S3_E8: Stubborn Strength: Katie Heckert's Life with MS

Katie Heckert: mother, former litigator, top fundraiser—and MS warrior.

Stubborn Strength: Katie Heckert’s Life with MS

What happens when a sharp legal mind faces a disease that refuses to follow rules? In this episode of The Other Side of MS, Katie Heckert shares what it’s like to live with multiple sclerosis after having to step away from her career in litigation—not by choice, but by necessity.

She opens up about the relentless ache, the misdiagnoses, the frustration of being dismissed—and the resilience required to keep showing up as a mother, a wife, and a powerful voice in the MS fundraising community. Katie doesn’t sugarcoat her journey. But she doesn’t let it silence her either.

If you’ve ever wondered what MS really feels like—or what strength sounds like when it has nothing left to prove—this conversation is for you.

“It’s like when I’ve heard people with arthritis or the flu talk about their whole body aching... that kind of happens on almost a daily basis.”

💛 If Katie’s story moves you, please consider supporting her personal Bike MS fundraiser for the PGA Tour: Bike to the Shore ride. Click here to donate directly. 100% of contributions go to the National MS Society.

As mentioned on the podcast: 

First Descents is a nonprofit organization that provides life-changing outdoor adventures for young adults impacted by serious health conditions, including cancer and multiple sclerosis. Their programs are specifically designed for people aged 18 to 39 (though they also have offerings for healthcare workers and older adults), and focus on using adventure-based experiences—like rock climbing, kayaking, and surfing—to build community, confidence, and emotional healing.

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