To Twitch or Not to Twitch: Tourette Syndrome, Tools, and Nature-Based Wellness (Episode 2, Season 5) Host Bobby K—comedian, mental health advocate, executive producer of the documentary “No Magic Bullet,” and someone living with Tourette syndrome—welcomes listeners to episode two of season five of “What’s In Your Toolbox,” focused on destigmatizing Tourette syndrome. Bobby shares his own diagnosis at age 22 following illness and hospitalization, his brief experience with medication, how he turned high energy into a “superpower,” and later faced severe depression He explains Tourette syndrome as a neurological/neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by involuntary motor and/or vocal tics, notes its historical naming and early documentation, mentions well-known people associated with Tourette’s, and points listeners to Tourette Canada in the show notes. Guest Jarvis Strong, executive director of the Escarpment Corridor Alliance (ECA), discusses being diagnosed with mild Tourette syndrome at 19 after recognizing symptoms during a University of Waterloo Psychology 101 lecture, and being diagnosed by his family doctor. Jarvis describes medication side effects that led him to stop taking it, and emphasizes the relief that came from having a name for his symptoms. Bobby and Jarvis discuss Tourette-related challenges such as mimicry, social self-consciousness, stress and anxiety worsening tics, accompanying issues like ADHD/ADD, OCD, and anxiety, and strategies/tools including exercise, time in nature, and self-acceptance. Jarvis credits embracing his quirks and humour with building social confidence that supports his leadership, public speaking, and relationship-based fundraising work. They reflect on relationships and how Tourette’s can be misunderstood as bad behavior, and Bobby describes managing cycles in symptoms by being kind to himself. The episode closes with Bobby summarizing their shared tools—exercise, nature, and relationship-building—promoting nature-based wellness as “medicine,” and noting future plans to publish the podcast on YouTube with links to ECA and contact information. Bobby also mentions a newspaper story about AI “true companions” and the emerging use of AI chat for mental health support. He invites people who suspect Tourette’s to reach out, says he and Jarvis will continue collaborating as Bobby builds his charity, and previews the next episode, “Good Vibrations,” featuring his osteopath. A disclaimer notes Bobby is not a doctor and speaks from lived experience. Links Escarpment Corridor Alliance www.myescarpment.ca Tourette Canada https://tourette.ca/ Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/jarvis-strong-3b1743b/ Do you have a unique "tool"? Send us a text Subscribe to What's in your Toolbox? http://nomagicbullet.org/ 24/7 Crisis Support 1-888-893-8333
