In this episode, I sit down with Hallie Hoffman—a longtime NJCTS volunteer, youth advocate, and all-around powerhouse—to dive into her personal journey with Tourette Syndrome. Hallie shares her early experiences with tics, her decision to seek a diagnosis at 13, and how that moment catapulted her into advocacy and leadership. With honesty and warmth, she reflects on how self-awareness, support systems, and community resources shaped her path to resilience and self-acceptance.

We touch on everything from Hallie’s dietary discoveries to her thoughts on co-occurring conditions, mindfulness, and accommodations. Plus, she offers valuable insights for anyone navigating life with TS—whether you’re newly diagnosed, a parent, or an adult figuring it out as you go. Hallie's story is a testament to the power of owning your narrative and finding strength in community.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] Help NJTS advocate for funding in New Jersey!

[1:47] Kicking off with Hallie's TS journey and how early signs led to a self-initiated diagnosis.

[5:33] Why getting that label was empowering—and how it sparked Hallie’s drive to become a youth advocate.

[10:33] Finding belonging and mentorship through NJCTS and the Tim Howard Leadership Academy.

[14:07] Life now: how Hallie’s tics have evolved and why disclosure is a personal choice.

[17:47] Hallie’s creative coping strategies—from mindfulness to making tics less disruptive.

[22:30] Navigating co-occurring OCD and anxiety, and how awareness has helped her cope.

[24:07] The impact of diet: what helped Hallie and why everyone’s experience with food is unique.

[28:03] Reframing diagnosis: from stigma to tool for empowerment and accessing resources.

[31:32] Why resources like NJCTS’s provider list are game-changers for the TS community.

[36:18] That unmatched feeling of being surrounded by others who just "get it".

[43:21] Hallie’s goals for the future and how she continues to channel her experiences to support others.

Links & Resources:

NJCTS Advocacy Page: https://njcts.org/help-restore-our-funding/

Remember, each story shared on this podcast brings light and understanding to the diverse experiences within the Tourette's community. Your journey is your own, and it's filled with potential and promise. If this episode resonated with you, I encourage you to like, share, and leave a review to help us connect with more listeners.

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Hey everyone, Michael here! In today’s episode of The UpTIC, I’m joined by Lorenzo Tiozzo, a passionate advocate who’s navigated Tourette Syndrome across two continents. Lorenzo grew up just outside Venice, Italy, and recently graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Telecommunication, specializing in Film and TV Production. He’s also part of the Rising Leaders Program with the Tourette Association of America—and he’s on a mission to inspire others through storytelling, media, and his personal experience with TS.

We talk about everything from cultural differences in awareness and support between Italy and the U.S., to his bold decision to move abroad, the challenges of acceptance, and how music and film became his therapy. This is a heartfelt and deeply personal conversation about identity, growth, and the power of advocacy. If you’ve ever felt like the only one in the room—or the world—facing a challenge, you’re going to connect with this episode.

Episode Highlights:

[0:52] Introducing Lorenzo and his background growing up near Venice and studying in the U.S.
[2:21] What it felt like returning to Italy after years in Florida.
[3:26] Lorenzo’s childhood dream of studying in America and his passion for film.
[4:59] First impressions of the U.S. and adjusting to cultural differences.
[5:27] Discovering and being diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome in Italy.
[8:22] How boarding school helped him gain independence and self-acceptance.
[10:28] Choosing a major in telecommunications and film and pursuing creative dreams.
[11:39] His advocacy journey and the powerful experience of joining the Rising Leaders Program.
[14:10] Speaking on Capitol Hill and the impact of meeting others with TS.
[19:20] Challenges in building awareness and breaking stereotypes about Tourette’s.
[22:31] Lorenzo’s advice for kids facing bullying or isolation due to their tics.
[24:16] Social media’s role in increasing visibility for TS in Italy.
[28:09] How co-occurring conditions like ADHD and OCD impact daily life.
[33:59] The healing power of sports and music in managing symptoms.
[36:46] Final thoughts and advice: talk to someone, find your support system, and don’t be afraid to share what you're going through.

Links & Resources:

Lorenzo Tiozzo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorenzo-tiozzo-caenazzo-3b654228b/

Remember, each story shared on this podcast brings light and understanding to the diverse experiences within the Tourette's community. Your journey is your own, and it's filled with potential and promise. If this episode resonated with you, I encourage you to like, share, and leave a review to help us connect with more listeners.

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In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Christine Conelea, a brilliant research psychologist from the University of Minnesota, who's leading the charge in cutting-edge research around Tourette Syndrome (TS), OCD, and anxiety. We dive into the transformative innovations happening in her lab—from developing computer vision tools that can detect tics via video recordings to clinical trials testing the effectiveness of CBIT and brain stimulation therapies like TMS.

Dr. Conelea shares how her team is using AI to identify motor and vocal tics and how this research could improve diagnostic access for people across the country. We talk about what’s happening in the brain during tics, how treatment like CBIT and TMS might actually change neural circuits, and the importance of tailoring interventions based on the person’s profile.

Episode Highlights:

[1:00] Meet Dr. Christine Conelea—cutting-edge researcher from the University of Minnesota diving deep into TS, OCD, and anxiety.
[2:20] Why diagnosis delays are such a problem in the TS community—and how her lab is using AI and video data to solve it.
[6:46] How you can participate in their research by uploading videos from the comfort of home.
[8:30] The vision: a diagnostic tool that supports clinicians with objective data from simple video clips.
[13:50] CBIT’s roots and Christine’s journey into TS research—from grad school basement to leading national trials.
[18:40] Exploring why CBIT works for some but not others—how brain inhibition plays a role.
[22:20] A personal story on why I (Michael) stopped CBIT as a teen and thoughts on revisiting it now.
[26:25] The role of TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) in strengthening the brain’s “brake system” for tics.
[30:48] Can therapy and TMS reshape the brain? What the early data is showing us.
[34:46] Applying the same neuroscience-driven approach to OCD treatment with ERP and TMS.
[40:33] Advice for newly diagnosed families—and the power of education and demystifying TS.
[42:47] Superpowers in the TS community—how a stronger “habit system” might explain our gifts in music, sports, and more.

Links & Resources:

• Dr. Conelea's professional page - https://med.umn.edu/bio/christine-conelea
• MnTiC Lab - https://ticlab.umn.edu/
• Checking out ongoing clinical studies - https://ticlab.umn.edu/research

Remember, each story shared on this podcast brings light and understanding to the diverse experiences within the Tourette's community. Your journey is your own, and it's filled with potential and promise. If this episode resonated with you, I encourage you to like, share, and leave a review to help us connect with more listeners.

Send us a text

Support the show