Long Covid Hope Podcast : Recent Episodes

Sarah, Long Haul Yogi

Introducing the Long Covid Hope podcast: the podcast that tells the more hopeful stories of people with Long Covid. The Long Covid Hope podcast is created by a former Long Covid sufferer, for people with Long Covid, and hears from the true experts: those with lived experience of the condition. Each episode features an interview with a Long Hauler guest, who has either fully recovered from Long Covid or is still on the recovery journey with an optimistic story to tell. Season 1 tells the stories of the First Wavers, the unfortunate pioneers and now the veterans.

Season 3 is coming! In advance of Season 3, we are going to be updating you on how some of the Long Haulers from our favourite episodes are now faring.

So here's an update from Theresa from Season 1, about what her life is like nearly two years since her recovery and we last spoke with her. Theresa explains how her life is different from it was before she was sick, and how she is embracing restful practices over the 'publish or perish' toxic culture within academia.

Theresa Levitt, Elixir book: https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674250895

Disclaimer: please note that Sarah or any of the guests speaking on this podcast are not health professionals and this does not constitute medical advice. Always speak to your doctor before starting any new treatment or exercise programme.

Season 3 is coming! In advance of Season 3, we are going to be updating you on how some of the Long Haulers from our favourite episodes are now faring.

So here's an update from Jackie of Season 2, about her life is now one year since her full recovery from Long Covid. We discuss the difficulties of processing recovery and post-recovery identity, her return to signicant exercising, and what she is doing now she is recovered work-wise.

Long Covid Breathing with Jackie and Vikki: www.longcovidbreathing.com

Long Covid Podcast: longcovidpodcast.com

Disclaimer: please note that Sarah or any of the guests speaking on this podcast are not health professionals and this does not constitute medical advice. Always speak to your doctor before starting any new treatment or exercise programme.

Season 3 is coming! In advance of Season 3, we are going to be updating you on how some of the Long Haulers from our favourite episodes are now faring.

So here's an update from Anna, who has since we last spoke announced her FULL RECOVERY! She has since moved with her family to the Caribbean and they have been having the time of their life travelling and exploring - all completely symptom-free. Actually this is two updates as I spoke with Anna back in December 2023 before they left on their travels, but she wanted to give a more recent update recording from the Caribbean explaining her full recovery. Enjoy!

Anna's Full Recovery Announcement on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/C1Z10PwunGP

Anna's Recovery Thoughts post: https://www.instagram.com/p/C2vQF38Pe1q/

Disclaimer: please note that Sarah or any of the guests speaking on this podcast are not health professionals and this does not constitute medical advice. Always speak to your doctor before starting any new treatment or exercise programme.

Season 3 is coming! In advance of Season 3, we are going to be updating you on how some of the Long Haulers from our favourite episodes are now faring.

So here's an update from Stephanie about her travels and move to Taiwan, return to regular workouts and other wonders, and then the full Season 1 episode replay.

You can catch Stephanie on Instagram to see her beautiful art and travel inspirations here: https://www.instagram.com/stephanietsaikarlik/ Stephanie wrote a book!: https://stephanietsaikarlik.com/shanghai-seduction. And find out about all her work here: https://linktr.ee/stephanietsaikarlik

Disclaimer: please note that Sarah or any of the guests speaking on this podcast are not health professionals and this does not constitute medical advice. Always speak to your doctor before starting any new treatment or exercise programme.

In advance of Season 3, we are going to be updating you on how some of the Long Haulers from our favourite episodes are now faring.

So here's an update from Charlie on how his epic 170km walk in the Himalayas for Long Covid SOS Charity went, and then the full Season 1 episode replay.

Charlie's photography on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlierussell92/

Long Covid SOS Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/longclimbforcovid

Disclaimer: please note that Sarah or any of the guests speaking on this podcast are not health professionals and this does not constitute medical advice. Always speak to your doctor before starting any new treatment or exercise programme.

Guess what? Season 3 is coming!! Here's a quick update from Sarah, about the upcoming new season and rebrand. With a request that if any listeners would like to share their hopeful long hauler story - or knows anyone else that is interested - to please drop Sarah a line!

And if you love the podcast and want to support us, please remember to rate it 5 stars, review and share with a friend! Let's share and support the community, and keep the hope alive!

How to get in touch - feel free to email Sarah at or drop her a message on Instagram or Twitter at @longhaulyogi

In this episode of the Long Covid Hope podcast, Sarah is joined by none other than Kyle Warner - pro athlete and now advocate and campaigner for the post-vaccine / vaccine injury community. Kyle discusses his post-vaccine story with Sarah, how he developed myocarditis and other debiliating symptoms after having the Pfizer vaccination, and how researching into this and treatments such as Hyperbariac Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) helped him to recover his health. This episode runs long as there is so much to talk about and Kyle is so well-researched and driven in his campaign to help others with Long Vaccine. Please check out the trigger warnings below before deciding that this episode is right for you today.

Disclaimer: Please note that we are not medical professionals and this does not constitute medical advice. Always speak to your doctor or medical practitioner before starting any new treatments, supplements or beginning a new exercise routine. This is not an anti-vaccination podcast and Sarah, Long Haul Yogi and the Long Covid Hope Podcast supports every individual's right to choose around vaccination status

Trigger Warnings: discussion of a child who is vaccine injured, death, suicide, severe injuiries, medical gaslighting, traumatic experiences

Links mentioned (A-Z):

Kyle Interview with Dr John Campbell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7inaTiDKaU
Ride MTB Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@KyleAprilRideMTB
The Ride MTB Podcast with Kyle Warner: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-ride-mtb-podcast-with-kyle-warner/id1515757480Science article: 'Rare Link between Coronavirus vaccines and Long Covid Illness starts to Gain Acceptance':https://www.science.org/content/article/rare-link-between-coronavirus-vaccines-and-long-covid-illness-starts-gain-acceptance

Join Sarah, Long Haul Yogi, live for her Thursday Zoom Yoga for Long Covid classes, or for her Monday in-person class in Sheffield, UK. Or catch on in your own time, on the OnDemand Series on Subkit ( www.longhaulyogi.subkit.com ) and Insight Timer. All links can be found here: https://linktr.ee/longhaulyogi

In this episode, we are speaking with Sophie, formerly a teacher and now follows her passions growing flowers from seed at @floraldaysintheshires and sowsandgrows.co.uk. Sarah is a massive fan of her Instagram account, and is thrilled that she could join us on the podcast. Sophie caught Covid in the first wave and went on to develop fatigue and POTS. She was unfortunately bedridden for around a year. Whilst Sophie has not yet fully recovered, she has got to a really good place with her healing journey and with good pacing - which we discuss in detail - she is able to run her business and live an active life. The Long Covid Hope Podcast is created by a former Long hauler, Sarah the Long Haul Yogi and shares the more hopeful stories of the true experts: the people with lived experience of the condition.Disclaimer: Please note that we are not medical professionals and this does not constitute medical advice. Always speak to your doctor or medical practitioner before starting any new treatments, supplements or beginning a new exercise routine.Join Sarah, Long Haul Yogi, live for her Thursday Zoom Yoga for Long Covid classes, or for her Monday in-person class in Sheffield, UK. Or catch on in your own time, on the OnDemand Series on Subkit ( www.longhaulyogi.subkit.com ) and Insight Timer. All links can be found here:⁠ https://linktr.ee/longhaulyogi

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In this episode of the Long Covid Hope Podcast, we speak with Andy, who is an IT professional and father of two young children, living in the West Midlands of the UK. Andy caught Covid in March 2020 and experienced respiratory symptoms such as extreme breathlessness and chest pain, which in time progressed into Long Covid with POTS or dysautonomia symptoms as well as post exertional malaise. Andy describes how he experienced gas lighting and a lack of help from healthcare, but found the Body Politic Slack community early on, which was pivotal in finding out about possible treatment options. He went on to radically rest away from his family for some time, as well as trying prescription medications such as a beta blocker and SSRI which helped his heart rate and dysautonomia symptoms. Andy describes his gradual reduction in symptoms and increase in activity, and how he returned back to working full time as well as taking up exercising such as kickboxing. We also discuss the chronic illness experience as a parent to young children and the difficulties and challenges around this, as well as the resilience and adaptability of children.

Disclaimer: Please note that we are not medical professionals and this does not constitute medical advice. Always speak to your doctor or medical practitioner before starting any new treatments, supplements or beginning a new exercise routine.
Join Sarah, Long Haul Yogi, live for her Thursday Zoom Yoga for Long Covid classes, or for her Monday in-person class in Sheffield, UK. Or catch on in your own time, on the OnDemand Series on Subkit ( www.longhaulyogi.subkit.com ) and Insight Timer. All links can be found here:⁠ https://linktr.ee/longhaulyogi

Today we are speaking with Ariel, who is a consultant who deals with ethical, legal, technical and policy issues around autonomous weapons and artificial intelligence. Ariel is a scientist and has created a website to help other Long Haulers and people with chronic health conditions, called Science Ghost.com, which focuses on teaching about the overactive nervous system and the various mind-body techniques she herself used to gain her health back.

Ariel caught Covid in July 2020 which after a very mild acute phase progressed into Long Covid. At her worst, she was bed bound for months and could only tolerate three different food items. Her Long Covid journey had ups and downs, she felt like she was gradually improving, to only hit rock bottom again in November 2021. However her rock bottom as she calls it led into discovering the tools that helped her to fully recover her health.

We discuss the ten techniques from her website that helped Ariel recover her health. These range from Tolle Dr. John Sarno's treatment of Tension Myositis Syndrome (TMS), meditation and deep relaxation through Yoga Nidra, somatic therapy and of course, radical rest. We discuss Nicole Sachs’ JournalSpeak extensively in this episode. Links:Ariel's Healing Pathways newsletter: https://arielconn.substack.com/Science Ghost website for Long Covid: https://scienceghost.com/ Nicole Sachs - Journal Speak: https://www.thecureforchronicpain.com/journalspeakDisclaimer: Please note that we are not medical professionals and this does not constitute medical advice. Always speak to your doctor or medical practitioner before starting any new treatments, supplements or beginning a new exercise routine.Join Sarah, Long Haul Yogi, live for her Thursday Zoom Yoga for Long Covid classes, or for her Monday in-person class in Sheffield, UK. Or catch on in your own time, on the OnDemand Series on Subkit ( www.longhaulyogi.subkit.com ) and Insight Timer. All links can be found here:⁠ https://linktr.ee/longhaulyogi

In this episode of the Long Covid Hope Podcast, the podcast that aspires to shine a light on the more hopeful stories of Covid 19 long haulers, we’re talking with Jerry, a languages teacher living in Aotearoa New Zealand. Jerry is originally from China, so we begin our conversation talking about the pandemic from the Chinese perspective, and of Jerry's experience visiting China during the initial lockdown in January 2020 and how he managed to get back to ANZ before their lockdown began in March 2020.

Jerry shares that despite being fully vaccinated and working as a teacher in an environment where masking was commonplace, he unfortunately caught Covid at the school he was teaching at in Summer 2022. Jerry explains how his symptoms of heart palpations and POTS-related issues were greatly worsened by bad guidance to return to exercise and "push through". Fortunately, he did found a second cardiologist who understood POTS and prescribed a beta blocker, Nadolol, which has helped. We also discuss how Chinese Traditional Medicine herbal tea, yoga, meditation and breathwork have aided his recovery journey, as he approaches his first year anniversary of catching Covid.

Disclaimer: Please note that we are not medical professionals and this does not constitute medical advice. The Long Covid Hope Podcast or Sarah, Long Haul Yogi does not endorse any treatments described in the podcast episodes. Always speak to your doctor or medical practitioner before starting any new treatments, supplements or beginning a new exercise routine.

Trigger warnings: medical gaslighting
Join Sarah, Long Haul Yogi, live for her Thursday Zoom Yoga for Long Covid classes, or for her Monday in-person class in Sheffield, UK. Or catch on in your own time, on the OnDemand Series on Subkit ( www.longhaulyogi.subkit.com ) and Insight Timer. All links can be found here:⁠ https://linktr.ee/longhaulyogi

In this episode of the Long Covid Hope podcast, Sarah meets with Hisaka, a psychologist based in Houston Texas, USA, about her full recovery from Long Covid. After catching Covid in January 2021, Hisaka developed Long Covid, with dysautonomia being one of her main grouping of symptoms. She learnt about an experimental therapy - Stem Cell Therapy - and decided to try it for herself, which led to an immediate drop in symptoms. After three private treatments, Hisaka gained her full health back and is now back working full-time and helping other long haulers. Stem Cell Therapy as a treatment for Long Covid is now in two clinical trials and we look forward to seeing the results.

Disclaimer: Please note that we are not medical professionals and this does not constitute medical advice. Always speak to your doctor or medical practitioner before starting any new treatments, supplements or beginning a new exercise routine.

Trigger Warnings: discussion of severe disability, extreme health costs, experimental treatments and their potential limitations

Links mentioned (A-Z):

Stem Cell Therapy As a Potential Treatment for Long Covid - Solve ME: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ny2B8K1k8ZM
Dr Stanley Jones' Blog - https://stanleycjonesmd.com/blog/
Long Covid and Stem Cell Therapy - Research Study - https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05126563

Join Sarah, Long Haul Yogi, live for her Thursday Zoom Yoga for Long Covid classes, or for her Monday in-person class in Sheffield, UK. Or catch on in your own time, on the OnDemand Series on Subkit ( www.longhaulyogi.subkit.com ) and Insight Timer. All links can be found here: https://linktr.ee/longhaulyogi

In this episode of the Long Covid Hope podcast, the podcast that aspires to tell the more hopeful stories of people with Long Covid, Sarah is joined by Jackie Baxter, of the great Long Covid Podcast. Jackie comes on the podcast to talk about her full recovery from Long Covid. Jackie shares her acute Covid and Long Covid journey, and in particular the breathwork she practiced to help her with her symptoms. We also discuss Jackie's major contribution towards the Long Covid community with her podcast, how she has managed to host a podcast despite the Long Covid symptoms, and the milestone she passed of 100 episodes a little earlier in the year. Congrats on both your recovery and this amazing milestone Jackie! We look forward to seeing what you do next with the Buteyko teaching qualification.

Disclaimer: Please note that we are not medical professionals and this does not constitute medical advice. Always speak to your doctor or medical practitioner before starting any new treatments, supplements or beginning a new exercise routine.

Links mentioned (A-Z):

Join Sarah, Long Haul Yogi, live for her Thursday Zoom Yoga for Long Covid classes, or for her Monday in-person class in Sheffield, UK. Or catch on in your own time, on the OnDemand Series on Subkit ( www.longhaulyogi.subkit.com ) and Insight Timer. All links can be found here:⁠ https://linktr.ee/longhaulyogi

In this extra special episode of the Long Covid Hope podcast, Sarah is joined by Merel and two members of the Long Covid Kids Choir, Caitlin and Clara (and Caitlin's mum Lorna). Merel talks about her experience with her acute Covid infection and Long Covid, in particular her respiratory symptoms and the effect that had as a professional musician and singer. We discuss how she started up the Long Covid Kids Choir, what wonderful activities the choir gets up to and the support this provides for the children who take part. The Long Covid Kids Choir is now a part of the Long Covid Kids charity, which does such great work to support families with poorly children. And last but certainly not least, Merel invites two members of the choir - Caitlin and Clara - to share their own experiences of Long Covid. Please listen to the end to hear from them.

A big massive thank you and hugs out to these two lovely girls who were brave enough to come on the podcast! And we're sure all of the listeners will agree that we sincerely hope that Caitlin, Clara and all children with Long Covid and other chronic conditions get the full support and treatment that they need. We wish that they all can recover their health - and soon. Our hearts go out to all of these children and their parents. If you are moved by this episode, please consider donating to Long Covid Kids charity: https://www.longcovidkids.org/donate

This episode features extracts from two wonderful songs performed by the Long Covid Kids Choir:

'When We Celebrate', composed by Lin Marsh, arrangement by Merel van der Knoop for King Charles' coronation
'Winter Fantasy', composed by Jill GallinaDisclaimer: Please note that we are not medical professionals and this does not constitute medical advice. Always speak to your doctor or medical practitioner before starting any new treatments, supplements or beginning a new exercise routine.

Trigger Warnings: chronic illness in children, medical gaslighting, traumatic experiences

Links mentioned (A-Z):

Long Covid Kids Choir: https://www.longcovidkids.org/service-page/lck-choir
Long Covid Kids - Symptoms: https://www.longcovidkids.org/long-covid-kids-symptom-gallery
Long Covid Kids - What is Long Covid: https://www.longcovidkids.org/what-is-long-covid
Long Covid Kids - What is PIMS: https://www.longcovidkids.org/what-is-pims

Our Unhappily Ever After short video: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiIambG8vs0⁠ Winter Fantasy by Long Covid Kids Choir on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtMyrSZyTSs

Join Sarah, Long Haul Yogi, live for her Thursday Zoom Yoga for Long Covid classes, or for her Monday in-person class in Sheffield, UK. Or catch on in your own time, on the OnDemand Series on Subkit ( www.longhaulyogi.subkit.com ) and Insight Timer. All links can be found here:⁠ https://linktr.ee/longhaulyogi

In the first episode of Season 2 of the Long Covid Hope podcast, Sarah meets with Lorrie Rivers, who has both recovered from several years of severe ME/CFS, as well as fully recovering from her Long Covid experience from 2020. Lorrie shares her journey with ME/CFS and fibromylagia and how after recovering and spending several years working to help others with ME/CFS, when she caught Covid she noticed it felt very similar to her. She used the tools that she teaches to others, and managed to restore her health within a year. In this episode, we also discuss the Triology Healing Codes by Dr Alex Lloyd and Lorrie offers a mini healing codes session to listeners during the episode.

Lorrie is the founder of the annual Holistic Health Summit for Long Covid and ME/CFS - where Sarah found out about much of the healing tools that helped with her own recovery from Long Covid. Lorrie also is a health coach and now has her own podcast. Full details are in the links below.

Disclaimer: Please note that we are not medical professionals and this does not constitute medical advice. Always speak to your doctor or medical practitioner before starting any new treatments, supplements or beginning a new exercise routine.

Trigger Warnings: medical gaslighting, traumatic experiences

Links mentioned:

Lorrie's Living from Inspiration website: https://www.livingfrominspiration.com/

Holistic Health Summit 2023 (free in July, purchaseable lifetime access after that): https://living-from-inspiration.mykajabi.com/schedule-2023-holistic-healing-summit-for-long-covid-and-me-cfs

Holistic Healing Podcast on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD_IrS7jgKU

Join Sarah, Long Haul Yogi, live for her Thursday Zoom Yoga for Long Covid classes, or for her Monday in-person class in Sheffield, UK. Or catch on in your own time, on the OnDemand Series on Subkit ( www.longhaulyogi.subkit.com ) and Insight Timer. All links can be found here: https://linktr.ee/longhaulyogi

The Season One Finale episode of the Long Covid Hope Podcast, the podcast that aspires to shine a light on the more hopeful stories of Covid-19 long haulers. In this episode, we hear updates from the Season 1 participants as well as a huge great thank you to everyone who took part. This podcast wouldn't exist without its wonderful and generous interviewees! Sarah attempts to summarise what has happened in Season 1, and reads out some heart-warming listerner feedback. We then look forward towards Season 2, where things are going to get bigger, better and even more inclusive and diverse (hopefully!) In Season 2, we would love to speak to Long Haulers outside of the US and UK, and are also eager to include some vaccine injury stories. If this sounds like you and you would like to contribute, please email Sarah at phoenixflamesyoga@gmail.com. Sarah also says some words of thanks and appreciation for Body Politic and the Slack community that was a lifeline to her and so many (link to join the new space on Discord in the links below). Lastly, Sarah shares some of her favourite podcasts on Long Covid and some other topics, and then attempts to briefly describe how hopeful the research landscape is looking. This episode ends with an upbeat song extract - word of warning if you listen to podcasts as you go to sleep or rest!

Can't wait for Season Two? Join Sarah, Long Haul Yogi, live for her Thursday Zoom Yoga for Long Covid classes, Monday in-person class in Sheffield, UK. Or catch on in your own time, on the OnDemand Series on Subkit ( www.longhaulyogi.subkit.com ) and Insight Timer. All links can be found here:⁠ https://linktr.ee/longhaulyogi

Disclaimer: Please note that we are not medical professionals and this does not constitute medical advice. Always speak to your doctor or medical practitioner before starting any new treatments, supplements or beginning a new exercise routine.

Time stamps:

(00:00) Season 1 Summary and updates on Interviewees

(19:00) What's coming in Season 2

(26:30) Hearing from our Listeners

(29:00) Farewell to Body Politic Slack - and thank you!

(32:30) Podcast recommendations for Long Covid and other topics

(37:00) Brief discussion of research landscape for Long Covid and related conditions

(40:00) Sarah's reinfection update

(48:20) Hopeful message to all listeners - Keep the Hope Alive!

Links mentioned:

Long Covid Community Discord - Invitation Link (valid until 28/5/2023): https://discord.gg/fN4jcKpkBounded Energy Podcast: https://www.boundedenergy.co.uk/

Long Covid Podcast: https://www.longcovidpodcast.com/

Long Haul Yogi:⁠ https://linktr.ee/longhaulyogi⁠

Insight Timer free meditation app:⁠ https://insighttimer.com/⁠TLC Sessions Podcast: https://www.tlcsessions.net/

Poly Bio Research Consortium: https://polybio.org/longcovid/

Featuring an extract from the song 'Don't Stop Believin'' performed by Journey. All rights reserved by Columbia Records.

Brief Update from Sarah: Following my Covid reinfection I am still in recovery from a significant ME/CFS relapse, and haven't been able to record the final episode of Season 1 yet. It will be coming...as soon as I have the capacity to do so.

I would like to take this moment to say a huge thank you to everyone who has listened to this podcast and shared it. I appreciate how limited many long haulers energy is for consuming content like podcasts, so I am truly honoured you have used your spoons here. I hope it has been worthwhile to you. I am very grateful to receive many kind words of support about how listeners have found this little podcast-that-could. If you would like to share anything with me (including any expressions of interest in being a valued guest for Season 2), feel free to reach me on Twitter or Instagram at @longhaulyogi, or you can also email me at phoenixflamesyoga@gmail.com. I'm going to be sharing some feedback I received in the final episode.

Take care everybody - and please keep yourself safe from reinfection! xx

Our next guest needs no introduction! Here is the Long Hauler that supplied Sarah with so much hope throughout her Long Covid recovery journey…Gez Medinger! Gez has been a consistent feature of most Long Hauler's experience of Long Covid, with his groundbreaking videos on Youtube that have attempted to work out what has been happening to us from Day 1, and continue to lead with updating Long Haulers on the research landscape and current thinking around the condition. It was such an honour and a delight to have him join the podcast. We have been saving the best for last. In the final interview of Season 1 of the Long Covid Hope Podcast, the podcast that aspires to shine a light on the more hopeful stories of Covid 19 Long Haulers, Sarah is talking with Gez Medinger, the filmmaker renowned for his Long Covid films on his Youtube channel and now also the co-author of The Long Covid Handbook with Professor Danny Altmann. Gez discusses his new book: the intentions for writing it, how he managed to write a book while also pacing, and the writing process of writing collaboratively alongside Professor Altmann. He shares his own hopeful thoughts on the current status of the Long Covid research landscape, and we discuss Gez’s own patient-led surveys and what they have shown. Finally, we manage to touch upon his own recovery journey, however, for the full story of his own experiences, do see his videos on his Youtube channel.Disclaimer: Please note that we are not medical professionals and this does not constitute medical advice. The Long Covid Hope Podcast or Sarah, Long Haul Yogi does not endorse any treatments described in the podcast episodes. Always speak to your doctor or medical practitioner before starting any new treatments, supplements or beginning a new exercise routine.Links:Gez’s Youtube channel RUNDMC1: https://www.youtube.com/c/RUNDMC1/videos Long Covid at 2.5 Years - Green Shoots of Recovery (latest study): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePtgvC_O5SE The Long Covid Handbook (2022), US: https://a.co/d/0gvkJCU The Long Covid Handbook (2022), UK: https://amzn.eu/d/9KjurGb

In this episode of the Long Covid Hope Podcast, the podcast that aspires to shine a light on the more hopeful stories of Covid 19 long haulers, we’re talking with Charlie, an actor and photographer living in London. Charlie is a first waver who had a difficult time with Long Covid, but has since fortunately recovered his health and returned back to fitness and exercise in a big way. Charlie is doing an amazing thing to raise awareness and raise funds for the Long Covid SOS charity: he's about to leave on a 17 day hiking expedition in Nepal! Charlie, with family members Tony and Howie, are going to the Himalayas from the 4th April and are taking part in a guided walk at high altitude which finishes at the Everest base camp. We'll be hearing it in Charlie's own words, but going to the Himalayas is a life long dream of his, and this trip is a once in a lifetime opportunity- all in the name of Long Covid SOS and Long Covid Awareness!!

I'd like to make a quick statement about the safety of what Charlie has decided to do. As many other long haulers have been, I was initially rather concerned for Charlie doing this, particularly since he had a Fatigue based version of Long Covid. However, each of us know our own bodies better than anyone else, and if he feels like he has recovered enough and trained enough without any PEM episodes, then honestly all power to him. This isn't a normal undertaking for most people, but we have to appreciate his family background as mountaineers, and his level of fitness prior to catching Covid. As we've heard countless times now on this podcast, Long Covid has often struck the people who are the most active and fit in society. Charlie is one of those people. Recovering from Long Covid can inspire you in many different ways - for me I started a yoga for chronic conditions venture and this podcast - for Charlie it is this sponsored walk for the Long Covid SOS charity. So let's all stand behind him and support him in this endeavour, and please donate to Long Covid SOS if you have the funds to do so, they do amazing work for long Haulers here in the UK. Best of luck to you Charlie!!!

Disclaimer: Please note that we are not medical professionals and this does not constitute medical advice. The Long Covid Hope Podcast or Sarah, Long Haul Yogi does not endorse any treatments described in the podcast episodes. Always speak to your doctor or medical practitioner before starting any new treatments, supplements or beginning a new exercise routine.

Trigger warnings: medical gaslighting, difficulty obtaining medical care, depressive thoughts.

Links:

Charlie's Just Giving Donation Page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/longclimbforcovid

Charlie's Instagram Climb for Long Covid: https://www.instagram.com/climb_for_long_covid_/

Charlie's article in the Guardian, Sept 2020: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/13/i-was-infected-with-coronavirus-in-march-six-months-on-im-still-unwell

Charlie's challenge on Long Covid SOS website: https://www.longcovidsos.org/post/charlie-s-challenge-to-climb-to-everest-base-camp-to-raise-funds-for-long-covid

Long Covid SOS Charity: https://www.longcovidsos.org/

Wim Hoff Method: https://www.wimhofmethod.com/

In this episode of the Long Covid Hope Podcast, the podcast that aspires to shine a light on the more hopeful stories of Covid 19 long haulers, we’re talking with Trixie, an architectural designer from Manila in the Philippines. Trixie’s story is particularly fascinating as she unfortunately is also a SARS survivor. She is literally a double first waver - and doubly isolated as there were very few cases locally either time. Trixie describes how she also caught SARS-CoV-1 back in 2003 and describes her experience with Long SARS and her recovery from that, before we go on to discuss her first wave Long Covid experience and how she also has mainly recovered from Long Covid, save for some ongoing Brain Fog. So this is also a double full recovery story - and whilst that is alarming in itself, it also is somewhat reassuring to hear how one person’s body can endure both of these post viral syndromes and yet still find a way to heal… twice! Trixie describes her challenges with insomnia, breathing difficulties and needing to manually breath and focus on each breath and MCAS (Mast Cell Activation Syndrome). She explains the breathing exercises that she did that helped her - Buteko breathing and the Wim Hoff method. She mentions a particular Patrick McKeown Youtube video that helped her, as well as trying the Stasis Breathwork programme. She had a great doctor who prescribed various medicines that helped her and Trixie was also helped by Dr Tina Peers for her MCAS. Trixie and I actually connected earlier over our mutual experience of feeling some depression after full recovery and the psychology around that - the sense of survivor’s guilt. So we discuss post Covid depression in some depth as well.Disclaimer: Please note that we are not medical professionals and this does not constitute medical advice. The Long Covid Hope Podcast or Sarah, Long Haul Yogi does not endorse any treatments described in the podcast episodes. Always speak to your doctor or medical practitioner before starting any new treatments, supplements or beginning a new exercise routine.Trigger Warnings: suicide, depression, mental health, pregnancy loss, sense of isolation Links:Dr Tina Peers - https://www.drtinapeers.com/histamine-intolerance Low Histamine Diet - www.whatthebleepcanieat.com Stasis Breathwork - https://www.stasis.life/ Patrick McKeown - Long Covid Workshop Breathing Exercises - https://youtu.be/JG6b0C32izAWim Hof Method - https://www.wimhofmethod.com/breathing-exercises

In this episode of the Long Covid Hope Podcast, the podcast that aspires to shine a light on the more hopeful stories of Covid 19 long haulers, we’re talking with Sarah, a now retired NHS doctor who caught the virus while working in a hospital. Dr Sarah discusses her first wave Long Covid story, her experiences with cold water swimming therapy off the South England coast, the ENO (English National Opera) opera singing therapy as a treatment for breathlessness, amongst other topics. Additionally, we cover in some detail how pacing management for her Chronic Fatigue (ME/CFS) was effective and helped her to return to walking, swimming and other activities. Disclaimer: Please note that we are not medical professionals and this does not constitute medical advice. The Long Covid Hope Podcast or Sarah, Long Haul Yogi does not endorse any treatments described in the podcast episodes. Always speak to your doctor or medical practitioner before starting any new treatments, supplements or beginning a new exercise routine.Time Stamps:Links:

Happy International Long Covid Awareness Day! This is a brief bonus episode to discuss the International Long Covid Awareness Day on 15th March 2023. Sarah reads the UK Press Release for the LC Awareness Day and discusses the various events that are taking place on this day worldwide. Please do take part in any way that you can - whether it is attending a Twitter Space, wearing the Awareness colours, educating a friend, family member or coworker about Long Covid, marching on Downing Street with the Key Worker's Petition, writing to your MP or government official with one of the prepared letters, posting on social media with the hashtags #LongCovid and #LongCovidAwarenessDay - whatever action you are able to take all helps to raise our voices and demand recognition, research and treatment for this chronic condition. Sarah the Long Haul Yogi will be hosting a short Instagram Live at 10am Pacific / 1pm Eastern / 5pm UK / 6pm Europe in support of the Long Covid Awareness Day and offering a short live 'Release Fear' relaxation practice.

Links:

Official website with links, merchandise - www.LongCovidAwareness.life

Long Covid Awareness Twitter Space - live from 9am Pacific / 12pm Eastern / 4pm UK / 5pm Europe for several hours - https://twitter.com/i/spaces/1OwxWwAdMapxQ?s=20

Long Covid Twitter Space hosted by LCAP - live from 4pm Pacific / 7pm Eastern / 11pm UK / 12pm Europe - https://twitter.com/i/spaces/1djxXlAWnzExZ?s=20

Sarah, the Long Haul Yogi on Instagram, short Instagram Live with 'Fear Release' Relaxation Practice at 10am Pacific / 1pm Eastern / 5pm UK / 6pm Europe - www.instagram/longhaulyogi

In this episode of the Long Covid Hope Podcast, the podcast that aspires to shine a light on the more hopeful stories of Covid 19 Long Haulers, Sarah is talking with Stephanie from Los Angeles, an International relations professional, writer, linguist and all around very creative person. Stephanie discusses her first wave Long Covid story, her bedrest, Long Covid symptoms such as neurological and POTS, having to go through multiple surgeries during her long covid recovery including an emergency surgery for appendicitis. Stephanie describes how getting back in touch with her roots as an Asian American helped her during her Long Covid journey, how Eastern modalities of wellness contributed to her healing, including receiving mentorship from a Buddhist monk and the progression she experienced back to a state of full wellness.

Disclaimer: Please note that we are not medical professionals and this does not constitute medical advice. The Long Covid Hope Podcast or Sarah, Long Haul Yogi does not endorse any treatments described in the podcast episodes. Always speak to your doctor or medical practitioner before starting any new treatments, supplements or beginning a new exercise routine.

Trigger Warnings: Emergency surgery, traumatic experiences, suicidal references

Time stamps:

Links mentioned (A-Z):

In this episode of the Long Covid Hope Podcast, the podcast that aspires to shine a light on the more hopeful stories of Covid 19 long haulers, we are joined by Anna, a former business owner, mum to two kids and a fellow Yorkshire lass, about her first wave LC story. She is one of the many, many long haulers who also came down with Covid on Friday the 13th 2020 (very unlucky for some). Anna describes her prior experience with chronic pain through costochondritis prior to Covid, and then how her Long Covid has centred around ME/CFS. She explains how she turned to a fatigue health coach online to help her manage her fatigue and extensive symptoms, and the large improvements she has made over that time through pacing, rest breaks, some supplements and a lot of positive thinking affirmations and yoga nidra. Here are Anna’s wonderful healing affirmations from her Instagram page @healingishappeningHealing is HappeningHealing is Happening for MeRest / Pacing is Good, Healing is HappeningToday is a good day, Healing is HappeningEven if I can’t see it right now, Healing is HappeningI’m on the right track, Healing is HappeningI’m improving, Healing is HappeningI trust in my journey, I know that Healing is Happening for me todayDisclaimer: Please note that we are not medical professionals and this does not constitute medical advice. The Long Covid Hope Podcast or Sarah, Long Haul Yogi does not endorse any treatments described in the podcast episodes. Always speak to your doctor or medical practitioner before starting any new treatments, supplements or beginning a new exercise routine.Trigger Warnings: references to suicide, medical gaslighting, traumatic experiencesTime stamps:(00:00) Introduction(2:24) Interview with Anna(6:00) Anna’s acute Covid infection and initial post-acute recovery period(10:00) Anna’s Long Covid story(30:30) Recovery journey - beginning to work with Pamela Rose(48:45) Anna’s Instagram @healingishappening and advocacyLinks mentioned (A-Z):Anna’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/healingishappening/Long Covid Affirmations Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/longcovidaffirmations/Pamela Rose Fatigue Coach (UK) - https://www.pamelarose.co.uk/

In this episode of the Long Covid Hope Podcast, the podcast that aspires to shine a light on the more hopeful stories of Covid 19 Long Haulers, Sarah speaks with the wonderful Angela, or Lady with Long Covid / @theextrafiles on Twitter, who lives in the Pacific Northwest of the USA with her two kids and husband. Angela has done an amazing thing: she has selflessly and tirelessly created a grassroots awareness movement from her couch. We discuss how the Long Covid awareness colours and day were democratically polled across all Long Haulers in all different online communities. She also explains how her efforts have been in collaboration with many long haulers who have helped with design work, the website, coming up with the wonderful merchandise and everything else involved in setting up a brand-new Awareness Day.I want to shine a strong spotlight on The International Long Covid Awareness Day on 15th March and you can find out all about it on the website, which is in the show notes. Long Haulers have been speaking for years now about how we need an awareness day or month like so many other conditions, and also awareness ribbon and colours. Now we have it! Speaking of the Long Covid awareness colours - Grey, Teal and Black - I really love what they represent, and how represented everyone who cast a vote is in their existence.Last but by no means least, Angela briefly shares her own Long Covid story with us, which actually began back in December 2019 - speaking of first wave pioneers! Angela describes her Long Covid experience, and how certain medications such as Acyclovir for epstein barr and Pavlovid for a reinfection helped her to ‘level up’, as she puts it. She also describes her experience as a mother homeschooling her children through the pandemic and Long Covid, and how helpful the community online and through the Open Zoom Rooms have been in her journey with Long Covid.Disclaimer: Please note that we are not medical professionals and this does not constitute medical advice. The Long Covid Hope Podcast or Sarah, Long Haul Yogi does not endorse any treatments described in the podcast episodes. Always speak to your doctor or medical practitioner before starting any new treatments, supplements or beginning a new exercise routine.Trigger Warnings: references to suicide, medical gaslighting, traumatic experiencesTime stamps:(00:00) Introduction(4:30) Interview with Angela(7:30) How the Long Covid Awareness Day and Colours happened(18:30) Long Covid Awareness Colours - Grey, Black and Teal(27:00) How to take part in Long Covid Awareness Day(40:00) Discussing support resources available for Long Haulers - and Hope(49:00) Angela’s Long Covid experience

In this episode, Sarah speaks with Professor Theresa Levitt, Professor of History at the University of Mississippi in the US. Theresa spent a long time struggling with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) post-Covid and was mainly bed-bound. She explains how she got from bed-bound back to being healthy and active, back to running, and even writing a book! Theresa’s book, Elixir: A Parisian Perfume House and the Quest for the Secret of Life Hardcover is available from April 2023. We discuss our shared love of Ed Yong, a writer for the Atlantic, and the Body Politic Slack group, antihistamines, and her experiences taking Paxlovid and a possible turning point around that -- although she is keen to caveat by saying she doesn’t believe Paxlovid to be a ‘magic bullet’.Disclaimer: Please note that we are not medical professionals and this does not constitute medical advice. The Long Covid Hope Podcast or Sarah, Long Haul Yogi does not endorse any treatments described in the podcast episodes. Always speak to your doctor or medical practitioner before starting any new treatments, supplements or beginning a new exercise routine.Time stamps:(00:00) Introduction(2:24) Interview with Theresa(6:00) Her acute Covid infection(10:00) Theresa’s Long Covid story(30:30) Recovery journey - breathing exercises, sleep, meditation(48:45) When Theresa felt fully recovered - PaxlovidLinks mentioned (A-Z):Paxlovid for Long Covid article: https://time.com/6237201/can-paxlovid-treat-long-covid/Theresa’s book: Elixir: A Parisian Perfume House and the Quest for the Secret of Life: https://www.amazon.com/Elixir-Parisian-Perfume-House-Secret/dp/0674250893 Hardcover. Ed Yong article in The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/06/covid-19-coronavirus-longterm-symptoms-months/612679

In this episode, Sarah talks with Roweena, a community organiser in North East England, UK, about her first wave Long Covid story. Roweena shares her story with us today but also shares her poetry that she wrote through this experience. Roweena describes having a horrendous time with swallowing disorders, which led to an inability to eat and losing a great deal of weight. Roweena and I discuss her experiences with inability to eat and retain food, having a feeding tube and time spent back and forth to hospital. She shares how taking amitriptyline off-label significantly helped her fatigue, and how deep-thinking visualisation exercises helped her get back to cycling and indeed cycling with her electric bike 20 miles a day back and forth to work. Please note that we are not medical professionals and this does not constitute medical advice. The Long Covid Hope Podcast or Sarah, Long Haul Yogi does not endorse any treatments described in the podcast episodes. Always speak to your doctor or medical practitioner before starting any new treatments, supplements or beginning a new exercise routine.Trigger Warnings: severe illness, weight loss, difficulty receiving healthcare, UK public health policiesTime stamps:(00:00) Introduction(1:52) Interview with Roweena(11:40) Her acute Covid infection(16:00) Swallowing disorder and Achalasia diagnosis(32:00) Recovery journey - ‘Deep-thinking’ visualisation exercises into cycling to work(43:00) Discussion of movement alongside ME/CFS(49:00) Roweena’s message to listenersLinks mentioned (A-Z):Achalasia - rare swallowing disorder: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/achalasia/Amitriptyline for CFS (off-label): https://www.verywellhealth.com/amitriptyline-for-fibromyalgia-mecfs-715765Visualisations for Athletes: https://www.peaksports.com/sports-psychology-blog/sports-visualization-athletes/

In this episode of the Long Covid Hope podcast, Sarah speaks to Dave in San Diego, USA, about his Long Covid journey from bedbound to planning to hike the Pacific Crest Trail - yes, all of it! In this interview, Dave shares his experiences of his acute and Long Covid phases of illness, and how audio books and the Long Covid open Zoom Room helped him in the early days of Long Covid. We go on to discuss how Dave believes that Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), the chicken soup diet, fasting and cleanses helped him to recover his health. He is keen to stress that when he got well, it happened suddenly and quite dramatically, after over two years of Long Covid.Disclaimer: Please note that we are not medical professionals and this does not constitute medical advice. The Long Covid Hope Podcast or Sarah, Long Haul Yogi does not endorse any treatments described in the podcast episodes. Always speak to your doctor or medical practitioner before starting any new treatments, supplements or beginning a new exercise routine.Time stamps:(00:00) Introduction(1:30) Interview with Dave - his acute Covid infection and Long Covid story(17:00) Movement discussion - Graded Exercise Therapy setback(30:00) Recovery journey - chicken broth diet and cleanse protocols(1:00:00) Dave’s message to listenersLinks mentioned (A-Z):CHOP Protocol for POTS: https://www.dysautonomiainternational.org/pdf/CHOP_Modified_Dallas_POTS_Exercise_Program.pdfGraded Exercise Therapy (GET): https://me-pedia.org/wiki/Graded_exercise_therapyHBOT: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/hyperbaric-oxygen-therapyLono Diet: https://lonolife.com/Mary Ruddick ‘Soups saved my life’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJnwraXVmX4Pacific Crest Trail Association: https://www.pcta.org/

In the first episode of the Long Covid Hope podcast, Sarah introduces the show and her hopes and aspirations in creating it. Sarah shares her own Long Covid story, which took her from highly fit and active to bedbound, and later diagnoses of ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, POTS and B12 Deficiency. She discusses how she got ill on Friday the 13th March 2020, her struggles with getting care and the impact Covid had on her family life as a new Mum. In her story, Sarah shares what wasn’t helpful (GET) but what did help her on her recovery journey: pacing using guided meditation, the Dr Myhill protocol of d-ribose, paleo-keto, food-based probiotics and prebiotics, as well as B12 deficiency and supplementation. And how returning to mindful, careful movement with walking and restorative yoga allowed Sarah to overcome her exercise intolerance and expand her ‘energy envelope’, to the extent where she is now back to full health, and working hard to help other Covid long haulers.Disclaimer: Please note that we are not medical professionals and this does not constitute medical advice. Always speak to your doctor or medical practitioner before starting any new treatments, supplements or beginning a new exercise routine.Trigger Warnings: discussion of severe acute Covid illness, weight gain and loss, medical gaslighting, traumatic experiencesTime stamps:(00:00) Introducing the LC Hope Podcast(10:00) My story - acute Covid infection(18:00) Long Covid begins(30:00) Recovery journey - pacing with meditations, Dr Myhill - d-ribose, paleo keto, food based probiotics and prebiotics(50:00) back to movement- mindfully working within energy envelope not GET(58:00) What full recovery / remission looks likeLinks mentioned (A-Z):Body Politic Support Group: https://www.wearebodypolitic.com/covid-19B12 Deficiency Awareness: https://www.b12deficiency.infoB12 Deficiency Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/174928999276739Long Haul Yogi: https://linktr.ee/longhaulyogiInsight Timer free meditation app: https://insighttimer.com/ME/CFS Parents UK: https://www.facebook.com/groups/723681451020085Raelan Agle: www.youtube.com/c/RaelanAgleDr Sarah Myhill: https://www.drmyhill.co.uk/Yoga for Long CovidJoin Sarah, Long Haul Yogi, for her Thursday Zoom Yoga for Long Covid classes, Monday in-person class in Sheffield, UK or her OnDemand Series on Subkit and Insight Timer. All links can be found here: https://linktr.ee/longhaulyogi

Introducing the Long Covid Hope podcast, the podcast that tells the more hopeful stories from people with Long Covid and related conditions, by Sarah, the Long Haul Yogi. In Season 1, we are shining the light on the First Wavers and their experiences of getting sick with a novel coronavirus and then simply not recovering. The first wave of Long haulers, of which your host Sarah is one, had a very particular experience of having to fight for any help at all and also fight for Long Covid to be recognised as a condition. The First Wavers led the way with patient advocacy, patient research, patient support groups. We were the unfortunate and unwilling pioneers, and now we are the veterans! And, of course, none of this is new to the ME/CFS and other related chronic condition communities, who have given invaluable support and wisdom to long haulers.In Season 1, we will be hearing from several people like Sarah, who were very sick for many months and years, but have managed to regain their health. Also, we will be interviewing first wavers who are still on their recovery journey, symptomatic but gaining a place of greater stability, sharing their stories and perspectives. There is a huge variety of people and perspectives, from all over the world and with the full spectrum of long covid symptoms. It’s going to be a bit of a wild ride through the wild west of supplements, alternative medicine, adjunct therapies, functional medicine and much, much more. Subscribe and join us!

Find out more about Sarah, the Long Haul Yogi, and the Yoga for Long Covid open-access Zoom classes here: https://linktr.ee/longhaulyogi

Introducing the Long Covid Hope podcast, the podcast that tells the more hopeful stories from people with Long Covid and related conditions, by Sarah, the Long Haul Yogi. In Season 1, we are shining the light on the First Wavers and their experiences of getting sick with a novel coronavirus and then simply not recovering. The first wave of Long haulers, of which your host Sarah is one, had a very particular experience of having to fight for any help at all and also fight for Long Covid to be recognised as a condition. The First Wavers led the way with patient advocacy, patient research, patient support groups. We were the unfortunate and unwilling pioneers, and now we are the veterans! And, of course, none of this is new to the ME/CFS and other related chronic condition communities, who have given invaluable support and wisdom to long haulers.

In Season 1, we will be hearing from several people like Sarah, who were very sick for many months and years, but have managed to regain their health. Also, we will be interviewing first wavers who are still on their recovery journey, symptomatic but gaining a place of greater stability, sharing their stories and perspectives. There is a huge variety of people and perspectives, from all over the world and with the full spectrum of long covid symptoms. It’s going to be a bit of a wild ride through the wild west of supplements, alternative medicine, adjunct therapies, functional medicine and much, much more. Subscribe and join us!

Find out more about Sarah, the Long Haul Yogi, and the Yoga for Long Covid open-access Zoom classes here: https://linktr.ee/longhaulyogi