Insider Secrets to Fearless Travel with IBD

About IBD

06/09/26

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58m

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Certified travel advisor, business owner, and ulcerative colitis patient Sarah McGovern joins Amber to give tips and tricks on traveling with IBD. Sarah relates her IBD journey, including a rare medication side effect that landed her in the hospital. Now in remission, Sarah breaks down her blueprint for traveling with an invisible illness. On this episode, you'll learn concrete, practical strategies for traveling with IBD and how a travel advisor can help you relax on your next trip. Transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD203 Chapters:

00:04 — Introduction to Sarah McGovern
02:16 — Sarah's Ulcerative Colitis Journey
04:18 — Medication-Induced Pancreatitis
09:03 — Planning Travel with IBD
14:23 — Packing Tips for IBD Travelers
20:39 — Managing Food Restrictions While Traveling
25:38 — The Value of a Travel Advisor
33:00 — Traveling to Disney with IBD
37:03 — Disney's Disability Access Service
43:46 — Travel Hacks
48:16 — Essential Travel Programs
55:07 — Where to Find Sarah Online

Resources:

IBD Specific Travel Information: https://www.ibdpassport.com
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card: https://americanexpress.com/en-us/referral/delta-skymiles-gold-american-express-card?ref=AMBERTxPsU&xl=cp01
Foldie Bag: https://amzn.to/4uUkk85
Packing Cubes: https://amzn.to/4euki0U

Find Sarah McGovern at:

Instagram: @halcyontravelco
Facebook:@halcyontravelco
LinkedIn: @halcyontravelco
Website: https://halcyontravel.co
Sarah's Personal Instagram: @sarahmcgovern99

Find Amber J Tresca at:

AboutIBD.com: About IBD
Verywell: Verywell Health
Facebook: @aboutIBD
Twitter: @aboutIBD
Pinterest: @aboutibd
Instagram: @about_IBD
YouTube: @AboutIBD
Threads: @about_IBD

Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at:

Facebook: @maccooneycomposer
Instagram: @maccooneycomposer
Web: Cooney Studio
YouTube: @MacCooneyComposer
Theme music, IBD Dance Party, is from ©Cooney Studio.

These show notes may contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Previous Episode

The Powerful Impact of the IBD Community Featuring Katie Neu

May 19

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42m

Episode transcript and more information at: https://bit.ly/AIBD202

Katie Neu and Amber Tresca talk over the results of the IBD Social Circle white paper, "The Power of Community in Inflammatory Bowel Disease." A survey of more than 500 patients puts a spotlight on the ways IBD affects body image, relationships, intimacy, and mental health. Amber and Katie discuss masking symptoms, the difficulties of working a corporate job, and why having community is critical. Chapters

00:05 — Host Amber Tresca introduces the podcast and her guest, Katie Neu, who lives with Crohn's disease.
01:25 — Amber and Katie discuss the IBD Social Circle, a community for patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.
04:25 — The conversation turns to the experience of "faking being well" to manage social and professional expectations with an invisible illness.
10:17 — Katie shares her experiences with the stigma surrounding IBD, from high school and college to the workplace.
13:59 — The discussion focuses on the significant barriers to maintaining a career while living with IBD, including needing accommodations.
23:20 — Amber and Katie discuss the impact of IBD on body image, dating, and intimate relationships.
31:26 — The hosts talk about why people hesitate to join support groups and the mental health benefits of finding community.
37:08 — Katie shares where listeners can find her online, including her Instagram and Substack, to connect and learn more.

The IBD Social Circle White Paper: The power of community in inflammatory bowel disease

Find Katie Neu of Badass With a Bad Ass at:

Instagram: @badass.w.a.bad.ass
LinkedIn: @badasswithabadass

Find Amber J Tresca at:

AboutIBD.com: About IBD
Verywell Health: Verywell Health
Facebook: @aboutIBD
Twitter: @aboutIBD
Pinterest: @aboutibd
Instagram: @about_IBD
YouTube: @AboutIBD
Threads: @about_ibd

Find Mac Cooney (mix, sound design, and theme music) at:

Facebook: @maccooneycomposer
Instagram: @maccooneycomposer
YouTube: @MacCooneyComposer
Web: Cooney Studio
Theme music, IBD Dance Party, is from ©Cooney Studio.

These show notes contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, Mal and Tal Enterprises, LLC may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Next Episode

Brown Note: Helping People with IBD Find Hope and Support With Andrew Giffin

June 23

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36m

Amber Tresca talks with Andrew Giffin, a product manager in Toronto who was diagnosed with Crohn's disease at 19 after years of symptoms in high school. Andrew shares his experience navigating three major surgeries, adjusting his career path away from law enforcement, and learning to manage stress as part of living with a chronic illness. He also discusses developing apps, including Brown Note, a free, anonymous peer-support app for people with digestive diseases. Brown Note was inspired by his own feelings of isolation while preparing for his third surgery and is available on Apple, Android, and the web.

Transcript and more at: https://bit.ly/AIBD204

What you'll learn:

Personal journey with Crohn's disease, including challenges in high school and college and the impact surgery has on personal and professional life.
What goes into developing apps to support individuals with digestive diseases.
What goes into creating a bathroom finder app such as "Flusher."
Explanation of Brown Note, an anonymous peer support app for people with IBD.
Importance of community and support for those with chronic illnesses.
Coping strategies for managing stress and emotional challenges related to illness, such as reading and music.

Key Chapters & Timestamps: