A Bodybuilder Navigating ME/CFS Recovery — Joel’s Story

TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Meet Joel 01:19 Life before ME/CFS 04:38 Joel’s illness onset, ME/CFS diagnosis, symptoms, & problematic treatment recommendations 09:57 From body builder to chronically unwell - Joel’s family and friends’ reactions 11:36 Why Joel’s not giving up 13:50 How Joel has improved his condition 16:52 Finding structure, routine, meaning, and accomplishment in recovery 21:38 The challenges and benefits of becoming unwell so young 23:15 The daily things Joel makes sure to do for his recovery 28:27 How this all has changed Joel and his feelings about his future 29:51 What’s available in England for people facing ME/CFS 31:58 New ME/CFS research and treatment options 39:11 How to contact Joel

Thank you so much for having me on Raelan, I had a wonderful time meeting you and Blue🐶 Brain fog got the better of me in this conversation and I believe I skimmed over plenty of important stuff, my bad - sorry! I would love to answer any questions you guys might have, so please comment here or message me :) thanks for taking an interest in my story!

Joel - recovery is absolutely possible! I have recovered twice for 10 years both times but now in 3rd bout and realise that lack of self care, negative outlook/perception and chronic anxiety/stress are the root cause. Once you’re recovered just make sure you live in a way that won’t trigger a relapse x brain training has always helped me x all the best to you 👍

Joel you are an amazing young man & I love how you're approaching your recovery. Grounding, meditating, healthy food & the right mindset is important. Sending hugs to you & your amazing girlfriend. x

I was literally just thinking about how people who develop CFS are chronic exercisers. Exercise is very healthy, but, there is such a thing as over-exercising. Over training and over exercising can be just as stressful to your body as overworking or sleep deprivation. As I am healing, I am learning to how be kind to myself. I am now very close to being normal and healthy again, and now I am learning to exercise because I want to rather than doing it because I feel I need to prove myself to feel worthy.

One time when I fainted, I was sent to the psych ward thinking I OD'd on meds, when I just fainted from POTS and no one knew.. I saw 16 doctors, was diagnosed with POTS from a physical therapist, had a traditional therapist that told me it was my fault I couldn't control my anxiety, and had a primary care physician who told me to go on birth control to stop the anxiety and the long covid will go away eventually. I changed PCP's, and she told me if I went on birth control, it would have put me at risk for stroke since I had a history of migraine with aura. I tried EVERYTHING to get better. I felt so guilty as a mom and a wife that I sat on the couch and my husband became a single parent. The brain fog was so severe that I couldn't look at a to-do list when that's how I lived prior to getting sick. I would go running 3 times a week to stay in shape and help control anxiety. Becoming trapped in my own body was my worst nightmare. I would have never have thought an upper cirvical chiropractor would be the one to help me the most!

Thank for both you so much ..I'm not a body builder but I'm a trainer and Its been one and half years now that I can't do any exercise because of that chronic illness ..thank for all your motivation videos I wish myself and everyone get a fully recover soon 🙏🙏🙏

Hi, just came across your channel... I've had a severe relapse since beginning of 2017. Been a horror story but coming to grips with it. Had been a Police Officer for eighteen years. Was medically retired, marriage failed, lost family home, however, started to improve this year with help. Listening to Joel, it's so similar with symptoms. I think you have to reach a higher mental discipline to understand "mind over matter" just does not apply. I live in Perth, Western Australia and medical understanding is lagging behind. I was actually diagnosed by a UK trained GP. Good on you and Joel for the segment. No way I could have a conversation at that pace at the moment, quite a fall from being a Police Prosecutor addressing the Court and making arguments, advocating on behalf of the community.

Wow. Joel's story is same as mine, body building lifestyle has alot to a answer for! Also the huge change in identify. I'm in Portsmouth, so only 45 minutes away, good to hear about experiences so close to home. Diagnosed with Glandular fever 2017, ME/CFS in 2019. After a huge rollercoaster journey with recovery you'll get there, 2021 and I'd say 90/95% recovered (had a dip with C recovery) But rest & pacing is still power 💪☺️ (I find emotional stress is my main trigger)

Problem is especially my age group ( growing up in 80s as children ) we are engraved in the high speed , high powered , high profile , life ! .. we grew up watching Rocky train , rambo fight , Gordon Geko make millions , Karate Kid getting the Girl winning the tornament, " your the best around " .. Tony Montana push it to the Limit , Jean Clead vand dam train on broken glass being stretched by ropes to avenge his brother !! and many other inspirations in Pop , music and culture grown during that time period ..... it has backfired i believe ...and many of us cannot let it go no matter what ... to us theres no point of life if we can not "push it to the Limit " !

Such a powerful interview -- Joel is so wise beyond his years! Loved the part about finding structure and meaning. I love the metaphor "walk to things you can do don't run to things you can't." Can't wait for his book! Such a great interview Raelan!

Such a wonderful young man...I can't wait to see your full recovery story! I don't think it's far away ❤

Joel...I have only got halfway through your story so far, but I want to say...you must not give up hope; you owe it to yourself to try whatever comes in your path that potentially might help. Also don't lose your present due to fear of those possible decades of illness ahead. Reset your mind daily ...you clearly have great discipline to train as a bodybuilder, so use that skill to navigate this challenge. You can do it! I speak as someone who got ME in my early 40's and still battle with it after 2 decades. You might think I am not in any place to give advice, but in my experience, the people to listen to are those who have learnt by their own experience/ mistakes. I did not accept the diagnosis...I didn't have the awareness to stop pushing through the fatigue etc. There is a lot more awareness and help out there now, ( especially Raelan's channel) and I wish you every success for a measured and happy recovery. Keep going!

Hi Raelyn.... little Blue is an absolute fluffball ray of sunshine!!!

I'm glad you didn't get rid of the dogs from your videos after someone made a couple of snotty comments because dogs are healing and I absolutely adore the dogs if they are ever in your videos

Fantastic interview! Raelan, you are doing a great job in giving us hope by finding all these great people who tell their recovery stories. 🙏🙏💜

This is such an inspiring interview. Honestly an honour to hear about you experience. Good on you for powering through everything life has thrown at you. Sending lots of love and all the blessings, because you deserve it all!

Such a beautiful interview ❤ Joel is so refreshing!

This guys is an artist. He emanates it. Such a brilliant soul. I can relate to being a creative and philosophical type of personality with this illness. It’s a unique path of healing for us. Would love to chat with you sometime. Also a big JP fan!

What a lovely Super articulate guy! ❤ totally agree regarding NHS!!!