Leading by Example

By Bryan D. Vargo | Feb. 12, 2025

Inspired by the mantra, “Do it for those who can’t and lead the way for those who can,” Mary Jo McBride is standing up and speaking up for the arthritis community. As someone who has lived with arthritis since childhood, she knows firsthand the importance of arthritis awareness and advocacy. Now, as a Walk to Cure Arthritis national honoree, she’s doing all she can to make a difference.

But Mary Jo admits, she wasn’t always comfortable with the vulnerability she says it takes to share her story in the hopes of inspiring others to do the same.

 

Growing Up Tough

A lifelong athlete who grew up with juvenile arthritis and four older brothers, Mary Jo says she had to be tough. “I’ve never been good at being vulnerable. Vulnerability? We don’t need that,” she says jokingly.

Mary Jo was 6 years old when she first noticed symptoms. “We went to about seven doctors. All of them misdiagnosed me with tendonitis, growing pains, being young and active,” she says. “We finally went to another doctor. He came in, he looked at my ankle — because at the time, that was the only thing that was flared up with arthritis — and he was like, ‘I don’t even have to examine you. That’s arthritis.’ We got some tests done, including an MRI with contrast to confirm the diagnosis — juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).”

Mary Jo says, “It was a battle we had to go through. I was 7 years old at the time, so I didn’t really know what arthritis was and how it was going to affect my life.”

Unfortunately, Mary Jo’s diagnosis story is a common one among kids with arthritis.

“After I was diagnosed, I longed for a community that was going through a similar experience,” says Mary Jo. During her middle school years, she found it through an Arthritis Foundation JA camp. “I first attended camps when I was younger and had an amazing experience with Camp Cruz! The connections I made there were priceless.”

Despite the pain, swelling and stiffness in her joints, Mary Jo persevered — often fighting through the pain so she could pursue her passion for competitive volleyball through middle school, high school and even playing division 1 volleyball through college.

Mary Jo says she’s learned a lot from her JIA. “It has taught me to be resilient, to endure, to be disciplined, to have grit, to build my mindset. Arthritis is my lifelong weight that has made me stronger. I’ve always been determined to participate in activities that defy the JIA odds.”

 

Raising Awareness

Mary Jo reconnected with the Arthritis Foundation at a Walk to Cure Arthritis near her hometown in Arizona in 2023 — helping raise awareness and funds for life-changing research and resources — and she’s been involved ever since.

Moved by the speakers on stage at the walk who shared their stories that day, Mary Jo thought, “I will be up there next year.”

She says, “Seeing so many inspirational stories, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. The Foundation has had such a profound impact in my life. Seeing others be vulnerable and share their story, I wanted to do my part to help others in the same way.”

Sure enough, the following year, Mary Jo was at the Walk, speaking on stage and sharing her story. “That day, I knew it was my purpose when others came up to me after my speech, fully moved or in tears, saying they are going through the same experiences that I went through,” says Mary Jo. “My goal was and still is to connect with people of all ages, whether it’s children, teens, adults, elders going through it or parents and grandparents helping their children and grandchildren navigate through it.”

Mary Jo has also served as a mission ambassador while riding the California Coast Classic Bike Tour, part of the Arthritis Foundation’s Cycling Experience, which also raises much-needed funds for arthritis research and resources.

“It is truly the most remarkable event that I have had the honor to be a part of,” says Mary Jo. “I met the most remarkable individuals.” Initially, she admits, “I never even liked cycling before. I didn’t even have a road bike when I signed up. But I started biking and I fell in love with it. On the tour, you ride next to some of the most passionate, inspiring and strong individuals. It was an honor to be able to do it. It was probably one of the hardest things I’ve done, but it was the most rewarding.”

Making Connections

After graduating from college in 2020, with a double major in business marketing and advertising management and a certificate in international business studies, Mary Jo worked at a marketing agency for a few years. Looking for something more fulfilling and that better intersects with her lifestyle, she now lives in San Diego and is working as a longevity concierge at a wellness club and as a studio lead at a fitness club — all while studying to become a certified personal trainer and nutritionist in pursuit of her next goal: becoming a self-employed wellness coach.

After countless flares and trying nearly every treatment under the sun, Mary Jo says, she’s doing well and has found a combination of holistic, pharmaceutical and lifestyle treatments that work for her, including supplements, cryotherapy, hydroxychloroquine, an anti-inflammatory diet and plenty of exercise.

She says she’ll continue to be part of the Arthritis Foundation for as long as she can. “It’s an invaluable feeling of connection — you receive more than you could ever imagine. Seeing the impact that this organization has and to be a part of it gives living through those hard times a reason, especially if it can help others navigate through the chaos and inspire them.

“I truly feel like it’s a part of my purpose to be able to share my story with the hope of connecting, inspiring and relating with others, while giving back to an amazing organization. I will forever be grateful to the Arthritis Foundation for providing resources and access to this community of remarkable and inspiring people.”