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Thrive with RA

Thrive with RA
Author: Dawn Laflin
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© 2025 Thrive with RA
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Ever wish you had someone who would share tips, strategies and encouragement to help you improve your day-to-day life with Rheumatoid arthritis? Someone who helps wade through all the noise to bring you solid, science-based evidence on food, lifestyle, and mindset changes that will help you thrive? That's exactly what you'll get when you tune in to the Thrive with RA podcast with your host, certified Health Coach and thriving RA warrior, Dawn Laflin. Her mission? To help others know first and foremost that diet, lifestyle, and mindset matter when it comes to feeling your best with Rheumatoid arthritis. Her specialty? Breaking down those healthy habits that feel hard and overwhelming to achieve, into small, actionable steps that are sustainable for the long haul. Tune in to be encouraged, inspired and ready to discover all the ways you can impact how you feel on a daily basis. Whether you've been living with RA for a long time, have recently been diagnosed or are experiencing symptoms, each episode is created to provide actionable steps that you can take to be empowered in your health.
23 Episodes
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Send us a text In today’s episode, Dawn sits down with Kristen Silverberg—a nurse practitioner turned high-level healthcare administrator turned organic gardener—to explore how the principles of nature offer a surprising path to finding a better balance with autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. Diagnosed with two autoimmune diseases before age 40, Kristen felt dismissed by the very system she once worked in. But the game changed when she began focusing on whole foods which led to ...
Send us a text In this personal and science-backed episode, Dawn shares the story of how she went from fearing movement to embracing it as a core part of her reclaiming her health. What started as fear of flares turned into one of the most empowering decisions of her RA journey. You’ll hear why endorphins are more than mood boosters, and how movement supports your body’s natural inflammation regulation—no high-intensity workouts required. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why Dawn thought moveme...
Send us a text Whether you're newly diagnosed or deep in the trenches of managing rheumatoid arthritis, this episode offers both practical wisdom and emotional validation. Dawn's message is clear: you cannot pour from an empty cup. Breaking the cycle of pain and isolation begins with permission to prioritize your health—not as an act of selfishness, but as the foundation that enables you to show up fully for those you love. Ready to start your healing journey? Subscribe now and join our commu...
Send us a text Diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and feeling like your future has been hijacked? This powerful episode reveals why you were made for so much more than pain, fatigue, and limitation. Dawn unpacks three compelling reasons why 2025 should be the year you finally say "YES" to investing in yourself. First, she explains how understanding the science behind your condition can transform your perspective on healing. Drawing on Dr. Alessio Fasano's groundbreaking "three-legged stool"...
Send us a text Thriving with RA isn't just about what we do - it's also rooted in how we think. By embracing mindset shifts and lifestyle changes, you can unlock a healthier, more energized version of yourself, ready to face the holiday season with clarity and reduced pain. This episode is all about empowering women with RA to take control of their health, emphasizing the transformative power of mindset. We'll explore practical, science-backed strategies for realigning your health through...
Send us a text Ever felt like you wanted to throw in the towel when it comes to making changes in your health? It's frustrating, right? You have the desire, you prep as best as you can...only to be met with challenge again and again. I know the struggle all too well. In this episode, I share some examples from my journey of transitioning to an anti-inflammatory diet to manage rheumatoid arthritis. Its never as easy as it seems and the more we understand what's involved, the sm...
Send us a text I know you're investing time and effort into adopting an anti-inflammatory lifestyle to have less pain and more energy. So, I also know how hard that journey is if you feel all alone in it. If you've ever felt like everyone around you doesn't get it; doesn't understand the journey you're on, and is struggling to support you the way you need, you're not going to want to miss this episode! My guest today is Susan Loggins, the visionary behind s.i.t.s.haven in Tomball, Texas. Sus...
Send us a text Life with Rheumatoid Arthritis can be filled with pain, fatigue, brain fog, feelings of isolation, and hopelessness... But when you take advantage of layering anti-inflammatory strategies into your diet and lifestyle, you begin to improve your symptoms as overall inflammation levels are reduced. Today I'm sharing the seven essential strategies that make up your anti-inflammatory toolkit. You'll discover: How the standard American diet may be exacerbating your symptoms...
Send us a text I have navigated the rough waters of chronic inflammation several times. One time in particular, it was during my search for answers that led to my endometriosis diagnosis. My voice, etched with the pain of being dismissed by the very system meant to heal, carries a story that resonates with anyone fighting to be heard in their healthcare journey. In this episode, I map out the path that led me to a doctor who finally acknowledged my suffering and the critical steps I took ...
Send us a text In this episode, I'll navigate the simple yet profound art of habit stacking. It's not just a buzzword; it's a lifeline, particularly for those of us living with Rheumatoid arthritis. By anchoring new, healthful practices to the routines you perform on autopilot, you can craft a life that's not only manageable but vibrant. Picture this - making your coffee in the morning is now the cue to drink a glass of water, stretch your muscles before the day begins, or both! Simple, ri...
Send us a text When my own body seemed to turn against me, I found myself navigating the seemingly unpredictable twists and turns of Rheumatoid Arthritis. My journey has been one of transformation, from overwhelming pain to a life filled with vitality, thanks to an anti-inflammatory lifestyle. This episode is my open book, a chapter of resilience and hope, where I lay out the map for others sailing similar rough seas. You'll hear about the small, yet mighty changes in diet and exercise ...
Send us a text Ready to supercharge your health with a little green powerhouse? In today's episode, I'm guiding you through the astonishing world of broccoli sprouts. Packed with vitamins, fiber, and the marvel antioxidant sulforaphane, these tasty sprouts not only enhance gut and brain health, they also support joint health, reduce cellular damage and lower inflammation. The bonus? They're more digestible than many other foods, making them an excellent addition to your anti-inf...
Send us a text Need help clearing the confusion on WHAT to eat and DO in order to improve your Rheumatoid Arthritis pain and fatigue? I've got a solution that will be a game changer in not only HOW you learn and understand the information, but also in the way you IMPLEMENT the action steps so that you enjoy more energized, less painful days. And that's by partnering with a health coach. In this week's episode, I'm sharing 4 ways a health coach can help you implement dietary and lifestyle c...
Send us a text Nightshade vegetables. A topic that comes up often in the RA community. Should you avoid them or is it ok to enjoy them? Like many things when it comes to your health ... ... it depends. There is a lot of controversy surrounding this colorful group of veggies and fruits (you may be surprised to learn which are from the fruit family!). But what it comes down to time and again... ... we are each uniquely made. Take a listen to today's episode where we'll explore the debate surrou...
Send us a text Making dietary and lifestyle changes is 100% possible for all of us, but it's safe to say, it's not a walk in the park. Add in the challenge of going out to dinner, on vacation, or celebrating a special event and it feels unsustainable. But here's the deal... ...taking time to create a list of your non-negotiables (those things you'll do no matter what because they help you feel your best), can be a game changer on how you go about enjoying all of life's special moments. To...
Send us a text Sad to say, but we are so good at pointing out where we 'fail' to meet our goals in a health journey ... but often give very little thought or attention to any wins we have along the way. And yet we wonder why it's so hard to get motivated to do the thing we want most. Here's the deal, CELEBRATING WINS is a crucial part of a health journey. Especially when dealing with a chronic illness such as Rheumatoid arthritis. It's so easy to focus on our short-comings, then lo...
Send us a text Wondering if it's worth the effort to clean up your diet? Does it impact how you feel living with Rheumatoid arthritis? I can tell you with 100% certainty that YES it does! I learned early on how focusing on quality, healthy food nourished my body at the cellular level. But even more than that, I've learned how it's a gift that keeps on giving. You see, when you eat foods that support your body, you're empowering the cells deep within to do what they do best, ta...
Send us a text Sugar ... ... we all love it, but does it love us back? Well if it's the white, highly refined kind, I'm afraid not! While sweetening our food and drinks, its also causing fatigue, joint pain, digestive distress, sleep troubles, hormonal imbalances, acne, headaches, and so. much. more. We know it isn't good for us. We know it causes trouble for our body. So WHY do we still crave and eat it? Maybe you're one of the many who have tried, and/or succeeded, in giv...
Send us a text You know that feeling... ... your heart starts to race, breathing rate increases, and beads of sweat start to form on your body... ... these are none-other than the physiological signs of a stressful moment taking place. How about when the physical symptoms kick in? The headaches, fatigue, dizziness, or the indigestion? Stress is something we all face dozens of times throughout our daily lives. Ideally, we go through the stressful moment, our body resets and we go a...
Send us a text Wondering if the foods you eat makes a difference with your Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms? I can tell you with 100% certainty that YES my friend, they do! I learned early on that without dietary and lifestyle changes, my symptoms quickly spiraled downhill. Maybe you, like me, heard an anti-inflammatory diet is best when it comes to feeling good with RA. But what does that really look like. And why does one theory suggest one thing, while another says avoid it? Today I'm sh...