Episode 22: The Live Well with Arthritis Podcast

#22 From Pity to Power: Why Arthritis is Sexy and Needs a Rebrand

Are you tired of well-intentioned pity? This week, host Emily Johnson explores why it’s time to give arthritis a branding makeover and move from 'victim' to 'powerhouse.'

Drawing on 12 years of lived experience, Emily reflects on the reality of living with a chronic condition, from compression socks and pill organisers, to the mental weight of masking pain. She shares candid anecdotes about dating, workplace advocacy, and the early days of Arthritis Foodie when she was too embarrassed to even show her face.

This episode is a guide for anyone ready to reclaim their agency and remember their worth. Owning your truth is a physiological necessity, and honesty improves your health. Your strength and capability to live with arthritis is phenomenal, so it’s time to stop apologising for who you are.

Topics covered:

• The Pity Trap: Why pity is for the defeated, and why we deserve admiration for the 'daily marathon' we do
• The Cost of Silence: Exploring the biological inflammation that grows when we hide our true selves to please others
• 5 Lessons in Authenticity: Emily’s journey from hiding her methotrexate on dates to setting firm boundaries with friends and employers
• Rebranding the ‘Unsexy’: Why self-advocacy, firm boundaries, and radical self-care are sexy
• The Athlete Mentality: Shifting your perspective from 'suffering from' a condition to 'living well', as the master of your own body

SPRING COHORT UPDATE: Applications for the Live Well with Arthritis 12-week programme are closing! We have just 4 spaces left. If you are ready to move from pity to power with 1-to-1 coaching and expert guidance, apply now: https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/waitlist

About the podcast:

With a focus on reducing inflammation and improving daily life, this podcast features expert interviews, science-backed strategies, and real stories from people living with all types of arthritis.

Emily combines her 12+ years of lived experience and insights from healthcare professionals to offer practical, encouraging steps that help you feel healthier, happier, and less alone when living with arthritis.

Emily (Arthritis Foodie) is a bestselling author, certified coach, and founder of Live Well with Arthritis.

Episode Links:

Register for FREE Masterclass: https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/mastering-inflammation-masterclass-registration

Emily Johnson @ArthritisFoodie:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthritisfoodie/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arthritisfoodie/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@arthritisfoodie

Further Resources: https://linktr.ee/arthritisfoodie

Episode 21: The Live Well with Arthritis Podcast

#21 Emily's Arthritis Bookshelf: Top 10 Must-Reads for Remissions & Relief

Are you feeling overwhelmed by conflicting health advice? One of the questions Emily gets asked most is: "Where do I start?" In this essential solo episode, Emily shares her 10 must-read books that have transformed her journey with arthritis.

From the clinical science of the microbiome, to cutting-edge research on chronic pain, and the spiritual power of movement. This episode will help you to take control of your health, and feel empowered in your own body.

Topics covered:

• Foundations of Food & Science: Dr. Rupy Aujla and Professor Tim Spector are the leaders in culinary medicine.
• Gut Health & Immunity: Exploring these with Giulia Enders and Dr. Jenna Macciochi. Plus, the fascinating physiological link between inflammation and mental health.
• Pain & Modern Science: How Dr. Deepak Ravindran and Dr. Dani Gordon help us reduce pain.
• Movement & Lived Experience: Modifying yoga for joint health with Dr. Steffany Moonaz and exercising without flares with Zoe McKenzie.
• The Emily Johnson Library: A look inside Emily Johnson’s bestselling books, Beat Arthritis Naturally and Eat Well with Arthritis.

About the podcast:

With a focus on reducing inflammation and improving daily life, this podcast features expert interviews, science-backed strategies, and real stories from people living with all types of arthritis.

Emily combines her 12+ years of lived experience and insights from healthcare professionals to offer practical, encouraging steps that help you feel healthier, happier, and less alone when living with arthritis.

Emily (Arthritis Foodie) is a bestselling author, certified coach, and founder of Live Well with Arthritis.

Episode Links:

Live Well with Arthritis: https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/waitlist

Resources: https://linktr.ee/arthritisfoodie

Authors:

• @doctors_kitchen
• @tim.spector
• @giulia_enders
• @dr_jenna_macciochi
• @drdeepakravindran
• @drdanigordon
• @yogaforarthritis
• @activelyautoimmune
• @arthritisfoodie

Episode 20: The Live Well with Arthritis Podcast

#20 Remission Roadmap: Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition with The Lupus Dietitian, Tanya Freirich

In this episode, host Emily Johnson welcomes Tanya Freirich (MS, RD, CDN, CDCES), a registered dietitian nutritionist and founder of The Lupus Dietitian.

Tanya is both a clinical dietician and a patient who has lived with autoimmune disease for over 20 years. Maintaining her own remission for over a decade, she shares a science-backed roadmap to reducing inflammation Whether you are dealing with lupus, arthritis, or chronic inflammation, this episode offers practical strategies for recovery.

Topics covered:

Reality of Lupus

• The Great Imitator: Why lupus symptoms are difficult to diagnose
• Biological 'Freak Out': How the immune system loses the ability to recognise itself
• Fatigue of Autoimmunity: Why healing chronic inflammation requires massive cellular energy

Anti-Inflammatory Foundations

• Building Blocks for Recovery: How anti-inflammatory foods provide materials for new cells
• Accessible Nutrition: Debunking superfoods in exchange for staples like blueberries and broccoli
• Flare-Friendly Kitchen: Tools for joint pain relief and low energy days

Beyond the Plate

• Medicinal Joy and Whimsy: How laughter reduces cortisol levels by 37% and why we shouldn't 'save' our joy
• Case Study: From being bed-bound to achieving remission and a healthy pregnancy

About the podcast:

With a focus on reducing inflammation and improving daily life, this podcast features expert interviews, science-backed strategies, and real stories from people living with all types of arthritis.

Emily combines her 12+ years of lived experience and insights from healthcare professionals to offer practical, encouraging steps that help you feel healthier, happier, and less alone when living with arthritis.

Emily is a bestselling author, certified coach, and founder of Live Well with Arthritis.

Episode Links:

Live Well with Arthritis Waitlist: https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/waitlist

FREE Workbook: https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/signup-free-download

Tanya Freirich @thelupusdietitian

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelupusdietitian/
• Website: https://www.thelupusdietitian.com/

Emily Johnson @ArthritisFoodie:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthritisfoodie/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@arthritisfoodie

Further Resources: https://linktr.ee/arthritisfoodie

Episode 19: The Live Well with Arthritis Podcast

#19 Mind Matters: Transformative Self-Care for the Nervous System with Suzy Reading

In this deeply nurturing episode, host Emily Johnson welcomes chartered psychologist, leading self-care expert, coach and author Suzy Reading, to explore the vital connection between the mind and the body.

Suzy shares her journey with arthritis and what led her to reclaiming the word 'selfish'. She also introduces her '7 Steps to Peace and Power' framework, and somatic practices designed to move the nervous system from a state of high alert, into one of safety and strength. Ever felt overwhelmed by your diagnosis, or completely depleted? This episode is for you.

Topics covered:

• A Turning Point: Why admitting you can’t do it all isn’t a failure, but the beginning of life lived on your own terms
• Perimenopause & Arthritis: Suzy’s personal experience with arthritis, and chronic pain
• Myth of Positivity: Why you shouldn't try to manipulate your thoughts, but focus on self-talk instead
• Practical Somatic Tools: Grounding exercises including 'Shrug and Sigh' and 'Candle Breath' for stressful moments
• Numbing vs. Feeling: Why we cannot numb difficult emotions without dampening joy
• 7-Step Framework: For reclaiming your mind, body, and right to feel
• Healthy Selfishness: Why filling your cup is a prerequisite for being loving and present
• Plus tips for your appointments (more here)

About the podcast:

With a focus on reducing inflammation and improving daily life, this podcast features expert interviews, science-backed strategies, and real stories from people living with all types of arthritis.

Emily combines her 12+ years of lived experience and insights from healthcare professionals to offer practical, encouraging steps that help you feel healthier, happier, and less alone when living with arthritis.

Emily is a bestselling author, certified coach, and founder of Live Well with Arthritis.

Episode Links:

Live Well with Arthritis Waitlist: https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/waitlist

Suzy Reading @SuzyReading

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suzyreading/
• Website: https://www.suzyreading.co.uk/

Emily Johnson @ArthritisFoodie:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthritisfoodie/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@arthritisfoodie
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arthritisfoodie/

Further Resources: https://linktr.ee/arthritisfoodie

Episode 18: The Live Well with Arthritis Podcast

#18 Life on the Road: How @anotherdaywithra Navigates Travelling with Arthritis

For this conversational episode, host Emily Johnson welcomes back the incredible Ali DiGiacomo. Ali is a personal trainer, digital writer, and the voice behind @anotherdaywithra, known for her unfiltered and humorous take on life with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Ali opens up about her most ambitious year yet, moving into a 16-foot Airstream trailer and traveling across Europe. Ali shares the 'un-sugarcoated' truth and reality of travelling with arthritis, as well as her essential travel tips.

Topics covered:

• Why Ali and her partner Travis chose a 16-foot home and the reality of living this way
• Her recent trip to the Winter Olympics, and how she coped with flu and flares
• How scheduling a mandatory day of rest after travel is the key to surviving trips
• Ali’s emotional realisation about the guilt we feel about sickness, when we shouldn't
• Healthcare on the move, navigating the logistical and administrative hurdles
• Medicine shaming and why listening to your doctor is vital to your care
• Practical tips for handling rheumatology appointments when your mind goes blank (see Rheumatology Appointment Workbook)
• A 'Day in the Life Of' Ali, and how the slower pace of a nomadic lifestyle has helped

About the podcast:

With a focus on reducing inflammation and improving daily life, this podcast features expert interviews, science-backed strategies, and real stories from people living with all types of arthritis.

Emily combines her 12+ years of lived experience and insights from healthcare professionals to offer practical, encouraging steps that help you feel healthier, happier, and less alone when living with arthritis.

Emily (Arthritis Foodie) is a bestselling author, certified coach, and founder of Live Well with Arthritis.

Episode Links:

Live Well with Arthritis Waitlist: https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/waitlist

Ali DiGiacomo @AnotherDaywithRA:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anotherdaywithra/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@anotherdaywithra?lang=en
• Website: https://www.anotherdaywithra.com/

Emily Johnson @ArthritisFoodie:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthritisfoodie/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@arthritisfoodie
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arthritisfoodie/

Further Resources: https://linktr.ee/arthritisfoodie

Episode 17: The Live Well with Arthritis Podcast

#17 Mind-Body-Gut: Mastering Inflammation with Nutritionist Eli Brecher

In this episode, host Emily Johnson welcomes Eli Brecher (ANutr), a registered associate nutritionist specialising in gut health, immunity, and inflammatory conditions.

Eli has lived with Crohn’s Disease since the age of 8 and brings a deeply empathetic and personal perspective to autoimmunity. She explains the impact of the Mind-Body-Gut Method, and her expertise in clinical nutrition offers a practical bridge between science-backed principles and everyday living.

Topics covered:

Lived Experience

• Eli’s Journey: Crohn’s in childhood and finding remission
• Gut Health: How it impacts immunity and systemic inflammation
• Red Flags: Silent symptoms in the skin, joints, and brain that signal gut dysbiosis

Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition

• Plate Additions: Why adding plants, Omega-3s, and herbs is better than cutting foods out
• Closed Kitchen Rule: Why finishing dinner 3 hours before bed matters
• DIY Nutrition: Easy, low-cost wins like making anti-inflammatory herbal teas

360° Healing Toolkit

• Sleep Science: Tart cherry juice, tryptophan, and morning sunlight to regulate your circadian rhythm
• Stress Management: Building a personalised toolkit that works for you
• Gut-Brain Axis: How nervous system regulation directly calms inflammation in the body

About the podcast:

With a focus on reducing inflammation and improving daily life, this podcast features expert interviews, science-backed strategies, and real stories from people living with all types of arthritis.

Emily combines her 12+ years of lived experience and insights from healthcare professionals to offer practical, encouraging steps that help you feel healthier, happier, and less alone when living with arthritis.

Emily is a bestselling author, certified coach, and founder of Live Well with Arthritis.

Episode Links:

Live Well with Arthritis Waitlist: https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/waitlist

FREE Workbook: https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/signup-free-download

Eli Brecher @elibrechernutrition

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elibrechernutrition/
• Website: https://www.elibrecher.co.uk/

Emily Johnson @ArthritisFoodie:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthritisfoodie/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@arthritisfoodie

Further Resources: https://linktr.ee/arthritisfoodie

Episode 16: The Live Well with Arthritis Podcast

#16 Breathwork for Pain: Mastering Inflammation with Tim van der Vliet

In this high-energy episode, host Emily Johnson sits down with Tim van der Vliet, a former Amsterdam stock trader turned world-leading breathwork and cold exposure expert. After years in the high-adrenaline world of the trading floor, Tim discovered how to master his body’s stress response using ancient wisdom and modern science.

Tim shares his journey from burnout to becoming a breathwork nerd explaining how his TT Method (Tim’s Techniques) serves as a '£500 pill' for anyone living with chronic pain, inflammation, and arthritis.

Topics Covered:

Inflammation & the Science of Breathwork

• 3 Pillars of movement, cold exposure, and the TT5 technique
• How rhythmic breathing lowers pro-inflammatory markers and reduces pain
• Targeted breathing to optimise the gut-brain axis, where serotonin & dopamine are produced

Stress & Nervous System Regulation

• Using controlled stressors like ice baths and breath holds to reset the nervous system
• How 5 mins of targeted breathwork efficiently activates the parasympathetic nervous system more than 1hr of seated meditation

Practical Tools & Arthritis Case Studies

• Tim's arthritis clients regaining mobility, reducing medication, and even achieving full remission
• Demo of the 4-2-8 'Panic Reset' to instantly calm the heart rate, plus TT5 Signature

About the podcast:

With a focus on reducing inflammation and improving daily life, this podcast features expert interviews, science-backed strategies, and real stories from people living with all types of arthritis.

Emily combines her 12+ years of lived experience and insights from healthcare professionals to offer practical, encouraging steps that help you feel healthier, happier, and less alone when living with arthritis.

Emily is a bestselling author, certified coach, and founder of Live Well with Arthritis.

Episode Links:

Live Well with Arthritis Waitlist: https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/waitlist

FREE Workbook: https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/signup-free-download

Tim van der Vliet @tim_vandervliet

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tim_vandervliet/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/timvandervliet
• Website: https://www.timvandervliet.com/

Emily Johnson @ArthritisFoodie:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthritisfoodie/
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@arthritisfoodie

Further Resources: https://linktr.ee/arthritisfoodie

Episode 15: The Live Well with Arthritis Podcast

#15 Social Inflammation: How Relationships Impact Arthritis and Why

Are your relationships inflaming your joints? This week, host Emily Johnson explores the powerful, often invisible connection between your social environment and chronic pain.

Drawing on the latest research in psychoneuroimmunology, Emily explains why 'Social Inflammation' is more than just a feeling, it is a biological reality. From the way chronic conflict triggers pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-6, to the physical 'heat' of shame and the metabolic cost of self-censoring, this episode reveals how your immune system responds to emotional safety.

Emily shares her personal insights on the importance of authenticity, explaining why 'owning your truth' is a physiological necessity for anyone living with an inflammatory condition. Whether you’re dealing with 'biological incongruence' or looking for the anti-inflammatory power of a safe hug, this episode offers a roadmap to regulating your nervous system through connection and boundaries. And, how powerfully nourishing the right relationships can be.

Topics covered:

• The Nervous System & Biological Threat: Understanding the HPA axis and why your body can’t tell the difference between a predator and a difficult conversation.
• The High Cost of Self-Censoring: Why 'keeping the peace' might be fuelling your flares through biological incongruence.
• What is Social Inflammation? The science of how rejection and conflict 'turn on' pro-inflammatory genes.
• Support as Medicine: The role of Oxytocin in counteracting cortisol and relaxing 'muscle guarding.'
• The Power of Boundaries: Practical tools like the 'Exhale Hack', box breathing, and choosing proximity to peace.

About the podcast:

With a focus on reducing inflammation and improving daily life, this podcast features expert interviews, science-backed strategies, and real stories from people living with all types of arthritis.

Emily combines her 12+ years of lived experience and insights from healthcare professionals to offer practical, encouraging steps that help you feel healthier, happier, and less alone when living with arthritis.

Emily (Arthritis Foodie) is a bestselling author, certified coach, and founder of Live Well with Arthritis.

Episode Links:

Live Well with Arthritis: https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/waitlist

Emily Johnson @ArthritisFoodie:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthritisfoodie/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arthritisfoodie/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@arthritisfoodie

Further Resources: https://linktr.ee/arthritisfoodie

References: PMC5442367 (Social Inflammation), PMC2820143 (HPA Axis and Inflammation), PMID: 24769019 (Oxytocin and Inflammation), PMC4391341 (Stress and IL-6), PMC5314421 (The Cost of Emotional Suppression)