Eric Wholley began struggling with symptoms of chronic fatigue in November 2019. By the spring of 2023 he was sleeping 18-20 hours a day!

Determined to uncover the root of his condition, Eric became his own detective. He underwent extensive testing and discovered he had a significantly imbalanced gut microbiome and shockingly low testosterone levels. 

Hypnotherapy also had a profound impact on his recovery – within just three sessions, it quieted his mind, silenced his negative self-talk, and ended the cycle of constant rumination. This mental relief finally allowed his body to relax and heal.

Though Eric has not yet fully recovered, he has made significant progress. The tools and strategies he’s discovered throughout his journey have become invaluable resources, helping him nurture both his physical and emotional health as he continues on his recovery path.

• LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com

After two years, twenty doctors, and visits to three different states, Matthew still hadn’t seen any improvement in his health. Thankfully he discovered the Bateman Horne Clinic where he was diagnosed with Long Covid manifesting as ME/CFS and POTS. They prescribed medications to manage his symptoms and he began to improve by about 5% each month. He thought he might eventually reach remission but a massive relapse left him bedbound again.

Desperate to find a solution, Matthew traveled to the Aviv Clinic in Florida, which pioneers hyperbaric oxygen therapy for Long Covid. Within two weeks of starting treatment he began to improve. By the end of the three month protocol he was completely symptom free.

Now living a full and active life, Matthew has written a book about his experience detailing how he overcame four years of Long Covid.

• Bateman Horne Clinic
• Aviv Clinic
• Matthew’s book: The Long Haul

Emma Francis recovered after 12 years with ME/CFS and is now a Certified Naturopathic Health Coach supporting others in their recovery.

She developed ME/CFS during school, aged 15. However, her recovery only began a few years ago, after discovering Naturopathic Medicine and Nervous System Regulation. Emma learnt that she would have her own unique root causes and stressors which were driving her illness.

Uncovering her stressors (hidden gut infection, hormone imbalance, chronic stress), building stability through lifestyle habits and regulating her nervous system were key in her recovery. She has regained her health and her life, but most importantly, is no longer living in a place of fear.

Emma is now deeply passionate about supporting others in their recovery from chronic fatigue syndrome.

• Website: www.mindbodyportal.com
• Instagram: @mindbodyportal

After Fleury caught Covid not once, but twice, her health was at rock bottom. She was experiencing extreme tiredness, breathing issues, sleep problems, cognitive difficulties and was spending 20-22 hours a day in bed.

Desperate to turn her situation around she began searching for treatments and discovered a clinic in the USA that specialises in Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT). After completing four months of treatment she began to see improvements which continued after she returned home to the Netherlands.

After 2.5 years with Long Covid Fleury finally regained her life. A year later she has maintained her fully recovery and is keen to spread awareness of how HBOT transformed her life.

• Instagram: @mylongcovidmission

Dr Curtin struggled with ME/CFS for nine years. The turning point came after discovering she had multiple underlying conditions, such as hypermobility and an autoimmune disorder, which were contributing to the classic chronic fatigue syndrome symptoms of PEM, brain fog and orthostatic intolerance. By addressing these underlying conditions she was able to significantly improve her health and has been in remission from CFS since 2019.

In the video she discusses some of the treatments she used, including IVIG and T3 thyroid medication. Plus she explains how she, along with many other people with CFS, have reduced blood flow to their brain.

Dr Curtin co-founded her own clinic, RTHM, which specialises in treating people with ME/CFS and Long Covid. In the second half of the video she talks more about the approach they use and how it is personalised to each patient.

• Website: RTHM
• Join the RTHM Community
• Instagram: @rthm_health
• YouTube: @RTHM_Health

Neuroscientist and nutritionist Inder Singh developed chronic fatigue syndrome in his final year at university. Suffering from extreme brainfog and fatigue, he was bedbound most of the time.

Discovering nutritional therapy and addressing hidden infections, aluminium build up and gut issues he was able to resume some form of normal life. However it was the Gupta Program and reconnecting to his true self that made his recovery complete and robust.

Inder now has his own practice, The Neuropath, where he helps people to regain their health.

• Website: The Neuropath
• Instagram: @the_neuropath

• Gupta Program

Ex-athlete and personal trainer Rachael caught Covid in July 2021 and again in December 2021 leaving her bedbound with a myriad of symptoms.

At first nothing was helping – pacing, monitoring HRV, tracking symptoms, supplements, medications – all had little impact. It was only when Rachael turned her focus to calming and regulating her nervous system she began to see progress.

In this video she discusses the resources she found most helpful. How movement with joy enabled her to increase activity without worsening symptoms. Plus why visualisation worked better in the later stages of recovery.

Now fully recovered Rachael has released the 90 Day Rebound Method. It is the movement program she developed to support her Long Covid recovery. And is the only reconditioning program built for Long Covid athletes by a Long Covid trainer.

• Website: Rebound Athletic
• Instagram: @rebound.athletic

• Curable app
• Pain Free You
• Joe Dispenza

Casey’s life was turned upside down after he caught Covid in January 2022. From running and cycling regularly he now struggled to walk 500m. His Long Covid symptoms included heart palpitations, brain fog and hard to control emotions. He found himself becoming angry easily and couldn’t understand why.

Learning about pacing and having therapy to deal with the trauma of chronic illness helped him feel much better within himself. After reading a scientific study that discovered many people with Long Covid have low serotonin levels Casey thought this could apply to him. Within 48 hours of beginning treatment he went from feeling 20% to 70%. Within a week he was able to walk 4-5km and hasn’t had brainfog since taking the supplements!

• Facebook group: Long Covid Recovery Stories

• Serotonin study
• The serotonin test Casey used
• Working to Wellbeing

Nurse Rob was hospitalised with Covid in 2021. After returning home he continued to struggle with chronic fatigue, severe memory issues and POTS like symptoms. Fluctuating between bedbound and housebound, Rob struggled with depression, feeling as though he had lost his life to this illness.

Through polyvagal theory, understanding his childhood trauma, and the importance of positive talk Rob was able to heal. He now has a better life than before. Recently running a half marathon, he no longer experiences post exertional malaise and lives a life full of function but also peace. 

• YouTube: Rob’s channel

• 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do by Amy Morin
• The Untethered Soul by Micheal Singer
• The Way of Integrity by Martha Beck
• What To Say When You Talk To Yourself by Shad Helmstetter
• This Might Hurt
• Heal Documentary
• Rob’s video on Polyvagal theory
• Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Jaspar’s childhood was dominated by chronic fatigue syndrome. Once a healthy, active boy he contracted glandular fever age 9 which left him bedridden for 6 weeks. A year later CFS hit hard. For the next 6-7 years he attempted homeschooling, but due to limited energy levels and severe brain fog, it wasn’t very successful.

Life improved during adulthood as he developed a better understanding of his body, how to manage his stress levels and discovered many different tools to support his physical and mental health. Today Jaspar is an endurance athlete and qualified personal trainer!

He does still experience relapses, often triggered by stress. In the video he reveals some of his stress management techniques as well as strategies he used during his childhood to keep him feeling positive and upbeat.

• Instagram: @jasparvowden
• YouTube: Jaspar’s channel

• Dr Bruce Lipton
• Andrew Huberman podcast

After struggling for 2 years, with each crash being worse than the last, Steve reached a point where he could barely function. Bedbound and spending 22 hours a day wearing a blindfold and earplugs, he was at the verge of losing his ability to shower and live without care.

Then Steve tried taking Nattokinase (2000 units) and completely recovered within 2 days. 10 days later, he’s back to running, working long shifts and hanging out with friends for hours. 

In the video Steve talks more about his experience. He discusses micro clots and explains which Covid long haulers could benefit from nattokinase and who would be best to avoid it.

• YouTube: Steve’s channel

• To find the different causes of CFS, the diagram in this video was very helpful
• Here is the associated study, the diagram is on page 5
• A video in which a pharmacist explains the risk of nattokinase
• Corey introduced Steve to the “hummingbird cfs scale” and the term “aggressive resting” in this video

Vish is an educational consultant specialising in the field of science. In this video he discusses his symptoms, such as debilitating fatigue, chronic pain, and how doctors thought he was having a stroke because his speech issues were so severe! Vish also reveals his top three recovery strategies and shares some important lessons he has learnt along the way.

The illness has been a complex, difficult and persistent one to tackle, and his methods of supplementation and gut microbiome modification have been vital to his recovery. After 13 years of working to regain his health Vish now works full time, successfully manages a national position, is able to exercise 3-5 hours a week and maintains a quality social life despite the challenges fibromyalgia brings.

Determined to spread the message of hope for recovery Vish has set up a Facebook group supporting those with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia.

• Facebook Group: Elite Wellness Warriors
• YouTube: Elite Wellness Warriors
• Instagram: @elitewellnesswarriors

As a fit and healthy 30 year old Jackie didn’t see herself as at risk for Covid. But in March 2020 she contracted the virus and began a 39 month battle to recover her health and beat Long Covid.

Learning to breathe properly was the first big step in her recovery. Initially skeptical, she realised, with the guidance #of a breathing instructor, that she had been unintentionally hyperventilating most of the time.

Yoga Nidra and guided meditations were great to help shut off her busy brain and provided her with much needed cognitive rest. While cold water swimming boosted her energy levels.

In the video, she explains how these things led into each other, and why cold water swimming wouldn’t have worked until she had fixed her dysfunctional breathing.

Now fully recovered Jackie hosts the Long Covid Podcast and is working as a breathing instructor to help others who are still unwell.

• Podcast: longcovidpodcast.com
• Instagram & Twitter: @longcovidpod 
• Facebook: @Longcovidpodcast
• Breathing: linktr.ee/longcovidbreathing
• Instagram: @longcovid_breathing 
• Facebook: @longcovidbreathing 

After a sudden onset, ME/CFS left Holly bedbound for several years. Initially she struggled to break the boom and bust cycle, finding it hard to accept her world had become so small. However, when she realised pacing is about decision making she felt much more empowered.

Holly acknowledges that trauma played a part in her illness. Doing specific trauma processing techniques, such as EMDR and the rewind technique, helped relieve the burden on her nervous system. Whilst meditation and mindfulness helped her deal with intrusive thoughts and become better at managing her emotions. 

Now fully recovered Holly is dedicating her energy and life to helping others managing chronic illnesses.

• Holly’s Website: chronicfatiguecompanion.com
• Holly’s Instagram: @chronicfatiguecompanion

Unable to tolerate light or sound, Anj Granieri was bedbound with severe ME.

Reflecting on her illness journey she recognises that predisposing factors, such as abuse, an eating disorder and high levels of childhood anxiety, led to her body being primed for a major crash when the final trigger hit in 2018.

In this video she talks about brain retraining, choosing the right type of meditation and how changing habits, behaviours and thought processes can have a profound effect on healing.

Five years later she has regained her health and teaches the methods she used to heal in her recovery program, The Edison Effect.

• Anj’s Website: www.anjgranieri.com
• Anj’s Instagram: @anjgranieri
• Anj’s YouTube: @TheEdisonEffect

At her worst Wanda Belisle functioned at 30–40%. She spent her days on the sofa and could only have a bath once a week. Now she’s 90% recovered and recently took an epic road trip from Alaska to California!

In this video Wanda share’s insightful tips about her “practical pacing” technique and how by planning her day strategically she avoided continual crashes. She discusses the importance of calming her nervous system and how yoga nidra caused a significant decrease in stress levels after only one month. Plus, she reveals her experience of low dose naltrexone and low dose ablilify.

As a registered Health Coach and certified mobility coach with a 6 year personal journey through ME/CFS she developed The REST Method™ and is the driving force behind Pathways – an organisation helping people navigate the labyrinth of ME/CFS and Long Covid to find their unique path to healing. Wanda offers a unique, holistic approach focusing on sustainable change rather than quick fixes.

• Wanda’s Website: www.wandabelisle.com
• Wanda’s Instagram: @wandabelisle
• Wanda’s TikTok: @wandabelisle

Competitive surfer and lifeguard, Ishmael Hammon, caught Covid in 2020. For the next year he couldn’t walk more than 200m. Three years on he’s fully recovered and surfs five hours a day!

In this video Ishmael talks about different methods he used to optimise his sleep and how he slowly increased his activity level. He does not advocate for graded exercise therapy. Instead he suggests tailoring activities to your own ability and being aware that setbacks are part of the recovery process. Recovery isn’t linear but it is possible.

After years of flus and colds, Shaun Moran’s health problems came to a crescendo in 2012 with a bad bout of flu that he never recovered from. Ultimately diagnosed with ME/CFS, Shaun was disabled for a decade.

He experienced gradual improvement and after five years was able to return to part-time work only to experience a significant relapse in 2020. He describes this as a blessing in disguise, as it is what led him to identify the root causes of his illness.

By educating himself about functional medicine Shaun discovered toxicities and chronic infections were driving his health issues. By 2022, he had made a full recovery from chronic fatigue syndrome. He now works out daily and has returned to playing competitive sport.

Determined to assist people in overcoming ME/CFS he has developed an affordable online course sharing all the information he learnt on his recovery journey.

To learn more about Shaun’s recovery you can read the articles he has written for Living with ME here.

• Shaun’s Website: fatiguefarewell.com
• Shaun’s Instagram: @cfsfree
• Mentioned in video: The Ultra Mind Solution by Dr Mark Hyman

Chris Jamieson had ME/CFS for four years. At his worst he had a functionality of 30% with crashes that left him bedbound for days. Now fully recovered, he has run three marathons!!!

Chris says 60% of his recovery from CFS was due to mindset and embracing a Buddhist philosophy. Learning to make peace with the devastating impact chronic fatigue syndrome had on his life and letting go of his anger were crucial steps in his healing journey. He also credits adopting and an Ayurvedic diet, improving his sleep and stopping the push crash cycle as key components to his CFS recover

Today he works four days a week as a school teacher and 10-15 hours per week as a health coach. Chris says “I now feel more aligned with my true self than I ever was before.”

• Chris’s Website: healingwithrocdoc38
• Chris’s Instagram: @healingwithrocdoc38

Charlotte Wightman was very unwell with chronic fatigue syndrome in 2011, largely bedbound and unable to tolerate sound and light. She gradually made her way to recovery over several years, using a multifaceted approach.

Nutrition, balancing blood sugar, good quality sleep, deep rest and learning ways to soothe her nervous system we’re all essential elements in her recovery from CFS.

The many tools of yoga formed part of her recovery; restorative yoga, deep rest, gentle movement, calming breathing and meditation were so helpful that she trained to share these subtle tools with others in a similar situation. She now teaches yoga specifically for those recovering from CFS via zoom.

• Charlotte’s Website: https://gentleyogawithcharlotte.com
• Charlotte’s Instagram: @charlotte.Wightman.yoga

Mind body healing played a significant part in Dr Martina Melzer’s recovery from CFS. After almost 15 years with ME/CFS, POTS, IBS, fibromyalgia like pain, chronic sinusitis, food intolerances and cPTSD Martina is now mostly recovered.

She used a variety of mind body techniques to help her nervous system shift out of survival mode. Passionate about helping others do the same, Martina launched a blog to share her experiences. In October 2023 she will embark on a new venture as a mind body coach alongside developing her own self help recovery program.

To delve deeper into Martina’s healing approach visit her website where she shares content in English and German

• Martina’s Website: https://www.ich-werde-gesund.com/english/
• Martina’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6beD7FYWVwyCyA4pJSmPKQ
• Martina’s Instagram: @ich_werde_gesund

By supporting her body’s ability to self heal Terese Millhouse achieved a full recovery from seven years of moderate to severe chronic fatigue.

The combination of supporting her seriously ill husband and caring for her young daughter meant Terese always put herself last. Seeking counselling and finding ways to relax, despite her life stressors, calmed her fight or flight response, made her mood lift and allowed her body to respond positively to other healing strategies. Within six months of implementing nutritional changes and removing environmental toxins she experienced significant improvements.

Passionate about helping others on their fatigue recovery, Terese became a certified wellness, nutrition, and empowerment coach. Her wellness clinic, From Chronic to Cured Wellness, has received national recognition. In June 2023, she released a new book From Chronic To Cured where she shares her own recovery story intertwined with the 4-step holistic method she used to recover.

• Terese’s website: https://linktr.ee/fromchronictocuredwellness
• Terese’s book: From Chronic to Cured
• Terese’s social media: @fromchronictocuredwellness (Facebook, Tiktok, Instagram)
• Mentioned in the video: Nutritional cleanse in the Thyroid Healing book by Anthony William

From bedbound to rock climbing!!! Lindsay Vine from Post Viral Podcast opens up about her incredible chronic fatigue recovery journey.

In the video Lindsay shares three mind body therapy techniques that were game-changers for her during the tough times with severe ME. Lindsay is big fan of mind body work and suggests ways that helped her to cure chronic fatigue syndrome naturally. These techniques are all about finding what works for you and adapting them to your own journey. 

With a masters degree in Public Health and having overcome seven years of debilitating illness, Lindsay is dedicated to connecting sufferers with the necessary resources for healing. In conjunction with Liz Carlson, she has developed an in-depth Online CFS Recovery Programs Guide. She also offers 1:1 consultations for those who are need of more personalised guidance.

To learn more about Lindsay’s recovery you can read the articles she has written for Living with ME

• Lindsay’s Website: www.lindsayvine.com
• Lindsay’s Instagram: @cfsprograms_navigator
• Lindsay’s Podcast: Post Viral Podcast

Anna Marsh is a Trauma Trained Functional Medicine Nutritional Therapist with first hand experience of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. 

An early life fatigue experience was the catalyst for Anna’s lifelong interest in health. However, in her early 30’s she found her health circling the drain and was eventually diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). 

Discovering the root cause of her stressors, balancing her blood sugar and learning to pace were key to her recovery. She now lives a full life running her own business which supports others in their own fatigue and chronic illness journeys.

Functional medicine was an essential component in discovering and addressing her root causes. She has written an article explaining how functional medicine can support people with ME/CFS.

• Anna’s Website: https://annamarsh.co.uk/
• Anna’s Instagram: @anna_marsh_nutrition
• Anna’s Podcast: The Chronic Fatigue and Burnout Recovery Podcast