

Long Covid Podcast
Jackie Baxter
The Podcast by and for Long Covid sufferers. Long Covid is estimated to affect at least 1 in 5 people infected with Covid-19. Many of these people were fit & healthy, many were successfully managing other conditions. Some people recover within a few months, but there are many who have been suffering for much much longer.Although there is currently no "cure" for Long Covid, and the millions of people still ill have been searching for answers for a long time, in this podcast I hope to explore the many things that can be done to help, through a mix of medical experts, researchers, personal experience & recovery stories. Bringing together the practical & the hopeful - "what CAN we do?"The Long Covid Podcast is currently self-funded. This podcast will always remain free, but if you like what you hear and are able to, please head along to www.buymeacoffee.com/longcovidpod to help me cover costs. ~ Follow me on: Facebook @longcovidpodcast ~ Instagram @longcovidpod ~ Twitter @longcovidpod ~ Website www.LongCovidPodcast.com ~ Please do get in touch with feedback and suggestions, either via the social media links or at longcovidpodcast@gmail.com - I'd love to hear from you. The Long Covid podcast is entirely self-funded and relies on donations - if you've found it useful and are able to, please go to www.buymeacoffee.com/longcovidpod to help me cover the costs of hosting.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 8, 2025 • 53min
190 - Dr. Google Gets an Upgrade: Can AI have a role in patient empowerment?
Technology offers unprecedented access to health information, but navigating it effectively requires understanding which tools serve our recovery and when to step away from screens. Jess from TurnTo shares insights on using AI and technology tools to support recovery from conditions like Long Covid and ME/CFS.• Different technology platforms have different agendas - social media optimizes for view time, search engines for quick clicks• Approximately 10,000 new updates emerge weekly about Long Covid and ME/CFS across research, expert interviews, and patient discussions• AI tools like ChatGPT can provide referenced health information when asked properly, often delivering more comprehensive answers than time-limited doctor appointments• Patient experiences remain undervalued as "weak data" despite containing rich insights that often precede formal research findings• TurnTo's new Personal Health Sidekick feature reads approximately one million words weekly, filtering information based on individual health concerns• AI works best for information gathering and making connections between disparate data points• Balance technology use with offline activities that support recovery - nature, human connection, and reducing nervous system activation• When using AI for health questions, always request references and specify what type of information you're seeking• Technology cannot replace human connection, empathy, and the physical examination healthcare professionals provideLearn more about TurnTo and their Personal Health Sidekick feature in the links below: Check out Turny here (use code "Jackie" for 10% off)Listen to our previous episode HERE Message the podcast! - questions will be answered on my youtube channel :) For more information about Long Covid Breathing courses & workshops, please check out LongCovidBreathing.com (music credit - Brock Hewitt, Rule of Life) Support the show~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Long Covid Podcast is self-produced & self funded. If you enjoy what you hear and are able to, please Buy me a coffee or purchase a mug to help cover costsTranscripts available on individual episodes herePodcast, website & blog: www.LongCovidPodcast.comFacebook @LongCovidPodcastInstagram Twitter @LongCovidPodFacebook Creativity GroupSubscribe to mailing listPlease get in touch with feedback, suggestions or how you're doing - I love to hear from you, via socials or LongCovidPodcast@gmail.com**Disclaimer - you should not rely on any medical information contained in this Podcast and related materials in making medical, health-related or other decisions. Please consult a doctor or other health professional**

Oct 1, 2025 • 53min
189 - When Your Brain Keeps Telling You to Buy Salami - Natalie's Recovery Story
Natalie Gould shares her journey from severe Long Covid to full recovery, revealing how nervous system regulation transformed not only her Long Covid symptoms but also pre-existing chronic conditions like psoriatic arthritis and migraines.• Life before illness included working as a CFO and living on a small farm• Initial Covid infection in July 2021 was mild but led to severe post-viral symptoms• Main symptoms included PoTS, tachycardia, severe insomnia, cognitive impairment and sound sensitivity• Within six months, she was essentially bedbound but continued working remotely• Stabilized symptoms through extreme pacing but remained severely ill for over a year• Found hope after hearing recovery stories and trying the ANS Rewire program• Leaving her stressful job was a turning point in her recovery journey• Used play and creativity as powerful tools for nervous system regulation• Created characters to personify stress patterns and developed dialogues with them• Recovery process led to healing of multiple pre-existing conditions• Now enjoys swing dancing and a fuller life than before illness• Continues nervous system regulation practices not out of necessity but enjoymentCheck out "Farm Stories" for more insights on recovery techniques & nervous system regulation.Links:https://www.sparrowcrowfarm.com/ https://sparrowcrowfarm.substack.com/ - Farm Storieshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2pSH8og5Ho&t=1981s - self recorded recovery videoMessage the podcast! - questions will be answered on my youtube channel :) For more information about Long Covid Breathing courses & workshops, please check out LongCovidBreathing.com (music credit - Brock Hewitt, Rule of Life) Support the show~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Long Covid Podcast is self-produced & self funded. If you enjoy what you hear and are able to, please Buy me a coffee or purchase a mug to help cover costsTranscripts available on individual episodes herePodcast, website & blog: www.LongCovidPodcast.comFacebook @LongCovidPodcastInstagram Twitter @LongCovidPodFacebook Creativity GroupSubscribe to mailing listPlease get in touch with feedback, suggestions or how you're doing - I love to hear from you, via socials or LongCovidPodcast@gmail.com**Disclaimer - you should not rely on any medical information contained in this Podcast and related materials in making medical, health-related or other decisions. Please consult a doctor or other health professional**

10 snips
Sep 24, 2025 • 25min
188 - Moving Through the Liminal Space Between Illness and Wellness
Explore the intricate journey of recovery from Long Covid and ME/CFS, where finding a personalized path is key. Discover three phases of recovery that include denial, strategy-building, and gentle progress. Embrace the liminal space between illness and wellness for exploration without pressure. Celebrate small victories and recognize signs of recovery like laughing without crashing. Learn how to rebuild identity and safely engage with life again, focusing on consistent practices for long-term healing.

Sep 17, 2025 • 55min
187 - Energy Crisis: How Your Cell's Power Plants are Hijacked
Dr. Robert Groysman, a dual-boarded anaesthesiologist and pain specialist, dives into the complexities of Long Covid. He reveals six key mechanisms including mitochondrial dysfunction, which is crucial for energy production but can be damaged by COVID-19. Dr. Groysman emphasizes the importance of pacing to avoid post-exertional malaise and outlines a two-step recovery protocol that combines antioxidant support with careful mitophagy. His insights shed light on the multi-faceted nature of Long Covid and the need for a tailored treatment approach.

Sep 10, 2025 • 44min
186 - From Bedbound to Thriving: How Jamie Overcame Long Covid
**Content warning for discussion of suicidal thoughts from around 8:45 for 2 minutes**Jamie shares her powerful journey from being bedbound with Long Covid to full recovery, offering hope and practical insights into the healing process.• Initially experiencing tachycardia, PoTS, extreme fatigue, and sensitivities to light and sound• Deteriorating to the point of being bedbound and unable to care for herself• Reaching a mental health crisis point that became a surprising turning point• Discovering the concept that Long Covid could be a hypersensitive nervous system stuck in fight-or-flight• Using brain retraining techniques to gradually rebuild activity levels and trust in her body• Finding support through group coaching where achievements were celebrated• Completing the Lightning Process to bridge the final gap to complete recovery• Returning to full-time work as the milestone that marked complete recovery• Learning to distinguish between normal tiredness and illness-related symptoms• Finding a new identity and priorities after recovery, focusing on health and familyIf you're struggling with Long Covid, remember that recovery is possible. Jamie's journey shows that understanding your nervous system and taking small, consistent steps forward can lead to healing, even from the most severe symptoms.Message the podcast! - questions will be answered on my youtube channel :) For more information about Long Covid Breathing courses & workshops, please check out LongCovidBreathing.com (music credit - Brock Hewitt, Rule of Life) Support the show~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Long Covid Podcast is self-produced & self funded. If you enjoy what you hear and are able to, please Buy me a coffee or purchase a mug to help cover costsTranscripts available on individual episodes herePodcast, website & blog: www.LongCovidPodcast.comFacebook @LongCovidPodcastInstagram Twitter @LongCovidPodFacebook Creativity GroupSubscribe to mailing listPlease get in touch with feedback, suggestions or how you're doing - I love to hear from you, via socials or LongCovidPodcast@gmail.com**Disclaimer - you should not rely on any medical information contained in this Podcast and related materials in making medical, health-related or other decisions. Please consult a doctor or other health professional**

Sep 4, 2025 • 51min
185 - Dr Kendal Stewart - When Your Killer T-Cells Need a Vacation
Dr. Kendal Stewart shares his unique perspective on Long Covid through his background as a surgeon with training in functional medicine, neurosurgery, and cell biology. His approach examines the body as an integrated system rather than separating it into isolated specialties.• Complex conditions like Long Covid require a holistic view of the body as an interconnected system• Western medicine often silos patients into specialties based on symptoms, missing the bigger picture• T-cell weakness and microglial activation are key factors in Long Covid symptoms• The body's inflammation is doing exactly what it's programmed to do—it's not broken• Northern Europeans have particularly aggressive genetics for inflammation (76%) and often have broken "off switches"• Peptides like thymusin alpha-1 can help recover exhausted T-cells• Creating an environment favorable for healing is more effective than treating individual symptoms• Genetic testing provides a personalized "map" for treatment, focusing only on what's missing• Many people who recover become healthier than they were before getting sickLinks: Dr Stewart's YoutubeDr Stewart's InstagramDr Stewart's websiteMessage the podcast! - questions will be answered on my youtube channel :) For more information about Long Covid Breathing courses & workshops, please check out LongCovidBreathing.com (music credit - Brock Hewitt, Rule of Life) Support the show~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Long Covid Podcast is self-produced & self funded. If you enjoy what you hear and are able to, please Buy me a coffee or purchase a mug to help cover costsTranscripts available on individual episodes herePodcast, website & blog: www.LongCovidPodcast.comFacebook @LongCovidPodcastInstagram Twitter @LongCovidPodFacebook Creativity GroupSubscribe to mailing listPlease get in touch with feedback, suggestions or how you're doing - I love to hear from you, via socials or LongCovidPodcast@gmail.com**Disclaimer - you should not rely on any medical information contained in this Podcast and related materials in making medical, health-related or other decisions. Please consult a doctor or other health professional**

16 snips
Jul 30, 2025 • 1h 1min
184 - Brain Health Breakthrough with Dr Henry Mahncke & Dr Gitendra Uswatte
Join Dr. Henry Mahncke, a neuroscientist and brain training pioneer, alongside Dr. Gitendra Uswatte, a rehabilitation psychologist, as they unveil transformative strategies for combating Long Covid brain fog. They discuss the brain's remarkable plasticity and its potential to recover cognitive functions through targeted training. Learn how their innovative approach blends cognitive exercises with real-world tasks, leading an impressive 80% of participants back to work. This discussion challenges misconceptions about brain health and emphasizes its crucial link to overall well-being.

Jul 24, 2025 • 53min
183 - Strength in Vulnerability: Theresa's Recovery Story
In this episode, Jackie is joined by Theresa Aristarco who shares her Long Covid recovery story. Theresa's journey from an active software engineer to battling long-haul COVIDNavigating complex medical challenges and invisible symptomsThe critical role of mental health in recoveryOvercoming vestibular issues and physical limitationsFinding hope and healing through physical therapy, medication, and supportEpisode Themes:Long COVID recoveryMental health and healingThe importance of community and vulnerabilityNon-linear recovery processMemorable Quotes:"I was never going to get better alone""Progress isn't linear, recovery isn't linear""I'm only recently starting to say I'm not sick anymore"Links:Theresa's website: theresaaristarco.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/theresaaristarcoSubstack: theresaaristarco.substack.comMessage the podcast! - questions will be answered on my youtube channel :) For more information about Long Covid Breathing courses & workshops, please check out LongCovidBreathing.com (music credit - Brock Hewitt, Rule of Life) Support the show~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Long Covid Podcast is self-produced & self funded. If you enjoy what you hear and are able to, please Buy me a coffee or purchase a mug to help cover costsTranscripts available on individual episodes herePodcast, website & blog: www.LongCovidPodcast.comFacebook @LongCovidPodcastInstagram Twitter @LongCovidPodFacebook Creativity GroupSubscribe to mailing listPlease get in touch with feedback, suggestions or how you're doing - I love to hear from you, via socials or LongCovidPodcast@gmail.com**Disclaimer - you should not rely on any medical information contained in this Podcast and related materials in making medical, health-related or other decisions. Please consult a doctor or other health professional**

Jul 16, 2025 • 47min
182 - Finding Rest in a World That Never Stops - Karen's Recovery Story
Karen Wright from Sage Health and Wellness shares her powerful recovery story from Long COVID, offering hope and practical wisdom for those still struggling with chronic illness.• Karen was a busy NHS physiotherapist involved in developing Long COVID services before becoming ill herself in autumn 2021• Her severe case left her unable to speak at times, care for her children, or maintain basic daily activities• Understanding and accepting true rest became fundamental to her recovery journey• Finding her energy baseline through careful observation of triggers like food, light sensitivity and conversation was crucial• Small, consistent actions over time led to gradual improvement including nutrition changes and gentle movement• An unexpected thyroid cancer diagnosis revealed how some of her persistent symptoms may have been related to cancer rather than Long COVID• Karen's recovery insights led her to launch Sage Health and Wellness to support others through education programs• Self-acceptance emerges as a core message: "You're valuable as you are, whatever your productivity looks like" Links:Connect with Karen at Sage Health & Wellness: www.sagehealthandwellness.co.ukMessage the podcast! - questions will be answered on my youtube channel :) For more information about Long Covid Breathing courses & workshops, please check out LongCovidBreathing.com (music credit - Brock Hewitt, Rule of Life) Support the show~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Long Covid Podcast is self-produced & self funded. If you enjoy what you hear and are able to, please Buy me a coffee or purchase a mug to help cover costsTranscripts available on individual episodes herePodcast, website & blog: www.LongCovidPodcast.comFacebook @LongCovidPodcastInstagram Twitter @LongCovidPodFacebook Creativity GroupSubscribe to mailing listPlease get in touch with feedback, suggestions or how you're doing - I love to hear from you, via socials or LongCovidPodcast@gmail.com**Disclaimer - you should not rely on any medical information contained in this Podcast and related materials in making medical, health-related or other decisions. Please consult a doctor or other health professional**

21 snips
Jul 9, 2025 • 1h 1min
181 - Dr David Putrino - The Multifaceted Approach to Long Covid Recovery
Dr. David Putrino shares his expertise on Long Covid, approaching it through the lens of comprehensive rehabilitation and personalized medicine rather than one-size-fits-all treatments. He explains how identifying the specific drivers behind common symptoms leads to more effective intervention strategies.• Rehabilitation medicine encompasses far more than exercise recovery, including energy conservation strategies, mobility aids, and psychological support• Different symptoms like fatigue can have various causes (sleep disruption, autonomic dysfunction) requiring distinct treatment approaches• Techniques used for elite athletes to optimize mitochondrial function may benefit Long Covid patients through similar biological pathways• Stabilizing symptoms through pacing apps and basic interventions creates a foundation for more targeted treatments• Gender differences in Long Covid prevalence (65-70% women) may relate to protective effects of testosterone• Treatments must be personalized based on precise understanding of underlying mechanisms rather than symptom categories alone• Research is uncovering multiple drivers including persistent pathogens, autoimmunity, reactivated infections, and DysautonomiaFor those experiencing Long Covid symptoms, finding clinicians who understand these complex mechanisms and can identify your specific drivers is critical to receiving effective treatment.Links: https://icahn.mssm.edu/research/cohenhttps://longcovid.physio/https://www.youtube.com/@CoRESinaiMessage the podcast! - questions will be answered on my youtube channel :) For more information about Long Covid Breathing courses & workshops, please check out LongCovidBreathing.com (music credit - Brock Hewitt, Rule of Life) Support the show~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Long Covid Podcast is self-produced & self funded. If you enjoy what you hear and are able to, please Buy me a coffee or purchase a mug to help cover costsTranscripts available on individual episodes herePodcast, website & blog: www.LongCovidPodcast.comFacebook @LongCovidPodcastInstagram Twitter @LongCovidPodFacebook Creativity GroupSubscribe to mailing listPlease get in touch with feedback, suggestions or how you're doing - I love to hear from you, via socials or LongCovidPodcast@gmail.com**Disclaimer - you should not rely on any medical information contained in this Podcast and related materials in making medical, health-related or other decisions. Please consult a doctor or other health professional**