Clay Walker and His Wife Jessica on Caring and Never Looking Back

When he picked up a guitar at age 9, multi-platinum country music artist Clay Walker was already on his way to fulfilling his destiny. Now 11 albums later, he and his wife Jessica are singing a happy tune. Clay, 47, has sold more than 11 million albums and has racked up 11 No. 1 singles out of 31 total.

Both Clay and Jessica know that because of his diagnosis of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS)—the most common form—more than 20 years ago, he can’t always do everything he wants when he wants to. With their three children, the two are still an unstoppable pair, with her filling the vital role of his caregiver with joy and love.

If that’s something that you also do, this vivacious couple is here to help with tips to motivate and inspire you.

Topping the Charts

Clay remembers the great feeling he had when he recorded his 1993 hit, “What’s It to You,” and how thrilled he was with his Top Five singles through 2009. He also remembers that fateful day in 1996 when he was diagnosed with MS and then when he was told he’d be in a wheelchair in four years and dead within eight. The diagnosis wasn’t a huge surprise, since he’d known things weren’t right.

The predictions, however, were very wrong.

His MS may be a part of him, but it’s not who he is or what he does. A former football and basketball player who hunts and fishes, he’s committed to being super active. He does admit on his foundation website that he occasionally has “a laziness in his right leg, tingling in his right hand and tiredness” when he wishes he could do one more thing.

He told the Los Angeles Times earlier this year that he does stretching to counter the muscle constrictions of MS. He also does core work, weight training and cardio and he’s big on biking, sometimes up to 40 miles a day, even on tour, since it’s excellent therapy for his legs.

Band Against MS

He’s become a visible advocate for the MS community.

In 2003, he founded the Band Against MS foundation that’s raised more than $5 million through its events. Its message: “Engage. Educate. Eradicate.” If you’re in the hood, check out his 2017 events for the foundation:

Clay Walker Band Against MS Ride
March 25, 2017 – Humble, Texas

Chords of Hope
June 6, 2017 – Nashville, Tennessee

Clay Walker Charity Classic
June 21-25, 2017 – Pebble Beach, California (invitation only)

Take us back to your diagnosis.

I was stunned beyond belief because I was 26 and in prime shape. I’ve been relapse-free for the past six or seven years. My MS specialist found the medication that has more or less “arrested” the disease.

So you two have become very visible spokespeople on behalf of millions of American caregivers. For someone who’s a new caregiver to a loved one, what do you think they need to know?

They need knowledge about the chronic illness of the person they’re caregiving for—that’s most important.

And what about you and Jess? How did that evolve?

I was mesmerized by her beauty. We had such good conversations and she talked about what she wanted to do in life, which was to be a mom. I realized what kind of human being she was and that she had such depth. That made me want to marry her, but I wondered if I could burden her and our children with the possible debilitation of MS.

How did you move forward? 

We had to really discuss it all at length, and that was a lot to digest. She has always been very honest and open with me, and I believe that has been the absolute foundation of our success.

Clay, tell us more about “the beginning.”

By the time we met I had a pretty good grasp of what MS is and is not. I felt that I had a good future ahead of me. I felt confident in my doctor, Jerry Wolinsky (a neurologist at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and director of the Multiple Sclerosis Research Group there) and in my relationship with Teva (Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., active in the treatment of MS). I had positive feelings that things would remain good, but I knew it could all turn south, of course.

Jessica, what did you think?

I was aware of MS, but didn’t really know much about it, even though I have an aunt who has it and she’s in her 80s. When I Googled MS—for the first and last time—it was overwhelming. I decided to just jump into this and start living and see where it was going to take us. I was never afraid and never looked back one time.

Clay, before you were married, did other people ever want to “get involved”?

We dated a year, then were engaged a year. During our engagement a close friend’s mother approached me and took me aside. She said, “You know what’s going to happen. That is a really tough burden to put on someone.”

I smiled and said, “It’s one thing to insult me, but to insult Jessica’s intelligence is quite another thing. Do you really think she made this decision without thinking it through?”

I’m sure other people out there with a chronic illness who fall in love deal with that issue.

Getting truthful information about the condition can be difficult. You have to digest that and make a decision. That in itself allows you to make an honest, open decision and you can both commit to it.

Jess, what structure do you contribute to Clay’s self-care regimen now?

I’m the type of person who likes to establish a routine. For him that means eating right, getting enough exercise and taking his medication—the three main things he has to do to stay healthy. He eats a really organic diet, and we exercise together—even with the kids, who also cook with us. We like to go outside and run in the yard together.

Give us one Jess caregiver tip.

As a caregiver, it’s really important to set up your own support team. I reach out to my mom when I need to talk about it. I ask a band member to ask Clay—when they’re on the road—whether he got his workout in today.

Jess, what’s the best thing about being married to Clay?

The most rewarding thing is to see him out in the yard with our kids, riding horses, playing on the farm or playing music onstage. Our life has maintained the normal that we know.

How much care does Clay require?

He’s pretty easy, since he wakes up every morning ready to go. He’s always completely positive and happy.

Clay, I understand you just built a new house. And you’re still married, for that can be stressful! Congratulations!

I let her do the whole thing and it was a really great process. The move was more difficult than the building, really. The builder was late so we lived in a bus for eight weeks in our front yard.

Your last single was “Right Now.” Clay, you have news about new music! Do tell.

Yes, new music in 2017! I’ve had three years to record this album, and to observe what’s going on in the [country] format. The landscape is completely different now than it was six or seven years ago. It reminds me of the film, Cowboys and Aliens, as cowboys meet the new age of record production.

Clay and Jessica, you have lots (good!) going on! Happy holidays and thanks for sharing.

Mind Your Body with Stephanie Stephens features celebrities and high achievers age 45+ who share their latest projects, healthy living secrets and more.