On this episode of The Arthritis Podcast, Cheryl sits down with 28-year-old personal trainer Zac Spinosa to discuss his powerful journey with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) and macrophage activation syndrome.
Diagnosed at just 15, Zac opens up about the difficult shift from being an active athlete to facing disability caused by arthritis and its complications. He shares how strength training became a turning point and helped him regain mobility, lose weight, and rebuild a fulfilling life. He also explores how his background in strength training helped him survive a near death experience with macrophage activation syndrome.
Together, Cheryl and Zac explore the role of exercise in managing arthritis, offering practical tips, tools, and encouragement for others navigating similar challenges. Zac highlights the importance of pairing medical treatment with disciplined strength training to enhance both health and quality of life.
All content found on Arthritis Life public channels was created for generalized informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Rheum to THRIVE, an online course and support program Cheryl created to help people with rheumatic disease go from overwhelmed, confused and alone to confident, supported and connected. See all the details and join the program or waitlist now!