Episode 79: Ask Mickey Anything — Your Biggest AIP Questions, Answered

If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re “doing AIP right,” you’re not alone.

From navigating the early days of elimination to troubleshooting plateaus, managing low energy, and figuring out how to make this work in real life—there are so many questions that come up along the way.

In this special Q&A episode of the Autoimmune Wellness Podcast, Mickey answers listener-submitted questions from across the community, covering both the practical and emotional sides of the Autoimmune Protocol.

She walks through common challenges like symptom flare-ups in the first few weeks, what to do if you’re not seeing results, how to handle reintroductions without fear, and how to make AIP sustainable long term. She also dives into bigger-picture topics like personalization, research, and the future of autoimmune care.

This episode is a reminder that AIP isn’t about perfection—it’s about learning, adapting, and finding what works for your body over time.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. Why symptoms can temporarily worsen in the first weeks of AIP
2. How to troubleshoot when you’re not seeing improvement after 1–2 months
3. Common reasons AIP “isn’t working” (and what to look at first)
4. How to navigate low energy, flares, or limited capacity for cooking
5. Practical strategies for eating out or using meal shortcuts on AIP
6. How to think about supplements, fillers, and what’s actually necessary
7. Why fear around reintroductions is common—and how to move forward safely
8. How to approach reintroductions without triggering anxiety or over-restriction
9. What to do after a failed reintroduction (and how to continue progressing)
10. How to make AIP sustainable long term without feeling deprived
11. The relationship between structure and bio-individuality in AIP
12. What the research says about common trigger foods
13. Why AIP is not a replacement for medical care or medication
14. How to advocate for more autoimmune research and better care

Resources:

1. The New Autoimmune Protocol (Book + Preorder Community)
2. Episode 58: The 3 Meal Safety Net
3. Urban AIP Meal Delivery
4. Autoimmune Association
5. AIP BIPOC Network

Episode Timeline:

00:00 – Introduction to the Q&A episode

01:22 – Is it normal for symptoms to worsen early on AIP?

05:02 – Two months on AIP with no improvement

11:04 – Real-life barriers: energy, cooking, and access

17:36 – Supplements and AIP compatibility

22:43 – Fear of reintroductions

27:43 – Reintroduction strategy and failed attempts

32:53 – Getting back to AIP after life changes

38:17 – Personalization vs protocol structure

41:33 – Common trigger foods and medication expectations

46:20 – Troubleshooting setbacks and research advocacy

51:21 – Wrap-up and closing