Welcome to Hot Topics! In this episode, we're joined by John McDaniel, who shares his experience with ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation and ulcers in the digestive tract. This condition leads to symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, fatigue, and weight loss.

John talks about his journey living with ulcerative colitis, which he was diagnosed with at age 13. He recalls how his symptoms, including bloody stools, started suddenly and how he was afraid to tell his parents. The diagnosis required an endoscopy and a colonoscopy, as the condition doesn't show on regular imaging tests like X-rays.

He also discusses the emotional challenges of living with a chronic illness, including feelings of embarrassment and being misunderstood. John explains how stress plays a role in his condition, leading to what he calls "stress poop," where anxiety can trigger flare-ups. After surgery to remove his colon, he had a temporary stoma, which helped him eliminate waste while he healed. He now has a j-pouch, allowing him to eliminate waste normally. 

To monitor his condition, John has to get a colonoscopy every year, which is more than the average man, highlighting the ongoing nature of his care. He stresses the importance of awareness since there is currently no known cure for inflammatory bowel disease. Now in remission and not taking any medications, John manages his condition with a careful diet and regular check-ups. He encourages others facing similar issues to seek support. Join us for this important conversation that highlights the strength needed to live with ulcerative colitis and offers helpful insights for those dealing with similar challenges.

Who is John McDaniel?
John is a stay at home dad who is a nerd about several things including music, books, history, and sports. He also hosts a podcast about the EFL and NFL called "The PitchGrid Podcast."

You can find John:
On Facebook (Profile): https://www.facebook.com/the.pitchgrid.podcast
On Facebook (Page): https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566358666939
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepitchgrid/
On X # 1: https://x.com/pitchgridpod
On X # 2: https://x.com/JRAwky
On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PitchGridPod
On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thepitchgridpod
On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/thepitchgridpod.bsky.social

John has a podcast called "The PitchGrid Podcast." Listen and subscribe here: https://open.spotify.com/show/4jGYrJadVEuflrR1QamfkF

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/DGnco_NmE14

Rate this episode on IMDB: TBA
********************************************
Follow A Step Ahead Tutoring Services:
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/astepaheadtutoringservices
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astepaheadtutoringservices
On X: https://www.x.com/ASATS2013
On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-step-ahead-tutoring-services/
On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@astepaheadtutoringservices
On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asats2013
On Eventbrite: https://astepaheadtutoringservices.eventbrite.com

Visit us on the web: https://www.astepaheadtutoringservices.com

Sign up for our email list: https://squareup.com/outreach/a41DaE/subscribe

Sign up for our text list: https://tapit.us/cipPJO

Check out our entire "Hot Topics!" podcast: https://www.astepaheadtutoringservices.com/hottopicspodcast

Support us:
Cash App: https://cash.app/$ASATS2013
PayPal: https://paypal.me/ASATS2013
Venmo: https://venmo.com/u/ASATS2013

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/hot-topics--5600971/support 

Original date of episode: May 29, 2025