She Was Told It Would Never Go Away. Then Her Doctor Wrote a Different Ending.
At 15 years old, Jessica Faulds was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and told a sentence no teenager should ever hear: this is for life. There would be treatments. There would be management. But there would be no reversal.
Eighteen years later, her doctor put something in writing that almost no one expects to see.
A letter stating she no longer had MS.
In this conversation, Jessica walks us through what MS actually is, why it affects everyone differently, and what it was like to live for nearly two decades under the assumption that her body would only decline. She explains the relapses, the vision loss, the cane, the fear, and the relentless trial-and-error of navigating a healthcare system that often dismisses women’s symptoms.
But this episode is not just about MS.
It is about agency.
What MS Taught Jessica About the Body and the System
Jessica explains MS in terms anyone can understand: when the body mistakenly attacks the protective coating around the nerves, communication breaks down. What many people do not realize is that symptoms, progression, and outcomes vary widely and lifestyle plays a meaningful role in quality of life.
From the very beginning, Jessica’s parents placed her in the driver’s seat of her care. She researched medications. She asked questions. She tracked symptoms. And she learned early that blind compliance was never the same as informed partnership.
That approach shaped everything that followed.
The Letter, the Stem Cell Transplant, and the Line Between Hope and Reality
Jessica is clear and careful with her words. She does not claim a miracle cure. Her documented MS remission came after an aggressive stem cell transplant, a treatment not available or appropriate for everyone.
But what this episode makes clear is that lifestyle choices mattered before, during, and after.
Movement. Nutrition. Stress. Advocacy. Preparation.
Her recovery and long-term stability were not accidental.
Food, Movement, and the Difference Between Vegan and Plant-Based
Jessica breaks down an important distinction that often gets blurred.
- Veganism is a lifestyle rooted in reducing harm to animals.
- Plant-based eating is about nourishment, whole foods, and health.
- You can eat vegan and still eat poorly.
- You can eat plant-based in a way that supports healing, energy, and resilience.
Jessica shares how her nutrition evolved from a standard healthy diet to vegetarianism and eventually to a fully plant-based vegan lifestyle. She also addresses affordability, accessibility, and why canned and frozen vegetables still count.
Perfection is not required. Consistency is.
Women’s Health, Menopause, and Why You Must Push Back
One of the most powerful segments of this conversation centers on self-advocacy.
Jessica entered menopause at 27 as a side effect of treatment and was told, more than once, to wait it out. Instead, she demanded referrals, tracked symptoms, brought research, and refused to accept dismissal.
Her message is clear:
- You are allowed to ask questions.
- You are allowed to change doctors.
- You are allowed to expect better care.
The Two Lessons That Changed Everything
After decades of living with MS, Jessica says two lessons stand above all others:
- What you put in your body and how you move it matters.
Recovery, resilience, and quality of life are deeply affected by daily choices. - The right people stay.
Illness has a way of revealing who is capable of showing up and who is not.
Beyond MS: Writing, Substack, and Teaching Others to Thrive
Jessica is currently writing a book chronicling her journey from diagnosis to remission and the lessons learned along the way. She also publishes regularly on Substack, where she shares plant-based meal plans, fitness programming, and reflections on women’s health, resilience, and navigating medical systems with confidence.
She also teaches multiple cycle classes each week and shares structured workouts for people who want movement without intimidation or gimmicks.
Where to Find Jessica Faulds
Website: www.jessicafaulds.com
Substack and social links are available directly through her website.
About Jessica Faulds
Jessica Faulds is a certified holistic nutrition coach, speaker, cycle instructor, and emerging author whose work is rooted in lived experience, science, and advocacy. After spending 18 years navigating Multiple Sclerosis, Jessica achieved what few ever do: documented remission, confirmed by her physician. That journey reshaped her life and now fuels her mission to help others move from survival to true vitality.
With academic degrees in Health Science and Nutrition and Dietetic Sciences, Jessica blends evidence-based education with real-world application. Her areas of expertise include MS management, women’s health, plant-based living, and self-advocacy. She is especially passionate about helping people take control of their health without unnecessary confusion, extremes, or trial-and-error approaches.
As a speaker and educator, Jessica is known for making complex topics accessible, empowering, and engaging. Whether she is breaking down plant-based nutrition, guiding women through the healthcare system, or sharing the realities of living with and overcoming chronic illness, her audiences leave informed, motivated, and ready to take action.
Jessica’s work centers on resilience, clarity, and agency. She teaches, coaches, rides, writes, and advocates for better health and fuller lives, proving that thriving is not only possible but achievable with the right tools and support.
About Kathleen Gage
Kathleen Gage is a multifaceted professional, renowned as the founder of Vegan Visibility. With certifications in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Plant-Based Nutrition from eCornell University, she’s a seasoned business consultant, keynote speaker, and marketing strategist.
Kathleen’s impact extends to hosting the Vegan Visibility Virtual Summit, a niche event supporting vegan and plant-based entrepreneurs with top-tier training from industry experts.
Since establishing her business in 1994, she’s navigated economic challenges across various sectors, including high-tech, healthcare, and publishing.
Her influential voice resonates through popular podcasts like “Vegan Visibility” and “Plant Based Eating for Health,” where she advocates for a sustainable, compassionate world and provides guidance to thousands globally. Moreover, as an award-winning speaker and past president of Utah’s National Speakers Association chapter, Kathleen excels in crafting effective marketing strategies.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Kathleen resides in Central Oregon, where she champions animal rescue and enjoys outdoor activities. Her commitment to creating a more compassionate and sustainable world shines through in both her personal and professional pursuits.
Access her complimentary Podcast Guesting Blueprint at http://veganvisibility.com/podcastblueprint