In this raw and empowering solo episode, Gianna Michalak—board-certified clinical nutritionist and connective tissue specialist—opens up about the emotional toll of living with scleroderma for over a decade and what it took to break free from the “sick girl mentality.”

If you’ve ever felt like your diagnosis defines you, this episode is a must-listen. Gianna dives into the grief, trauma, and limiting beliefs that silently consume life with autoimmune disease and reveals how to begin reclaiming your identity. You’ll walk away with actionable steps and a renewed belief that healing is still possible.

This episode is a reminder that your body is not your enemy—it wants to heal just as much as you do.

What You’ll Learn 💡
🧠 What the “sick girl” mentality is—and how it silently hijacks your identity
💊 Why healing alongside medication can increase your odds of unmedicated remission
🌿 How grief, trauma, and belief systems impact your physical symptoms and healing progress
💧 How one simple habit can jumpstart your healing and shift your mindset
🏆 Why stacking small wins builds the evidence your brain needs to believe you can get better

💻 Website
autoimmunebabe.com

🎁 Free Guide
How to Heal Alongside Medication

📸 YouTube
autoimmune.babe.podcast

🎙️ Subscribe to The Autoimmune Babe Podcast
Listen on Spotify

🎥 Watch the Workshop
How to Increase Your Odds of Remission

The Bounce Back Lie: Real Talk on Weight Loss After Baby

In this candid and powerful episode, Gianna sits down with registered dietitian and founder of Kelly’s Choice, Kelly Springer, for a deep dive into the real conversations missing from postpartum weight loss and GLP-1 medication discussions.

Together, they unpack the myth of “bouncing back,” the dangers of appetite suppression, and why you can’t supplement your way out of starvation mode—especially as a postpartum mom.

If you’ve felt overwhelmed by body image expectations, tempted by quick fixes, or unsure how to actually nourish your body after having a baby, this episode gives you the clarity and compassion you’ve been craving.

👩‍👧 Why the “bounce-back” narrative is outdated—and the gentle support new moms really need
🥩 Why real food > supplements (including the shocking story of a woman surviving on fries)
🧠 How nutrient deficiencies (like iron) affect circulation, brain fog, and your capacity to show up
🥚 How your body already makes GLP-1—and how to activate it naturally
🛒 The importance of postpartum planning (yes, Instacart counts)
🌱 How to build body trust and choose your pace, your way

💻 Website
autoimmunebabe.com

🎁 Free Guide
How to Heal Alongside Medication

📸 YouTube
autoimmune.babe.podcast

🎙️ Subscribe to The Autoimmune Babe Podcast
Listen on Spotify

🎥 Watch the Workshop
How to Increase Your Odds of Remission

What if your journey to remission didn’t start with a protocol—but with a prayer of despair?

In this powerful solo episode, Gianna shares the never-before-told story of how her journey to unmedicated remission from scleroderma began. After 12 years of flares, frustration, and feeling like her identity was her illness, one desperate night became a catalyst to healing.

This is not just a story of physical healing. It’s a story of spiritual breakthrough, self-worth, and what happens when you choose to believe your body is meant to heal—even when you don't have all the answers yet.

🙏🏽 How your rock bottom can become the catalyst for your transformation
🌱 Why healing starts when you take action, not when you have all the answers
💊 How to start your healing journey while taking medication
🌿 The vision that sparked Gianna’s faith, action, and ultimately, remission
🔥 Why unmedicated remission is not reserved for the special few—and how it could be possible for you

💻 Website
autoimmunebabe.com

🎁 Free Guide
How to Heal Alongside Medication

📸 YouTube
autoimmune.babe.podcast

🎙️ Subscribe to The Autoimmune Babe Podcast
Listen on Spotify

🎥 Watch the Workshop
How to Increase Your Odds of Remission

Can you really put Crohn’s into remission after 14 years of symptoms?

In this episode, Gianna sits down with Hannah Wedger — a former client, teacher, and mother — who spent over a decade battling fatigue, flare-ups, and frustration with conventional care. After years of mistrust in her body and disappointment with traditional treatments, Hannah took a different approach: one that focused on restoring digestion, rebuilding body trust, and healing alongside medication.

Today, she’s sharing how small, consistent steps transformed her health — from toddler-size sips of water… to hiking the Grand Canyon. You’ll walk away believing what’s possible for you, too.

🔄 The cycle of Crohn’s flare-ups and why traditional treatments often fall short
🧠 The connection between ADHD, decision overwhelm, and autoimmune burnout
🥤 Why tiny steps (like a 2 oz glass of water) can lead to massive shifts in your health
🧘🏽‍♀️ How rebuilding trust in your body is a non-negotiable step to autoimmune relief
🧭 What Hannah’s clean colonoscopy revealed — and her thoughts on now being officially in remission

💻 Website
autoimmunebabe.com

🎁 Free Guide
How to Heal Alongside Medication

📸 YouTube
autoimmune.babe.podcast

🎙️ Subscribe to The Autoimmune Babe Podcast
Listen on Spotify

🎥 Watch the Workshop
How to Increase Your Odds of Remission

In this episode, Gianna unpacks one of the most misunderstood parts of autoimmune treatment: the belief that medication is your only option. Drawing from her personal journey with scleroderma and her clinical experience helping women with connective tissue disease, she reveals how medication can be used as a bridge, not a life sentence.

 You’ll learn how to start replenishing what medication may be depleting, how to shift from survival mode into healing, and how to support your body without relying on restrictive diets or random supplements.

 This is the episode every newly diagnosed woman wishes she had heard sooner.

💊 Why autoimmune medication isn’t the whole solution, and what’s missing

⚡ The nutrient deficiencies caused by common drugs like methotrexate, CellCept, and Plaquenil

🍽️ Why eating “healthy” isn’t the same as eating anti-inflammatory

🧠 The mindset shift that helps you stop feeling broken and start taking your power back

🌿 How to use food and strategy to make your medication work with your body, not against it

💻 Website
autoimmunebabe.com

🎁 Free Guide
How to Heal Alongside Medication

📸 YouTube
autoimmune.babe.podcast

🎙️ Subscribe to The Autoimmune Babe Podcast
Listen on Spotify

🎥 Watch the Workshop
How to Increase Your Odds of Remission

The holiday season is a time of joy and connection, but for those with autoimmune diseases or chronic illnesses, it can bring unique challenges. Cold weather often worsens symptoms, and the seasonal hustle can amplify stress, making flare-ups feel inevitable. In this season finale of The Road to Remission Podcast, we're shining a light on an often overlooked topic, the realities of navigating the holidays with chronic illness and how stress impacts autoimmune symptoms.

Gianna shares her personal journey with flare-ups, the emotional toll they take, and a transformative framework she developed: The Next Step Mentality. This simple yet powerful approach helps you stay present, reduce stress, and manage flare-ups one step at a time. Learn how embracing small wins can build momentum, support mental health, and even fight inflammation—without restricting all your holiday favorites.

Gianna also reflects on Season 1, celebrates listener feedback, and hints at exciting plans for Season 2.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- Why the holiday season can trigger autoimmune symptoms.
- The link between stress, flare-ups, and inflammation.
- How The Next Step Mentality can help you stay grounded and build resilience.
- Practical ways to create meaningful moments during the holidays without overextending yourself.
- A sneak peek at what’s coming in Season 2 and how you can share your feedback.

Stay Connected: 
- Follow Gianna on Instagram and TikTok: @autoimmune.babe 
- Got ideas for Season 2? Email Gianna or send a DM on social media.

Don’t Forget 👋
If you’ve enjoyed this season, leave a review on your favorite podcast platform and share the show with someone who needs it. Your feedback helps shape future episodes!

Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a peaceful New Year. 🎉 See you in Season 2!

Episode Summary:
Did you know that 1 in 4 women experience pregnancy loss in their lifetime? In this heartfelt episode, Gianna shares her personal story of miscarriage and the journey of grief that followed. She discusses how her ectopic pregnancy reshaped her perspective on fertility health and inspired her to ask deeper questions about how to support her body.

Joining her is Dr. Heather Rhodes, a pharmacist turned fertility coach, who provides expert insights into miscarriage, pregnancy, and fertility health. Together, they dive into actionable steps to help you prepare your body to conceive, maintain a full-term pregnancy, and navigate the elusive fourth trimester.

Whether you're actively trying to conceive, planning for the future, or supporting someone on their fertility journey, this episode offers practical advice, hope, and encouragement.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 
- Why "healthy" doesn’t always mean "fertile."
- The connection between fertility and a healthy metabolism.
- What it means for your body to feel "safe enough" to release energy for fertility.
- The three key pillars of fertility health: metabolism, nervous system balance, and sustainability.

Connect with Dr. Heather Rhodes:
- Free Quiz
- Instagram

What Do You Want to See in Season 2?
Season 2 of The Road to Remission Podcast launches in January 2025, and we’d love your input! What topics do you want to hear more about? Send your ideas to [email protected]—we can’t wait to hear from you!

READY FOR SUPPORT?
Apply to Road to Remission now 🔗 and secure your spot for January 2025!

LET'S STAY CONNECTED!

⚡️Instagram
💜 TikTok 
💻 Website

In this episode, Megan shares her story of living with Lupus for over 20 years and how she’s finally reclaiming control of her health. This episode uncovers the untold truths about life with autoimmune disease—how it can quietly take over your life until it feels like your entire identity.

Megan opens up about how the Road to Remission program has empowered her to fight for her health both inside and outside the doctor’s office. She highlights the transformative power of mentorship and how it continues to create extraordinary changes in her life.

READY FOR SUPPORT?
Apply to Road to Remission now 🔗 and secure your spot for January 2025!

LET'S STAY CONNECTED!

⚡️ Connect with Megan
💜 TikTok 
💻 Website

Did you consider yourself healthy before chronic symptoms suddenly started consuming your life? In this episode of the Road to Remission Podcast, guest Tony DiBernardo shares his experience with debilitating Crohn’s disease and how fighting for his health helped him navigate depression, restore his marriage, be a present father, and build a successful business.

Tony opens up about his emotional and physical battles and how his once all-consuming autoimmune disease became a life-saving blessing.

Key Takeaways:
1. How It's Possible for Fathers to Have Postpartum Depression: Postpartum depression does not discriminate by gender. Tony shares his personal experience with navigating PPD after the birth of his first child.

2. What It Takes to Stay in Remission: Now in medicated remission, Tony discusses his fear of the medication one day stopping its effectiveness. Gianna shares options that can help Tony find more peace of mind about his health while being a strong husband, father, and businessman.

3. How Food Fights Inflammation: Tony and Gianna discuss the truth behind the phrase "you are what you eat" and why it’s not 100% accurate—instead, here’s the real story.

Quotes from the Episode:
- "You can fight for your health inside and outside the doctor’s office."
- "Your gut bacteria train your immune cells for battle."
- "I now see my autoimmune disease as my biggest blessing."

The Road to Remission Program is a 6-month program designed to help you overcome chronic inflammation using food as medicine—without eliminating all the foods you love. See how you can experience more energized, present, symptom-free days within weeks!

Apply to the Road to Remission Program  🔗

Your feedback matters! Share what you love about the podcast and what you want to hear more of. It helps others find the show and enriches the content provided.

Tune in next week for another insightful episode of The Road to Remission Podcast!

Follow Gianna on Instagram and TikTok for more inspiration and insights into managing autoimmune disease and reclaiming your health!

Apply to the Road to Remission Program  🔗

💜 INSTAGRAM

💜 TIKTOK

💻 WEBSITE

Ever heard the saying “you are what you eat”? What if I told you, this statement is not 100% correct. In today’s episode, Gianna breaks down why this common health mantra isn’t the whole truth—especially if you’re navigating an autoimmune health journey. Despite following every diet tip, taking countless supplements, and seeing multiple practitioners, are you still not feeling better? The missing link might be one layer deeper...

Gianna reveals why digestion is the essential first step to making food your medicine. This episode goes beyond typical diet advice, empowering you to take back control by supporting your body’s ability to fully process and benefit from the food you eat.

Key Takeaways:
1. Why “You Are What You Digest” Is the Real Truth: If your digestion isn’t strong, even the cleanest diet can fuel inflammation rather than reduce it.

2. The “Gordon Ramsay” Analogy: Think of your body like a strict chef. Nutrients that aren’t fully digestible are “rejected” and can contribute to inflammation, protecting your body from harm.

3.*Breaking Free from the Diet Trap:  Many autoimmune journeys focus on food elimination and supplements, but without addressing digestion, these efforts can fall short.

4. Next Steps for True Healing: Discover why healthy digestion is the foundational layer that can unlock the benefits of an anti-inflammatory lifestyle.

5. Upcoming Workshop, Tomorrow Wednesday October 30th: Gianna’s upcoming workshop, *Three Ways Inflammation Impacts Your Ability to Lose Weight*, goes deeper into the relationship between digestion, inflammation, and metabolism.
 

Quotes from the Episode:
- “Food is medicine only when your body can digest it properly.”
- “You’re not broken; you may just need to go one layer deeper.”
- “It’s not about what you eat—it’s about what you digest.”

Resources Mentioned:
- Tomorrow Workshop: Three Ways Inflammation Impacts Your Ability to Lose Weight
- Cost: $7 (valued at $97)
- Click here to save your seat now!

The Road to Remission Program is a 6-month program designed to help you overcome chronic inflammation using food as medicine—without eliminating all the foods you love. See how you can experience more energized, present, symptom-free days within weeks!

Apply to the Road to Remission Program  🔗

Your feedback matters! Share what you love about the podcast and what you want to hear more of. It helps others find the show and enriches the content provided.

Tune in next week for another insightful episode of The Road to Remission Podcast!

Follow Gianna on Instagram and TikTok for more inspiration and insights into managing autoimmune disease and reclaiming your health!

Apply to the Road to Remission Program  🔗

💜 INSTAGRAM

💜 TIKTOK

💻 WEBSITE