Our Hosts
Ardra Shephard
Ardra Shephard is a sought-after writer, consultant, and speaker, whose award-winning blog Tripping On Air has an international reputation. Ardra is the creator and host of AMI-tv's series Fashion Dis. Her personal essays and non-fiction work have appeared in FASHION magazine, InStyle, WebMD and others. She has a regular column with BezzyMS (Ask Ardra Anything), and a powerful social media presence.
"@ms_trippingonair is the number one chronic illness account to follow on Instagram." - Yahoo Lifestyle
Ardra is in development of a television show about life with MS and Tripping on Air the podcast debuts on AMI-audio in July 2022.
Photo credit: Alkan Emin
Ashley Gil
After experiencing lower limb numbness in 2021, Ashley was referred to a neurologist by her physio and subsequently diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS (RRMS). She has since created a thriving community via her Instagram page (@mswithashley).
“I will break the silence of MS and unravel the raw experiences so we can better understand how to self-manage, advocate for awareness and be part of the MS movement.”
She is fundraising for MS Queensland by running for the people who have lost their ability to, as she did prior to treatment. Help her reach her goal and leave a message of support here.
Carla King
Carla was diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) in 2008, but began experiencing symptoms at least 10 years prior to this.
As both a mother and a professional Career Coach, Carla has a wealth of valuable knowledge about parenthood and employment with MS. She shares her expert advice and experience via her well-regarded blog My MS Bully and Me and social media platforms (@CarlaKCoach).
Lottie Rainbow
Lottie was diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) in 2020 after experiencing numbness, pins and needles and diplopia (double vision). She shared her MS diagnosis journey on her already well-established Instagram page (@lottierainbow) and YouTube channel. Lottie continues to share the highs and lows of life living with MS to help as many people as possible who are having similar experiences.
As a personal trainer and dog mum to her Labrador, Basil, Lottie continues to live an active lifestyle. She advocates for not letting MS dominate your life or prevent you from living it to the fullest. Her goal is for no one with MS to feel alone.
Dominic Shadbolt
Dominic is the founder of theMSguide.com - a successful patient-to-patient YouTube channel where people across the world can share their experiences of MS. He regularly talks to experts in order to share important information about MS.
When diagnosed with MS in 1994, Dominic didn’t publicly engage much with his MS or the wider MS community. However, after leading a video series for an MS charity and writing for the MS Society Research blog, he realised that his passion is in helping others with MS live their best possible lives.
Malak Mahran
Malak, a 26-year-old Board Certified Behaviour Analyst, was diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) in March 2021. As a certified Fitness Coach, Malak has always had a passion for health and exercise. This has only grown with her awareness of the importance of exercise in MS. As such, she now offers a 1:1 training programme for those in the chronically ill community to help others stay healthy.
As an active member of the MS online community, Malak shares her knowledge, along with the real highs and lows of life, via her podcast and Instagram (@malak.msfit).
Brittany Quiroz
Brittany was diagnosed with MS in 2019 and immediately began advocacy work within the community. She established her brand, A Hot MS, to change the perception of disability and increase awareness of MS with shameless transparency and authenticity.
“Connecting with other chronic illness advocates has been the most rewarding aspect of my work. I am grateful to have a voice in this community.”
Brittany has partnered with countless health organisations to inspire others with her story of managing daily life with a chronic illness.
Natalie Busari
Natalie was diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) in November 2016 after giving birth to her second child.
“On my journey of self-discovery when beginning to navigate life with MS, I noticed there was a lack of people from the black community. I wanted to make it my mission to normalise talking about chronic illnesses within this community.”
Natalie also has a great interest in discussing sensitive topics that most people find uncomfortable. She regularly organises inspiring Instagram livestreams with other underrepresented MSers to tackle such topics. She believes this is where the most amazing stories are hidden.
Sebastian Tristan
Sebastian is originally from Denmark, but is now based near Barcelona. Diagnosed with MS in 2013, Sebastian has faced the condition by becoming a yoga teacher and thus empowering himself and others to embrace movement in their everyday lives. He has also managed a YouTube channel since 2015 where he shares knowledge about life with MS; he has helped countless others accept their diagnoses. He also volunteers his expertise to pharmaceutical companies to help make their material more patient-friendly.
Now living in the countryside, Sebastian enjoys growing his own fruit and vegetables and keeps his two cats and dog by his side at all times.
Jessie Barry
Diagnosed with relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) in August 2021, Jessie enjoys documenting her MS on YouTube and Instagram along with her 3 main passions: tattoos, travelling and vegan food.
Through her platforms, she inspires other by demonstrating that it is entirely possible to maintain a plant-based diet whilst living with MS. Her degrees in genetics and cell biology, and subsequent career in cancer drug manufacturing, provide her with a level of knowledge that supports her to navigate the complex world of MS treatment.
Jodie Forbes
Jodie was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2017 at the age of 47. He continued to work as an IT Consultant for five years with the condition before making the decision to take early retirement in 2021.
Since then, he has undertaken a MSc in neuroscience at King's College London so that he can contribute to research into neurodegeneration.
Jodie lives in South East London with his family and is a firm believer in living positively.
Allison Toepperwein
After experiencing symptoms for four years, Allison was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s disease (YOPD) on December 31, 2014. Just four days later, she launched her blog to inspire others and has since contributed to the HuffPost for a number of years. Allison and her fiancé Steve, who also lives with YOPD, vlog about their lives with Parkinson’s on their YouTube channel.
Since exercise is vital for slowing Parkinson’s progression, fitness is a focus for Allison. In 2016, she was the first person with Parkinson’s to compete on the gruelling American Ninja Warrior. In January 2020, she successfully completed her first marathon.
Rodolfo Arana
Rodolfo, a professional photographer, was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson’s disease (YOPD) at the age of 30. His interests range from architecture and interior design to fashion, having worked for many years in luxury retail management.
Rodolfo embodies the beliefs that knowledge is power and humour is a great tool for self-acceptance. Discover more about his talents through his website and keep up-to-date wth his projects on Instagram (@rodolfoearana).
“In order to discover who you really are, you must first travel the world and learn from other cultures.”