Your pain might not mean damage and that could change everything. In this episode of Take a Pain Check, we sit down with Vanessa Blackstone, Executive Director of the Pain Psychology Center, to talk about Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) — a science-backed approach helping people move beyond “just managing” chronic pain. We break down how the brain can learn pain, why fear keeps symptoms stuck, and how safety, language, and emotional trust can unlock real recovery. If you’ve been told your pain is permanent, this conversation may completely change how you see your body.

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What happens when both a mother and daughter are diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis?In today’s episode, we sit down with USPORTS basketball athlete, advocate, and STEM Without Limits scholar, McKinley Penninga, and her mom Lisa Penninga, to talk about navigating life as a family living with the same chronic illness.Diagnosed years apart, McKinley and Lisa share:- how psoriatic arthritis shaped their mother-daughter bond- the early signs Lisa saw in McKinley based on her own lived experience- what it was like recognizing symptoms she personally knew all too well- how both supported each other through flare days, school challenges, and identity changesMcKinley opens up about staying in basketball, balancing varsity-level training with chronic pain, and proving that invisible illness doesn’t define your athletic ability. Lisa shares the parent perspective while managing her own health needs — something rarely talked about in chronic illness stories. Together, they discuss advocacy, youth voice in healthcare, the STEM Without Limits Scholarship, and how their shared experiences are shaping the healthcare provider McKinley hopes to become.Donate to Take a Pain Check Today: ⁠https://www.gofundme.com/f/takeapainc...Our socials:https://www.takeapaincheck.com/https://www.instagram.com/takeapaincheck_/ https://www.tiktok.com/@takeapaincheckhttps://ca.linkedin.com/company/take-a-pain-checkhttps://www.youtube.com/@takeapaincheckhttps://www.facebook.com/TakeaPainCheckhttps://www.x.com/takeapaincheckDon't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes.

He could barely move at 15 and now he’s redefining strength. When doctors told Zac Spinosa he might never train again, he refused to accept it. Diagnosed with Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis and Macrophage Activation Syndrome, he refused to let that be the end of his story. Instead, he built Forge Fitness, a community where disability doesn’t mean limitation and pain becomes power. In this episode of Take a Pain Check, Zac opens up about hitting rock bottom and choosing to fight back, building a gym that truly includes people with chronic illness, the mindset shift that changed everything, and what strength really means when your body is working against you. If you’ve ever been told you can’t, this episode will make you believe you can. Watch now, get inspired, and rethink what strength looks like.Donate to Take a Pain Check Today: ⁠https://www.gofundme.com/f/takeapainc...Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes.Our socials:https://www.takeapaincheck.com/https://www.instagram.com/takeapaincheck_/ https://www.tiktok.com/@takeapaincheckhttps://ca.linkedin.com/company/take-a-pain-checkhttps://www.youtube.com/@takeapaincheckhttps://www.facebook.com/TakeaPainCheckhttps://www.x.com/takeapaincheckZac's socials: @ZacTheArthritisCoach

In this episode of Take a Pain Check, host Natasha sits down with Stacey Ivits, Registered Social Worker, advocate, and author of Navigating Your Vasculitis Journey. Stacey shares her journey living with vasculitis and Crohn’s disease, highlighting the realities of medical trauma, body image challenges, and the emotional impact of chronic illness.We discuss:

• Stacey’s diagnosis story and what it was like growing up with a rare and invisible illness
• The role of therapy (DBT, EMDR, and more) in healing from medical trauma

• The importance of specialized mental health support for people with long-term conditions
• Her guidebook and course, Navigating Your Vasculitis Journey, created to empower and support patients

Why body image and disordered eating need more recognition in chronic illness careStacey’s story reminds us that chronic illness affects both body and mind and that healing also means advocacy, community, and education.Donate to Take a Pain Check Today: ⁠https://www.gofundme.com/f/takeapainc...Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes.Our socials:https://www.takeapaincheck.com/ / takeapaincheck_ / takeapaincheck / take-a-pain-check / @takeapaincheck / takeapaincheck https://www.x.com/takeapaincheckStacey's socials:LinkedIn: Stacey Ivits, Facebook: Stacey Ivits, Instagram: @staceyivitsmswrsw

At 28, Michael Santillo was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis after years of unexplained pain that made even simple tasks like putting on socks or driving which became nearly impossible. Instead of letting it define him, he turned his journey into an inspiring mission: founding the annual “Let’s Get Loud for AS” gala.
In this episode of Take a Pain Check, we talk about:
- His road to diagnosis and the symptoms he faced
- The mental and physical health challenges that followed
- How AS impacted his relationships and love life

- The creation and growth of “Let’s Get Loud for AS”
Whether you’re living with AS, supporting someone who is, or just looking for inspiration, Michael’s story is a reminder that even in life’s toughest moments, there’s room to create change.

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Instagram: mmichael.ss and letsgetloudforas

In this episode, we explore the legal landscape surrounding injury, illness, and chronic pain. Personal injury lawyer Shane Katz joins us to unpack the most common misconceptions about personal injury law, the truth behind medical malpractice claims, and the importance of compassionate legal representation. We discuss how the legal system can serve as a tool for empowerment—especially for those navigating complex medical conditions—and what patients need to know when dealing with insurance companies and systemic healthcare failures. Shane shares stories from his practice and offers practical advice on when to seek legal help, how to advocate for yourself, and why justice matters just as much as healing.Donate to Take a Pain Check Today: https://www.gofundme.com/f/takeapaincDon't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes.Our socials:https://www.takeapaincheck.com/https://www.instagram.com/takeapainch... https://www.tiktok.com/@takeapaincheckhttps://ca.linkedin.com/company/take-...https://www.youtube.com/@takeapaincheckhttps://www.facebook.com/TakeaPainCheckhttps://www.x.com/takeapaincheck

In this episode of Take a Pain Check, Maggie Douglas opens up about her complex journey living with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Fibromyalgia, and PCOS. She walks us through the physical and emotional challenges of early symptoms, delayed diagnosis, and navigating the transition from pediatric to adult rheumatology care.This week also features something a little different: a conversation about the short film Fibro and the New Me. Maggie shares her reactions to the portrayal of fibromyalgia on screen, reflects on the importance of accurate representation, and unpacks how media can both validate and educate. From support systems to self-discovery, this episode is a candid exploration of resilience, identity, and what it really means to find yourself in the midst of chronic illness. Donate to Take a Pain Check Today: https://www.gofundme.com/f/takeapaincDon't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes.Maggie's socials: IG - mdouglas0423, FB/Linkedin - Maggie DouglasOur socials:https://www.takeapaincheck.com/ / takeapaincheck_ / takeapaincheck / take-a-pain-check / @takeapaincheck / takeapaincheck https://www.x.com/takeapaincheck

In this powerful episode of Take a Pain Check, we sit down with Mya Barnett, a driven and inspiring young woman living with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA). Diagnosed at just 11 years old, Mya shares the reality of growing up with a chronic illness, how it shaped her confidence, impacted her daily life, and led to major decisions like undergoing jaw surgery. From navigating school accommodations and finding community at IWK summer camp, to becoming a camp counsellor and launching a homemade soap line for psoriasis. She also opens up about her experience travelling to Europe with Global Brigades Canada and managing her condition on the go.Donate to Take a Pain Check Today: https://www.gofundme.com/f/takeapaincDon't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes.Our socials:https://www.takeapaincheck.com/https://www.instagram.com/takeapaincheck_/ https://www.tiktok.com/@takeapaincheckhttps://ca.linkedin.com/company/take-a-pain-checkhttps://www.youtube.com/@takeapaincheckhttps://www.facebook.com/TakeaPainCheckhttps://www.x.com/takeapaincheck