For 16 years, Montel Williams’ syndicated daytime talk show has spotlighted the lives of ordinary people caught up in extraordinary circumstances. But, in 1999, the Emmy Award-winner suddenly found himself facing his own set of extraordinary circumstances when he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a potentially debilitating autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. More than 400,000 Americans suffer from this chronic illness, and every week about 200 are diagnosed.
“Having MS is a struggle I deal with every day,” admits Williams. “I don’t wake up one morning that I don’t have MS, but it’s not going to have me,” proclaims the talk show host. And, it’s just that positive attitude that has helped this television icon move forward despite the painful symptoms.
“I stay on top of my medications and my diet,” says Williams who currently eats about 75% of his food raw. “I also work out every day. All these things together help me,” he adds.
“I have not missed one day of work because of my diagnosis but that doesn’t say I don’t have MS,” notes Williams. “There’s no question; I have issues to deal with every day. I have chronic pain, particularly in my lower extremities. It’s something I’ll deal with till the day I die.”
Although Williams says, “I try not to define myself by my illness,” he confides it “absolutely” was his illness that inspired him to create a DVD series that would help others overcome the obstacles in their lives.
“I never really wanted to do videos or DVDs mainly because I felt it was better if people saw me live,” says Williams who has been committed to helping people ever since his show first aired. In fact, he was the first to start the After-Care Program in 1992 to help guests improve their lives beyond their appearance on the talk show. The program has arranged for more than 3,000 guests to receive post-show help including psychological counseling sessions, weight-loss programs, drug rehabilitation centers, motivational camps, treatment for eating disorders and facial makeovers for abused women and victims of botched surgeries.
When Williams had the opportunity to team up with Better Life Media and bring together a group of dynamic life coaches to help people trying to overcome impediments in various areas of life, he knew this was his chance to make a difference beyond his live audience. The Living Well With Montel DVD series is a direct extension of his talk show’s After-Care Program, which has become one of the show’s most impactful staples.
“Sixteen years ago, I said I will do a show that doesn’t belabor what happens. We have to try to come up with a solution. We’ve stayed true to that and that’s what I wanted to do in my DVD,” says Williams offering himself as an example.
“People ask me a lot how I deal with my diagnosis and what comes with it, as well as other pressures like the stress of being a single father. I tell them there really isn’t a secret,” says Williams, explaining that it’s all about looking inside yourself and picturing who you want to be, then getting the help.
“What excited me the most is that people are finally becoming more open to the realization that they have some ability to control their mind, their spirit, their surroundings,” says Williams. “They’re starting to see that by expressing their opinion, people are starting to regrasp the fact that they can be the catalyst to control what’s going on around them.”
And because of this newfound ability to control our own destiny, Williams feels the time is right for change and the change begins with each of us. He says we have control over such things as ego, fear, getting knowledge and help, and putting a plan in place. That’s also why he feels the empowering information contained in his DVD collection can create a life-changing reality.
In addition to his own motivational DVD, Williams’ series includes inspiration from an impressive lineup of prominent life coaches. “I used other experts because I can motivate someone about what I know, but you need to do that in every aspect of your life,” he says.
What Williams knows is how to own the definition of who you are rather than be defined by what society or other people think you should be. “I’ll define who I am,” he says. “It’s about reaching out and figuring what’s stopping you from being successful.” On his DVD, “Who Owns the Definition of You?” the veteran motivational speaker shares experiences from his own life to inspire others to take responsibility for who they are. He also gives the tools necessary to overcome the fear and obstacles that get in the way.
The Living Well series also includes “The Success Principles” from bestselling author Jack Canfield whose Chicken Soup For The Soul® series has received acclaim as a practical and inspiring guide to life. Money and investing coach Terry Savage transforms ideas from her new book The Savage Number to help make smart choices to make money last.
Fitness and nutrition coach Chris Freytag, utilizing principles from her new book, Move To Lose, helps with making smarter choices to change the way you look and feel. And Dr. Hilda Hutcherson, the love and intimacy coach, explains how women can have a more satisfying love life.
Dr. Lynne Kenney discusses a wide variety of subjects related to the challenges facing today’s families in her DVD, “Ten Steps To More Confident Parenting.” Finally, Connie Podesta, author of Life Would Be Easy If It Weren’t For Other People, provides a fast-paced and entertaining exploration of the personalities that drive us crazy. Her program focuses on the key traits important to every successful, healthy relationship.
The Living Well With Montel DVD series is widely available at retail outlets as well as online at montelliving.com. A portion of the proceeds will benefit The Montel Williams MS Foundation whose goals are to provide financial assistance to select organizations that are conducting MS research, to raise awareness of MS and to educate the public.
A highly decorated former naval intelligence officer as well as a renowned motivational speaker, best-selling author, actor and philanthropist, Williams has always met life’s challenges with a mountain-mover mentality, and that strength has pulled him through every obstacle. As he shares his message of hope and empowerment he has set out to prove that change can have a widespread positive effect on our nation even if just one person at a time commits to changing.
“Since 9/11, we’ve really slipped into a national depression,” observes Williams. “We’re not willing to admit it, but we’re being beaten and abused with negative messages about war, economy, hurricanes, tornadoes and more, and we don’t feel good,” he continued. “It’s time to take as much negativity as we can and start turning it around into a national state of euphoria just by turning around ourselves.”
Williams concludes: “People aren’t angry; they’re speaking their mind and when they see it matter, it’s going to change the psyche of the nation. It’s time to look at the world more positively.”
About the Montel Williams MS Foundation
In 1999, when he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Montel Williams made a pledge to use his celebrity to help find a cure for this devastating disease. In 2000, he established The Montel Williams MS Foundation and promised to grant 100% of every dollar donated by individuals directly to research. True to his word, the foundation has raised over $1 million and supports vital research at the top research institutes around the world. Williams is equally committed to raising national awareness of MS, educating the public about its prevalence and providing hope and inspiration to over one million survivors living with MS today. For more information, visit montelms.org.
More On MS
Founded in 1946, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society supports MS research, offers services for people with MS, provides professional education programs and furthers MS advocacy. For more information, visit nmss.org. Information on the local chapters can be obtained by visiting msnyc.org for New York City and nmssli.org on Long Island.
