#94 Remembering Brooke Eby: Living with ALS, Humor, and Hope
We are heartbroken to share that our former guest and ALS advocate Brooke Eby passed away on October 1, 2026, at just 37 years old.
Brooke joined us on It Happened To Me in 2023 to share her experience of being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) at 33, after first developing symptoms in her late 20s and spending four years searching for answers.
From the beginning, Brooke approached an unimaginably difficult diagnosis with a combination that was uniquely hers: honesty, vulnerability, and an incredible sense of humor. Under the name @LimpBroozkit, she brought hundreds of thousands of people into her life with ALS, using social media to educate, advocate, make people laugh, and show the world that ALS can affect young people too.
Her impact grew far beyond social media. Brooke raised more than $1 million for ALS research, helped build ALStogether to connect people living with ALS, and became one of the most recognizable voices in ALS advocacy.
Our conversation with Brooke became the most-listened-to episode of It Happened To Me among the nearly 100 episodes we have released. Her story clearly touched our listeners in the same way she touched so many people around the world.
In Brooke’s memory, we are honored to share that conversation again.
Episode Discussion Topics
The first symptoms Brooke noticed in her late 20s
Her four-year journey from unexplained symptoms to an ALS diagnosis at age 33
What it was like receiving an ALS diagnosis as a young adult
Understanding amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and how the disease progresses
Processing the emotional impact of a life-changing diagnosis
The importance of family, friends, and community while navigating ALS
Why Brooke turned to humor as a way of coping with and talking about her diagnosis
Creating @LimpBroozkit and sharing her experience publicly
Using social media to educate people who may know very little about ALS
Challenging assumptions about who can be affected by ALS
Finding moments of laughter and joy while living with a serious progressive disease
Brooke’s hope that sharing her story could increase awareness and ultimately help move ALS research forward
Remembering Brooke
Brooke had an extraordinary ability to make people laugh while also making them listen. She did not minimize the devastating realities of ALS. Instead, she invited people into them, often with humor, and in doing so made ALS more visible to an enormous audience.
By the end of her life, Brooke had built a social media community of more than 700,000 people. She raised more than $1 million for ALS research and helped create ALStogether, a community designed to connect people living with ALS with one another.
We are incredibly grateful that Brooke trusted us with her story in 2023. We hope revisiting this conversation gives longtime listeners an opportunity to remember her and introduces new listeners to the warmth, wit, and light that made Brooke unforgettable.
Thank you, Brooke.
Resources
Follow and revisit Brooke’s advocacy and videos: @LimpBroozkit
ALStogether: A community created to help people living with ALS connect with others who understand the experience
The ALS Association: Education, advocacy, research, and support for people affected by ALS
Brooke’s 2023 appearance on the Today Show with Savannah Guthrie
Tributes
Connect With It Happened To Me Podcast
Stay tuned for the next episode of It Happened To Me. In the meantime, explore our previous episodes on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, ItHappenedToMe.com, or your favorite podcast platform by searching for It Happened To Me.
It Happened To Me is created and hosted by Cathy Gildenhorn and Beth Glassman. Kira Dineen of Gene Pool Media serves as Executive Producer.
For questions, guest suggestions, or other inquiries, contact us at ItHappenedToMePod@gmail.com.
