#40 Rheumatologist's Verdict: Why Dr Julie Recommends the Live Well with Arthritis Programme

**Episode 40: The Live Well with Arthritis Podcast** *#40 A Rheumatologist's Verdict: Why Dr Julie Recommends the Live Well with Arthritis Programme* ***"I went from 'I'll return to work', to 'I can't get out of bed', to now moving from surviving to designing my life".*** That's Shamim's reflection after the Live Well with Arthritis Course and Coaching Programme. She lives with rheumatoid arthritis, and was a founding member of Emily's first Spring cohort. **In this episode the tables turn as NHS consultant rheumatologist Dr Julekha Wajed (Dr Julie, @arthritis\_dr) interviews Emily** to delve deeper into the programme she's spent two years building, with the medical perspective from a rheumatologist who has read every lesson and contributed to it herself. Together they explore why it had to be a course and coaching side by side, how the 12 weeks are structured, the experts who shaped every week, and what genuinely changed for the Spring cohort, plus Dr Julie's view from the clinic on why informed, supported patients have better outcomes, and how this complements (never replaces) medical care. **Topics covered:** - **From Diagnosis to Driving Seat:** Emily's diagnosis at 20, the isolation and denial that followed, and what becoming the 'CEO of your life 'really means - **Why It Can't Just Be a Course:** why coaching is so powerful, why the two run live and side by side, and why there's no self-paced version - **Inside the 12 Weeks:** the three pillars (nutrition, lifestyle, tools for life), the early foundations including medications, and the mid-programme study break - **Tools, Not Prescriptions:** the Wheel of Life, group and one-to-one coaching, grounding and Future Self meditations, and support in the 'how' - **The People Behind It:** 15 contributors, such as rheumatologists, a chronic pain specialist, nutritionists and movement experts who shaped every method - **A Rheumatologist's Perspective:** why Dr Julie believes the programme fills real gaps in NHS care - **Real Cohort Stories:** what shifted for Julie (RA) and Helen (osteoarthritis) in their own words, and the mix of ages and countries in the Spring cohort - **How to Join the Autumn Cohort:** enrolment is open now, the free discovery call, scholarship places, and the founding-member discount **About the podcast:** With a focus on reducing inflammation and improving daily life, this podcast features expert interviews, science-backed strategies, and real stories from people living with all types of arthritis. Emily combines her 12+ years of lived experience and insights from healthcare professionals to offer practical, encouraging steps that help you feel healthier, happier, and less alone when living with arthritis. Emily (Arthritis Foodie) is a bestselling author, certified coach, and founder of Live Well with Arthritis. **Episode Links:** Applications for the Live Well with Arthritis 12-week programme are open (Autumn cohort applications close 18 September). ***Apply now:*** *https://www.livewellwitharthritis.com/waitlist* *Instagram:* https://www.instagram.com/livewellwitharthritis\_ **Dr Julekha Wajed @arthritis\_dr:** - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthritis\_dr/ - Website: https://www.nuffieldhealth.com/consultants/dr-julekha-wajed **Emily Johnson @ArthritisFoodie:** - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arthritisfoodie/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arthritisfoodie/ - YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@arthritisfoodie Further Resources: https://linktr.ee/arthritisfoodie * * * Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.