
Battle with MS - Michael & Liz Barrow
02/06/19 • 67 min
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What do you do when bike racing is your life and you're faced with a debilitating disease? You go to battle. That's exactly what Michael Barrow did when he was told he had Multiple Sclerosis. Find out how he endured flareups that would make any person want to give up, yet Michael pressed forward with a heart of winner. Never giving up to find a solution and with the help of his wife Liz, they were able to fight this disease, start a family and raise awareness of the new HSCT treatment.
On this Episode we learn..The Michael & Liz Origin Story:
- How Michael turned to Mountain Biking & Road Racing as a way to stay in shape and compete.
- After a 100 mile bike race he noticed his first symptoms of MS.
- After his vision changed dramatically, he went to the Optometrist and Ophthalmologist and was told these were signs of MS and to seek further treatment.
- How he and Liz struggled with uncertainty.
- Michael's body starts to react to different medications. Relapsing caused feelings of numbness, shocks down his spine, sense of smell and depth perception vision problems.
- How Liz learned to read Mike's emotions during his treatments and how they were able o support each other.
- How they were able to keep their Faith despite all their trials.
- Michael was able to find the HSCT treatment in Chicago that could possible cure his MS.
- They are accepted into the program and meet with Dr. Richard Burt.
- How much the treatment costs.
Life Changing Obstacle:
- Mike starts his treatment in Chicago and things seem to peak in terms of pain and longing for his family.
- What lengths Liz went to in helping Michael see their daughter Olivia.
- Liz creates a motivation wall anyone would admire in Michael's hospital room. It's a driving force in Michael's attitude of positivity.
Transformation occurs, Superpowers are realized:
- Jumping at the Bean support from strangers.
- After coming back two years after his treatment he can't believe the transformation.
- Michael was able to travel to Spain with the Tyler Hamilton Foundation to speak to cyclists about the HSCT treatment.
- Michael continues to ride for health, competition and prove that MS hasn't beat him.
Do you know a Superhero Next Door you'd like to nominate? Submissions can be anonymous and will either be a blog post or possibly a podcast episode. Click HERE to submit their heroes journey.
Support the show by supporting our Sponsors.
- THRIVE LIFE: Meal kits made with freeze dried ingredients. Their Simple Plate meals are hands down the best done-for-you option out there. Food doesn't spoil, it's already prepped, ready to go. Their single ingredients are great to snack on, or add to any meal. Since the foods are ripened on the vine, their nutritional content is much higher than store bought. Receive 15-30% off pricing and receive FREE SHIPPING when you set up your delivery on orders above $100.
- SKILLSHARE: Get your first month FREE with access to an online learning community with thousands of classes in design, business, technology and more. Have a sk...
Tell us what you learned from the show!
- Please Rate and Review this Podcast.
- Follow The Superhero Next Door on Instagram (@snd_podcast) or Facebook
To connect with our SND's...
What do you do when bike racing is your life and you're faced with a debilitating disease? You go to battle. That's exactly what Michael Barrow did when he was told he had Multiple Sclerosis. Find out how he endured flareups that would make any person want to give up, yet Michael pressed forward with a heart of winner. Never giving up to find a solution and with the help of his wife Liz, they were able to fight this disease, start a family and raise awareness of the new HSCT treatment.
On this Episode we learn..The Michael & Liz Origin Story:
- How Michael turned to Mountain Biking & Road Racing as a way to stay in shape and compete.
- After a 100 mile bike race he noticed his first symptoms of MS.
- After his vision changed dramatically, he went to the Optometrist and Ophthalmologist and was told these were signs of MS and to seek further treatment.
- How he and Liz struggled with uncertainty.
- Michael's body starts to react to different medications. Relapsing caused feelings of numbness, shocks down his spine, sense of smell and depth perception vision problems.
- How Liz learned to read Mike's emotions during his treatments and how they were able o support each other.
- How they were able to keep their Faith despite all their trials.
- Michael was able to find the HSCT treatment in Chicago that could possible cure his MS.
- They are accepted into the program and meet with Dr. Richard Burt.
- How much the treatment costs.
Life Changing Obstacle:
- Mike starts his treatment in Chicago and things seem to peak in terms of pain and longing for his family.
- What lengths Liz went to in helping Michael see their daughter Olivia.
- Liz creates a motivation wall anyone would admire in Michael's hospital room. It's a driving force in Michael's attitude of positivity.
Transformation occurs, Superpowers are realized:
- Jumping at the Bean support from strangers.
- After coming back two years after his treatment he can't believe the transformation.
- Michael was able to travel to Spain with the Tyler Hamilton Foundation to speak to cyclists about the HSCT treatment.
- Michael continues to ride for health, competition and prove that MS hasn't beat him.
Do you know a Superhero Next Door you'd like to nominate? Submissions can be anonymous and will either be a blog post or possibly a podcast episode. Click HERE to submit their heroes journey.
Support the show by supporting our Sponsors.
- THRIVE LIFE: Meal kits made with freeze dried ingredients. Their Simple Plate meals are hands down the best done-for-you option out there. Food doesn't spoil, it's already prepped, ready to go. Their single ingredients are great to snack on, or add to any meal. Since the foods are ripened on the vine, their nutritional content is much higher than store bought. Receive 15-30% off pricing and receive FREE SHIPPING when you set up your delivery on orders above $100.
- SKILLSHARE: Get your first month FREE with access to an online learning community with thousands of classes in design, business, technology and more. Have a sk...
Previous Episode

Bringing Hope to the Innocent with Connie Sowards
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Joyce Sowards (@joycesowards) interviews Connie Sowards (@conamigo) about her journey through becoming a Foster Parent which led to adopting four children into a family that already had seven. Raising 11 children hasn't been easy, but you'll learn that when you're passionate about a cause, somehow you make it work.
On this Episode we learn..
Connie's Origin Story:
- How growing up on a farm and falling off a horse taught her a valuable lesson.
- How her Faith instilled in her the importance of Family.
- How she met and decided to marry her High School sweetheart.
- How she nearly died giving birth to her 7th child.
Life Changing Obstacle:
- Connie felt it was important to Foster Care despite the fact that their hands were already full with their 7 kids.
- Lessons she learned while going through the training.
- How she got her husband on board.
- Concerns about putting her own children at risk while doing Foster Care and how those concerns were resolved.
- The moment the first two Foster kids arrived in their home and the trauma they had endured in their previous homes.
- The symbol of the Summer dress.
- Transitioning the Foster kids with her own kids and the behavior transitions/trials that happened.
- Deciding to bring in the Foster kids siblings into their home.
Transformation occurs, Superpowers are realized:
- Connie is offered a job at the Family Support Center (DONATE HERE)
- How she and her husband Ben (@_bensowards_) work full-time and care for a family of 11 kids.
- What the crisis center does for families and the situations they see.
- Connie's philosophy on what she does to recharge.
- Why children still long for their parents even though they've been abused.
- What monumental transformations she has seen in the Adopted Children.
- What she wished all Foster Parents knew when going down this path.
- Her favorite quote from her Dad that holds a special meaning to their family.
Episodes are found at www.thesndpodcast.com/podcast
Would you like to contribute to this podcast with your stories or know-how? Do you know a Superhero Next Door you'd like to nominate? Submissions can be anonymous and will either be a blog post or possibly a podcast episode.
Click HERE to submit.
Support the show by supporting our Sponsors.
Mentioned in this episode...
- THRIVE LIFE: They are breaking the mold when it comes to how we think about food. Think of these individual ingredients, meal kits, and snacks as the best done-for-you option out there on the market. Food that doesn't spoil, is already prepared, ready to go. Since the foods are ripened on the vine, their nutritional content is much higher than store bought. Receive 15-30% off pricing and receive FREE SHIPPING when you set up your delivery on orders above $100 through my affiliate website.
Thank you for subscribing to the show. The best compliment we can have is if you share this episode with a friend.
Thank you!
If you'd like to reach Joyce Sowards, you can email her at [email protected]
Next Episode

S.O.S (Secrets of Superheroes) - Where Should I Begin?
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These S.O.S episodes are quick listens, made to give you a little pick-me-up as you go about your Heroes Journey. Imagine these messages as something a mentor would say, or a bit of wisdom needed at just the right time. Something to ponder and act on.
Episodes are found at www.thesndpodcast.com/podcast
Would you like to contribute to this podcast with your stories or know-how? Do you know a Superhero Next Door you'd like to nominate? Submissions can be anonymous and will either be a blog post or possibly a podcast episode.
Click HERE to submit.
Support the show by supporting our Sponsors.
Mentioned in this episode...
- THRIVE LIFE: They are breaking the mold when it comes to how we think about food. Think of these individual ingredients, meal kits, and snacks as the best done-for-you option out there on the market. Food that doesn't spoil, is already prepared, ready to go. Since the foods are ripened on the vine, their nutritional content is much higher than store bought. Receive 15-30% off pricing and receive FREE SHIPPING when you set up your delivery on orders above $100 through my affiliate website.
Thank you for subscribing to the show. The best compliment we can have is if you share this episode with a friend.
Thank you!
If you'd like to reach Joyce Sowards, you can email her at [email protected]
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