Episode 123 - ​​Turning the Tables: Kathy Chester's Journey in MS, Movement, and Mindset

In a change from our regularly scheduled programming, today I had the pleasure of being interviewed by my wonderful colleague, Mollie Witt. We discussed our journey together, as she has been a personal training client of mine for nearly a year. She shared how our training sessions have transformed her life following her MS diagnosis.

We talked about my passion for podcasting and memorable moments and emotional stories from podcast guests, before going on to talk about our new Disrupting MS Together program.

Disrupting MS Together aims to empower individuals living with MS through functional movement and coaching. I’m excited about the group workouts and the supportive environment we’re creating, and I believe that by fostering a sense of community, we can help each other thrive.

As we wrapped up our conversation, I shared a story from my own experience that reinforced my commitment to staying active and encouraging others to do the same. It’s all about authenticity and connection, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my journey with you all.

DISCLAIMER

The information in this podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

Links and resources:

Learn more about Disrupting MS Together

Check out the new MS Disrupted Merch

If you're interested in having Kathy speak at your event, learn more here

You can find Kathy Chester at:
msdisrupted@gmail.com
disruptfitnessgym@gmail.com
moveitorloseit109@gmail.com

Connect with @msdisrupted on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok

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Transcript

Kathy Chester [intro]: Hello, I'm your host, Kathy Chester, and welcome to the Move It or Lose It podcast, a podcast about all things that move the mind, body, and soul. The Move It or Lose It podcast is for information, awareness, and inspirational purposes only. I am not a doctor and I don't even play one on TV. So please consult with your doctor before making any medical decisions. The views expressed by advertisers, guests, or contributors are their opinions and not necessarily the views of the Move It or Lose It podcast.
 Mollie Witt: Welcome to the Move It or Lose It podcast. I am sitting in for your host tonight. My name is Mollie and I am going to be interviewing Kathy Chester, the amazing Kathy. How are you doing?
 Kathy Chester: I'm doing great. Thank you for hosting, Mollie.
 Mollie Witt: Yes, it's fun to have the tables turned and get to hear from you a little bit. And I think that's, that's super awesome. So how's your day been?
 Kathy Chester: Well, it's been pretty crazy. I've been at Michigan University all day, which I guess if I had to be at one university, it would be Michigan. So I'm grateful to be there. Now, Sophia, my golden retriever, as you well know, is driving me a little bonkers. So if I have to exit her, I'll let you know. But today was a little bit crazy. I had a lot of tests done today. You know, I can think that what I thought about a lot was, you know, those of us with MS, we are MS, MS, MS, MS. And today I also had rheumatoid and it was a big rheumatoid day. And it was just the stuff that I kind of bury and think, I don't really want to deal with that. I've got enough to deal with, with epilepsy and MS. And it just was a big eye opener of things that I kind of just didn't deal with for a long time. And I had really no idea what it was doing and realized It's been doing a lot and I better start taking care of it. So now a lot more tasks though. We can't put our heads in the sand on any of these.
 Mollie Witt: Yeah, that's true. And I don't know how you do it. For those of you that don't know who I am. I'm Mollie. I've been working with Kathy for 11 months now in personal training. Yeah, I was counting backwards. And so I have MS. I'm newly diagnosed. Kathy has been my trainer since pretty much the get go and has really done a lot of work with me and gotten me to where I thought I'd never be. But when it comes to working out with Kathy, she really puts her all into it. And I don't know how you do that. And the podcast and have the epilepsy and the rheumatoid like you are a superwoman.
 Kathy Chester: Well, what was the song? Taylon used to have my daughter on a ringtone. It was, man, I feel like, who sang that? Oh yeah, Shania Twain. Shania Twain, yeah. That was Caitlyn's ringtone for me ever since she was a little girl and I always laughed. And she's like, cause you do everything. You do. Like, I really think that before MS, there was no stop button. You know, it was just like, I want to do everything and not stop. And so I think like the MS, like kind of put a little bit of pause on my energy and for the kids, especially when they were little, gave me like a little bit of a stop. So like, we can snuggle you, you have to stop. And so that kind of gave me a look into like, in a good way, like I need to slow down, like they need their mom. They need me to be with them. So it was very helpful for me to see how fast I was actually moving and that I need to slow down. And then they grew up and now I'm moving fast again. So you are, you are moving fast. As long as I'm alive, I'm never going to quit.
 Mollie Witt: You are doing it. You are doing it. And you've got your hands in a lot of things. And like I came across you, I was in the hospital, not knowing what was going on with my life. And I'm flipping through TikTok and I see a video of you and somebody that you supported crossing the finish line at walking mass when I couldn't walk. And that was fantastic. And I was like, I want to do that one day. And then lo and behold, we met. And yeah, I knew you as a trainer. I had no idea of this whole podcast side of you. Right. How did you get into this? Like, how did you start it? What inspired you?
 Kathy Chester: Well, I always I loved podcasts. I knew that I wanted to do one. And so for a lot of years, it was actually me, like looking at different podcasts and really listening to ones. that were historical, ones that were funny, that were like different illnesses. And the ones that I didn't like were the ones that were very monotone. I didn't like the ones either that were kind of like you had to fill each slot, like you had to make sure you hit each button. And I was like, I don't want anyone that's a guest with me to feel like, oh, go back, you didn't hit that one, you didn't answer that blank. I wanted it to be more conversational. And I also didn't like the ones where like, if you're with your friends, you're laughing about something, but the people listening have no idea what you're laughing about, because it's like an inside joke. And I never wanted people to feel like, like they weren't part of podcasts. I wanted everybody to feel like they were with me and we were a big group in the podcast.
 Mollie Witt: I love that. And that's what I've always got from it. You know, listening to the podcast, I feel like I'm sitting in the room with you and your guests. So it's very, very comforting. Um, now when you started on this podcasting journey, how has your personal training business and your life coaching and wellness coaching influenced what you do into the podcast world?
 Kathy Chester: It's been amazing. I, especially because. What I usually do is I'll interview a patient, I'll interview a doctor that really speaks to me, or a friend or a client or a patient will let me know, like, have you heard of this doctor? And I'll hit them up and say, this is what I do. I would love to get some more information. And then the other part I love are companies that are making different devices or different things that make our life easier, whatever our disease is. Like I just did the big interview with Pulse and that was one of my favorite podcasts. I loved the way that he was. It was just a very genuine, honest podcast where, you know, you do some with different doctors and some with different companies and they can be a bit arrogant about the product and stuff. And you're like, okay, you're like, all right, thanks. But, um, I've been really lucky and blessed to have Doctors that have been amazing and companies that have just been like, I've been so proud to really help them out as much as I can. And I love someone said to me years ago that, you know, people that are insecure compete. People that are secure and love what they do collaborate. And so girlfriend, if you get someone says I want to collaborate, I'm like, let's go. Cause I love that. I think it's. The best way to spread awareness and to grow is collaborating.
 Mollie Witt: Oh, absolutely. Absolutely. I mean, I, I know personally speaking, there are brands that you have collaborated with that you have introduced me to that I would have no idea existed. And like one of them is changed my life. I live in Texas. Y'all it is hot down here.
 Kathy Chester: Yes. Yeah. And they're great. I mean, that's a company that, you know, I would not have known about before. I mean, I might've seen it, but you know, to have that relationship with different companies and, you know, different patients that you really connect with, and you've got that relationship with where you can say like, I really need a favor. Can you do this? And then they say the same for you. It's just been such a bond. podcasting that I guess I wouldn't have assumed that. I knew it'd be exciting. And I knew I never shut off. I can't write as much because of my my rheumatoid. But I was like, well, I know one thing I do. I'm very chatty. Of course, chatty Cathy. So that was something I'm like, I can rock that out. And I not just chatty, but I love to listen to a story. I love to hear your story. I want to know about you. I want to know what drives you, what gets you excited, what makes you stay up at night? What do you like to read? I'm fascinated just by people in general, which my kids will say, that's why we don't go to the grocery store with you because you're too fascinated by everybody. So the podcast was a no brainer for me.
 Mollie Witt: Yeah, it's very exciting. Well, I mean, it's very you're very natural at it and you're very good at it. And I love listening to it. And I know that your other your other listeners love it as well. Thank you. Now, thinking back to your time doing the podcast, are there anything that sticks out to you specifically, like any special memorable experiences or anything that you can think of off the top of your head?
 Kathy Chester: OK, so my funny thing is we'll have to work on it, but they'll be a blooper of all of the last names. I never get cracked. I mean, we will say the last name 10 seconds before I go on and I'll say it and it'll be completely wrong. Doctors that I'm so nervous to have on and I'll completely, completely mess up their name. So I think of all my podcasts, there's gotta be at least 50. that I've done wrong. Just all messed up last names. And they're always so kind to me. I'm like, I'm so sorry. I did it again. That's always funny to me. And there's so many, I love doing podcasts with address MS. They don't even have a mess. They're a bunch of teenagers and they do all of these things to raise awareness. They're high school and the following year they give away their title to the next group of kids that want to work with MS. They are adorable and I fall in love with them every year. So I'll be doing a panel, I think next month with them. I love working with them. That's one of my favorite groups because it's like they're teenagers. I don't remember as a teenager, I really would have taken it that serious. And gosh, I don't know, the patients choked me up. Mollie, this is too hard. I don't know. Too hard of a question. Next. All right.
 Mollie Witt: I don't know. Too many. Kind of piggybacking on that, though, you do a lot of talking in your podcast, but you also do a lot of coaching in your training as well. And and I'll never forget a moment that I thought my world was crumbling. I had just lost my job. We had training set up. I was scared, didn't know what was going to happen. And you could see it on my face. And you're like, we're going to breathe. And you completely pivoted and like, it really helped me as a person, obviously, like I'm past that, that's been quite some time ago, but the impact that you made with me in that moment really stuck with me. And then the times that we've been working out and you're like, Mollie, your face is red, are you overheating? How hot is it outside right now? And do you have your fans on like those types of things? Like, how do you just know? Like, cause you just know.
 Kathy Chester: No, I have a mask. as well. I think I just automatically go to those things. Like, I know our anxiety is high, often, out of nowhere. And so if I see that on your face, or on any of my clients face, I know what's the biggest part if we're exercising, our brain has to connect, right? We want that brain, we want that plasticity, we want that to come. We want that brain to connect with our muscles. So if We're anxious. If we're upset about something that happened in that day, we're not there. We're not connecting. So if I can first look at you and say, what do we need today? What do you need today? Where are you at? What happened? Can we stop by just talking and breathing? And then if we're feeling a little bit better, we can move from there. But if not, maybe that's all today. And I really think that starting off the way I did, Mollie, That pulled me away from going with any of the bigger franchises because I knew that I would never be able to do that. And it's actually what made me open up my own gym is because like the bigger, you know, gyms that we've talked about, we're like, no, come work with me. Come on, you can do this, this. And I'm like, no, I won't own it. And I can't do it the way that I believe needs to be done. And even back then, form was most important to me. and how much more for us when we've done things where if you're standing, you take a leg behind to balance. If I can't see you, then that's dangerous. And so before we do anything like that, if your mind is somewhere else and your anxiety is here, then how safe is that for you? And I care too much about each of my clients to allow us to go further if it takes 15 minutes for us just to breathe. And then that day you feel so much better. And then maybe we got 10 minutes in, but you're going to feel so much better in that day because your anxiety is not here anymore. And you got some movement in. So I just think how much better sense does that make then saying let's move 30 minutes, go. That makes no sense to me.
 Mollie Witt: I know. I had a personal trainer prior to MS and I lived about like a mile from the gym and it was hot outside. It was like I think 105 or something. Texas? What? I know. Go figure. It was hot here and my car wouldn't start. And so I called her and I was like, Hey, my car won't start. Like, I understand it's the last minute cancellation. Like I'm good with that, but like, I can't be there. She said, no, go run to the gym. And I was like, um, no, we're not doing that. Like it was a very different experience than what you offer. Like you are real good at meeting your clients where they're at. And you said something earlier that kind of triggered something in my mind. You had mentioned, um, Like on a video and not wanting to just you know somebody steps wrong and you want to be able to correct it and you are always correcting for me you're so good at that and sometimes like you can tell me like. control your abs or my core. And you can tell that it's out. And I'm wearing a baggy shirt. Like, I don't even know how you know, and I'm in my head. I'm like, how does she know?
 Kathy Chester: And they're reminders. That's why a lot of times I like to do it with you. Yes. Cause then it helps me remember, oh, abs in, you know, everything that in, but then also I like to do with you, but that's not my exercise time. So I also will do it with you, but then I like to come right at the screen and sit. So I'm like eyeballing you. I love it. I always want you to feel like I'm with you as your friend watching you and your coach, but your friends so that I'm excited about what you're doing and watching you. But yeah, that everything that you're doing, that I got you. Absolutely. If I could just pick you up, that would be great.
 Mollie Witt: But I think it's so important, especially with MS, like our bodies move differently than they did prior to MS. And it's funny, the little reminders that we need and you know where they're at and you're able to do it. And I love the new program that you have disrupting MS together in a group setting. I might be a little partial to that program, but.
 Kathy Chester: Well, I think that's why it got you so much is the breathing and stuff. And then you started, you know, getting coaching and going for that. And I think that's so great for you. And I loved it. So I knew that I wanted you to be a part of that. And I wanted to have something as well. That was for a bigger group. Cause last year, I think I did on zoom where we met and people could do that together and they liked that. but it wasn't something I knew I could do. It was like $19 a month or something like that. And I knew I couldn't do that every week for my life. So I was like, okay, what can I do that's affordable for people to pick up and have a program that's ongoing that they can keep the videos, but then they can also ask questions you know, talk to us and come and ask me, email or message me and say, Hey, I was in the middle of doing this. I wasn't really clear on how to do it. And I can get right back to them and then do the workouts with us during that, you know, the 10 weeks. So that to me was like, okay, I can do this. I feel good about this rather than handing them like an on demand. Good luck. You know, I couldn't, I couldn't do that. But this was something I was like, yeah, I like it. I like this. Yeah. So I'm really excited about this. Then, you know, this is our first pilot one and loving it. And I'm excited for people to learn more, get excited and to try it out.
 Mollie Witt: Yes. And I love so much how, when we were kind of developing the program, it was very important to you. Like, no, we're going to have group workouts and having experienced that and done the workout and, you know, the call out to the correcting. And I don't know how you see everybody on camera at the same time. It's amazing. It is amazing.
 Kathy Chester [Disrupting MS Together promo]: The Move It or Lose It podcast is proudly sponsored by Disrupting MS Together, designed to help you take control of your wellness while living with multiple sclerosis. Disrupting MS Together aims to increase mobility through functional movement. Coaches Kathy Chester and Mally Witt see to connect the mind, body, and spirit with guided, focused online workouts and coaching. You'll get targeted workouts sent directly to your email and Q&A sessions with licensed coaches, early access to podcast episodes with experts in the industry, group workout sessions through Zoom, and curated content that you won't find anywhere else. Early bird pricing is only available for the pilot program. So don't wait, check it out now. The program includes a tremendous amount of benefit from seasoned coaches who also live and thrive with multiple sclerosis. Learn more and take the leap today. Visit www.msdisrupted.com to learn more and snag your spot now while you can.
Mollie Witt: During the program, we've done a lot of focus on resiliency because that's required with MS and you are a very resilient person and you teach that to your clients and as a trainer for MS and other autoimmune communities and even people that don't have autoimmune disorders, what's been your biggest like takeaway with kind of coaching through the resilience and helping people understand how important that is?
 Kathy Chester: I think I would say that again, it goes back to like being newly diagnosed, right? Because we're so vulnerable at that time. And for me, my grandfather had it, and so did my aunt. And people who've heard me tell this story are like, we've heard you tell this story. They passed away. And both of them, no exercise, no nothing. And it didn't make any sense to me. And so I feel like because of that, because of what I've seen, The resilience is just don't give up. You know, and I remember getting into the infusion center. We all, we all know when you're first diagnosed, that's quite terrifying. You're like, what do they have? What do they have? Why are they, why do they look like that? And I remember a woman that was, she was not well off at all. She was doing very poor and she looked over at me and she grabbed my hand and she just said, I'm going to tell you what I wish I did. I wish that I kept going and I wish I never stopped exercising. Now, I just felt goosebumps because why would she tell me that? I was a trainer, she didn't know me. And she grabbed my hand and she just said, don't stop what you're doing. Don't stop exercising, don't stop moving. That was the mistake I made. And I was like, okay. So that for me was like, I knew not to ever, I mean, I already knew that in my heart, I wasn't going to stop that, but I feel like that's, and then, you know, 20 years later, MS Society says, movement, your best defense. So obviously I always thought that, that that was my biggest defense was staying active. You know, I was coached and stuff like that, but also, I think a lot of filling my heart was was a lot of the speaking I did. You know, I worked with women. I worked with young adults and I worked with teenagers. Ironically, it was a lot of them getting cancer and getting autoimmune diseases. And so I would do a lot of my women's ministry was called Inside Out. And I was folding clothes and getting kids clothes. And God just gave me that your life is inside out. And our lives are inside out. And so that's what I did. And I spoke a lot to women about just our stuff and issues. So I have always loved that. I've always loved to go and speak to teens, young adults, and just about the crap. You know, I've always felt like that's just what's missing is just like just authenticity, just speaking about life. the beauty of it, but also the crap of it. And just being real, being together and saying, I've got you, you get me, and let's do this together. And I think if we did that, how much easier everything would be. I would say as a pastor's wife long ago, that was something that I really was taught and took that with me. I've been very grateful to speak at groups, you know, people who have MS or kids that are graduating, Um, resilience, of course, kids that think that they can't do it, let them know. Absolutely.
 Mollie Witt: You can. Yes. One of the first things I noticed on your website is that you do speaking engagements and you can be booked for those. And that really intrigued me because I have a terrible fear of stage fright, like completely blackout. Can't even read my own handwriting stage fright. And. Yeah, you are in the personal training world and you have your support groups and your podcast and then just that stuck out to me like, oh, this woman can public speak. She's a badass. I don't know if I'm allowed to say that on your podcast, but absolutely. That was one of the first things I noticed.
 Kathy Chester: Yes. Yeah. You know what, Mollie? I cannot do with notes. Yeah. I have just go up like free and clear and just be like, say it. Honestly, if it's something I believe in, I love. I'm good because it's not about me. Right. You know, that's I could not go up and just talk about me. But if I'm talking about what I love and talking to a group of people and I can look at people and like I can see where I'm connecting, then I love that. You know, it's about the subject matter, I think.
 Mollie Witt: Absolutely. But you're really good at it. And the inspiration that comes from these groups that you're creating, and this space that you've created, like, you know, my story, I was barely able to get out of a wheelchair. And I was terrified of taking a shower. And now I took a shower without using my shower chair. And yeah, you, you have the physical skill and the mental skill and the groups and the support are great. And this whole like space that you've created with MS disrupted. It's just so amazing.
 Kathy Chester: It's so amazing. Well, now you make me cry. Honestly, I think the hard days where we all get anxiety and then it's something like you calling, you know, it's different when you own it, have a big gym. they leave and it's kind of, it's great, it's exciting, but it's empty. And then now it's like, to get a phone call, like what you told me, Tal, say what you told me.
 Mollie Witt: I went to the doctor's yesterday and it was the first time I walked in the doctor's office and out without a cane. And then I came home and walked some more and I walked about a mile and a half yesterday with no mobility aids. Yes, she did. I did. And that's because of you. And then you know, but you helped me down the path to see that I could do it. So not only did you know, does your training support the physical aspect of it emotionally, like the support groups and the the coaching that you've done, and you've pumped that into me, and I know you pump it into your other clients as well. And then where it kind of ripples is that I posted a video, just a little glimpse of it, and I'm getting DMs from other people telling me that it inspired them. So it's like a triple effect. The ripple effect.
 Kathy Chester: Ripple, thank you. Yeah, I love the ripple effect of those things. And it's weird, because it's like I never understood the imposter's effect. that imposter. Yes. I never understood that until you start getting so many compliments and you see it working. And it's like, Oh my God, this is so exciting. Even though you know it is. Yeah. You know, because when I had the gym, it could be like two people here and two people here because there was no time. And now because I can do it full time. It's like Oh my gosh, this is so exciting. Oh my gosh. Like they did this today. It's so crazy. Cause you have to fight against that. Cause you're like, it is a weird thing that I've always known. I've always heard about it. I counseled it. Now it's me. And I'm like, I need counseling for this. So it's funny that it's like, it is a real thing that happens, but it is beautiful to get those phone calls and text messages that, you know, I stood up in the shower. I, walk to get my breakfast. And you're just like in tears. And you know, someone comes home and they're like, what happened? You're like, nothing bad. It's really good. So it's just a very different life. That part of my life is very, very humbling.
 Mollie Witt: Well, I love it. And I think that you are the best person for it. And I know that you've made a difference in my life. And there's the ripple effect, for sure. And it all came from a random TikTok scroll. And it's funny how the universe works, but I wouldn't want to be on this journey with anybody but you. And I know your other clients feel the same way. And it's absolutely been an honor to sit in and play Kathy for a minute and do the interviewing. Your podcast, you're move it or lose it. Thank you, Mollie. It's been great. And thank you so much for letting me do this. You're kind of good at it, Mollie. Well, thank you. I have imposter syndrome. I think I'm effing it up.
 Kathy Chester: But thank you. We'll have to do this. Maybe we'll interview a client together. Hey, and by the way, did you notice our new swag came in? I did. I love it. Yeah. So grab your t-shirts and sweatshirts and all the other fun stuff. So That is out on our website, so take a peek.
 Mollie Witt: MSdisrupted.com, there's a whole bunch of swag on there.
 Kathy Chester: A whole bunch of stuff. This is really great. I really appreciate it. And so excited about all the stuff that's going on. Moving forward, I'm in the middle of writing a book because I didn't have anything else to do. So I was like, let's add that. Yeah, because you're bored all the time. It's going to be kind of fun. I figure between three and four when I'm awake, Why not?
 Mollie Witt: Why not? Nothing else is going on at three o'clock in the morning, right?
 Kathy Chester: So I'm just going to do it. I'm just going to do it. 

Kathy Chester [outro]: Thank you so much for joining me for another episode of the Move It or Lose It podcast. It would mean the world to me if you subscribed and left a review. Remember, you can find me on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube. New episodes of the Move It or Lose It podcast air every other Wednesday. If you have any suggestions for future guests or topics, please visit my website at www.msdisrupted.com. Until next time.