Fibromyalgia Podcast

"Anxiety from insomnia triggers our fight or flight reaction and that's not conducive to falling asleep." - Dr. Leon Lack There's a particular kind of exhaustion that comes with fibromyalgia, the kind where your body feels completely drained, but your brain just won't turn off. You lie there, waiting for sleep to come, watching the clock, knowing how much you need rest and feeling your body become more tense the longer it doesn't happen. Over time, bedtime itself can start to feel stressful, like something you're doing wrong instead of something your body naturally does. What makes this even more frustrating is that the harder you try to sleep, the more awake you can feel. Worrying about sleep, thinking about tomorrow, and calculating how many hours you have left can quietly activate your stress response. Once that cycle starts, it tends to repeat night after night. Understanding why this happens can be incredibly validating and helps explain why sleep struggles aren't a failure on your part, but a pattern yo

"It kind of felt like it was just her and I against the world." - Ann Garner When a child develops fibromyalgia or another chronic pain condition, it can feel incredibly isolating for the whole family. Parents are trying to understand the condition themselves while also advocating for their child with doctors, teachers, and even extended family members who may not fully believe what's happening. As a parent without a community, it feels like you're navigating everything on your own. For kids living with fibromyalgia, that isolation can be even harder. Their pain is invisible, and they're quietly managing limitations their peers can't see. Finding others who really understand that experience can be life-changing. Connecting with people who are on a similar journey often brings community, validation, and hope for the future. In this episode, Tami is joined by Ann Garner, a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®  and mom raising a teenager with fibromyalgia and ME/CFS, to talk about her family's experience attending fami

"We don't go from severely symptomatic to fibro-free overnight, right? Improvement with fibromyalgia can be subtle, and it does take time." - Tami Stackelhouse Going through life with fibromyalgia, many of us quietly hope that one day we'll wake up without pain, fatigue, or brain fog. Unfortunately, in reality, improvement is small and can be hard to see while it's happening. Sometimes you might feel better for a week or two and then you have a flare and you feel like you're back at square one. It can feel like nothing is changing, even if things actually are. Improvement with fibromyalgia often shows up in quiet ways. Flares might not hit as hard as they used to. Recovery may happen a little faster. You might start noticing patterns that help you support your body before symptoms spiral. These shifts can be subtle, making them easy to overlook, especially when memory, brain fog, and emotional bias color our perception of our bad days. Learning how to track your symptoms in a simple, sustainable way can help

"Asking for and receiving help is not about being less capable. It's about using your limited energy for what matters most." - Tami Stackelhouse  If you've been living with fibromyalgia for some time, you can probably identify with remembering how different thing were before when you were the capable and dependable one who everyone relied on. Shifting from being the helper to being the one who needs help can feel uncomfortable at best and heartbreaking at worst. That's why for so many of us, asking for help brings up feelings of guilt, fear of being a burden, and a quiet voice saying we should be able to do more. The uncomfortable truth we have to learn is that asking for help is not failure. It's about choosing where your limited resources will go instead of spending it all on things that leave you wiped out and unable to show up for what matters most. Being able to name what you need clearly and accept help when it's offered with kindness and grace is good for our health but it can also strengthen relations

Welcome to the final episode of our special Be a Coach series. So far, I've answered questions about our Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® class and what it takes to become a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®. Some of the topics covered in the first three parts of this special series were what a Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® and a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® is, the difference between the two, who makes a good Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® and who is better suited to be a Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor®, what you need and don't need to become a Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® or Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®, why the world needs fibro coaches, and why you should consider becoming one. In this final installment, I'm digging into the nuts and bolts of how you can become a Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® or Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®; including the exact steps you need to take.       Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in th

There aren't enough stories out there of people with fibromyalgia who actually got better. Too often, we're told that we'll need to learn to live with the symptoms we're experiencing and that that's going to be our new normal. But while fibromyalgia can be debilitating and will change your life, it's not true that nothing can be done, and the stories we're sharing today are proof of that. Hope doesn't come from pushing harder or pretending symptoms aren't real. It comes from learning how to listen to your body, making small shifts that add up over time, and recognizing that improvement can look different for each person. For some, it means finding the right medical care. For others, it's creating routines that protect their energy or realizing that healing can include both self-care and practical changes. Growth is possible even when the path forward feels uncertain. Today, in the twelfth installment of our Stories of Hope and Healing, you'll have another opportunity to hear directly from people living with f

Welcome to episode 03 of our special Be a Coach Series. In this series, I answer questions about our Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® class and what it takes to be a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®. In episode one of the series, I explained what a Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® is and what a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® is. Episode two of the series was all about who makes a good coach and who is better suited to be an advisor. I also covered what you need and don't need to become a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®. In this episode, we're taking a deeper look at why someone would want to become a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®, why the world needs fibro coaches, and why you should consider becoming one.           Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and discussed with your own healthcare providers. Did you catch our Virtual Open House? Tami answered the top six questions about our classes, plus

"A fibro-friendly, fresh start isn't about staying on track forever. It's about gently correcting your trajectory when things drift off." - Tami Stackelhouse Fresh starts are supposed to feel hopeful, but with fibromyalgia, they can feel heavy instead. The start of a new year brings many of us pressure to get it together, do better, and somehow reset everything at once, even when we're already exhausted. Then, when our bodies don't cooperate the way the plan expected them to, we start wondering what's wrong with us. The truth is, most fresh start advice isn't made for fibro bodies. They have quiet assumptions of consistent energy, predictable capacity, and unlimited willpower. But when your nervous system is sensitive, and your energy fluctuates, pushing harder usually makes things worse, not better. A fibro-friendly fresh start looks different. It's gentle, flexible, and based on today's reality, not who you wish you were. Small steps, compassionate restarts, and creating space for healing often matter far m

Welcome to episode 02 of our special Be a Coach Series. In this series, I answer questions about our Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® class and what it takes to be a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®. I cover all the basics… the who, what, when, where, why, and even the how. Don't understand what a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® or Adviser is? No problem. Just pop on over to episode one of the series because that is exactly what we covered in that episode. In this episode, I'm covering the who. Who makes a good coach? Who makes a good Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®? Who makes a good Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor®? And, how do you know which one you might be? I also cover what I look for in the applications I accept into the training program and what you need and don't need to join us a become a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® or Advisor yourself.         Note: This episode is not meant to be medical advice. Every person and every situation is unique. The information you learn in this episode should be shared and disc

"Pay attention to what your body is telling you and treat yourself with kindness." - Dr. Robin Pfaff   The end of the year can be a lot and by the time January arrives, we're already worn out. There were big demands on your time and energy to meet holiday expectations, the darker days don't help and, once we reach the new year, there's pressure to reset, improve, and push forward as if our bodies didn't come with limits. When you're living with fibromyalgia, the "new year, new me" pressure often leads to flares, overwhelm, and the feeling of starting the year already behind.   For fibro bodies, pushing harder usually isn't the answer. When your nervous system is already sensitive, what it needs most is safety, not force. Slowing down, listening more closely to your body, and treating yourself with kindness instead of criticism can shift how pain, energy, and even emotions show up day to day. Sometimes the most meaningful changes don't come from doing more, but from softening your expectations and meeting your

As a master Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®, author, and fibro podcaster, the questions I'm asked more than any others are: How do I get better? How do I improve my Fibromyalgia so I can get back to living the life I want to live? While those sound like simple questions, they do not have simple answers. We all have similar symptoms, what helps you feel better may not be the thing that helps me feel better. We all have to find our own magic formula for what makes us feel best. I know from personal experience just how overwhelming it can be to find that formula on your own. That's why I created a training program in 2015 that would teach people just like you how to improve their own Fibromyalgia, and how to help others do the same. In this first episode of a special series where I'll be answering a lot of questions I get about our Certified Fibromyalgia Advisor® class and about becoming a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach®, I want to start super basic. We're going over what a Certified Fibromyalgia Coach® is, how that

"Fibromyalgia patients have lived with, 'Well, it's nothing. We're giving you nothing, and don't come back.' We're not doing that anymore." - Dr. Andrew Holman Living with fibromyalgia, you know what it feels like to live in a body that never really settles down. Even when we're resting, there's a background tension that doesn't fully release. Sleep doesn't restore us the way it should, stress lingers longer than it seems to for other people, and pain feels louder than it should. It's exhausting feeling like your nervous system is always braced for impact, even on the days when you're doing everything "right." This constant feeling of being on edge isn't about mindset or resilience. It's about how our nervous system has learned to respond over time. When your body stays stuck in fight-or-flight, it interferes with the deep, restorative sleep you need and amplifies pain and sensitivity throughout the day. That's why getting a deeper understanding of how your nervous system is reacting and supporting it to move

"Fibromyalgia can completely break your relationship with yourself when your symptoms are unpredictable." Tami Stackelhouse For many of us with fibromyalgia, goal setting doesn't just feel hard. It feels painful. You make a plan on a good day, only to wake up the next morning in pain or exhausted, and suddenly everything falls apart. After that happens enough times, it stops feeling like bad luck and starts to feel personal. You start doubting your body, your brain, and eventually yourself. This is not a character flaw. It's a natural response to living in a body that changes the rules without warning. Traditional goal setting assumes predictable energy, consistent capacity, and stable days; things that fibromyalgia simply does not offer. Instead of trying to force ourselves into systems that don't fit, we need tools that are designed for fibro bodies in the first place. In this episode, Tami shares a completely different approach to goal setting that actually works with fibromyalgia instead of against it. Sh

"The general public and even health professionals are not fully aware of the power of our circadian rhythms." - Dr. Leon Lack If you've ever felt tired, foggy, and flared up when the seasons or the clocks change, you are not alone. Light is one of the most powerful signals to the brain, and when your body's internal clock, your circadian rhythm, becomes disrupted, that can influence your energy, pain levels, mood, and focus. For those of us already living with fibro's sensitive nervous system, even small shifts in daylight can have a significant impact. Understanding your circadian rhythm can help you find balance with your energy, sleep quality, and other fibro symptoms. Morning light, evening routines, timing your wake-up, and even the type of light you're exposed to all influence how your body functions. When you understand how they all work together, light can become one of the simplest and most effective fibro-friendly tools for improving sleep, stabilizing your mood, and boosting your energy all year. T

"Fibromyalgia can take a lot from us, but it doesn't have to take everything." - Tami Stackelhouse One of the hardest parts of living with fibromyalgia is how much joy can quietly disappear from your life. Activities you used to love start feeling out of reach and even simple things like going out with friends or spending time on a hobby can feel too draining. Over time, it's easy to lose sight of what brings you happiness when most of your energy is going toward managing your pain and getting through the day. But joy is not something you "earn" once you feel better. Joy is part of what helps you feel better. It plays an essential role in calming your nervous system, lowering pain levels, and helping your body shift out of constant survival mode. When fibromyalgia makes your world smaller, joy often feels like the first thing to go, but it's actually one of the most powerful tools you have for healing. The good news is that joy doesn't need to be big or complicated. It just needs to be intentional. In this ep

Last year, Tami introduced her favorite things list. The list highlighted the top seven things from 2024 that she used in her everyday life and wouldn't want to live without. Now, she's sharing a sneak peek of her list for 2025. If you've ever heard of Oprah's Favorite Things list, this is like that, but with a fibro focus. Some important things to keep in mind are that this is not a random list and companies cannot pay to be on it. Every item on this list is something Tami has personally tested, used, and loved enough to recommend to her clients and now you. These items are the real deal. They're tools that support better sleep, less pain, steadier energy, and add a little extra sparkle to your day. This year's list is grouped into three categories: Fibro Game Changers: Science-backed tools that truly make a difference in how your body feels and functions. Everyday Comforts: Small luxuries that make life a little more comfortable and fun. Daily Life Helpers: Practical tools you use every day that make life

Have you ever wished people could truly understand what fibromyalgia feels like, or what it's like to live with a condition that never really goes away? You are not alone. Explaining fibromyalgia to the people you love is one of the hardest parts of living with an invisible illness. From the outside, you might look perfectly fine, but inside, you feel like you’ve been run over by a truck. It’s even harder when your symptoms change from day to day. You might manage errands or a social event one day and need to rest the next, leaving people confused or questioning what’s going on. Trying to explain that experience to someone who has never experienced chronic pain feels impossible. Today, Tami is sharing tools you can use to make these difficult conversations a little easier without wearing yourself out in the process. Using the right strategies and language can make a world of difference. Whether it’s a simple analogy, a short story that captures the daily challenges, or setting clear boundaries around what you

If you’ve ever wanted to take a class from Tami Stackelhouse — but it wasn’t in your budget or schedule — this is your chance! The Living Well With Fibromyalgia: Holiday Edition event is happening now, and it’s completely free to join. You’ll get nearly three months of professional-level fibromyalgia education, focused on helping you navigate the holidays with less pain and more joy — and discover simple, proven strategies to help you take back control of your body and your holidays. Register free at FibroWellnessSummit.com and start listening today!         Join us for the Living Well with Fibromyalgia Summit: Holiday Edition. This is a completely free, 10-day virtual event happening October 13th through 24th, designed to help you navigate the holidays with less pain and more joy. To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes. For daily doses of hope, inspiration, and practical advice, join Tami on Facebook or Instagram. Need a good book to read? Download Tami's books for

“You don’t have to do it all this holiday season. Do the things that matter most to you.” - Tami Stackelhouse The holidays can be a difficult time of year for people living with fibromyalgia. Between shopping, cooking, decorating, family gatherings, and endless to-do lists, it’s easy to push yourself too far and end up in a massive fibro flare. You want to show up for the people you love, but your body will remind you that there’s only so much you can give. Luckily, a memorable holiday season doesn’t just come from doing everything you’ve always done. Instead, it should be about doing what matters most. By learning to prioritize, pace yourself, and let go of the “shoulds,” you can create a season that’s joyful and supportive of your health instead of draining it. As we head towards the holidays, take your time, slow down, choose what feels right for you, and give yourself permission to rest without guilt. In this episode, Tami talks about why it’s time to start thinking about navigating the holiday season, ba

I'm taking a break from the podcast this week celebrate my husband's birthday on a cruise to Alaska! I'll have a new episode for you on October 7th. In the meantime, feel free to check out any of the previous episodes to hold you over until then. Also... don’t forget to register for the Living Well with Fibromyalgia Summit: Holiday Edition happening October 13–24, 2025! Join me and seven of my coaches for 10 days of gentle, fibro-friendly talks designed to help you navigate the holidays with less pain and more joy.