Colitis Unfiltered | Podcast on RSS.com

Colitis Unfiltered

Colitis Unfiltered

by Franck Tabouring

Self-Improvement Health & Fitness

Season 1

IBD, treatment failure and hope: Savannah’s search for remission

🎙️ In episode 26 of the Colitis Unfiltered podcast, I speak with Savannah, who was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at just 16 after severe abdominal cramping, blood in her stool and relentless urgency began disrupting her life. Growing up in rural Tennessee with limited access to specialists, she was bounced between doctors before a colonoscopy at Vanderbilt finally gave her an answer. 💊 Savannah talks about navigating ulcerative colitis as a teenager, being bullied as “the girl with the shit disease,” spending months isolated at home and, at her worst, going to the bathroom nearly 40 times a day. After years of treatments including mesalamine, prednisone, 6-MP and multiple biologics, she is now participating in a clinical trial for a new ulcerative colitis medication after previous treatments stopped working or failed to bring lasting remission. 💜 Today, Savannah is turning her experience with IBD into purpose, pursuing a doctorate in psychology and openly sharing her chronic illness journey on social media. She talks candidly about body image, mental health, relationships, finding the IBD community and learning that sometimes saying “no” is essential. For more inspiring stories from the bathroom floor, visit colitisunfiltered.com

IBD, masculinity and shame: Jack’s road to speaking out

🎙 In episode 25 of the Colitis Unfiltered podcast, I speak with Jack, who first started experiencing blood in his stool at just 14 years old. Misdiagnosed two years later, it would take years of pain and symptoms before a colonoscopy finally revealed the truth: Jack was living with ulcerative colitis. 🤐 Jack and I talk about spending years hiding his IBD, pushing through painful flares at work, and feeling deeply embarrassed about a disease he struggled to even admit he had. After an 18-month flare brought bleeding, accidents, exhaustion and worsening mental health, he began fighting harder for better treatment and learning to listen to his body instead of constantly pushing through. 💪 Today, Jack is determined to break the stigma around men talking about IBD and chronic illness. He opens up about mental health, masculinity, workplace rights, exercise, self-advocacy and his changing fears around potentially needing a stoma. For more inspiring stories from the bathroom floor, visit colitisunfiltered.com

IBD, intimacy and self-worth: Trina’s mission to rebuild confidence

🎙️ In episode 24 of the Colitis Unfiltered podcast, I speak with Trina, whose years of severe gastrointestinal symptoms eventually led to a life-threatening bowel perforation, emergency surgery, and the removal of 75% of her large intestine. After initially struggling to accept an ileostomy, she spent the next decade trying to avoid another one before ultimately choosing a permanent ostomy and reclaiming her life. 💜 Trina opens up about body image, scars, touch starvation, sex and the fear of feeling undesirable after IBD surgery. Now an intimacy coach, she shares practical strategies for rebuilding confidence and connection, from visualization and positive self-talk to non-sexual touch, communication, and navigating intimacy with an ostomy. You can find Trina at https://www.intimateostomate.com and follow her journey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intimateostomate/ For more inspiring stories from the bathroom floor, visit colitisunfiltered,com

IBD, an ostomy and a new purpose: Alicia's path to advocacy

🎙️ In episode 23 of the Colitis Unfiltered podcast, I speak with Alicia, who was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at just 14 after years of unexplained stomach pain, bleeding, and symptoms that were repeatedly dismissed. Within months of her diagnosis, her condition became so severe that she lost her colon and woke up from emergency surgery with an ostomy she never had the chance to prepare for. 💜 Diagnosed as a teenager and later re-diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, Alicia talks about navigating body image, multiple surgeries, a J-pouch, and the emotional journey of learning to accept a permanent ostomy. She reflects on finding strength through community, rebuilding confidence, and how finally receiving the right treatment transformed her quality of life. 👥 Today, Alicia is the acting president of Girls With Guts, one of the largest support communities for women living with IBD and ostomies. Through storytelling, advocacy, and education, she helps thousands of women navigate body image, relationships, motherhood, and life with chronic illness, proving that even the most difficult diagnosis can become a source of purpose and hope. For more inspiring stories from the bathroom floor, visit colitisunfiltered.com

Pain, Crohn’s and perspective: Victoria’s seasonal IBD flares

🎙️ In episode 22 of the Colitis Unfiltered podcast, I speak with Victoria, who was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at 24 after years of brushing off bloating, cramping and changes in her bowel habits. Despite having a brother with Crohn’s, Victoria never imagined she could have the same disease until the pain became so severe she could barely walk. 💉 After blood tests revealed high levels of inflammation, a CT scan and colonoscopy finally confirmed Crohn’s disease, along with a nearly connecting fistula in her bowel. Victoria talks about starting Remicade, navigating recurring flares, fatigue and medication side effects, and the complicated reality of relying on a treatment that helps control her Crohn’s while creating other challenges for her body. 🧠 Now a mental health counselor and outspoken IBD advocate, Victoria shares how Crohn’s disease has changed her relationship with fitness, friendships, mental health and her own body. Through social media, she challenges dangerous misconceptions about treating IBD without medication and uses her experience to remind others that chronic illness affects far more than just the gut. For more inspiring stories from the bathroom floor, visit colitisunfiltered.com

Crohn’s, motherhood and advocacy: Harriet’s fight to reclaim her life

In episode 21 of the Colitis Unfiltered podcast, I speak with Harriet, who was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at 22 after years of believing she simply had IBS. With a family history of Crohn’s, blood in her stool led to a colonoscopy, years of uncertainty, and eventually a diagnosis that would completely change her life. After trying multiple medications, developing allergic reactions, losing response to biologics, and struggling through pregnancy with active disease, Harriet reached the point where emergency stoma surgery became the only option. She opens up about living with anxiety, body image, motherhood, and the fear of surgery, before discovering that her stoma gave her back the freedom she’d been missing for years. Today, Harriet is in remission on biologic treatment and has become a passionate advocate for the IBD community. Through her honest and unapologetic social media presence, she challenges misconceptions about Crohn’s disease, surgery, and life with a stoma, proving that sometimes the treatment you fear most can become the reason you get your life back. For more inspiring storied from the bathroom floor, visit colitisunfiltered.com

Crohn’s, motherhood and resilience: Liesel’s refusal to give up

In this episode of the Colitis Unfiltered podcast, I speak with Liesel, who started experiencing swollen knees, extreme fatigue, weight loss, and abdominal pain while in college. It would take nearly two years before blood in the toilet finally led to a colonoscopy and a Crohn’s diagnosis. Liesel talks about navigating life with a chronic illness long before online communities and social media existed. She reflects on the isolation, anxiety, and depression that followed, as well as the devastating flare that led to emergency surgery just months after the birth of her first child. From living with an ileostomy to facing sepsis, multiple surgeries, osteoporosis, and even cancer linked to long-term immunosuppression, her journey has been anything but easy. Today, Liesel is a doctor, educator, mother, and passionate advocate who uses her experience with Crohn’s disease to help others navigate illness and adversity. Her story is one of resilience, perspective, and hope, showing that even after decades of setbacks, it is possible to build a meaningful and fulfilling life beyond IBD. For more stories from the bathroom floor, subscribe to the podcast and visit colitisunfiltered.com

Ulcerative colitis, gut health and remission: Kylie’s naturopathic IBD journey

In episode 19 of the Colitis Unfiltered podcast, I speak with Kylie, who was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at 35 after suddenly experiencing urgency, bleeding, and symptoms she immediately knew were not normal. What started shortly before her daughter’s first birthday quickly turned into a confusing diagnosis, unanswered questions, and years of feeling alone in a system that never seemed to fully listen. Diagnosed while raising three young children, Kylie talks about navigating steroids, failed medications, and the emotional toll of constantly being stuck on the toilet while trying to be present as a mom. Frustrated by a lack of answers, she eventually turned to a gut health naturopath, changing her diet, treating underlying gut issues, and ultimately reaching remission after years of trial and error. Now balancing motherhood, work, and the reality of occasional flares, Kylie shares how stress, food, and self-advocacy shaped her colitis journey. Her story is honest, hopeful, and a reminder that healing with ulcerative colitis is not always linear, and sometimes the right path looks very different for everyone. For more stories from the bathroom floor, subscribe to the podcast and visit colitisunfiltered.com

Crohn’s at nine, control and letting go: Kyle’s IBD evolution

In episode 18 of the Colitis Unfiltered podcast, I speak with Kyle, who was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at just nine years old after months of vomiting, severe stomach pain, diarrhea, and exhaustion. What began as a confusing childhood illness quickly turned into a lifelong battle with active inflammation, failed medications, and a body that never seemed to fully cooperate. Diagnosed in elementary school and never fully reaching remission, Kyle talks about growing up embarrassed by his symptoms, hiding his disease from others, and pushing his body beyond its limits through school, college, travel, and intense work environments. He reflects on years of Remicade, methotrexate, prednisone, and the emotional toll of feeling like his own body was constantly working against him. Today, Kyle uses his experience with Crohn’s disease to advocate for others living with chronic illness and co-founded Tummy, a platform helping patients better understand how food and lifestyle impact their symptoms. His story is honest, introspective, and deeply hopeful, showing that even without full remission, it’s still possible to build a meaningful life beyond IBD. For more stories from the bathroom floor, subscribe to the podcast and visit colitisunfiltered.com

Flares, denial and acceptance: Jaime’s J-Pouch journey

In this episode of the Colitis Unfiltered podcast, I speak with Jaime, who was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at 25 after months of severe symptoms she initially ignored, despite correctly self-diagnosing herself online. What started as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fatigue quickly escalated into hospitalizations, failed medications, and a body breaking down faster than she could process. Diagnosed in adulthood and thrown into a relentless cycle of flares, steroids, and biologics, Jaime talks about spending over a month in the hospital, being fed through IV, and reaching a point where surgery became the only option left. She opens up about fear, denial, body image, and the emotional weight of facing an ostomy at a young age. Now living with a J-pouch after multiple surgeries, Jaime shares how that decision ultimately saved her life. From learning how to live in her body again to building a family she once feared she couldn’t have, her story is raw, resilient, and deeply hopeful. A powerful reminder that even the hardest IBD journeys can lead to a life rebuilt. For more stories from the bathroom floor, subscribe to the podcast and visit colitisunfiltered.com And do not miss out on Jaime's IBD journal. Get it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FD2JGZCY

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