Fibromyalgia Podcast®

Are you tired of feeling like a prisoner in your own body? The Fibromyalgia Podcast® is here to help you reclaim control of your life and health! Along with her Fibromyalgia Wellness Framework℠, host Tami Stackelhouse shares her joy and expertise, plus the tips and tools that helped her go from disabled to thriving. In the Fibromyalgia Podcast®, Tami brings together top fibromyalgia experts and advocates, from doctors and researchers to coaches and alternative providers, creating a virtual dream team of experts to empower you to feel your best and live a life you love. Since its launch in 2019, the podcast has become the highest-rated and longest-running fibromyalgia podcast worldwide, with nearly three-quarters of a million downloads. Join our community of listeners who are transforming their lives. Subscribe now on your favorite podcast app or visit FibromyalgiaPodcast.com to start your journey to better health today.

Empowering Patients' Lives: Introducing The Sherri Little Foundation 08/26/2025

Empowering Patients' Lives: Introducing The Sherri Little Foundation *Trigger Warning: This episode contains content about suicide* “Getting well can be expensive. Too often, the things that help us most are the things insurance won’t cover.” – Tami Stackelhouse For too many of us living with fibromyalgia, our quality of life and access to care depend on what we can afford, not what we actually need. Coaching, acupuncture, mobility aids, functional testing, and even travelling to see the right doctor often aren’t covered by insurance. That gap leaves countless people stuck, unable to move forward on their healing journey simply because of finances. This is why The Sherri Little Foundation was created. Founded in honor of one of Tami’s clients who recognized how financial privilege shaped her fibromyalgia care, the foundation provides micro-grants to help people with chronic pain get the support they need but can’t otherwise afford. From mobility scooters to travel expenses, accessibility modifications, or certain therapies, these grants are designed to remove barriers and give you the chance to reclaim your life. In this episode, Tami discusses how financial barriers impact chronic pain patients, why The Sherri Little Foundation was created, Tami’s experience with out-of-pocket medical costs, Sherri Little’s story, the mission of the foundation to support those with limited resources, Tami’s personal connection to its work, the story of Lily, a 14-year-old grant recipient from 2024, examples of how grants have helped fill systemic gaps in accessibility and care, eligible uses for these grants, details of the 2025 grant cycle, including exactly how you can apply, financial and age requirements for applicants, the application process, tips for preparing application materials in advance, how the grant selection committee prioritizes applications, how you can get involved and support the mission, Tami’s hopes for the future of the foundation, and more. This year, the application window will open at midnight on September 1, 2025. The window will close on September 7, 2025, or when 50 applications have been submitted, whichever comes sooner. Tami expects the foundation to reach its application limit on the day of opening or the following day, so don’t delay! Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers. To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the . For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on or . Need a good book to read? . Ready to take back control of your life and health? /episode/index/show/fibromyalgiapodcast/id/37958760

Replay: Special #3: Why Should You Consider Being a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®? 08/19/2025

Creating A Reliable Self-Care Plan That Works For You with Micky Beaton 08/12/2025

Creating A Reliable Self-Care Plan That Works For You with Micky Beaton “Self-care is the beginning of a path to hope.” - Micky Beaton When life feels chaotic, self-care is usually the first thing to go (if it was even there in the first place). But for those of us living with fibromyalgia, that’s when you need it the most. Deprioritizing the practices and tools that help you feel your best will lead to fibro flares, more pain, and less energy, making it even harder to keep up. Self-care doesn’t have to be complicated, expensive, or time-consuming. It doesn’t have to be treating yourself to something extravagant. At the core, self-care is about prioritizing your health and your body and treating yourself the way you’d treat someone you love. It means listening to your body, making small, deliberate choices that support your well-being, and letting go of the guilt that often comes with putting yourself first. When you make yourself one of your “favorite people,” you create the best chance for you to have a better quality of life. Today, Tami is joined by Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® Micky Beaton to talk about how you can create a reliable self-care routine that is sustainable and fits into your life. Micky was diagnosed with fibromyalgia over 20 years ago and spent many of the years since searching for answers. Recognizing that there were many other people out there with fibromyalgia who needed the right support, Micky joined the Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® and then Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® training programs. In this conversation, Tami and Micky explore Micky’s diagnosis experience and early struggles with fibromyalgia, the push-crash cycle she found herself stuck in for a long time, her path to life coaching, further education, and discovering fibromyalgia coaching, why what works for one person may not work for another, finding positives in chronic illness, Micky’s ongoing learning and passion for coaching, her experience of mutual growth with clients since becoming a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®, how coaching helps clients maintain self-care and accountability, creating flexible self-care plans, what self-care really means, myths about self-care, the connection between independence and community, practical tips for delegating and overcoming perfectionism, the importance of building a support team, the pillars of self-care, why you should be having conversations with yourself, how self-care became Micky’s passion, how self-care supports medical treatments and calms the nervous system, where to start with self-care without feeling overwhelmed, how to fit self-care into already busy lives, why it’s important to begin with easy actions and celebrate small wins, why you should trust in the process and stay hopeful, and more. Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers. To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the . For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on or . Need a good book to read? . Ready to take back control of your life and health? /episode/index/show/fibromyalgiapodcast/id/37770515

Replay: Special #2: Who Makes a Good Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®? 08/05/2025

Replay: Special #2: Who Makes a Good Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®? Welcome to episode 02 of our special Be a Coach Series. In this series, I answer questions about our Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® class and what it takes to be a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®. I cover all the basics… the who, what, when, where, why, and even the how. Don’t understand what a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® or Adviser is? No problem. Just pop on over to episode one of the series because that is exactly what we covered in that episode. In this episode, I’m covering the who. Who makes a good coach? Who makes a good Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®? Who makes a good Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor®? And, how do you know which one you might be? I also cover what I look for in the applications I accept into the training program and what you need and don’t need to join us a become a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® or Advisor yourself. Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers. Don't like waiting? Register now to have the complete 'Be A Coach' series, along with several bonus episodes, delivered straight to your favorite podcast app. Interested in hearing from our alumni about their journey in our courses? Register to receive our complimentary 'Fibromyalgia Stories of Hope' collection, automatically delivered to your favorite podcast app. Join our next Virtual Open House and learn about our specialized training programs. Understand the difference between our Coach and Advisor paths, explore tuition options, and discover our fibro-friendly class structure. To learn more about the Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® class, visit the . For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on or . Need a good book to read? . Ready to take back control of your life and health? /episode/index/show/fibromyalgiapodcast/id/37675500

Fibromyalgia Stories of Hope & Healing #11 07/29/2025

Fibromyalgia Stories of Hope & Healing #11 There aren't enough stories out there of people who have fibromyalgia and who have found ways to feel better. Many of our doctors tell us there’s nothing we can do, and it’s not uncommon to hear about how terrible life with fibromyalgia is. But while it can be debilitating, it’s not a life sentence. There’s always something else you can try to manage your fibromyalgia symptoms. Life adjustments will have to be made, but feeling better is absolutely possible, and all of our students have experienced this for themselves. After taking the Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® program, graduates see an average of 50% improvement in their symptoms, and after taking the Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® program, are often nearly symptom-free. Most fibromyalgia medications only offer 15-30% improvement, if they work for the individual at all. Today, in the eleventh installment of our Stories of Hope and Healing, you’re going to hear the stories of four recent graduates, as told by them. For this class, the Advisor students showed an average improvement of 66%, while our Coach students achieved scores that align with what some people consider remission. In this episode you’ll hear about how Jeannette overcame perfectionism and what she did to pace herself, why Jeannette wanted to become a coach, what she’s learned from both client wins and challenges, the tools and strategy that most helped Jeannette improve her Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR) score, Jeannette’s ideal coaching clients, her advice for perfectionists just starting their healing journey, why Shelly chose community and coaching for her fibromyalgia journey, how her coach, Kim, helped her learn to manage her pace and setbacks, how Shelly achieved a 59% FIQR improvement through small, sustainable changes, Shelly’s advice for listeners who feel overwhelmed, what it was like for Jacqui to start the class during her worst fibro flare, the major differences in Jacqui’s life before and after coaching, the specific steps Jacqui took with her coach around medication, nutrition, and mindset, what inspired Jacqui to become a coach and help other fibromyalgia patients, Lauren’s experience being diagnosed during the pandemic and with two young children, Lauren’s two-year journey of gradual healing and the long-term strategies that made a difference, success stories from Lauren’s clients, how Lauren supports mothers of neurodivergent children, Lauren’s encouragement for moms navigating both fibromyalgia and caregiving, how you can get support on your fibromyalgia journey, and more. Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers. To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the . For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on or . Need a good book to read? . Ready to take back control of your life and health? /episode/index/show/fibromyalgiapodcast/id/37592220

Replay: Special #1: The Best Way I Know To Feel Better 07/22/2025

Replay: Special #1: The Best Way I Know To Feel Better As a master Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®, author, and fibro podcaster, the questions I’m asked more than any others are: How do I get better? How do I improve my Fibromyalgia so I can get back to living the life I want to live? While those sound like simple questions, they do not have simple answers. We all have similar symptoms, what helps you feel better may not be the thing that helps me feel better. We all have to find our own magic formula for what makes us feel best. I know from personal experience just how overwhelming it can be to find that formula on your own. That’s why I created a training program in 2015 that would teach people just like you how to improve their own Fibromyalgia, and how to help others do the same. In this first episode of a special series where I’ll be answering a lot of questions I get about our Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® class and about becoming a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®, I want to start super basic. We’re going over what a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® is, how that’s different from a Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor®, why you should consider the Advisor class if you’re a patient who just wants to feel better, who else the Advisor class is perfect for, what the certification aspect really means, the staggering statistics on how many participants see significant improvements in their symptoms by the end of the Advisor class. Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers. Don't like waiting? Register now to have the complete 'Be A Coach' series, along with several bonus episodes, delivered straight to your favorite podcast app. Interested in hearing from our alumni about their journey in our courses? Register to receive our complimentary 'Fibromyalgia Stories of Hope' collection, automatically delivered to your favorite podcast app. To learn more about the Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® class, visit the . For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on or . Need a good book to read? . Ready to take back control of your life and health? /episode/index/show/fibromyalgiapodcast/id/37498725

Fundamentals of Resilience and Physical Independence with Angi McClure 07/15/2025

Fundamentals of Resilience and Physical Independence with Angi McClure “It’s never too late for your second spring.” - Angi McClure Have you ever felt like you were losing your physical independence because of your fibromyalgia? Maybe you struggle with tasks like climbing stairs, carrying groceries, or getting up off the floor? For many of us living with fibromyalgia, even simple daily tasks can feel draining. Strengthening your resilience is the key to adapting through life’s seasons. The good news is that, no matter what age or stage of your life you're in, there are gentle, practical, and sustainable ways to reconnect with your body, build resilience, and enhance your physical independence. Today, Tami is joined by Angi McClure, a neuro-based movement therapist and founder of Bamboo Bodies. Angi specializes in age science and supports her clients through functional Chinese medicine, nutrition, and seasonal lifestyle habits. While Angi’s work focuses on age training and longevity, the principles apply perfectly to those of us with fibromyalgia. In this conversation, Tami and Angi discuss how Angi became interested in exploring age training and her personal and professional journey into supporting older adults, the parallels between aging and living with fibromyalgia, adapting to life’s changes, why we should redefine physical independence as an athletic pursuit, recognizing the resilience of those with chronic illness and pain, why “training like an athlete” is more about mental and emotional resilience than physical exercise, the meaning of neurological resilience, why community is a crucial element in reconnecting with your body, energy management and The Spoon Theory, seasons of life and how they relate to aging and fibromyalgia, insights from Chinese medicine on life’s seasons and their impact on health, the “second spring” and why it’s never too late to adapt, how Angi bridges neuroscience and Chinese medicine, why pain is a brain output, how mindset and working on yourself builds resilience, the “threat bucket” analogy for stress and pain, practical ways to lighten your load, practical tools you can start using to support resilience, how to find joy in movement, the need for a personalized approach to movement, the benefits of qigong and playful movement, and more. Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers. To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the . For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on or . Need a good book to read? . Ready to take back control of your life and health? /episode/index/show/fibromyalgiapodcast/id/37411820

The Top Three Hidden Reasons Your Fibromyalgia Symptoms Aren’t Getting Better 07/01/2025

The Top Three Hidden Reasons Your Fibromyalgia Symptoms Aren’t Getting Better “Listening to your body is one of the key things you need to do to make everything else work.” Over the past ten years of teaching people about fibromyalgia, Tami has seen certain issues repeatedly come up that get in the way of the healing journey. Last week, during our Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® training class, a student raised an important question about how we identify these issues when we have a client who isn’t improving as we would like them to. The more you learn about fibromyalgia, the more aware you are of tools that could help you and why your symptoms may not be improving. At the same time, some less obvious issues often go unnoticed but must be addressed to make progress. Things like working with a doctor who doesn’t quite know what to do with us, being in a season of life that doesn’t allow us to prioritize ourselves, or unconscious trauma responses that block us from making the changes we need to. In today’s episode, Tami is sharing the top three hidden reasons why your fibromyalgia symptoms might not be improving. She discusses why not listening to your body can block healing (whether or not it’s unintentional), the key difference between consciously ignoring your body and being unaware of what it needs, the benefits of writing your body’s owner’s manual, how trauma can make it harder to manage your symptoms, acknowledging that rest and awareness are essential for healing, how undiagnosed or undertreated health conditions can get in the way of your healing journey, underlying conditions that Tami had to address as a part of her fibro journey, advocating for yourself and finding medical professionals who listen, how fibromyalgia amplifies other sources of pain, the importance of being realistic and managing expectations, why some people may not be ready, willing, or able to do the work required for improvement, when it’s okay not to do the work, support for those facing financial or geographic limitations, and more. Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers. To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the . For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on or . Need a good book to read? . Ready to take back control of your life and health? /episode/index/show/fibromyalgiapodcast/id/37235435

BONUS: Is This Menopause... Or Fibromyalgia? on The To Your Health Podcast with Esther Avant 06/24/2025

Transform Your Quality of Life with Pelvic Floor PT with Dr. Desiree Cassell 06/17/2025

Transform Your Quality of Life with Pelvic Floor PT with Dr. Desiree Cassell “It’s pretty amazing how much stress, emotion, memory, and trauma the pelvic bowl itself holds.” - Dr. Desiree Cassell Pelvic floor health is important to all of us. We all have a pelvic floor, and pelvic floor dysfunction can contribute to everything from incontinence and painful sex, which you might expect, but also knee, back, and hip pain, and even TMJ. This dysfunction can stem from many different types of triggers, and the signs are not always obvious. Seeking out a specialized pelvic floor PT who is trauma-informed and understands the importance of an internal assessment can be life-changing for many women experiencing pelvic floor issues, as Tami has seen for many of her fibro clients. Today, Tami is joined by Dr. Desiree Cassell, an expert pelvic floor physical therapist. After her first pregnancy, Dr. Desiree suffered from her own pelvic floor dysfunction, which she was able to resolve completely during her second pregnancy. This experience led to her passion in educating, empowering, and supporting other women throughout their lifespan, so that they don’t have to accept these common issues as part of life. In this conversation, Dr. Desiree and Tami discuss how to find a qualified pelvic floor physical therapist and why in-person exams matter, what the pelvic floor is, how it works, and how pelvic PT differs from traditional physical therapy, why internal pelvic floor assessments are important, how they help to break stigma, what to expect during an internal assessment, what these assessments can reveal about your pain, how to choose a trauma-informed pelvic floor therapist, why comfort and trust are essential, common symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction, why the condition is often misunderstood, the connection between your pelvic floor and the rest of your body, the impact of surgeries like C-sections and hysterectomies on pelvic health, the lack of follow-up care, how fascia, scar tissue, and emotional trauma can affect your pelvic floor and overall well-being, what to do if you’ve had surgery or trauma without pelvic floor rehab, breathwork to support pelvic floor healing and nervous system regulation, practical breathwork tips for identifying and releasing tension in your body, and more. Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers. To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the . For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on or . Need a good book to read? . Ready to take back control of your life and health? /episode/index/show/fibromyalgiapodcast/id/37038780

BONUS: Fibromyalgia Isn’t All in Your Head — Here's What You’re Not Being Told on Manders Mindset 06/10/2025

Autism, Fibromyalgia, & Authentic Living with Dr. Angela Kingdon 06/03/2025

Autism, Fibromyalgia, & Authentic Living with Dr. Angela Kingdon “Autism is not a problem that needs to be solved. Our co-occurring conditions are what need to be solved or accommodated.” - Dr. Angela Kingdon Did you know 41% of people with strong autistic traits also have fibromyalgia? It works the other way around, too, with 10 to 20% of people with fibromyalgia having autistic traits. Even for those of us who only have one of the two, there are many parallels, and our shared experiences are numerous. Embracing this as part of our identity and accepting the strengths and challenges associated with fibromyalgia and autism is the key to finding new levels of joy and healing. Today, Tami is joined by Dr. Angela Kingdon to talk about the connection between autism and fibromyalgia and clear up the rampant misinformation around autism. Angela is a dynamic autistic advocate, author, and speaker renowned for her impactful work in promoting neurodiversity and supporting autistic individuals. In this conversation, Angela and Tami discuss Angela's experiences from late diagnosis to burnout, statistics on fibromyalgia and autism, understanding the concept of autistic traits, the challenges in obtaining an autism diagnosis for women and people of color, the importance of self-diagnosis in managing your health, how masking can complicate autism diagnosis, risks associated with high masking, the growing recognition of fibromyalgia and autism in healthcare, the stigmatization and misunderstanding of autism, why it’s important to research and request accommodations the causes of autism, debunking the vaccine controversy, the impact of genetics vs. environment in developing autism, the need for more research to support autistic individuals, the prevalence of fibromyalgia and other conditions among autistic individuals, creating an inclusive environment that benefits everyone, recognizing autism as a different way of processing information, synaptic pruning in brain development and its relation to autism, differences in sensory processing in autistic brains, the uniqueness of each autistic individual's experience and the need for personalized accommodations, managing overwhelming situations and their impact on the nervous system, how societal factors influence the expression of autism, what do to next if you think you may be autistic, reasons for seeking a formal autism diagnosis, challenges associated with having a fibromyalgia or autism diagnosis, common misconceptions related to autism, navigating the pressure to conform, social challenges faced by autistic individuals and the desire for connection, comparing experiences of autism and fibromyalgia, the shift from viewing autism as a medical issue to embracing it as part of your identity, the role of coaching, the correlation between identity acceptance and mental health outcomes, accepting your identity as the first step in the healing process, the benefits of having a supportive community of people with similar experiences, the challenges of labels in the autistic community, understanding the spectrum concept in autism, how autism and fibromyalgia symptoms can vary from day to day based on numerous factors, finding joy in your identity, the bond between fibromyalgia and autism communities, and more. Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers. To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the . For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on or . Need a good book to read? . Ready to take back control of your life and health? /episode/index/show/fibromyalgiapodcast/id/36831785

Can Turmeric Improve My Pain? with Dr. Shivani Gupta: Ask the Coach 05/20/2025

Can Turmeric Improve My Pain? with Dr. Shivani Gupta: Ask the Coach “Inflammation is one of the root causes of many of our health issues, and we have the power to overcome it.” Western medicine has a toolkit that can be very effective, but, especially as fibromyalgia patients, we need options. Whether it’s a prescription, practice, or natural supplement, expanding our fibro toolkit means that we’re prepared no matter how life shifts on us. That’s where natural options like turmeric can be an important addition to your fibro toolbox for managing symptoms like pain and inflammation. In this Ask the Coach episode, Tami is joined by Dr. Shivani Gupta, an Ayurvedic practitioner who has her PhD in turmeric. In a world where conventional pain medications are no longer our first choice, the powerful anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric and its active compound, curcumin, have gained significant attention as natural alternatives. In this conversation, Tami and Dr. Shivani discuss Ayurveda, its history, and its holistic approach to health and healing, key principles of Ayurveda, why Dr. Shivani chose to study Ayurveda, her PhD research on turmeric, the difference between turmeric and curcumin, curcumin's potency and why consuming turmeric itself is probably not enough, how Dr. Shivani developed her products, the role of sleep in reducing inflammation and overall health management, the importance of sourcing high-quality curcumin, the lack of regulation in the supplement industry, why she chose to have her products third-party tested, Tami and Dr. Shivani’s experiences with supplement quality and safety, the surprising statistics around loq quality and counterfeit supplements, the high standards required for supplements used in functional medicine, balancing natural remedies with conventional medicine for effective treatment, how to start supplementing with curcumin, who should avoid taking curcumin, the role of health coaches in simplifying health management, what to look for in your search for high-quality supplements, and more. Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers. To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the . For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on or . Need a good book to read? . Ready to take back control of your life and health? /episode/index/show/fibromyalgiapodcast/id/36638215

Official Proclamations for Fibromyalgia Awareness with Melissa Swanson 05/06/2025

Official Proclamations for Fibromyalgia Awareness with Melissa Swanson 1 in 16 people in the US are affected by fibromyalgia, and 1 in 13 women specifically—that’s about 6.4% of the population. To put these statistics in perspective, breast cancer affects 1 in 8 women, cervical cancer affects 1 in 13 women, and colon cancer affects 1 in 25 women and 1 in 23 men. Despite the similarity in prevalence, fibromyalgia has a long way to go in terms of awareness and medical training when compared to these other conditions. In our mission to improve this, a critical avenue for increasing awareness has been obtaining official proclamations for states to recognize May as Fibromyalgia Awareness Month and May 12th as Fibromyalgia Awareness Day. Governor’s Proclamations are powerful tools that help advocates validate the struggles faced by fibromyalgia patients and garner support from state officials. This can lead to increased funding for research and better resources for those of us living with fibromyalgia. Today, Tami is joined by her best friend and fellow advocate, Melissa Swanson. A few years ago, Tami and Melissa decided to bring together their communities, along with several other fibromyalgia organizations, and coordinate the efforts to obtain a Governor's Proclamation in every state. Their goal is to "color the map purple" for fibromyalgia awareness, and Melissa is the coordinator for this effort. In this conversation, Melissa and Tami discuss what a Governor's Proclamation is, how it helps to raise credibility and awareness, the steps involved in requesting a Governor's Proclamation, the criteria we make sure to cover in Proclamation requests, why May 12th was chosen as Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, working with various fibromyalgia organizations to obtain Proclamations, how Melissa helps individuals with the application process, their progress on the goal ot “color the map purple”, the benefits of coordinating with various groups in obtaining Proclamations, how you can help in your state, how collective efforts strengthen the push for fibromyalgia awareness, reasons for denial of Proclamation requests, the application timeline and how the process varies by state, Melissa’s preparations for the next round of applications, the ongoing need for help regardless of your state’s status, Tami’s experience requesting a Governor’s Proclamation in Oregon, statistics on fibromyalgia's prevalence among the U.S., why we need your help, upcoming events related to Fibromyalgia Awareness Day, and more. Every voice matters in the fight for awareness and support for fibromyalgia. Let’s work together to make a difference. Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers. To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the . For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on or . Need a good book to read? . Ready to take back control of your life and health? /episode/index/show/fibromyalgiapodcast/id/36451220

Powerful Partnerships: Changing The Face Of Fibromyalgia Education with Dr. Ginevra Liptan and Sharon Waldrop 04/22/2025

Powerful Partnerships: Changing The Face Of Fibromyalgia Education with Dr. Ginevra Liptan and Sharon Waldrop When you receive a fibromyalgia diagnosis, it’s natural to wonder if things will ever get better. With the lack of fibro education in medical schools, many of us received our diagnosis alongside a statement that we “just have to learn to live with it”. With such a bleak prognosis, the road ahead becomes much more difficult than it needs to be. The good news is, we can all feel better. A fulfilling life with fibromyalgia is possible, and recognizing that makes a significant difference. Far from the doom and gloom statements many of us have encountered, there's so much you can learn and do to improve your fibromyalgia symptoms. Even if you think you’ve tried it all, there’s always something else to try. Today, Tami is joined by fibromyalgia educators and advocates, Dr. Ginevra Liptan and Sharon Waldrop. Dr. Ginevra and Sharon recently launched The Fibro Show on YouTube as part of their mission to spread awareness and empower people living with fibromyalgia. They’re sharing their fibro journeys and sharing resources you can access to improve your life with fibromyalgia. In this conversation, Dr. Ginevra, Sharon, and Tami discuss Dr. Ginevra’s progress since her last time as a guest, her decision to create a YouTube show, Sharon's fibromyalgia journey and the challenges she faced at a young age, her decision to form the Fibromyalgia Association and how it has evolved, the difficulties she faced in finding adequate support after her diagnosis, the important recognition that a fulfilling life is possible despite her fibromyalgia diagnosis, Dr. Ginevra and Sharon’s mission for The Fibro Show, how the Fibromyalgia Association expanded into a national community with international reach, the need for support groups to focus on education and actionable solutions, plans for the upcoming Fibromyalgia Awareness Day Conference, what you can expect to experience at the virtual conference, actionable strategies for self-care, why sponsors are critical, the advantages of virtual events for accessibility and comfort for people with fibro, what it’s been like creating a YouTube show for fibromyalgia education, upcoming interviews and the format of the new YouTube show, why collaboration is crucial to enhance awareness and support in the fibromyalgia community, funding issues for fibromyalgia initiatives and the need for financial support, educating healthcare providers about fibromyalgia, Tami’s experience speaking to medical students about pain and fibromyalgia awareness, the lack of fibro education in the medical school curriculum, Dr. Ginevra’s plans for the next stage of her career, making space for new experiences and personal growth, Sharon’s upcoming plans and her focus on menopause coaching, the overlap between menopause and fibromyalgia symptoms in women, upcoming Fibromyalgia Awareness Day events in the US and Europe, and more. If you have ever felt alone in your fibromyalgia or frustrated at the lack of awareness and resources, this episode is for you. Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers. To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the . For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on or . Need a good book to read? . Ready to take back control of your life and health? /episode/index/show/fibromyalgiapodcast/id/36260465

Start Before You’re Ready: Creating A Fibro Life You Love 04/08/2025

Start Before You’re Ready: Creating A Fibro Life You Love “Waiting until you feel better to start working on your health is like waiting until you're in shape to start exercising.” Have you ever wanted your life or your health to change, but at the same time, you weren't ready to change? Whether it feels like it’s going to be too hard, that you need to prepare more first, or you’re just not ready to give up something you enjoy, oftentimes our brain tries to protect us by putting up this resistance. Tami has been there - and she’s still there in some areas of her life! In today’s episode, Tami is sharing her struggles with making necessary changes in her life and her strategies for creating a fibro life you love. She’s talking about struggling with the desire to change while feeling resistance, the pivotal moment when Tami realized that waiting to feel better actually holds back your health, the flawed logic behind feeling "not that sick" or "too sick" to start making changes, starting with small steps and being willing to make mistakes, the necessity of actively engaging in health improvement, how our natural resistance to change protects us, understanding your Fibromyalgia Wellness Style℠, the conflict between wanting change and the reluctance to put in the necessary work, the stages of change model, moving through the stages of pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, and action, creating sustainable changes that you can maintain over time, the potential for relapse and common triggers, why we prefer to coach our clients for a full calendar year, Tami’s experience with relapse and lessons learned, the difference between taking action and maintaining changes, aiming for continuous improvements in your health and well-being, starting before you’re ready, immediate actions you can take, strategies for starting when you don’t feel ready, recognizing feelings and habits before making changes, recognizing that building new habits takes practice and patience, how a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® can help, and more. You can't wait until you're well before you start to work on your health. You just have to start. Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers. To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the . For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on or . Need a good book to read? . Ready to take back control of your life and health? /episode/index/show/fibromyalgiapodcast/id/36049445

Getting Down and Dirty on Getting Clean 03/25/2025

Getting Down and Dirty on Getting Clean “When my fibromyalgia was at its worst, keeping my hair and body clean was the hardest task I had.” Struggling with personal hygiene is not something we like to talk about. The stigma and embarrassment that can come with not being able to keep yourself clean makes it difficult to admit, much less to feel comfortable asking anyone about it. That leaves many of us feeling isolated in our experience despite the fact that it’s a common concern. The truth is, for those of us with fibromyalgia, even the simplest daily tasks can become significant challenges. For Tami, when her fibro was at its worst, there were weeks when she was just too exhausted and in too much pain to even think about getting in the shower or washing her hair. Over time, she’s since figured out some tips and tricks that she’s here to share with you. In today’s episode, Tami is talking about seven specific tips to keep yourself clean when you have fibromyalgia, and things like taking a shower feel too hard. She discusses the embarrassment and stigma around not struggling to maintain cleanliness, the relationship between fibromyalgia, depression, and personal hygiene, how to figure out a realistic schedule for bathing and washing your hair, washing hair and body on different days to conserve energy, focusing your efforts on cleaning the parts that need it most, hacks to save you time while staying clean, strategies for planning hygiene tasks while conserving your energy, why she highly recommends incorporating mobility aids, asking for assistance with personal care tasks, the benefits of understanding your Fibromyalgia Wellness Style℠, and more. Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers. To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the . For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on or . Need a good book to read? . Ready to take back control of your life and health? /episode/index/show/fibromyalgiapodcast/id/35850785

How To Live Well With Fibromyalgia: Two Essential Strategies 03/11/2025

How To Live Well With Fibromyalgia: Two Essential Strategies It’s okay to push yourself. When we’re thinking about life with fibromyalgia, balance is very important. But balance is something that happens in the big picture. It’s not about every moment being in perfect alignment, it’s about the ebb and flow together balancing out to meet your needs. Life comes in seasons - there are times when we need to push ourselves and there are experiences that are flare-worthy. The most critical element of living well with fibromyalgia is having the strategies in place to maintain the balance as we go through these seasons. In today’s episode, Tami is sharing a peek behind the curtains of her life and how she makes decisions on when to push versus rest and how she plans her recovery. She discusses the effectiveness of coaching versus cognitive behavioral therapy for managing fibromyalgia, the need to plan for recovery after periods of pushing, Tami’s recent experience with hosting the fibromyalgia wellness summit, distinguishing between temporary stress and chronic stress, how Tami approaching recovery planning, choosing the right recovery environment, recognizing individual recovery needs based on personal experiences and stressors, preparing for comfort when traveling to new places, Tami’s tips for meal planning and packing for recovery, modifying new environments for better comfort and relaxation, why you need to prioritize your needs and self-care, the benefits of creating packing lists and task lists for trips, recognizing the need for recovery after travel, why you might need different strategies for physical and mental recovery, the need for both activity and rest, getting honest about what you need, and more. Take the time to think about what you need to feel your best and don’t be afraid to stand up and ask for that. Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers. To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the . For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on or . Need a good book to read? . Ready to take back control of your life and health? /episode/index/show/fibromyalgiapodcast/id/35626095

Fibromyalgia Stories of Hope & Healing #10 02/26/2025

Fibromyalgia Stories of Hope & Healing #10 If we’re open to it, fibromyalgia can be a path to self-discovery and personal growth. It teaches us about ourselves and how to let go of perfectionism and unrealistic expectations. It highlights the value of embracing small victories. It reminds us that rest is an intentional practice, not a passive activity. Over time, our bodies change, and we have to adapt. Life doesn’t always go the way we expect it to, and the best thing we can do is to create systems that support us in our lives and that allow us the flexibility to adjust when we need to. Becoming a Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® or Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® can help with this by educating, encouraging, and supporting you in your journey with fibromyalgia. As people with fibromyalgia ourselves, we can give you real tips and tricks from our own lives and things that have helped us with our fibromyalgia. Today, in the tenth installment of our Stories of Hope and Healing, Tami shares inspiring excerpts from our January 2025 event. You’ll hear from three graduates about their stories and how they’ve been able to improve their fibromyalgia symptoms. On average, our graduates improve their symptoms by about 50% during the program, and in this group, their symptoms were improved by a staggering 63%. All of these graduates ended with a revised fibromyalgia impact questionnaire score of 26 or less, which is very close to what some would consider to be remission. In this episode you’ll hear about Clara’s recognition that self-care means more than fine-tuning nutrition and exercise, insights from working with two different coaches and how each helped her in different ways, how Clara’s Book of Me helped her to better understand her body, why Clara decided to become a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® to help other women veterans, the main factors that contributed to her 84% improvement in symptoms, Kim’s perspective on the gift of feeling better and the joy of helping others through coaching, why Kim decided to become a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® despite having multiple other coaching certifications, the unique hands-on experience and the rounded curriculum of the program, avoiding burnout while managing fibromyalgia and maintaining a sustainable approach, adapting to life's changes, how a life crisis impacted Kim’s symptoms, lessons learned from a recent fibro flare, celebrating your progress and day-to-day accomplishments, the various strategies that contributed to Kim’s significantly improved fibromyalgia symptoms, how Kim has helped clients overcome insomnia and manage sleep apnea, why she loves working with women with strong personalities, encouragement for you to seek support and guidance in your fibromyalgia journey, Viktoriia’s decision to join the Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® program, understanding the importance of self-compassion, adapting your life to your fibromyalgia reality, lessons that fibromyalgia teaches us, essential elements in Viktoriia's recovery journey, the importance of flexibility and adaptability in managing stress and fibromyalgia symptoms, how coaching helped Viktoriia on her journey, the value of community and support among fibromyalgia patients, differentiating coaching from therapy, focusing on proactive management of fibromyalgia rather than coping strategies, the lack of resources for non-English speakers and the importance of bridging this gap in fibromyalgia support, and more. Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers. To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the . For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on or . Need a good book to read? . Ready to take back control of your life and health? /episode/index/show/fibromyalgiapodcast/id/35419600

New Non-Opioid Pain Medication: Journavx 02/11/2025

Replay: Special #4: How Do You Become a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®? 02/04/2025

Replay: Special #4: How Do You Become a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®? Welcome to the final episode of our special Be a Coach series. So far, I’ve answered questions about our Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® class and what it takes to become a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®. Some of the topics covered in the first three parts of this special series were what a Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® and a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® is, the difference between the two, who makes a good Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® and who is better suited to be a Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor®, what you need and don’t need to become a Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® or Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®, why the world needs fibro coaches, and why you should consider becoming one. In this final installment, I’m digging into the nuts and bolts of how you can become a Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® or Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®; including the exact steps you need to take. Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers. Don't like waiting? Register now to have the complete 'Be A Coach' series, along with several bonus episodes, delivered straight to your favorite podcast app. Interested in hearing from our alumni about their journey in our courses? Register to receive our complimentary 'Fibromyalgia Stories of Hope' collection, automatically delivered to your favorite podcast app. Join our next Virtual Open House and learn about our specialized training programs. Understand the difference between our Coach and Advisor paths, explore tuition options, and discover our fibro-friendly class structure. To learn more about the Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® class, visit the . For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on or . Need a good book to read? . Ready to take back control of your life and health? /episode/index/show/fibromyalgiapodcast/id/34715040

Special Announcement: Join the Living Well With Fibromyalgia Summit! 01/28/2025

Replay: Special #3: Why Should You Consider Being a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®? 01/21/2025

Join us for our FREE Living Well With Fibromyalgia event! 01/17/2025

Tami's Favorite Things: The Best of 2024 01/14/2025

Tami's Favorite Things: The Best of 2024 As an influencer, Tami is constantly trying new things that might help with fibromyalgia or make life easier and more enjoyable. This year, she decided to create a favorite things list to highlight the top seven things from 2024 that she uses in her everyday life and that she wouldn’t want to live without. These resources have improved Tami’s life over the last year, and she first started using them in 2024. This list includes both things that she has been curious about, which she purchased and products that were sent for her to try. Regardless of the source, she only shares the items that she really believes in. Today, Tami shares the details behind her favorite things from 2024. She explores how she selected the seven items on her list, why the Ember Mug made a significant impact on her water intake, the benefits of the Perfectly Snug Smart Topper for regulating sleep temperature, why Tami hasn’t worn regular socks in over ten years, what makes WIDE OPEN® socks uniquely comfortable, how Hungryroot food delivery service has transformed her eating habits and overall health, her surprising enthusiasm for exercise since starting Club Pilates, the origins and benefits of Pilates, how reformer Pilates supports weaker body parts while strengthening others, why Tami switched to BAEBROW at-home eyebrow tinting, why she loves MacGPT and how she uses it in her business, and more. If you have anything that you think Tami should try or if you tried any of the items on her list, she would love to hear from you. Send her a message and let her know how they help you. Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers. To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the . For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on or . Need a good book to read? . Ready to take back control of your life and health? /episode/index/show/fibromyalgiapodcast/id/34847345

Replay: Special #2: Who Makes a Good Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®? 01/07/2025

Goal Setting to Empower Your Fibromyalgia Journey with Kerstin Goldstein 12/31/2024

Goal Setting to Empower Your Fibromyalgia Journey with Kerstin Goldstein When it comes to goal setting, New Year’s resolutions can feel like an exciting and hopeful way to start fresh. The problem is, for most people, they’re too big and idealistic that they fall by the wayside by mid-January. Especially when we’re living with a chronic condition like fibromyalgia, we have to get realistic about not only what we want to accomplish but the time and energy we have to put toward our goals. We have our lives to live, health issues to manage, families to care for, and more. When you jump onto a “go big or go home” goal, you’re not giving yourself the best chance for success. Today, Tami is joined by Fitness Coach and Behavior Change Expert Kerstin Goldstein to talk about all the reasons New Year's resolutions aren't that helpful. She also shares fibro-friendly ways to set goals that you will actually accomplish. Kirsten and Tami hope that Kerstin’s story will inspire you to think outside the box about what’s possible for your fibromyalgia healing and that their tips will help you achieve your dreams like they have for Kerstin. In this conversation, Tami and Kerstin discuss Kerstin's fibromyalgia diagnosis journey, her experience with the healthcare system in Dubai, how her fibromyalgia diagnosis changed her approach to health and wellness, making the transition to online work for better health management, the mental shift required to make lifestyle changes to support your health, taking a holistic approach to recovery, the importance of small steps, Kerstin’s experience of completing a hike to Everest Base Camp, the significance of mental preparation over physical readiness, dealing with plantar fasciitis, Kertin’s mental preparation strategies, finding the balance between rest and activity for those with chronic conditions, viewing obstacles as opportunities for growth, effective goal-setting strategies for those with fibromyalgia, why Kerstin dislikes traditional New Year's resolutions, the SMART framework for goal setting, building confidence through small goals, treating yourself with kindness when setting and pursuing goals, managing unexpected life events, how habits and goal setting work together to create lasting change, celebrating small wins, approaching change with a sense of joy and fun, the value of external support, and more. Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers. To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the . For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on or . Need a good book to read? . Ready to take back control of your life and health? /episode/index/show/fibromyalgiapodcast/id/34667530

Special Invitation to the Fibromyalgia Wellness Summit! 12/26/2024

Replay: Special #1: The Best Way I Know To Feel Better 12/24/2024

Long Covid Research and Innovative Treatment with Dr. Keith Ellis: Ask the Coach 12/17/2024

Long Covid Research and Innovative Treatment with Dr. Keith Ellis: Ask the Coach COVID-19 has affected many of us; for some, the journey still hasn’t ended. For the past four years, Tami has received a ton of questions about the intersection of COVID-19, long COVID, and fibromyalgia. Unfortunately, it’s been tough to find good answers with the spread of conflicting information and misinformation. Today, Tami is excited to be joined by Dr. Keith Ellis, who’s here to answer our questions with science-backed information. There is a lot of common ground between fibromyalgia and the core symptoms of long COVID, and Dr. Ellis’ insights from his research and expertise as a medicinal chemist shed some light on how the broader interest in long COVID can benefit us as fibromyalgia patients. In this conversation, Dr. Ellis and Tami discuss what COVID-19 is and how it affects the body, how COVID has changed over the years, the progression from acute COVID infection to developing long COVID symptoms, the rate of development of long COVID, the lack of effective prevention measures for long COVID, surprising demographics of those experiencing long COVID, the importance of a well-functioning immune system, differences Between Long COVID and fibromyalgia, core symptoms of long COVID, difficulties in diagnosing long COVID, Dr. Ellis' background in medicinal chemistry and why he began his research into treatments for long COVID, a realistic timeline for drug development, the limited understanding of fibromyalgia mechanisms compared to those of long COVID, the need for more research funding for chronic illnesses like fibromyalgia, the microclot hypothesis and its relevance to long COVID symptoms, how breaking down microclots can facilitate recovery from long COVID, the problem with treating symptoms rather than underlying causes in chronic illnesses, the need to study individuals who have recovered from fibromyalgia, Dr. Ellis’ natural supplement to combat long COVID microclots, using mechanisms of action to find natural substitutes for pharmaceutical drugs, empowering patients with information and accessible solutions for chronic conditions, the lack of research and awareness around fibromyalgia in medical education, funding and research disparities for fibromyalgia versus other conditions, the overlap between long COVID and fibromyalgia diagnoses, the need for research to differentiate long COVID from fibromyalgia symptoms, Dr. Ellis’ thoughts on the future of treatment solutions for long COVID and fibromyalgia, and more. Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers. To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the . For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on or . Need a good book to read? . Ready to take back control of your life and health? /episode/index/show/fibromyalgiapodcast/id/34482030

Fibromyalgia Podcast®

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