“Movement Is My Medicine”: Coping with Rheumatoid Arthritis Through Mo

At ororo, we're constantly inspired by the incredible stories of our community; people who don’t let cold weather or life’s challenges keep them from doing what they love. We recently spoke to Jill Kuhn, a mom of four boys, endurance athlete, and former Ironman and ultra runner who lives with rheumatoid arthritis. While RA has changed how she trains, it hasn't stopped her from staying active outdoors year-round. Her story is full of heart, determination, and the kind of motivation we could all use a little more of.

Whether running, hiking, or cheering on her kids at a track meet, her mindset is simple: keep moving, no matter what. Heated gear from ororo has also become an essential tool in that journey, supporting her training, easing her pain, and helping her stay outside longer.

Read our full conversation with Jill below.

Q: Tell us about yourself and what you do

I’m a mom of four teenage boys, which is a full-time job in itself! I stay home with them, which I’m really grateful for, and I try to be as involved as I can in their lives and activities. Outside of parenting, I’m also an athlete. I’ve competed in triathlons, ultra marathons, and Ironman races. These days, I do a lot more trail running, hiking, and walking; basically anything that keeps me outside and moving.

We recently moved from Houston to Santa Fe, and it’s been amazing. The weather here is beautiful, the air is clean, and the mountains are literally in my backyard. I try to get outside every single day, even if it’s just for a short walk. Nature is my therapy.

Q: What else should we know about you?

I live with rheumatoid arthritis, which is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes pain, inflammation, and fatigue. There’s no cure, and it’s something I manage every day. Some days are easier than others, and some days are incredibly hard. But I don’t let it stop me.

One thing that’s helped me tremendously is ororo heated gear. I use it every single day: indoors and out. I wear my heated vest while doing chores around the house, when I’m at my kids’ track meets, or when I’m recovering from a tough run. It gives me comfort, relief, and honestly, the ability to keep doing what I love.

Q: How did you first get into running and racing?

I actually started running when I was really young, in junior high. I joined the cross country and track team at 12 years old. Unfortunately, at my very first track meet, I was hit in the head by a shot put, which is an 8-pound steel ball that hit me right on the head, fracturing my skull and causing a brain bleed. I had to have two brain surgeries and was out for the rest of the season.

After that, I didn’t really return to organized running. I still ran on my own here and there, but nothing competitive. It wasn’t until I was in my late 30s, after having all four of my boys, that I returned to running as a serious part of my life. At first, it was just for my mental health. Then it became my passion.

Q: How has running impacted your family life?

It started as something I did for myself, to reclaim a little 'me time' after years of nonstop parenting, but it ended up transforming our entire family. All four of my sons are now competitive runners. They run cross country, track, and even do triathlons. It’s become a shared passion.

We train together, go to races together, and support each other. It’s been incredible to watch my kids grow into strong, determined young men through sport. Running gave me my strength back, and now I get to watch it give that same gift to my boys.

Q: What does a typical week of training look like for you now?

Right now I’m easing back into things after a shoulder injury, so my training is a bit lighter than it used to be. But I still aim to get outside every day. I’ll go for a trail run, a walk, or a hike depending on how my body’s feeling. Living in Santa Fe has made a huge difference; I’m surrounded by endless trails and beautiful weather. There’s a peacefulness here that just makes you want to move.

If the weather’s bad or my RA is flaring, I’ll do indoor workouts or yoga. But my favorite days are the ones spent outside, pushing myself just a little bit.

Q: What races stand out as your favorites or proudest moments?

There are two that really mean a lot to me. The first is completing an Ironman. That race required so much mental and physical preparation. Training while raising four young kids was no joke, and it pushed me to my limits. It also came at a time when I had just been diagnosed with RA, so crossing that finish line was a huge win against my own doubts.

The second is ultra running, especially my 100K race. That was 62 miles of trails, and it tested me in every possible way. There’s something spiritual about ultra distances. You’re alone with your thoughts, your breath, your pain. The trails became my church. Those were some of the most transformative hours of my life.

Q: What’s your mindset when facing physical setbacks or limitations?

My goal now is longevity. I’m not trying to beat any records. I just want to keep moving for as long as I can. Some days, that means slowing down. I’ve learned to be more flexible with my training and kinder to my body. If I can’t run, I’ll walk. If I can’t hike, I’ll stretch. Movement is medicine for me.

Living with RA means I don’t have the luxury of taking my health for granted. Every day I move is a gift, and I try to treat it that way.

Q: What does rheumatoid arthritis look like in your daily life?

It affects me in so many ways. Most people just think it’s joint pain, but it’s also fatigue, brain fog, and inflammation in places people wouldn’t expect, like your organs. My worst joints are my hands, feet, hips, and shoulders. Some days the pain is intense. And it’s not always visible, which makes it harder to explain to others.

There are days when I struggle just to get out of bed. But I’ve learned to listen to my body and do what I can. Sometimes that means doing less. Sometimes that means doing more to fight through the pain. I’ve learned that even a walk around the block is worth celebrating.

Q: How do you stay motivated through the hard days?

I remind myself what’s at stake. If I stop moving, if I let the pain or fatigue take over, I’m afraid I’ll never start again. I’ve seen what can happen when people give up on their bodies. I’m not willing to go down that road.

There are voices—both in my head and sometimes from others—saying, 'Why don’t you just take it easy?' But I know that movement is what keeps me alive and joyful. So I push through, even if it’s just a few steps at a time.

Q: How did you first discover ororo?

I saw someone on Instagram wearing a vest with a little red light on it and I was instantly curious. I looked it up, saw it was a heated vest, and I thought, 'I need that in my life.' I’m always cold, and cold makes my RA flare up terribly. This looked like a wearable heating pad, and I was all in.

Once I got my first ororo vest, I was hooked. I started wearing it constantly: around the house, on hikes, even while doing dishes. It changed my comfort level so drastically that I don’t go anywhere without it now.

Q: How has it helped you in your daily life?

Honestly, it’s become essential. It allows me to stay outside longer, even in the cold. Back in Houston, winter weather was damp and cold, which made my joints ache so badly I’d have to stay inside. With ororo, I was able to get back outside, even on cold mornings.

Now that I live in Santa Fe and we get snow, it’s even more important. I can stay warm and mobile, instead of stiff and in pain. I also wear it to my boys’ events (track meets, cross country races, and triathlons), because sitting in the cold for hours used to be miserable. Now I’m the mom in the stands bundled up in a heated vest, scarf, gloves, and people always ask me about it!

Q: How many ororo items do you own now?

Oh, I’ve got quite the collection! I think I have around 20 pieces. I gave heated scarves to all the women in my family for Christmas last year. Everyone loves them! It’s become my go-to gift because I know how much it’s helped me.

Q: Do you have a favorite ororo item?

The vest, 100%. It’s so easy to throw on, and it works with everything I wear. I wear it while running errands, sitting at my boys’ meets, and even during my RA infusion treatments, which can last for hours and are always freezing. Having that steady, gentle warmth makes such a difference! It helps me stay calm and comfortable when I’d otherwise be in pain or tense.

Q: Oh, and how about that dog vest? 

Oh yes, my dog loves it! I love that we match. She looks super cute! I had to get the yellow jacket for myself as soon as I saw the vest so we could match.

Q: Tell us a little about your dog.

Her name is Daisy. We got her at the onset of COVID (she just turned five). So, she was our little COVID puppy. We’d actually been in touch with a breeder long before the pandemic, and we were on a waitlist. She came to us right around the time the world was shutting down. She was kind of a saving grace for my boys and me.

She’s definitely spoiled and doesn’t like to be alone, because she never had to be! She hits the trails with us and goes everywhere we go.

Q: Was the vest helpful for her?

Absolutely. We’re often out in the snow, and I used to worry about her being too cold, especially since she can’t exactly tell me if she’s uncomfortable. But now, with the heated dog vest, I don’t have to worry anymore.

She’s just more comfortable now. Before, if she got too cold, she’d come over to me or even jump up asking to be carried. But now, she’s just out there running in the snow without a care in the world. It’s been such a relief (and she looks adorable too).

Q: What advice would you give to others who are balancing health challenges while trying to stay active?

The biggest thing I always say (on my platform and to myself) is just to keep moving. Find a way. There are days that feel hopeless or when the pain makes it feel like you just can’t. But I’ve learned that even if I set a small goal for myself each day, it helps get me out the door and keeps me from giving up.

Some days, I really don’t feel like doing anything. I just want to stay on the couch in my sweatpants and watch Netflix. But I make a commitment to myself: every day, I have to do at least something. And for me, that always means getting outside, even if it’s just for a little while.

Q: Who or what inspires you to keep going?

Definitely my boys. I know it might sound like a typical “mom” answer, but it’s true. I never want my kids to look back on their childhood and remember a mom who was sick all the time or couldn’t keep up. That’s always been a fear of mine.

So, for every adventure they go on, I’m like, “Sure, I’m in!” I want them to know that I’m there and I’m showing up, no matter how I feel. Most of the time, they don’t even know when I’m in pain—because I want them to remember a mom who always showed up.

There are days when I don’t feel like showing up for myself, but I know I have to show up for them. And that keeps me going.

Q: Is there a quote or mindset that helps ground you on tough days?

I think it’s really important to give yourself grace. As much as I push myself (and I truly believe movement is medicine), I also know that rest is medicine too. Taking care of yourself means knowing when to push and when to pause. I try to honor my body in both ways.

Q: Is there anything else you'd like to share with our readers?

Just my gratitude. Honestly, I’m so thankful for ororo because it helps me keep getting outside on days when I otherwise couldn’t. That means the world to me.

It might sound dramatic, but ororo has truly changed my life. Living with chronic illness means you’re constantly trying to find ways to make life more livable; ororo helps me do that. It’s not just about staying warm. It’s about staying active, present, and joyful. And for me, that means everything.

Movement is Medicine

Staying active through adversity takes courage, and Jill’s story is living proof. Whatever obstacles you’re facing, let movement be your medicine. With heated gear from ororo, cold weather never has to hold you back. Get out there; you’ve got this! And we’ll be here to keep you warm every step of the way.