3_E8: Stubborn Strength: Katie Heckert's Life with MS
The Other Side of MS
Katie Heckert: mother, former litigator, top fundraiser—and MS warrior. Stubborn Strength: Katie Heckert’s Life with MS What happens when a sharp legal mind faces a disease that refuses to follow rules? In this episode of The Other Side of MS, Katie Heckert shares what it’s like to live with multiple sclerosis after having to step away from her career in litigation—not by choice, but by necessity. She opens up about the relentless ache, the misdiagnoses, the frustration of being dismissed—and the resilience required to keep showing up as a mother, a wife, and a powerful voice...
info_outlineIn this episode of 'The Other Side of MS', we talk with Leo Kreisel, a Navy veteran and devoted spouse of Heidi, the president of the North Florida chapter of the MS Society. Leo shares his experiences from his 24-year naval career, his supportive role within the MS Society, and his insights on managing both personal and professional sacrifices. Throughout the conversation, Leo reflects on his approach to volunteering, his admiration for Heidi's work, and the vital importance of community in dealing with MS. Highlights include Leo's thoughts on emotional resilience, family dynamics, and addressing misconceptions surrounding MS.