I was in hospital awaiting surgery to have my bowel removed due to Ulcerative Colitis. I was scared, and felt there must be alternatives but all the doctors told me the same thing. They said surgery was the only way to overcome the disease and to avoid other implications including septic shock, which could be fatal. Joel and I had several chats while I was in hospital which was very encouraging. Two weeks later I was discharged from hospital. And yes, I avoided surgery. When I returned home after one month in hospital I had another consultation with Joel which was just what I needed at the time. Joel listened to me, he understood me and I was able to understand him as he shared his experience with the same disease. My connection with Joel gave me hope that I can continue to fight this disease. If you are confused, scared, or overwhelmed with all the information regarding IBD, then do yourself a favor and talk to Joel.
– Adam, 44, Husband, Father, Entrepreneur, Guitar Player – Australia
I knew Joel personally as a friend and a volleyball teammate when he first got diagnosed. I have witnessed his strength and determination to continue to live life to the fullest for close to 20 years…..good grief!! …what some of the best ways outside of the [conventional] medical model to treat, minimize and cure IBD. There is no substitute for the “lived experience.” Joel of course was the perfect person…. he has triumphed in mastering his own gut, is well educated in so many aspects of the disease process and of caring for one’s body (physical and mental and the connection between). I loved working with Joel because he made it so personal. Why should someone work with Joel? Because he will put in 110% effort, and nothing less!! Joel, you are one of the very few post on Facebook that I continue to read! Even though I do not suffer from IBD, your philosophy of truly caring about oneself, both physically and mentally, has made me think and re-evaluate what is important, that will help me to live a happy life. Interesting that it took a non-healthcare provider to finally get through to this very black & white,Nurse. That it is really important to take care of our own bodies and minds. Caring about yourself mentally and physically are one entity, they are not mutually exclusive. Only took me 27 years of being a nurse : )
– Nancy – Professor of Nursing – Three Rivers Community College Connecticut USA
I am so honored and excited to have meet Joel and his community at One Great Gut. It’s a group that I wish was around when I began navigating the world of chronic illness. Joel is creating connections, spreading awareness, and providing resources to all people struggling with IBD or any chronic illness. Their Mission: A world without digestive ailments. They are providing people with the knowledge and empowerment to heal themselves, change their lives, and find support in one another. A beautiful and inspiring thing to watch. – Paulina Riedler – R.N., B.S.N. – Director Clinical Operations
“A friend passed along your Crohn’s Colitis Summit and I’ve been wanting to send a huge Thank You. All the information you shared came at the absolute best timing. I have been struggling with Crohn’s and I feel like all of these doors are opening that I didn’t know were there. Thank You forever for exposing me to all kind of new information and inspiring stories.” – Erin – Engineer and Designer – California US
I owe you my life.
– Matt, 29, Business Owner – USA
Hi Joel! I just wanted to say thank you for having that … conversation with me 2 years ago. I really believe you saved his life. He is such a healthy, bright and happy boy and that might not be the case if we didn’t have that conversation 2 years ago. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for changing the course of health for my son. ❤️
– Jessica, 36, Wife, Mother(14,12 and 2), Account and Business Manager – USA
“And you have helped me more than you’ll ever know, Joel! Perhaps you were meant to come back into my life to bring it back into perspective. An angel of sorts? I can’t explain it. But you have definitely made me start thinking about what really is important in life.” – Private Name
“A friend passed along your Crohn’s Colitis Summit and I’ve been wanting to send a huge Thank You. All the information you shared came at the absolute best timing. I have been struggling with Crohn’s and I feel like all of these doors are opening that I didn’t know were there. Thank You forever for exposing me to all kind of new information and inspiring stories.” – Erin – Engineer and Designer – California USA
“There was an incredible amount of info on ways to help heal your gut and I thought Joel was amazing.” – Robyn – New Zealand
“It’s convenient to have all this information gathered in one place, and be able to pick the most interesting topics. Much of it can be found online, but it takes time to research, and often you don’t know what to search for. This is an excellent starting place!” – Maria – Sweden
“Joel was spectacular! I had very little hope that I would derive any value from this summit, but Joel’s interviewing skill’s really helped to bring out the stories and the raw, true, discussions with people as if they were my closest friends and family sharing their unflattering secrets with me. I greatly appreciated that. And the speaker lineup was very good too.” – Mark USA
“Spreading the news of healing is a miracle in itself. The more people know the more we can heal.” – Kirston USA
“I am relatively new to UC… it was my Valentine’s gift… So, I am all about gathering information. I had been googling lots. But, to have the first hand account of those that have traveled before me was huge!” – Anita USA
“I enjoy being informed,so I can make better decisions, as I absolutely believe each one of us has to take responsibility for our own health and wellbeing, we must then assist the professionals in helping us” – Domo – Ireland
“Easy to understand and lots of valuable info” – Jennifer – Canada
“I really liked Joel’s disposition, his honesty, the way in which he infused appropriate humor and anecdote into his interview responses. Very nice balance between professional and personal.” – Lori – USA
“I learned that it does not have to be a life sentence of continual drugs there are other ways to manage the symptoms and become a whole person again. I do not have IBD but my daughter does and I guess we suffer alongside our loved ones. I quickly passed this information onto her” – Jan – Australia
I was skeptical…but I’m beyond happy that I took the leap of faith..It has been life-changing…already – Mark – Wealth Consultant – Ohio USA
“I owe a debt of gratitude to Joel Sprechman. Even after doing this for around six months I was seeing some results(greatly reduced cramping and diarrhea), I was getting frustrated and started to lose faith/hope. After listening to his self healing guest speakers at the symposium I was reinvigorated with hope” – Evan – Finance Industry – Canada
