Morgan Check is a pediatric nurse practitioner at Cedars-Sinai Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center in Los Angeles. As someone who lives with Crohn’s disease, Check is passionate about raising awareness and supporting others through advocacy and education. When not working, she enjoys fitness and spending time with her family.

At 15, I was playing lacrosse and enjoying life as a busy teenager when I began experiencing bloody diarrhea, exhaustion, and intense abdominal pain that I could not ignore. I immediately told my parents and went to see a pediatrician.

My pediatrician referred me to a local adult gastroenterologist, where I underwent a flexiblesigmoidoscopy(a procedure in which a healthcare provider uses a flexible tube with a light and camera at the end to examine the rectum and lower colon). That day, I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC).

UC is a chronicinflammatory bowel diseasethat affects the large intestine. It’s different from Crohn’s disease, which is an inflammatory bowel condition that can affect any part of your digestive system, from mouth to anus. I was diagnosed with UC earlier in my life, then Crohn’s disease later, after my large intestine was removed, which can happen in some circumstances.

Early Treatment and Surgery

I was initially prescribed the corticosteroid prednisone and oral mesalamine (an anti-inflammatory drug to treat UC), but I didn’t receive much follow-up care. I was unsatisfied with thattreatment, so my parents and I took matters into our own hands.

We contacted theCrohn’s and Colitis Foundation, which connected us with Dr. Robert Baldassano, a renowned expert at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). He eventually treated me as one of the first pediatric UC patients to receiveRemicade(infliximab). The bimonthly intravenous infusion was a miracle drug to me. It relieved debilitating abdominal pain and allowed me to continue playing Division 1 college lacrosse.

But that was just the beginning. Since then, I’ve had my share of surgeries. At 25, I underwentJ-pouchsurgery (an often multistage procedure in which the colon is removed and a pouch is formed from the small intestine to allow bowel movements to pass). I lived with anostomy bag(to collect waste outside the body) for three months while I waited for my body to recover from the first stage of the two-stage surgery.

The J-pouch surgery was effective in treating symptoms in my large intestine, but the disease took hold in other areas of my digestive system. Despite the surgery, I continued experiencing frequent loose stools day and night, sometimes up to eight each day. While this can be normal for some people, it wasn’t for me. Further testing revealed ulcers throughout my small intestine, and I was diagnosed withCrohn’s diseasein my late 30s.

Fitness as a Crohn’s Management Tool

Fitness, especially running, has been a key part of maintaining my physical and mental health with Crohn’s disease. I wasn’t always a runner—I actually hated it when I played lacrosse—but after college, I found solace in it.

Running gave me a sense of control when I felt like my body was working against me.

I began practicing yoga shortly after moving to Los Angeles in 2013, and it quickly became essential to managing my mental and physical health. I even became a 500-hour trained and certified yoga teacher because I strongly believe in breath-to-movement training. This form of training helps regulate thevagus nerve(which supports the rest-and-digest bodily functions). It offers significant benefits to my patients (those with and without IBD) and their caregivers.

Most recently, I brought my yoga practice into the hospital during my monthlong stay following two surgeries to fix my J-pouch. I adapted gentle stretches to do in the hospital bed, which helped me through that difficult recovery.

My Top Three Tips for Staying Active

1. Listen to Your Body

On days I feel low in energy or am flaring (having intense symptoms), I take it as a sign that my body needs to take it slow. So, I prioritize low-impact movement—like taking the dogs on a walk or doing a gentle yoga flow—and save running and plyometric training (involving short, intense bursts of energy) for a day when I’m not feeling worn out.

2. Push Yourself When You Feel Good

I love to push it to the limits because I never know when the bad days are coming. It’s sort of a negative way to think of it, but this disease sucks. I’ve had a 10-year period of remission in the past, which was great. Some patients may never experience a flare beyond the one just prior to their diagnosis. I like to get my body in the best shape possible when I can tolerate intense exercise and be gentle with myself when I’m not feeling my best.

3. Prioritize Hydration

I use LMNT brand hydration packs since people with Crohn’s need the extra salt andelectrolytes, especially if we are training and sweating. I consume one or two hydration packs daily and a ton of water. There are many hydration product brands; I’ve also found DripDrop and Liquid I.V. to be decent.

Eating Well With Crohn’s

I highly recommend talking to aregistered dietitianto help you calculate your protein, carb, and fat goals. When I’m flaring or not feeling well, I drink ameal-replacement shakeinstead of eating. (I like Kate Farms Peptide nutrition formula because it’s much easier for my body to digest and process.)

When I am feeling good, I usually drink a homemade smoothie after my morning workout, which typically includes:

Drinking a morning smoothie is a no-brainer for me; this way, I know I’ve consumed a variety of vegetables, healthy fats, fruit, and protein.

Thriving With Crohn’s Disease

Reflecting on my journey, I realize that my story is about more than just surviving Crohn’s disease—it’s about thriving. My experience living with UC and then Crohn’s disease has shaped me in profound ways. It has taught me the importance of self-care, listening to my body, and finding joy in the everyday moments. It has also inspired me to advocate for others with chronic illnesses.

If I can share one message with those reading my story, it’s this: You can live a full, vibrant life with Crohn’s disease. Although your diagnosis can affect every aspect of your life—from work to relationships and hobbies—don’t let it define you—let it empower you.

As told toLindsay Curtis.

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