Flight 27 is now boarding. Today, we are crossing the Atlantic to the Netherlands to sit down with Carlijn Krijger—a former medical student who seemingly had it all: the grades, the look, and a bright future in traditional medicine. But beneath the surface, her body was sounding the alarm.

In this "coffee talk" chronicle, Carlijn opens up about the terrifying year she lost her health, her identity, and her joy. We discuss why the "kindergarten" phase of self-help isn't always enough and why true healing often comes from removing the things that aren't yours, rather than just adding more to your to-do list.

• The "Superwoman" Crash: How high-achievers mask chronic symptoms until the body forces a shutdown.

• Beyond Kindergarten Wellness: Why journaling and basic routines are great starters, but deep evolution requires a "quantum leap."

• The Power of Subtraction: Learning to let go of the lies and false ideas we hold onto about our health.

• Bridging Science & Spirit: How Carlijn used her medical background to navigate unorthodox health protocols and authentic spirituality.

• The Espresso Shot: A high-energy "This or That" round where we see the "un-Superwoman" side of Carlijn.

Ready to dive deeper into Carlijn’s world and her "Superwoman" community?

• Website: Superwoman.cc

• Instagram: @carlijnkrijger

If this episode spoke to your journey, don't let the conversation end here!

• Support the Brew: Loving the show? You can help keep the beans grinding and the episodes flowing by buying me a coffee! Every cup helps support the production of these conversations: [buymeacoffee.com/mrcoolbean2]

• Follow the Host: Catch behind-the-scenes content and chronic health tips on Instagram @MrCoolBeans2889.

• Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed Flight 27, please Like, Comment, and Subscribe on your favorite platform. Your reviews help other "passengers" find us!

Disclaimer: The views and protocols discussed in this episode are based on personal experience and do not constitute medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare professional before making significant changes to your health routine.

Thanks for flying Chronic Brew Airlines. See you on the next flight!

Grab your favorite mug and settle in, because today’s brew is served extra bold. On this episode of The Chronic Brew, we are joined by the powerhouse duo behind the Wheel Talk Podcast: Kelly Berger and Avery Roberts.

Kelly and Avery aren't just living with an ultra-rare form of congenital muscular dystrophy (Collagen 6)—they are dismantling the world’s perception of it. As "loudspeakers for the whispered," they’ve turned their lived experiences into a global platform for authentic representation and radical disability inclusion.

In this episode, we dive into:

• Activation vs. Awareness: Why "awareness" isn't enough and how to actually drive systemic change.

• The "Ultra-Rare" Reality: Navigating a medical and social world that wasn't built for your specific diagnosis.

• The Proxy Problem: Reclaiming your agency when people try to speak for you instead of to you.

• Deconstructing Stereotypes: Moving past the "inspirational" trope to show the fierce, unpolished truth of the disability experience.

• Ally-ship in Action: How the chronic illness and rare disease communities can unite to create a more accessible future.

Kelly and Avery bring a masterclass in resilience, wit, and unapologetic advocacy. If you’ve ever felt like your voice was being hushed, this is the episode that will teach you how to turn up the volume.

Connect with our Guests:

• Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0fOMtTCElQ9jz3x6Y0dxJA

• Instagram: @thewheeltalkpodcast

Follow The Chronic Brew:

• Instagram: @mrcoolbeans2889

• Support the Show: https://buymeacoffee.com/mrcoolbean2

What started as a routine trip to the eye doctor for a persistent headache ended with a sealed envelope and a frantic drive to the emergency room. At 28 years old, Dan MacQueen’s life was perfectly on track—until a devastating brain hemorrhage shattered his reality.

In this episode of The Chronic Brew, Dan joins us at the table to share how he navigated two emergency brain surgeries, a coma, and the grueling process of relearning how to walk, talk, and even smile. But this isn't just a survival story; it’s about the "refocused mind." Dan breaks down the practical strategies he used to rebuild his life and return to the fast-paced tech world, proving that while we can’t always control what happens to us, we have total power over how we respond.

Grab your favorite brew and join us as we discuss:

• The "Sealed Envelope" Moment: The surreal transition from a normal day to a life-saving surgery.

• Relearning the Basics: The humility and ego-work required to practice "simple" human functions.

• The #BetterThanYesterday Philosophy: How to find a win when it feels like you're taking three steps back.

• Professional Resilience: Tips for returning to a high-pressure career after a major health trauma.

• The Quick Espresso Shot: A rapid-fire round covering recovery playlists, victory snacks, and more.

Connect with Dan MacQueen:

• Website: https://www.macqueendan.com/

• Instagram: @macqueendan

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/macqueendan/

Keep the conversation going: If Dan’s story resonated with you, tag us on social media with your "First Sip" or your biggest takeaway from the episode. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review—it helps other members of the chronic community find our table!

#TheChronicBrew #Resilience #BrainInjuryRecovery #BetterThanYesterday #DanMacQueen #ChronicIllnessPodcast

What happens when your education and your intuition tell you one thing, but the medical system tells you another? Today on Chronic Brew, we’re sitting down with Amanda Hewitt—a trauma survivor, advocate, and the force behind the Chronic Illness Crew.

Amanda lives with a complex "alphabet soup" of conditions, including MCAS, PTSD, endometriosis, and chronic pain. But instead of letting medical gaslighting dim her fire, she leaned into what she calls her "audacity" to reclaim her narrative.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The "Audacity" Factor: How to trust your gut when doctors second-guess your reality.

• Mastering the Pivot: Why shifting your outlook isn't "giving up"—it's an essential survival skill.

• Community as Medicine: How Amanda’s virtual book club, Chronic Illness Crew, creates a sanctuary where nobody has to explain their symptoms.

• Finding Peace: Practical ways to protect your energy while advocating for yourself and others.

Whether you’re listening from bed, a waiting room, or your favorite cozy corner, this conversation is a reminder that you are the expert on your own body. Grab your favorite brew and join us!

• Join the Crew: @chronic.illness.crew.bookclub

• Follow Amanda on Instagram: @little.miss.undiagnosed

• Website: linktr.ee/little.miss.undiagnosed

• Follow us on Instagram: @mrcoolbeans2889

• Support the Show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mrcoolbean2

• Subscribe: Don’t forget to rate and review us on your favorite podcast app!

In honor of National Kidney Month and World Kidney Day, The Chronic Brew is proud to present a conversation that defines the very heart of kidney advocacy. While the world turns its attention to the statistics of CKD this March, we are zooming in on the human spirit with our guest, LaVise McCray.

LaVise is a retired Special Education teacher and Sociology scholar who navigated a staggering 7.5-year marathon on dialysis. Her journey is a testament to the "long game" of kidney health. In this intimate "coffee table" session, she shares the raw reality of navigating the dialysis chair while grieving the loss of her husband three years prior to receiving her life-saving transplant in March 2023.

In this special Kidney Month feature, we discuss:

• Advocacy in Action: How LaVise uses her background in Psychology and Sociology to change the patient experience.

• The Power of Compliance: Finding the "inner grit" to stay on track during a 7.5-year wait.

• Grief and the Kidney Warrior: Navigating a health crisis after the passing of a spouse.

• Breaking the Silence on CBS: Bringing vital awareness to Charles Bonnet Syndrome (visual hallucinations) and its impact on those with vision loss.

• The Global Mission: Why LaVise’s work with the NJ Sharing Network and KidneyLyfe is essential for the future of transplant equity.

Whether you are listening during our March awareness events or discovering this years later, LaVise’s message is universal: Even when things feel impossible, hope is a practice.

Connect with our Guest:

• Mentor/Community Work: NJ Sharing Network, Quality Insights, & Lyfebulb.

• Follow LaVise: Instagram: @LDYBUG97 Facebook: @LaVise Ldybug McCray LinkedIn: @LaVise McCray

Celebrate National Kidney Month with us: If LaVise’s story inspired you, please help us spread awareness. Subscribe, leave a five-star review, and share this episode to help a fellow kidney warrior find their voice.

#WorldKidneyDay #NationalKidneyMonth #KidneyTransplant #DialysisWarrior #TheChronicBrew #OrganDonation #CKDAdvocacy #CharlesBonnetSyndrome #KidneyAction

What happens when the athlete’s body you’ve always relied on suddenly changes the rules?”

In today’s episode of Chronic Brew, we’re pulling up a chair with Tamie Gangloff—a therapist, educator, and author who navigates life with a unique "double-lens." Tamie joins us to share her powerful journey from competitive athlete to chronic illness patient, and her hard-won recovery from eating disorders, alcoholism, and mental health challenges.

We dive deep into the messy middle of healing, discussing:

• The Identity Shift: How to grieve your "former self" when chronic illness takes the lead.

• Rebuilding Body Trust: Making peace with a body that feels like it’s "glitching."

• The Wounded Healer: How lived experience transforms the way Tamie sits across from her clients.

• Redefining the Win: Why a "successful day" looks different when you're playing the long game of chronic recovery.

Whether you're in the thick of your own "wreckage" or looking for a spark of resilience, this conversation is the perfect brew of clinical expertise and raw human heart.

• Instagram: @authortamiegangloff
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamiegangloff/

• Website: TamieGangloff.com

• Resources & Books: Browse Tamie’s resilience-focused tools and recovery guides.

☕️ SPECIAL OFFER: Tamie is generously offering our listeners a discount on her resources! Use code COOL BEANS at checkout to save on your purchase.

Enjoyed this brew? Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on social media for more honest conversations about life with chronic conditions. One sip at a time.

What happens when a top-tier heart surgeon decides that "fixing the plumbing" isn't enough? In this episode of The Chronic, we sit down with Dr. Bilal Ahmed, an interventional and structural cardiologist and the co-founder/CSO of Lylah Health.

Dr. Ahmed pulls back the curtain on the "invisible" gaps in our healthcare system—from the 20-year window where preventative care fails to the "Wild West" of the supplement industry. We discuss his philosophy of "meeting patients in the middle," how he’s bringing clinical rigor to wellness, and why empathy is the most important tool in a surgeon’s kit.

Whether you’re navigating a complex diagnosis or looking for the truth behind health supplements, this "coffee table" conversation offers a rare, human look at the man behind the mask.

• The First Sip: A high-energy game of Sweet or Bitter where Bilal weighs in on everything from biohacking to 15-minute doctor appointments.

• The Structural Gap: Why the medical system is great at emergencies but often leaves chronic patients behind.

• The Supplement Solution: Why Bilal stepped out of the OR to build Lylah Health and how to spot "hard science" vs. marketing hype.

• The Espresso Shot: A 30-second jolt of honesty where we find out the "human" side of a world-class surgeon.

• Final Advice: Bilal’s one piece of truth for anyone feeling overwhelmed by their health journey.

Dr. Bilal Ahmed is a renowned interventional and structural cardiologist. Beyond the operating room, he is a dedicated entrepreneur and the Chief Scientific Officer of Lylah Health, a company focused on bringing transparency and evidence-based science to the supplement space. He is a vocal advocate for patient-centered care and medical empathy.

• Lylah Health: https://lylahhealth.com/

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lylahhealth/

Follow The Chronic Brew for more deep dives into the reality of long-term health. Don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe!

Medical Disclaimer: The information provided in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. While Dr. Bilal Ahmed is a board-certified cardiologist, his appearance on this podcast does not establish a doctor-patient relationship with the listener. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you heard on this program.

Conflict of Interest / Financial Disclosure: Dr. Bilal Ahmed is a Co-founder and the Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) of Lylah Health. This podcast is not a sponsored advertisement for Lylah Health; however, listeners should be aware of this professional affiliation when health supplements or specific wellness products are discussed.

How do you navigate a "perfect storm" of health challenges for over 50 years? Today, we are joined by Beverly Meyer, a Certified Clinical Nutritionist who has been a "medical detective" since the 1970s.

Managing her own diagnoses of Celiac, Hashimoto’s, and CVID, Beverly shares her unique perspective on using precision nutrition to handle complex conditions like CKD, MS, and POTS. We dive into the evolution of the Paleo diet, preventing illness progression, and the "no-nonsense" mindset required to stay persistent on the road to wellness.

• The 70s Medical Detective: Navigating chronic illness before the digital age.

• Paleo for Autoimmunity: Why ancestral nutrition is a powerful lever for inflammation.

• The Clinical Tightrope: Tailoring nutrition for the specific needs of CKD and POTS.

• Halting the "Snowball Effect": Using food to prevent the progression of illness.

• The Persistence Mindset: Moving from grief into high-agency research and action.

Please Note: The views and opinions expressed by Beverly Meyer are her own and represent her clinical experience and personal journey. This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with your physician or a qualified medical provider before making any changes to your diet, supplements, or treatment plan.

• Official Website: DietaryHack.com

• Podcast: Primal Diet – Modern Health

• Supplement Shop: On-Demand Clinical Resources

• Facebook: Beverly Meyer - Dietary Hack

• Instagram: @beverlymeyer_dietaryhack