About IBD

05/12/2026

How often do you try to “push through” symptoms? ✋

We white-knuckle our way through work, social lives, and parenting, treating our IBD like a backpack we have to carry while pretending it isn’t heavy.

In my latest episode of , I’m joined by Bari Gratton, a Crohn’s patient and Yoga Therapist who lived that “push through” life until her body finally forced her to stop. 🛑

Bari shares her journey from three surgeries to finding sanctuary in yoga.

We dive deep into:
✨ The 5 Layers of Being: Why your IBD isn’t only physical and how to reconnect with your inner wisdom and bliss.
✨ Productive Rest: Why stopping or pressing pause isn’t a weakness, but is necessary. ⏸️
✨ The Power of “OMG”: Bari’s Take Steps team, Om My Guts, and how she’s building community through Girls with Guts and the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.

I think this episode is a wake up call and a reality check to those of us who feel like our value is tied to our productivity. Instead, we need to remember that we deserve rest and joy.

🎧 Listen to Episode 201: “Yoga Therapy for IBD: Why Acceptance is the Best Teacher” wherever you get your podcasts, or head to YouTube for the video!

05/08/2026

👀 I feel like it’s better to know.

It’s overwhelming, the amount of things that are connected to . It’s rude, really. That even our eyes are not immune.

But here’s my thing: I don’t want anyone to ever say “Why didn’t someone tell me?”

Get much more on , which is in your podcast app right now, or head to YouTube or AboutIBD.com to learn about eye disorders. And so so so much more.

05/07/2026

People with IBD are at greater risk of blood clots. Especially during flares/hospitalizations. Here's info on recognizing symptoms.

Know the symptoms of blood clots in your leg and when to seek help. Early treatment can prevent severe or potentially fatal complications.

05/06/2026

3️⃣ Reasons you need to be at Telescope Studios in Los Angeles on May 16th!

1️⃣ Live Podcast Recording! 🎙️ (We are spilling all the IBD truths)
2️⃣ Real Conversations 🗣️ (No medical jargon, just real lived experiences)
3️⃣ The Best Community 🫶 (Meeting people who actually get it)

Come hang out with us at Telescope Studios! Link in bio for details or go to: ABodyOwnersGuideToIBD.com

05/05/2026

🙄 Yes. Even your eyes.

On episode 200 of , I talk about some of the eye problems connected to . They range from annoying to potentially sight-destroying.

But, not everyone with or is at the same risk level. Having lots of risk factors doesn’t mean you’ll develop an eye disorder. But having no risk factors doesn’t mean it can’t happen to you. It’s all about your particular level of risk. Ask your healthcare providers to help put your situation into context.

In the meantime, I pack a lot of info about your eyes into one short episode! Get it on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and at AboutIBD.com for a transcript.

05/02/2026

👁️ Did you know that having puts you at risk for eye disease?

It feels unfair because we already deal with so much. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are immune-mediated inflammatory conditions, and the inflammation doesn’t stay in the digestive system. It can affect our eyes, too. 😔

In episode 200 of , I talk about how you can watch for eye problems and protect your vision.

Stuff you’ll learn:
❇️ The connection between IBD and eye disorders
❇️ An overview of the common eye conditions associated with IBD
❇️ Symptoms of these eye conditions and which are urgent
❇️ Risk factors for developing eye diseases
❇️ How eye conditions related to IBD might be treated
❇️ How to care for your eyes when you live with IBD

Get all the details on Episode 200. You can head to any podcast app, YouTube, or AboutIBD.com to watch, listen, or read a transcript!

Here’s the shortlink: https://bit.ly/AIBD200

UlcerativeColitis

"We often take our eyesight for granted, and there doesn't seem to be a through line between our gut and our eyes. Eye disease might go unnoticed at first, unless you know that it can be connected to your IBD.”

05/02/2026

Come hang with us on May 16th in LA at Telescope!
Tickets: https://e.givesmart.com/events/Odp/

04/30/2026

It's the last day of voting in the Women Podcasters Awards! About IBD is nominated in the "Wellness" category. I'd be grateful if you'd consider voting here:

Open from April 1 - 30,2026 at 6PM:

04/29/2026

🚻 IBD is not only a “bathroom disease.”

You probably know that already. But what people might not know is that one potential extra-intestinal manifestation is eye disease. Adding insult to injury: these are not always benign eye conditions. Some of them could lead to permanent vision loss. 😵‍💫

That’s why I put together this episode covering eye disorders and their connection to IBD, including how eye disease can occur even when in remission from the IBD. 😧

Eye disorders are serious, but I can not be serious for more than a few minutes at a time, so you’ll get a little of my (maybe dark?) humor along this journey. 🖤

Get all the details on Episode 200. That’s right, TWO hundred! You can head to any podcast app, YouTube, or AboutIBD.com to watch, listen, or read a transcript! Here’s the shortlink: https://bit.ly/AIBD200

04/22/2026

🚽The changes to disability access are devastating.

I don’t want to discount that. For me, the day that I won’t be able to do the parks may not be far off. I’m on the path for joint replacements and other medical needs as I enter into my mid-50s. (Yikes!) 🛵

But Disney is still one of the easiest places for me to go right now. If I need to step out of line to use the bathroom, staff has always been accommodating. In some places, they allowed me to get in the single rider line. In others, they allowed me to wait off to the side until the rest of my party made it to the front of the line.

Unlike concerts and festivals and pretty much everywhere else I’ve ever been, there’s not a line for the women’s. There’s enough stalls.

Maybe everyone is dehydrated? 😆 But for me, it takes off a lot of the pressure and anxiety around access because I have a jpouch and bladder issues.

Apologies international viewers: I’m not versed on how it is in other places. I do know that in my travels to the UK and the Mediterranean, bathroom access was a huge problem. I could only travel internationally after I had jpouch surgery.

Let’s continue to work toward getting more equitable disability policies and better toilet access in public spaces. Florida does not have a bathroom access law, but many other states do.

Check the laws in your state, and get involved with patient advocacy groups who lobby for better access, if you want to do that work and have the time and ability. 💜

04/15/2026

Managing your diet AND staying active with IBD is a full-time job. But it’s possible! 💪

On the latest episode of , T.L. Wright (The IBD Athlete) shared her exact playbook for making it work.

Here are her top 5 tips:
🔍 Read Labels Carefully: Hidden ingredients can trigger symptoms. Check everything and look up unfamiliar additives!
🥦 Keep Recipes Simple: Don’t stress trying to recreate complex copycat foods. Focus on whole foods and building a sustainable routine.
🤝 Find Your Community: A Facebook group, a trusted provider, or a great cookbook makes managing an eating plan easier.
🥘 Plan for Meal Prepping: Invest in the right tools and containers. Streamlining your batch cooking will keep you on track.
🏃‍♀️ Don’t Give Up on Staying Active: IBD doesn’t mean giving up sports! Find coaches who understand your condition, prioritize your rest, and do what brings you joy.

🎧 Want to hear more about T.L.’s journey? Head to AboutIBD.com, your podcast app, or YouTube to the full episode! (shortlink: https://bit.ly/AIBD199)