BY: Jamaal Crawford

FOR THE PAST 19 years, talk show host Montel Williams has worked to build his identity from interviewer to media mogul and television icon. In early 1999, Williams was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, a chronic disease that affects the central nervous system. Unwilling to submit to the limitations of his diagnosis, Williams has developed a health and wellness regime that has allowed him to continue with his hectic lifestyle. With Living Well, Williams reveals the “life secrets” that he believes will add strength, vitality and endurance to any lifestyle.

Sway: You were diagnosed with MS in 1999. How has your perspective on the illness changed from that time?

Montel Williams: When we hear the word “illness,” we immediately think somebody’s frail and weak. Truthfully, I may be ill, but I’m for damn sure not weak. The difference is I know I have MS, no ifs, ands or buts about this disease, but I’m never going to allow it to have me.

S: What does “living well” mean?

MW: Being able to get up and meet the challenges of every day. No matter whether they be emotional, whether they be up, down or in between, to meet the challenges every day head on, have the energy to do it, have the emotional strength to do it and have the wherewithal to know that after I’ve succeeded, I can now rest and enjoy what I’ve accomplished.

S: In your book, you mention that you are not a fan of “diets” or the “D” word. Why?

MW: No, I don’t like the word “diet.” I’d rather call it an eating regimen because diet represents these little plans that have a beginning and end date. If you take a look at the word “diet” on the Internet, you’ll get about a million entries, because there’s about a million and a half diets, and if any of them worked, there would only be one. So, diets don’t work. I’m talking about a lifestyle change. This is not something you can do for the next month and then sit back and rest on your laurels; this is something you need to do for your life. This is called fitness for life — and what it does is transform your life.