In this episode of Adaptive LiMitS, Justine and David recap their Gran Fondo experience and reflect on what it means to reclaim identity through sport.

Justine shares what it felt like to take 1st place in her age group after previously finishing 2nd before her accident, while David talks about completing his first ever timed bike race and finishing under his goal time.

Together, they talk about the emotions after crossing the finish line, the long road back from diagnosis and injury, and why they no longer see themselves as people defined by MS — but as athletes who just happen to have it.

When life throws you a curveball — whether it’s a crash or just life with a chronic condition — the real challenge is learning how to adapt and pivot. In this episode, Justine shares her recent bike crash recovery, while David opens up about the challenges of training with MS just days before the Gran Fondo.

In this episode, Justine finally puts birthday cake Oreos and birthday cake Tailwind to the test—because endurance fueling should be fun too, right?

From there, the conversation gets real. Justine and David share their personal MS journeys and how they each found their way into endurance sports. It’s not a straight line—and it definitely doesn’t happen overnight.

They talk about the early days, the setbacks, and the patience it takes to build something new in your body and your identity. If you’re navigating MS, starting something new, or just trying to figure out what’s possible, this episode is a reminder to give yourself time.

Because progress isn’t instant—but it is possible.

The episode features our first guest, Paulina, who shares her journey with MS and cycling. After her diagnosis, her neurologist told her something unexpected: “The world is your oyster.”

That mindset carries through this entire conversation. We talk about Paulina’s passion for cycling, the impact of movement on her health and well-being, and the challenges and adaptations she’s made along the way.

Her determination—and her decision to keep going—serve as a powerful reminder of what’s still possible.

The conversation covers personal updates, the impact of alcohol on athletic performance, personal stories of sobriety, and endurance nutrition and veganism. It delves into the challenges and choices related to nutrition and fueling for endurance athletes.

In this episode of Adaptive Limits, David and Justine dive into the realities of endurance sports while living with MS. They talk about the mindset needed to tackle tough races, the importance of proper fueling, and the lessons learned from pushing their bodies in training.

The conversation also takes some lighter turns—discussing tattoos and the stories behind them, the all-too-real topic of needing to pee during endurance races, and will Justine’s overheating laptop survive the full recording without another ice pack?

Throughout the episode, they reflect on advocating for yourself in healthcare, trusting your body, and normalizing conversations around chronic illness in endurance sports.

The conversation covers the topics of DNFs (Did Not Finish) in races and the impact of heat training on endurance athletes. It delves into the experience of DNFs, the preparation for races, the effects of DNFs and recovery, and the importance of learning from failure. TThe conversation delves into the impact of overtraining and the importance of rest and recovery. It explores the consequences of overtraining, the long-term effects on health and well-being, and the importance of adaptation and learning from failure.

In this episode, Justine and David go deeper into their backstory — why they call each other “Bro,” how they met through MS Society work, and share about Justine’s other long-term physical challenge.

David shares his neurological fatigue wisdom. They talk about an upcoming trail race for Justine and how training changed after MS — including getting a coach. They share about Justine’s upcoming 10 year MS anniversary and 10 hour run.