Moving with MS - One MS Warrior's Journey Empowering Others to Move
Moving with MS - One MS Warrior's Journey Empowering Others to Move
Maddi Niebanck
July 7, 2025
Living with rheumatoid arthritis, epilepsy, vision loss from optic neuritis, and a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) that once completely paralyzed her left side, Kathy Chester continues to fight—and fiercely advocate—for others living with autoimmune conditions.
A longtime fitness trainer, Kathy is widely respected in the healthcare space. She’s often sought out as a coach, speaker, and therapist by individuals navigating chronic illness and pain. For Kathy, this work is deeply personal. Living with MS herself, she brings a unique understanding to the challenges of limited mobility and the physical and emotional toll it can take.
In 2021, Kathy made the bold decision to close her personal gym to focus full-time on working with clients living with MS, Crohn’s disease, stroke, and other debilitating conditions.
As an early and ongoing advocate, Kathy developed MS Disrupted, a movement program offering one-on-one and group training for people with autoimmune diseases. And despite countless obstacles, she launched her own podcast, Move It or Lose It, where she interviews fellow patients, physicians, and companies committed to improving quality of life and independence for those affected by these conditions.
Her motto is simple: MOVE.
Move your body—or you’ll lose it.
And she lives by another powerful reminder:
What doesn’t challenge you won’t change you.
🎧 We sat down with Kathy to learn about her mobility journey, discuss her work with MS Disrupted, and talk tips on staying cool with MS during the hot summer months. Check out the full podcast here.
Key Topics
Kathy's Diagnosis and Early Journey with MS
01:02: Kathy was initially misdiagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis before being correctly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis after experiencing vision loss. She learned that MS lesions had likely been present since high school. Despite advice to rest, she chose to exercise, believing it would prevent atrophy.Founding MS Disrupted
06:18: As a fitness instructor, Kathy worked with clients with autoimmune diseases. During quarantine, she closed her gym to focus on MS Disrupted, an online coaching platform empowering people with MS to lead healthier lifestyles. She also started the "Move It or Lose It" podcast.Approach to Training Clients with MS and Stroke
10:09: Kathy emphasizes listening to clients, observing their gait, and understanding their healing journey. She adapts exercises to individual needs, prioritizes safety with recommendations for stable support, and focuses on the brain-body connection.Cooling Strategies for Summer
13:13: She highly recommends ColdTech's cooling packs, and suggests simple methods like applying ice cubes to pulse points. Hydration with cold water is crucial, and she advises setting alarms for water intake. Maintaining a cool workout environment is also important.Exercise Tips for Summer and Travel
33:07: Kathy advises against completely stopping exercise in the summer, instead suggesting reduced intensity and slower, lower-intensity workouts during hot and humid weather. She encourages incorporating practical movements and provides clients with portable resistance band routines for travel.Overcoming Fear of Falling
27:57: She stresses the importance of practicing how to get up after a fall to maintain independence and shared an anecdote about guiding a client through this process. Advocating for oneself and clearly communicating how others can assist is vital.Mindset and Community
39:05: Kathy emphasizes not giving up, as exercise can elevate mood and combat depression. Community support is crucial for encouragement, and documenting progress helps celebrate small wins.