7 Questions with A Couple featuring Dave Bexfield

World traveler, renowned writer, MS patient leader, founder of ActiveMSers.org

Welcome to “7 Questions with A Couple,” a monthly series that includes quick conversations with a variety of experts and influencers from throughout the MS community. We feel almost at loss for words to introduce Dave Bexfield. For real. Dave. Bexfield. Dave lives the very essence of his motto: “Be active, stay fit and keep exploring!” And he has empowered many in the MS community (and beyond) through his writing, life experiences and website ActiveMSers.org.

1. Were you an active person before you were diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis? If so, how did you keep your MS from throwing off your commitment to staying active?

Most definitely. When I was diagnosed in 2006 at the age of 37, I’d already been a daily exerciser for the past decade. I started a regular fitness routine in my mid-20s after I gained 40 pounds cleaning my plate, my wife’s plate, and that one basket of breadsticks – unlimited, never-ending breadsticks that, laid end-to-end, would circle the planet. Twice. Buffet restaurants likely had my picture plastered on the wall. I didn’t want to fall back into bad habits, so after getting diagnosed I doubled down on my exercise commitment. Despite a rather aggressive form of the disease – I now use a wheelchair – I’ve been exercising six days a week ever since.

2. Congratulations on your recent release of Exercising with MS: The Complete Guide! What led you to develop this incredible resource for the MS community?

For the past decade I’ve had an evolving form of the guide on ActiveMSers. Along the way I’ve had help from some of the best in the business, including physical therapists who specialize in MS and even professional athletes. And as strange as it may seem, my increasing disability gave me really helpful insight into the challenges of working out with our shared disease.

When the pandemic hit, I went into overdrive revamping my website and turned the free online guide into a full-blown printable pdf with an exercise diary. The pdf is reserved for members because I’m incredibly mean that way. Fortunately, it’s free to join and anyone who signs up will also get what has been called “hands down the most inspiring and hilarious health newsletter on the internet.” And others share my mom’s opinion!

3. If a person with MS has not exercised in a while or is intimidated to get started, what would you say to encourage them?

I’d tell them first to watch this 3-minute insane video. No matter your level of disability, exercise could change the trajectory of your MS and its most crushing symptoms. But for the love of god and all that is holy, start slow. NO, SLOWER. I’ve heard from many members of ActiveMSers who have gone from working out for an agonizing 2 minutes (and complaining of mega suckage) to a year later being able to go on hourlong bike rides. Don’t underestimate your body!

4. What motivates you on days you just don’t feel up for being active? 

You are going to absolutely hate my response: a good workout. No, really! If that fatigue fog starts to roll in and the evil tractor beam – aka the bed with its oh-so-fluffy pillows and snugly blankets – begins to pull at me, I realize that I have to exercise. The fog soon lifts, I feel better, and I can go about my day. One of the biggest challenges is when this happens on vacation. As soon as possible, I’ll get to the hotel or ship gym. I realize this might mean you could miss the 2-o’clock snack on your cruise (that was going to hold you over until 4-o’clock snack), but sometimes ultimate sacrifices have to be made when you have a disease. The silver lining? The gym is often pretty empty when the troughs are open!

5. You do a ton of traveling, which can be intimidating for people who use a wheelchair. What is your best tip to encourage people to travel?

Read my industry-leading travel guide and my cruising with a disability guide (later this year downloadable and printable pdfs will be available for members)! But in all seriousness, I’ve been around the big blue block a few times, also known as Planet Earth, so I’ve gained lots of insight in the globetrotting department. But despite traveling to over 50 countries on 6 continents (many while using a wheelchair), there’s always a fear factor and challenges always crop up. And that’s just in the bathroom department! My best tip: carpe diem. Seize the moment. With planning, patience, and a bit of moxie, you’ll surprise yourself. Trust me.

6. What is your greatest accomplishment that you never thought was possible after you were diagnosed with MS?

Well, I knew it would be challenging to get my insurance company to bend the knee and pay for my life-saving stem cell transplant that temporarily put the brakes on my MS. Granted, it took almost five years, a phalanx of help from rock stars to governors to an assist from The New York Times. But I believed in myself, so technically I knew it was possible. So, I’m going to say my greatest “impossible” accomplishment hasn’t happened yet!

7. We are huge music lovers. Who or what is on your current playlist?

Great question and one that deserves a story. Back in the early 2000s when I was working at a car magazine, I was in Detroit interviewing a young car designer for Nissan about the then-new 350Z. I asked him virtually the same question, only it was about what CDs he listened to, because that was a generation ago. And he said, “None.” To stay fresh and current, he always listened to the newest music across all genres. Ever since, I’ve strived to do that, too (although I misspelled Billie Eilish in a recent newsletter, imploding my imagined cool factor). Incidentally, Alfonso Albaisa is now the head of design for the entire company ­– Nissan, Infiniti, and Datsun – so it must work on some level. But that said, right now I’m listening to one-hit wonders from the 80s and 90s. I mean, it’s a pandemic, and we all need to be doing The Safety Dance.