I Have MS, But It Doesn’t Have Me!
What happens when a frightening diagnosis becomes the beginning of a healthier life, a stronger faith, and an unexpected new purpose?
In this inspiring episode of the Angela Adkins Podcast, Angela welcomes author, believer, wellness educator, and Veggie Cooking instructor Tracy Fettinger. Tracy shares how being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in her 30s completely changed the direction of her life—but did not take away her hope.
Before her diagnosis, Tracy was a public-school educator who had dreamed of becoming a teacher since kindergarten. Although she believed she was living a relatively healthy life, she often relied on quick, processed meals and paid more attention to calories and fat content than the ingredients in her food.
When Tracy began experiencing unexplained symptoms, she was repeatedly told that stress was causing her body to break down. Eventually, numbness and tingling that began in her toe traveled through both legs and into her torso, leading to an emergency hospital visit and, ultimately, an MS diagnosis.
The diagnosis brought fear and uncertainty, but it also gave Tracy an answer. Instead of allowing MS to become her identity, she leaned into her faith and began researching how nutrition, movement, stress management, and other lifestyle choices could support her overall wellness.
Tracy explains that Scripture became an anchor during this season. Verses such as Jeremiah 29:11 and 3 John 1:2 reminded her that God still had a plan for her life and desired for her to prosper spiritually and physically.
One of the most important revelations in Tracy’s journey was recognizing her body as the temple of the Holy Spirit. That understanding challenged her to think beyond immediate cravings and consider how her daily choices would affect her body in the future.
As she learned more about nutrition, Tracy gradually transitioned toward a whole-food, plant-based lifestyle. She did not change everything overnight. She began with one meal, then one full day, and continued building from there. As her eating habits changed, she says she began experiencing more energy and feeling better overall.
Her journey also changed the way she approached exercise. Tracy found movement that worked for her through yoga, walking, jogging, and using a rebounder indoors. Her encouragement is simple: do not force yourself into an exercise routine you hate. Find a form of movement you enjoy and begin with small, sustainable steps.
Tracy’s transformation eventually reached beyond her own health. Her family began making healthier choices, and she discovered a new way to continue the teaching career she had always loved.
Through Veggie Cooking, Tracy now teaches children, adults, and families how to prepare healthy meals that are simple, enjoyable, and delicious. Her classes allow her to combine her background as an educator with her passion for helping others discover a healthier relationship with food.
Tracy also shares the story behind her book, I Have MS, But It Doesn’t Have Me: My Journey to Wellness with an Autoimmune Disease. The book was written to encourage people living with MS as well as their families, caregivers, and loved ones. It includes Tracy’s personal experiences, contributions from people close to her, and practical ideas to help readers begin making changes.
Although writing the book was challenging and deeply personal, Tracy knew her story could reach people she might never meet face-to-face. One of the most meaningful compliments she received came from a reader who said reading the book felt like sitting down and having a conversation with her.
Throughout the episode, Tracy emphasizes that her story is not about telling people to ignore their doctors or discontinue medication. Instead, she encourages listeners to become informed advocates for their health, work with qualified healthcare professionals, and recognize that healthier habits can still make a meaningful difference.
The conversation closes with a powerful reminder: a diagnosis does not define who you are. Tracy’s MS diagnosis became the catalyst for a new mission, a healthier lifestyle, a book, a business, and opportunities to offer hope to others.
Episode Highlights
A diagnosis is not an identity.
Tracy has MS, but she refuses to allow the condition to control her purpose, faith, or outlook on life.
Faith can exist alongside fear.
Tracy openly discusses the fear she experienced while also choosing to trust that God still had a plan for her future.
Advocate for your health.
Doctors played an important role in Tracy’s diagnosis, but she also learned the importance of researching, asking questions, and understanding her options.
Treat your body as God’s temple.
Caring for the body is not only about appearance or the number on a scale. It is about being physically prepared to fulfill the purpose God has given you.
Start with small, sustainable changes.
Tracy began by changing one meal at a time. She encourages listeners to begin with a step they can realistically maintain and build from there.
Find movement that works for you.
Whether it is yoga, walking, jogging, Pilates, rebounding, dancing, or simply taking more steps during the day, the most important thing is to move.
Know your “why.”
Lasting change becomes easier when the reason behind it is more important than temporary discomfort or cravings.
Your difficult season may become your ministry.
What began as a frightening medical diagnosis eventually led Tracy to write a book, teach cooking classes, support the MS community, and encourage others.
Main Takeaway
Tracy Fettinger’s story reminds us that transformation does not always happen through one dramatic moment. It often begins with faith, one decision, one meal, one walk, and one small step at a time.
You may not be able to control every circumstance or diagnosis, but you can choose how you respond. With God’s help, the season that feels like an ending may become the beginning of a completely new purpose.
