https://arthritis.theenthusiasticlife.com/

Arthritis LIFE, Seattle, WA (2026)

03/12/2026

🎙Cheryl talks with Cristina Montoya, a bilingual registered dietitian and founder of Arthritis Dietitian, about building a compassionate, sustainable relationship with food while living with rheumatoid arthritis.

🌟Cristina shares her 20-year journey with rheumatoid arthritis and Sjögren’s disease and explains why managing autoimmune conditions works best when medication and lifestyle support go hand in hand.

✅Cristina and Cheryl also discuss Cristina’s new GLOW framework: Grow gut diversity, Lower inflammation, Optimize energy, and Work with your body compassionately.

👍🏼The conversation also covers gut health, the risks of overly restrictive diets, mindful eating, and how to aim for progress over perfection, even on flare days.

👂🏼Listen to Episode 208 of The Arthritis Life Podcast now on your favorite podcast player, watch the video in YouTube, or go to The Arthritis Life website for a full transcript, https://www.arthritis.theenthusiasticlife.com.

03/12/2026

I value being open minded and giving people the benefit of the doubt, but some days I just have to channel my inner Mark Cuban and say HELL NO to all the autoimmune scams out there!

So many of these “natural” remedies like tart cherry juice sound like they’re not harmful, but when they are taken *instead of* the evidence based medications (that are shown to reliably slow down disease progression for rheumatoid arthritis) you risk irreversible joint damage.

In the case of chiropractic adjustments, the American College of Rheumatology’s “Integrative Treatment Guidelines for Rheumatoid Arthritis” specifically recommends *against* chiropractic care for RA due to the real risk of neck and spinal cord damage due to the ways that severe RA can affect the cervical spine.

I’m not saying all chiropractors are scammers, but anyone who’s suggesting doing a chiropractic spinal manipulation to someone with rheumatoid arthritis is not practicing evidence based medicine, and patients should be informed of that before deciding whether to pursue that path.

Helping patients develop medical literacy and avoid scams / ineffective m treatments is a huge motivator for me as an occupational therapist & patient educator. and I we have some “Rheumer Has It” podcasts about how to detect misinformation and red flags online.

What’s the worst autoimmune “scam” or treatment you’ve see out there in the wilds of social media?

If you want to follow some people that are doing a fantastic job calling out health misinformation online, here are a few accounts I enjoy: .is.mallory .adrian.chavez .andrealove

03/11/2026

Some support groups just hit different.

I designed Rheum to THTIVE to not only be a space for genuine support and friendships to develop, but also to be a forum for learning and empowerment.

The step-by-step curriculum gives everyone in the group a foundation for the live conversations to start, as we connect over the “theme of the week.” Sometimes its tools for pain and fatigue, other times it’s ways to cope, manage stress or advocate at doctor’s appointments.

Today is the last day to register for the March-June Rheum to THRIVE group, led by lead facilitator and there are still a handful of spots left! Comment “thrive” to get the link or to learn more.

And a shout out to my arthritis support group besties who inspired some of these memes 🤗🤗❤️❤️👯‍♀️

.on.insta .getchell and so many more!

03/10/2026

If you feel totally lost after your diagnosis, you’re not alone.

Most people are given a 10 minute whirlwind appointment and then told to come back in 3 months, with no further guidance or support.

I created the Rheum to THRIVE program to give people the step by step, evidence based guidance and supportive community I wish I had had back in 2003 when I was first diagnosed!

Comment “thrive” to learn more about the program. Registration for the next support group closes tomorrow, and the self paced course is open for enrollment year round!

03/09/2026

🎉 Today I’m celebrating a milestone: the 100th Rheum to THRIVE scholarship!

❤️ When I created this program, one of my core values was accessibility. Education and support for people living with rheumatic disease shouldn’t only exist for people who can easily afford it.

So over the years I’ve offered scholarships for both the self-paced course and the live support group.

And today, I gave out the 100th scholarship! That means 100 people who might not otherwise have had access were able to join a structured program focused on tools, confidence, and community while living with inflammatory arthritis.

If cost has ever been the thing stopping you from getting support, please know you’re not alone.

💬 Comment “scholarship” and I’ll send you the scholarship application.

⏰ Also: there are 2 days left to join the upcoming Rheum to THRIVE support group, which starts *this* Thursday, March 12th!

There are still a small amount of spots left so be sure to sign up soon if interested.

03/06/2026

I got diagnosed with “basal cell carcinoma” (a form of skin cancer) this week, and I wanted to share what surprised me about my emotional response.

Even though I know a lot about risk factors and prevention, my first reaction was still: “Is this my fault??”

That self-blame response is incredibly common when you live with chronic illness.

But something else showed up too: the tools and perspective I’ve built over years of living with rheumatoid arthritis, and my evolved (yet reluctant) acceptance of the fact that you can “do everything right” and still develop sickness or a health issue.

In my experience, supportive communities have been crucial in helping lift that burden of blame and cope with what we can’t control.

That’s a big part of what we work on in Rheum to THRIVE, and speaking of the program: registration for the next group is open now through March 11th if you want that kind of support too. 💜

Do you have any questions about basal cell skin cancer or my experience? I’m happy to answer your questions in the chat and wanted to say don’t forget to get your annual skin check, especially if you’re on meds like methotrexate!

03/06/2026

✨ What happens when people with rheumatic disease finally feel supported?

💜These words say it better than we ever could.

✅Swipe through to read what members of Rheum to THRIVE are saying about their experience inside the program. From feeling isolated to finding connection, from overwhelm to empowerment, these stories remind us that thriving with chronic illness is possible.

Every testimonial is a reminder that community, education, and the right support can change everything.

💬 Which one resonated with you the most?

😄If you're living with rheumatic disease and looking for support, Rheum to THRIVE might be exactly what you’ve been needing. Go to https://arthritislifeschool.thinkific.com/courses/rheum-to-thrive-course for more information!

03/05/2026

❓What happens when your symptoms are dismissed, your diagnosis is delayed, and you’re left to piece together your own path forward?

🎙In this episode, Cheryl talks with Yasmin, an artist and poet from Manchester, UK, about her 10-year journey with rheumatoid arthritis. Their conversation touches on the difficult road to diagnosis, periods without appropriate treatment, and the emotional toll of being brushed off in medical appointments.

✅Yasmin also shares what it was like to navigate multiple major health crises at once, including serious GI symptoms and an unexpected breast cancer diagnosis, and how it all impacted her mental health and anxiety.

🌟Together, Cheryl and Yasmin explore the tools that helped her cope and rebuild: therapy (CBT/talking therapy), journaling, poetry, mindfulness, support groups, pacing, and learning to advocate for herself.

💜Yasmin’s message is clear and hopeful: life may change after diagnosis, but it doesn’t end. You can still pursue dreams, create meaning, and build a full, beautiful life.

Listen to Episode 207 now on your favorite podcast player, watch the full video on youtube, or go to the Arthritis Life Website for a full transcript, https://www.arthritis.theenthusiasticlife.com.

03/04/2026

What's the most helpful way to respond to the frustration we feel when we can't do things due to arthritis?

✅The first step for me is accepting that I can't control my automatic thoughts or emotions. I can't avoid all uncomfortable emotions in life, so I shouldn't make that my goal.
✅What The second step is to focus on what I can control, which is how I respond to these automatic emotions. I can choose to argue with them or reframe them, or I can practice defusion, the art of getting cognitive distance from your thoughts and emotions. This gives them less power over me!

In my program, Rheum to THRIVE, we learn about building our coping toolbox to help with frustration and other things that come along with chronic illness! If you want help with those coping skills + others, this program is for you!

Comment COPE below for more information!

What's the best way you handle your frustration? Let me know in the comments!

03/03/2026

🥴When it comes to autoimmune support groups, I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the downright discouraging.

🙌 That’s exactly why I created a structured, evidence-based educational support program: Rheum to THRIVE.

Today, let’s clear up a few common myths about support groups: 👇

🧐 Myth #1: “Support groups are just depressing places to complain.”

✅ Fact: The tone depends on the structure and the facilitator.

In Rheum to THRIVE, we make space for real feelings and focus on practical tools so you can feel more informed, empowered, and in control of life with inflammatory arthritis (like ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis).
This isn’t a drop-in vent session, rather it’s a structured, guided program.

🧐 Myth #2: “Support groups don’t help and are full of misinformation.”

✅ Fact: When groups are structured and guided responsibly, research shows they can improve quality of life and coping for people with chronic illness.

In the 14-session Rheum to THRIVE curriculum, you’ll learn science-backed strategies to manage pain, fatigue, and the social and emotional side of living with your condition. Then, in live support group meetings, you’ll connect with others and collaboratively problem-solve how to implement what you’ve learned in real life.

❤️ Swipe for more myths vs. facts.

If you’ve been craving down-to-earth guidance and community from people who truly “get it,” this is your invitation.

This cohort is led by Certified Rheum to THRIVE Facilitator Chrissy Livergood, who lives with ankylosing spondylitis and brings both lived experience and structured guidance to the group.

📅 Meets 3–4 Thursdays per month
🕖 7:30pm ET / 6:30pm CT / 5:30pm MT / 4:30pm PT
📆 Starts March 12
🔒 Capped at 16 participants

Registration closes March 11 at midnight (or sooner if full).

Sign up now or learn more at: https://arthritislifeschool.thinkific.com/

03/02/2026

💡In Episode 206 of The Arthritis Life Podcast, Cheryl and Chrissy take a deep dive into the Rheum to THRIVE program.

⭐Chrissy is taking on a new role as the lead facilitator of the upcoming Rheum to THRIVE cohort starting on March 12th!

💜 If you want a supportive, flexible, stigma-free space, Chrissy's Rheum to THRIVE group may be the one for you!

Comment SUPPORT below for more information! 👇

02/28/2026

February photo drop!

Feeling grateful to have had some lovely adventures big and small this month, from exploring the snowy Canadian mountains to board games and puzzles at home to an amazing concert by Jade in Seattle, plus of course the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl win! 🎉 ❤️

Arthritis LIFE

03/12/2026

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02/28/2026

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