Living with MS: fatigue, walking and energy are deeply connected, especially when symptoms like balance issues, foot drop and unpredictable energy levels affect everyday life. In this episode, Sanam Saeedi shares how her own MS diagnosis in 2019 changed the way she understands movement, pacing and body trust — and how she now supports others as a neurological movement and fatigue coach.
Sanam’s message is clear: improvement is possible. But for many people with MS, it starts with a different approach. Not pushing harder. Not blaming yourself. But learning how your body works, where energy is being lost, and what small, consistent steps can help you move with more confidence again.
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Introduction & Personal Journey
Could you briefly introduce yourself and share a bit about your life before your MS diagnosis?
Sanam Saeedi, Neurological Movement & Fatigue Coach: My name is Sanam. I am a neurological movement and fatigue coach, and I have been living with MS since 2019.
Before my diagnosis, I was active and independent. I did not really think about movement. I just moved. But after MS entered my life, that changed. I suddenly had to think about my balance, my foot, my energy, and how much effort everyday activities required.
Today, I use my personal experience and my professional work to help people with MS improve the way they move and manage fatigue in a way that feels realistic and sustainable.
You were diagnosed in 2019 — what do you remember most about that time?
Sanam Saeedi: What I remember most is the uncertainty. I did not know what my body would do next. That was one of the hardest parts.
MS took away a sense of predictability. Simple things, like standing up or walking across a room, suddenly needed much more attention. I had to learn that managing MS was not only about symptoms. It was also about understanding patterns and learning how to respond to them.
How did symptoms like fatigue, foot drop and balance issues change your daily life?
Sanam Saeedi: They changed almost everything. Movement became something I had to manage.
Fatigue was not just being tired. It affected how my body moved and how safe I felt while moving. Foot drop — when the front part of the foot does not lift properly — changed the way I walked. Balance issues made me more cautious.
At one point, I needed walls and furniture for support. That can affect not only mobility, but also confidence.
Was there a turning point when you realized you needed a different way to manage your MS?
Sanam Saeedi: Yes. I realized that a typical approach, like just exercising harder or pushing through, was not working for me anymore.
I needed a different strategy. I had to understand what was really happening in my body. That meant looking at fatigue, compensation, gait, stress, sleep, and daily energy patterns.
That turning point became the foundation of the work I do today.
Understanding Movement & Fatigue in MS
Why are movement and fatigue so closely connected in MS?
Sanam Saeedi: When movement becomes less efficient, everything costs more energy.
If your body has to compensate — meaning other muscles or movement patterns take over because something is not working well — then simple movements can become heavier and more tiring.
For example, if lifting the foot is difficult, the hip may start working harder. If balance is unstable, the whole body may stay tense. These compensations can help in the short term, but over time they often increase effort and fatigue.
Nele: This also connects well with the episode with Alan Kalron, where we talked about how targeted training can improve balance, movement control and overall walking confidence in MS.
How would you explain MS-related fatigue in simple terms?
Sanam Saeedi: MS-related fatigue is not like normal tiredness. It is often a whole-body energy problem.
You may sleep, rest, or want to do something — but the body still feels heavy or slow. It can affect walking, standing, thinking, and daily routines.
It is not laziness. It is not lack of motivation. It is something that needs to be understood and managed with care.
You talk about gait and compensation — what do these terms mean, and why do they matter?
Sanam Saeedi: Gait means the way you walk. Compensation means the body finds another way to complete a movement when the usual way is difficult.
Both matter because they show us where the body is working too hard. If we understand gait and compensation, we can see why someone gets tired faster, why walking feels unsafe, or why one side of the body feels overloaded.
This helps us make better decisions. Instead of forcing the body, we can support it.
Nele: If walking has become more effortful or less predictable, the related topic page on gait and walking with MS can offer additional context.
What are common mistakes people make when they try to push through symptoms?
Sanam Saeedi: A common mistake is trying to push through fatigue.
Many people are used to the mindset of “just keep going.” But with MS, that can backfire. The body may need strategy, not more force.
Another mistake is focusing only on strength. Strength can be important, but if movement patterns, balance, fatigue triggers, sleep, and stress are not considered, progress can be difficult to sustain.
Sanam’s Coaching Approach
You say “MS requires strategy, not motivation” — what does that mean in practice?
Sanam Saeedi: Motivation comes and goes. But MS symptoms often require a long-term plan.
Strategy means knowing when to move, how to move, when to rest, and how to use energy wisely. It means understanding your own body and your own patterns.
You do not need to force yourself every day. You need structure that can support you even on difficult days.
Can you briefly explain your approach: assessment, stabilization, strengthening and tracking?
Sanam Saeedi: I start with assessment. That means looking at how someone moves, where compensation happens, and where fatigue shows up.
Then we work on stabilization. This helps the body feel safer and more supported. After that comes strengthening, but in a way that is realistic and connected to daily life.
Tracking is also very important. We track energy, symptoms, movement changes, sleep, stress and routines. That helps people see patterns. And when you see patterns, you can make better choices.
What is fatigue pacing, and how can it help people manage their energy better?
Sanam Saeedi: Fatigue pacing means using energy intentionally.
It is not doing nothing. And it is not doing everything until you crash. It is finding a rhythm that allows progress without constantly overloading the body.
For many people, this means doing smaller amounts more consistently. Instead of big highs and big crashes, the goal is steadier energy.
Nele: For readers who want to go deeper, my related article on fatigue in MS explains the reasons for fatigue and what can be done to reduce it and increase energy and quality of life.
What makes your approach different from typical fitness or rehab programs?
Sanam Saeedi: Many programs separate movement and fatigue. My approach brings them together.
I focus on what someone can sustain in real life. It is not only about what happens in a training session. It is about what a person can do throughout the day.
That means simplifying, organizing, and choosing movements that support the person instead of draining them.
Practical Tips for Everyday Life
What are small changes people can start with to improve energy and movement?
Sanam Saeedi: Start with awareness.
Notice when your energy drops. Notice when your movement changes. Many people do not realize how closely these two things are connected.
Also, slow down. That sounds simple, but it can make a big difference. When people slow down, they often feel more control. And control can support confidence.
How can someone deal with “good days and bad days” more effectively?
Sanam Saeedi: It helps to look at the whole picture.
Ask yourself: How did I sleep? What did I eat? How stressed am I? Did I do too much yesterday? Am I moving differently today?
Good days and bad days are not always random. Sometimes there are patterns. When you track them, you can start to understand what affects your symptoms.
What helps improve walking confidence when balance feels unstable?
Sanam Saeedi: Balance is very individual. Different people compensate in different ways.
The first step is to understand what is happening in your own body. Is one side working harder? Is the hip compensating? Is the foot not lifting? Are you tensing your body because you feel unsafe?
Once we understand the pattern, we can work with it. Confidence grows when the body feels more supported.
What role do sleep, nutrition and stress play in managing symptoms?
Sanam Saeedi: They are very important.
Sleep, nutrition and stress all affect energy and movement. You cannot fully separate movement from the rest of what is happening in the body.
If sleep is poor, movement may feel harder. If stress is high, the body may feel more tense. If nutrition does not support energy, fatigue can feel heavier.
Everything is connected.
Mindset, Identity & Living with MS
How did you rebuild trust in your body over time?
Sanam Saeedi: It started with small wins.
When you see that you can do something, even something small, you start to believe improvement is possible. Over time, those small wins build confidence.
But it is important to be consistent. Progress with MS can take time. It may not be linear, but it can still happen.
How do you handle setbacks or frustrating phases?
Sanam Saeedi: I see setbacks as part of the process.
Progress with MS is not always a straight line. When setbacks happen, I try to ask: What can I learn? What needs to change? How can I adjust instead of seeing this as failure?
That mindset has helped me in my own life too.
What does “living well with MS” mean to you today?
Sanam Saeedi: For me, living well with MS means understanding your body.
It does not mean everything is perfect. It means you stop constantly fighting your body and start working with it.
The body is not the enemy. Often it is sending signals. When we listen differently, we can respond differently.
Closing & Future Outlook
Which development in the field of MS do you hope to see in the next five years?
Sanam Saeedi: I hope to see better integration between medical care and real-life movement and fatigue management.
Medical care is essential. But people also need practical support for daily life. They need help with symptom awareness, pacing, movement confidence, trigger tracking and sustainable routines.
There is still a gap between clinical care and day-to-day support. I hope that gap becomes smaller.
Nele: This whole-person view also connects with the episode featuring Isabel Voigt and the MS360° initiative, which focuses on looking beyond single symptoms and considering the broader needs of people with MS.
What would you like to leave our listeners with today?
Sanam Saeedi: Trust the process.
I want people to believe that they can improve. It may not happen quickly. It may take time and consistency. But improvement is possible.
You do not have to do everything at once. Start where you are. Learn your patterns. Make small changes. Keep going.
Nele: A similar message came up in the conversation with Anthony Feinstein, where we explored how mindset, creativity and a constructive outlook can support people living with MS — even when limitations are significant.
How and where can interested people find you online?
Website: https://lalikhealthandwellness.coachesconsole.com/welcome-let-s-get-started-html
LinkedIn: Sanam Saeedi | LinkedIn
Instagram: Instagram
TikTok: @lalik_movement_coach
YouTube: (2) Lalik Neuro Coach – YouTube
Work email: s.saeedi@lalikhealthandwellness.com
My work focuses on movement, walking, balance, and fatigue challenges in MS and neurological conditions, shaped by both my coaching background and my own experience living with MS since 2019.
See you soon and try to make the best out of your life,
Nele
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