Ashlyn is 1 year out from having her Ostomy and from her perspective, it has really been a year of acceptance for her.

After going in and out of remission with her UC over the years, it finally got to a point where it was truly a life or death situation. The last thing that had to be done to save her life as the medications and treatments stopped working was to get part of her colon removed and have an Ileostomy put in. 

Heather's journey started as a young child with stomach issues and doctors always telling me nothing was wrong.  Fast forward years down the road and Heather was in constant pain with Ulcer Colitis, then faced a Crohn’s diagnosis.

Genine is another beautiful soul that I had the opportunity to have here on The Beautiful Bag podcast this past week!  

She was in an Ileostomy for over a year, which was supposed to be temporary, but through more struggles than the doctors anticipated, got surgery this past September to get her permanent Colostomy! 

Rita is brand new with her Ostomy!  She struggled for years with Chron’s and Cancer and for years her doctors told her that getting a Colostomy would be the best chance for her to lead a normal life.  But succumbed by fear of the stigma an Ostomy can carry, she continued on with her life hoping that things would get better.

Kam’s journey is a little different than most I have here on the podcast. Kam is actually navigating the Ostomy world alongside his mother as she battles cancer and has had to figure out life with an Ostomy.

JD is a true fighter and he is alive today to talk about it.

After a motorcycle accident that left him clinging to life with breaking more than half the bones in his body, being in an induced coma for over a month, and being told he would never walk again, he is defining the odds and really has an incredible story to tell.

Michelyn Caldwell founded the company, NB Products (Na'Scent.com) in 1998. This company came to fruition after a close family friend, Linda, needed an ostomy when she was in her 20’s and learning about her struggles inspired Michelyn's journey and dedication to help Linda and others!

"The Ostomy has saved your life and has given you life, but it is NOT YOUR LIFE. You are separate from it. Yes, it has helped define who you are like; it has helped me and allowed me to feel confident in myself. But it is not what makes me, me. And I think that it is important to understand that for everyone else out there. There are other things out there that make you who you are. It's just a part of you." - Jessica Grossman.

After being diagnosed with Ulcer Colitis in 2013 while in his 3rd year at UC Berkeley, Collin's illness took such a drastic spiral downwards in 8 months from the time of diagnosis to having surgery to get an Ostomy.

This forced him to put a halt to his track and field carrier that he had been working towards since he was a child.

When I say we are given a second chance at life with our Ostomy…. Today's podcast guest Natalia can literally say she was at death's doorstep and she is NOW living with a second chance at life!

Natalia was prepared to die after her battle with Chrons.

Your dreams and goals that you have before an Ostomy are still attainable and within reach even after an Ostomy.

This is something today's guest Keyla taught me through getting to know her and in this podcast.

Charlotte has only had her ostomy for a few years, but in that short time, she has truly inspired people. 

She is empowering and vulnerable at the same time and it really is such an amazing quality to have and is so rare to find. 

Talking with Kimberly gave me goosebumps… Her inspiration is so profound and it is such a beautiful thing how she is reclaiming her life after beating cancer and receiving her Ostomy.

"This device doesn’t mean it is the end. It's actually a beautiful beginning. My ostomy has given me 5 extra birthdays with my family." - Kimberly Coleman

“Don’t let having an Ostomy stop you from living your life and THRIVING!” -Ryan Van Voorhis

In today’s podcast, I got to sit down with @rvanvoorhis who is a Chron’s survivor and has had his Ostomy for just over 20 years!

He is also the owner of @nudedudefood and he is doing what he loves and what inspires him! (you have to check him out, the food on his page…. I get hungry every time he posts something new!)