Supporting Those Living With Long Covid

Content warning: This episode features personal experiences of living with long Covid. While some listeners may find aspects of this discussion difficult and triggering, we believe these stories are important to share. Listener discretion is advised.

In this episode, Tom is joined by breathing coaches Vikki Jones and Jackie Baxter to explore what it means to live with Long Covid, how breathwork can support recovery, and the broader support needed for the Long Covid community.

Vikki was a personal trainer living in Arizona when the pandemic hit. She moved her teaching outdoors to keep clients active - but in the summer of 2020, she contracted Covid and has been living with Long Covid ever since. Her life was turned up-side down, but she has found a new path in becoming a breathing coach. 

Jackie caught Covid just a week before the UK went into lockdown. A music instructor with an active lifestyle, she initially recovered but later developed Long Covid. It took her three years to fully recover.

After Vikki appeared as a guest on Jackie’s podcast, the two decided to collaborate. Though they've never met in person, they co-founded Breathing for Long Covid & ME/CFS - a coaching service that uses breathwork to support the physical and mental health of others living with Long Covid and ME/CFS, grounded in their own lived experience.

You can follow Vikki and Jackie on Breathing for Long Covid & ME/CFS: https://www.instagram.com/longcovid_breathing/

Their classes are starting May, which you join here: https://payhip.com/b/zhNV4

You can also join the Breathing for Long Covid & ME/CFS Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/271297139041871/

They have a YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/@longcovidbreathing

And a free 30 min workshop: https://youtu.be/KKDlECcMb9c

You follow Tom: https://www.instagram.com/sparetom/

You can subscribe to Tom's substack: https://tomspare.substack.com/