Energy In Action by MitoAction will consist of conversations with patients, families, researchers and thought leaders in the mitochondrial disease communities. These podcasts will give you a glimpse into the lives of families affected by mitochondrial disease and the latest in clinical trials, diagnosis, research and the advancement of therapies.
If you would like to be a guest or suggest a topic, please email us at info@mitoaction.org.
Living with mitochondrial disease can mean constantly adjusting to what your body can and can’t do, and learning how to move forward when those abilities change. In this episode, Marcy is joined by Lacynda Harris to share her long road to a mitochondrial disease diagnosis and the “carry on” mentality that has helped her through it. Lacynda opens up about years of unexplained symptoms, being told what she was experiencing was psychological, and eventually discovering an RYR1 mutation after genetic testing. She shares how faith, family, humor, creativity, and support have helped her navigate the grief that can come with chronic illness—including her unique practice of “having services” for the abilities she has lost so she can acknowledge what has changed and keep moving forward. From learning to accept a cane to recognizing when her body is telling her no, Lacynda’s story is a powerful reminder to be kind to yourself, accept the new normal when it comes, and keep carrying on.
Learn More About MitoAction
Website: https://www.mitoaction.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MitoAction
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitoaction
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mitoaction
X: https://x.com/MitoAction
16 Sept 2026
Writing Your Way Through Chronic Illness
Living with chronic illness can leave you carrying experiences and emotions that are difficult to explain, even to yourself. In this episode, Marcy is joined by writer and cancer survivor Brad Buchanan to explore how writing can become a powerful tool for processing illness, trauma, and a body that may no longer feel like the one you once knew. Brad shares the simple writing exercise that finally helped him put words to his stem cell transplant experience, why you don't need to consider yourself a writer to benefit from the practice, and how letting go of your inner critic can make it easier to begin. They also discuss the difference between fighting an illness and learning to live alongside a chronic condition, a shift that will feel familiar to many in the mitochondrial disease community.
Brad Buchanan is a retired English professor, poet, writing workshop facilitator, and two-time cancer survivor who developed severe graft-versus-host disease following a stem cell transplant. After years of treatment and lasting changes to his health, Brad began using his background in creative writing to help others process their own experiences with illness through supportive writing workshops. Drawing on both his personal journey and years of teaching, he shares why writing doesn't need to be polished, shared, or even particularly "good" to be meaningful—and how giving yourself permission to put your experience into words can be an important part of learning to live with what your body has been through.
Learn More About MitoAction
Website: Homepage - MitoAction
Facebook: Mitoaction
Instagram: MitoAction (@mitoaction) • Instagram profile
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mitoaction
X: MitoAction (@MitoAction) on X
2 Sept 2026
Mitoman Takes on American Ninja Warrior
Living with mitochondrial disease means constantly managing energy, pain, and physical limitations. For teenager Sean Laughlin, it also means competing on American Ninja Warrior. Known as “Mitoman,” Sean joins Marcy with his mom, Christine, to share how he went from struggling with feeding intolerance and low energy to becoming a nationally competitive ninja athlete. They talk about the backyard ninja course his dad built, the adjustments that allow him to train with Mito, and the unforgettable experience of earning a buzzer on American Ninja Warrior while more than 40 friends and supporters cheered him on from the sidelines.
Sean and Christine also open up about the realities behind those incredible moments. Sean relies on a feeding tube for his nutrition, lives with daily pain and exhaustion, and often needs significant recovery time after training and competitions. But ninja has given him something beyond competition: a community where he can simply be a teenager, friendships built around something other than his disease, and a chance to show other kids facing physical challenges what may still be possible. Now ranked among the top ninja athletes in his age group, Sean has his sights set on returning to American Ninja Warrior and taking his journey even further.
Learn More About MitoAction
Website: https://www.mitoaction.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MitoAction
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitoaction
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mitoaction
X: https://x.com/MitoAction
Who has been a guest on Energy in Action by MitoAction
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Talia
Donna DiVito
Chad Glasser
Jacqueline Child
Alexa Child
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
7 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 60 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
77
Social presence
94
YouTube
0
Engagement
60
Contact Energy in Action by MitoAction
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about Energy in Action by MitoAction
Who hosts Energy in Action by MitoAction?
Marcy Young host the show. Published by MitoAction.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes weekly, based on its RSS feed.
Does Energy in Action by MitoAction take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
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