At 19, Crystal Phillips was one of Canada’s top junior speed skaters training for the Olympics when sudden numbness, vision loss, and paralysis upended her life. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, she was told she might never skate at a high level again. She returned to the ice, rethought her approach to health, and later founded the Branch Out Neurological Foundation, which has funded more than 200 research projects across 12 Canadian universities. Mathew Embry sits down with Crystal to discuss mindset, nutrition, exercise, self-advocacy, and how she’s lived more than 15 years without a relapse. A story of resilience and practical hope for anyone facing health challenges.
Mathew: Hello and welcome to Hope and Health with Mathew Embry. Today I am talking to the amazing Crystal Phillips, who is the founder of the Branch Out Neurological Foundation. She's an impact investor, a former elite speed skater, and someone who's thriving with multiple sclerosis. Crystal, thank you so much for being with us today. It's an honour.
Crystal: Nice to be here.
Mathew: Crystal, we've got so much to talk about. A lot of our audience has multiple sclerosis. So why don't we start there? If you could share the story of your diagnosis and what happened?
Crystal: Yeah, I'd love to. I was a teenager at the time, far from that now, and I was also a competitive speed skater—one of the top junior speed skaters in the country, looking to compete at the 2010 Olympics.
In 2005, I had my first relapse. Not knowing what a relapse was at the time, I literally went from being a top junior speed skater to losing feeling and sensation from my chest down to my toes, lost bladder control, and developed double vision. That was in a matter of a few days. My vision issues came a couple of weeks later.
Mathew: Okay. So how old were you at the time?
Crystal: I was 19.
Mathew: You're an elite speed skater, living a relatively healthy life?
Crystal: Very.
Mathew: Suddenly you start having neurological symptoms. What's going through your mind?
Crystal: Up until that point, I hadn't really dealt with much adversity, especially physically. Being naïve and having not faced much adversity turned out to be an advantage because despite being told my prognosis wasn’t great, I didn’t believe them.
Mathew: So you go to the hospital?
Crystal: I woke up in the middle of the night with my legs feeling stiff and numb. I couldn’t feel myself urinating, which triggered me to wake my roommate to drive me to the hospital. At first, they were hesitant to diagnose multiple sclerosis. I was sent to the MS clinic, but my actual diagnosis was transverse myelitis. They said when I got a second relapse, I would likely get an MS diagnosis.
Mathew: So you're 19. How did you process this emotionally?
Crystal: It was emotional whiplash. I thought this could be the end. But my competitive nature kicked in—I refused to believe I couldn’t speed skate again. Plus, I had an incredible support network through Speed Skate Canada.
Mathew: What happened next?
Crystal: I took it one day at a time. My mom moved in to help because I had stairs at home. Over four months, I regained feeling, walked, biked again, and even raced. But then overnight, my left side stopped working—the relapse that confirmed my MS diagnosis.
Mathew: So acceptance was difficult. What did that mean for you?
Crystal: It was a shock. I lost my naïve attitude. But I focused on what I could do—healthy thinking, healthy eating, and healthy moving. I experimented with diet, studied nutrition and herbal medicine, and became a guinea pig for both conventional and unconventional health solutions.
Mathew: Did your neurologist provide guidance on nutrition?
Crystal: Nope, only vitamin D. I learned about diet from Mathew’s dad and adopted a strict protocol. Nutrition became key to my physical recovery.
Mathew: And mindset?
Crystal: Healthy thinking is daily practice. I researched possibilities, stayed curious, and experimented with approaches. Optimism and discipline were crucial.
Mathew: What changes did you notice?
Crystal: Over four years leading to the 2010 Olympics, I returned to elite sport. Minor relapses occurred, but I recovered quickly. In 2009, I lost vision in my left eye overnight, a major relapse. I decided to go off all drugs after evaluating side effects and focusing on non-conventional solutions. I recovered fully and competed in the Olympic trials.
Mathew: You built your own organization. How did that start?
Crystal: After seeing my neurologist, I realized the gap in research for non-pharmaceutical approaches. I founded Branch Out Neurological Foundation to fund innovative neurological research. I collected experts from different fields, raised funds, and set up a scientific review panel to ensure research quality.
Mathew: What impact has this had?
Crystal: We fund undergraduates to PhDs, support high-quality research, and help people explore less conventional approaches to neurological health. Sharing my story has inspired others, provided hope, and guided them toward better outcomes.
Mathew: And personally, how’s your health now?
Crystal: I haven’t had a relapse in 15 years. Symptoms are minor and manageable. Nutrition, exercise, and healthy thinking are still daily practices.
Mathew: What’s a typical day like?
Crystal: I wake up at 5:30, gym from 6–7, walk my dog, work full days, make healthy meals, and prioritize exercise and diet. Living with MS can still be a normal, full life.
Mathew: Advocacy seems crucial.
Crystal: Absolutely. Be the CEO of your own health. Research, educate, and advocate for yourself. Health care systems are great, but you know your body best.
Mathew: Looking back, would you trade your journey?
Crystal: No. My dream of the Olympics shifted to a dream of helping others. Branch Out Foundation and sharing my story have created impact beyond anything I imagined.
Mathew: Any advice for someone newly diagnosed?
Crystal: Stay optimistic. Focus on what you can do, not what you can’t. Surround yourself with support, advocate for your health, and explore possibilities responsibly.
Mathew: Crystal, thank you for sharing your inspirational story. It’s a huge motivator for me and will change lives.
Crystal: Likewise, Mat. It’s been incredible. Let’s keep making an impact.
Mathew: Hope and Health is made possible through generous donations. To learn more or support the show, visit MSHOPE.com, where you'll find free, science-based resources.
