The Autoimmune RESET

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September is Alopecia Awareness Month, so in this Friday Five episode of The Autoimmune RESET, I’m talking about a subject that is very close to my heart, both personally and professionally: hair loss.

Having experienced alopecia myself, and now working with women, men and children experiencing alopecia and other forms of hair loss in my clinic, I see how quickly the conversation can become focused on the hair itself.

Which shampoo should I use? Is my ferritin high enough? Should I take biotin? What can I do to make my hair grow back?

These are understandable questions. But hair loss isn't one single condition, and there are many different reasons why somebody's hair may begin shedding, thinning or disappearing in patches.

Hair loss isn't simply a cosmetic concern. Sometimes the most useful information comes when we stop looking only at the hair and start looking at the person experiencing it.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why identifying the type of hair loss should come first
• Why something that happened months ago may be relevant to shedding today
• Why ferritin isn't the only nutritional consideration for hair growth
• How inadequate calories and protein can affect the hair cycle
• Where thyroid, postpartum and perimenopausal changes may fit
• Why seemingly unrelated symptoms can provide useful clinical context
• How Symptom Intelligence™ can change the way we investigate hair loss

Important: This episode is for educational purposes and isn't intended to diagnose the cause of your hair loss. Sudden, unexplained or significant hair loss should be medically assessed, and suspected scarring hair loss requires prompt specialist assessment.

🧘‍♀️ Need nervous system support?
→ I personally use and recommend SONA, a vagus nerve stimulation device clinically shown to support immune balance, inflammation, and stress recovery.
Use code VJ10 for 10% discount at checkout. 

📥 New to the podcast or need a starting point?
→ Download my free The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan
— a simple guide that outlines the steps I recommend to all clients as they begin calming the immune response and rebuilding resilience.

Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

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Many of us have become so accustomed to being the capable one—the person who helps, fixes and takes responsibility—that we rarely stop to ask whether everything we are carrying is actually ours to carry.

In this episode of The Autoimmune RESET, I’m joined by Dr Rachel Morris, former GP, host of the You Are Not a Frog podcast and creator of The Shapes Toolkit.

Rachel introduces us to what she calls the responsibility trap: the gradual accumulation of responsibility without it ever being consciously or explicitly handed over. Although particularly common among healthcare professionals, it is a pattern that will resonate with anyone who feels responsible for keeping everything—and everyone—together.

We explore the three mechanisms that can keep us trapped: the silence gap, the helping reflex and the mismatch between control and responsibility. Rachel also explains why “just say no” is rarely useful advice when saying no feels like a failure of identity rather than a straightforward practical decision.

This is an important conversation about shame, boundaries, capacity and the difference between genuinely caring for others and automatically carrying responsibility for them.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why caring about something does not necessarily make you responsible for it
• The subtle ways responsibility can land on us without being explicitly assigned
• The silence gap, the helping reflex and the control–responsibility mismatch
• Why shame often sits beneath an automatic “yes”
• Why logical advice about boundaries may not reach the real source of the problem
• How to distinguish what you care about from what you can genuinely control
• Why saying yes when you cannot sustain it may simply create a deferred let-down
• The limitations of telling people to become more resilient within structurally unhealthy systems
• How to begin making more conscious and sustainable choices about what you carry

About Dr Rachel Morris

Dr Rachel Morris is a former GP, the host of the You Are Not a Frog podcast and the creator of The Shapes Toolkit. Her work helps healthcare professionals and other people working in high-pressure roles beat stress, set healthier boundaries and work more sustainably—without believing they simply need to become tougher or more resilient.

Connect with Rachel

Website: youarenotafrog.com
Instagram and LinkedIn: @drrachelmorris
Free Overwhelm SOS Toolkit: youarenotafrog.com/overwhelm
Beat Stress and Thrive course: The Shapes Toolkit

If this episode resonates with you, please subscribe to The Autoimmune RESET, leave a review and share it with someone who may be carrying more than is truly theirs.

📥 Ready for a more structured, personalised approach?
→ Apply to work with me
— we’ll create a clear, step-by-step plan tailored to your body, your symptoms, and your goals.

📥 New to the podcast or need a starting point?
→ Download my free The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan
— a simple guide that outlines the steps I recommend

The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

Send us Fan Mail

If you have hypothyroidism, take thyroid medication and have been told that your blood tests are “normal”, it can be incredibly frustrating to still feel exhausted.

Sometimes your thyroid function or medication does need another look, but fatigue is not specific to hypothyroidism, and your thyroid does not operate in isolation. Thyroid hormones interact with your nutrient status, gut health, stress response, sex hormones, cellular energy production and whether you are eating enough to meet the demands being placed on your body.

I remember living with chronic fatigue and hoping that an endocrinologist would prescribe levothyroxine and everything would fall back into place. Although there were issues with my thyroid, there was far more contributing to how I felt.

In this Friday Five episode of The Autoimmune RESET Podcast, I explore five areas I would investigate when someone with hypothyroidism continues to feel exhausted.

In this episode, I discuss:

• Why TSH does not give us the complete thyroid picture
• The difference between T4 and the more metabolically active T3
• What can influence thyroid hormone conversion and utilisation
• Why it may be useful to consider free T4, free T3 and thyroid antibodies
• The relationship between iron stores, ferritin, fatigue and hair loss
• Other nutrients involved in thyroid function and energy production
• Why a “clean” diet is not necessarily a nutrient-dense one
• How restrictive eating and chronic under-fuelling can affect energy, recovery, hair and menstrual health
• Why more exercise and health optimisation are not always the answer
• The importance of considering your overall stress load and capacity to recover
• How gut health may affect nutrient absorption, immune health and thyroid hormone metabolism
• Why symptoms of hypothyroidism and perimenopause can be difficult to distinguish
• How apparently unrelated changes in digestion, sleep, skin, hair, periods and stress tolerance can help reveal the wider picture

If you are still exhausted, the answer may not be to focus more intensely on your thyroid. It may be time to widen the lens and consider what else has changed around the same time.

Please continue to have your thyroid appropriately monitored and treated by your doctor, and never alter prescribed thyroid medication without speaking to the clinician responsible for your care.

🧘‍♀️ Need nervous system support?
→ I personally use and recommend SONA, a vagus nerve stimulation device clinically shown to support immune balance, inflammation, and stress recovery.
Use code VJ10 for 10% discount at checkout. 

📥 New to the podcast or need a starting point?
→ Download my free The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan
— a simple guide that outlines the steps I recommend to all clients as they begin calming the immune response and rebuilding resilience.

The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

Send us Fan Mail

What does success really mean if achieving it comes at the expense of your health?

In this episode of The Autoimmune RESET, I’m joined by business strategist and entrepreneur Lisa Johnson for an honest conversation about chronic illness, ambition and the pressure to keep going—even when your body is asking you to stop.

Lisa shares what it was like to build an extraordinarily successful business while dealing with persistent health problems and the uncertainty of not always knowing what was wrong. Despite feeling mentally motivated and capable, her body was telling a different story.

We explore why financial success does not necessarily translate into happiness or wellbeing, and how Lisa began to reconsider what “enough” looked like—not only financially, but across her work, relationships and health.

Lisa also discusses the small but significant changes she made to create a more sustainable life, the importance of asking for help and why being open about what we are experiencing can deepen relationships rather than weaken them.

This is a thoughtful conversation about recognising when the way you are living is no longer working, listening to the signals your body is sending you and finding a version of success that leaves room for your health.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Lisa’s experience of managing chronic illness while building a multimillion-pound business
• The disconnect between feeling mentally well and being physically unwell
• Why ambition can make it difficult to recognise—or respond to—the body’s warning signs
• The emotional impact of unexplained symptoms and diagnostic uncertainty
• How stress, pressure and perfectionism can affect our health
• Redefining success beyond income, growth and external achievement
• The question Lisa asked herself when deciding what needed to change
• Why one strategic change can sometimes have a positive effect across your entire life
• Balancing ambition with health, relationships and happiness
• The value of authenticity, vulnerability and asking other people for support
• Lisa’s advice for anyone considering leaving employment and starting a business

Key takeaway

Your body can be struggling even when your mind feels ready to keep going. Sustainable success is not simply about what you can achieve—it is also about creating a life that your health can support.

Chapters

00:00 — Introduction to Lisa Johnson and her journey
Meet Lisa and hear how her experiences with health and entrepreneurship began to intersect.

02:08 — The intersection of health and ambition
Why being mentally driven does not always mean that your body has the same capacity.

06:08 — Navigating chronic illness and business success
Lisa discusses ongoing symptoms, diagnostic uncertainty and building a highly successful business alongside chronic illness.

12:00 — Redefining success and prioritising wellbeing
Why money and achievement alone were no longer enough—and what Lisa began to prioritise instead.

17:46 — Finding balance: What is enough?
A conversation about ambition, growth and recognising when continually striving for more comes at a cost.

23:57 — The power of authenticity and vulnerability
How honesty, asking for help and allowing other people in can strengthen relationships and create meaningful support.

30:04 — Helping others transition into entrepreneurship
Lisa shares her perspective on starting a business and creating success in a more intentional and sustainable way.

Listen now to discover how Lisa began redefining success, responding differently to her body and creating space for both ambition and wellbeing.

Connect with Lisa Johnson

You can find Lisa on Instagram at @lisajohnsonstrategist, where she shares more about business, success and building a career on your own terms. Lisa personally responds to her Instagram messages, so you can also contact her there with any questions.

📥 Ready for a more structured, personalised approach?
→ Apply to work with me
— we’ll create a clear, step-by-step plan tailored to your body, your symptoms, and your goals.

📥 New to the podcast or need a starting point?
→ Download my free The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan
— a simple guide that outlines the steps I recommend

The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

Send us Fan Mail

We are constantly being told what we should be doing for our health: fasting, tracking our sleep, exercising more, cutting out certain foods, taking supplements, regulating our nervous system, improving our gut health…the list goes on.

But what happens when all those healthy habits actually start working against us?

In this episode, I explore something I see increasingly both online and in clinic: people doing all the right things for their health, yet feeling more stressed, more restricted and sometimes even worse than when they started.

I talk about why a health strategy that works brilliantly for one person may be completely wrong for another, and why even objectively “healthy” practices can become unhelpful when they stop matching what your body actually needs.

We look at everything from restrictive diets and gut health protocols to exercise, fasting, wearables and stress-management routines, and why more information doesn’t always lead to better health. In fact, sometimes the more data, rules and advice we accumulate, the further we move away from noticing our own responses.

Because your body is giving you information too.

The question is whether we are still listening to it.

In this episode, I discuss:

• Why healthy routines can sometimes make us feel worse rather than better
• How dietary restrictions can gradually become unnecessarily restrictive
• Why gut testing can be useful when it helps us personalise rather than guess
• How to recognise when your exercise intensity isn't right for your body
• Why stress-management practices shouldn't become another item on your stressful to-do list
• The influence of wellness trends, social media and conflicting health advice
• Why enjoying the things you do for your health actually matters
• How tracking and health data can be useful without allowing them to override how you feel
• Why reconnecting with your body's own signals can help you make better health decisions

Resources mentioned in this episode

SONA — nervous system support
I mention SONA in this episode as one of the tools I use to support nervous system regulation and stress management.

Find out more about SONA

Use code VJ10 for a discount.

This is an affiliate link, which means I may receive a small commission if you purchase through it, at no additional cost to you.

Gut Health Test — GI Effects
If you want to understand more about what may be happening in your gut rather than continually removing foods or guessing which intervention you need, you can also explore the comprehensive gut health test I offer. It includes the functional stool test alongside analysis and interpretation of your results.

Find out more about my Gut Health Test

📥 New to the podcast or need a starting point?
→ Download my free The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan
— a simple guide that outlines the steps I recommend to all clients as they begin calming the immune response and rebuilding resilience.

The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

Send us Fan Mail

What if supporting autoimmune health needs to start even deeper than the gut, hormones or immune system — at the level of the cell itself?

In this episode of The Autoimmune RESET, I’m joined by Jess Berman, co-owner of BodyBio, to explore the role cellular health plays in inflammation, immune function, energy and our overall resilience.

Jess shares her own health journey, including her experience with PCOS and Hashimoto’s, and how it shaped the way she thinks about nutrition and health today. We discuss why the integrity of our cell membranes matters, how modern diets and environmental exposures can affect cellular function, and why some of the nutrients we’ve been taught to fear — including omega-6 fatty acids — may deserve a more nuanced conversation.

We also get practical, talking about phospholipids, essential fatty acids, butyrate, minerals and hydration, alongside the foundational dietary and lifestyle changes that can make a meaningful difference before reaching for increasingly complex protocols.

In this episode, we cover:

• Jess’s personal experience with PCOS, Hashimoto’s and autoimmune health
• Why cellular health is an important piece of the autoimmune puzzle
• What cell membranes actually do and why their integrity matters
• Phospholipids and their role in cellular function
• Why omega-6 isn’t necessarily the inflammatory villain it has been made out to be
• The importance of balancing essential omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids
• Butyrate, the gut barrier and the connection between gut and immune health
• Minerals, electrolytes and why hydration is about more than simply drinking water
• Environmental exposures, oxidative stress and detoxification
• Why Jess believes in getting the foundations right before moving into more intensive protocols
• Practical places to start if you’re living with an autoimmune condition

If you’d like to explore some of the BodyBio products Jess and I discuss in this episode, including BodyBio PC, Balance Oil, Butyrate and e-Lyte, you can find them here:

UK: BodyBio UK
US: BodyBio

Use my code VJ15 for 15% off.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and share it with someone who has been searching for answers to seemingly unrelated symptoms.

📥 Ready for a more structured, personalised approach?
→ Apply to work with me
— we’ll create a clear, step-by-step plan tailored to your body, your symptoms, and your goals.

🧪 Want to understand what’s happening beneath the surface?
→ I use functional testing in clinic to assess gut health, nutrient status, and digestion — including markers related to bile flow, microbial balance, and inflammation.
You can explore the tests I use here:
https://theautoimmunitynutritionist.com/functional-testing/

📥 New to the podcast or need a starting point?
→ Download my free The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan
— a simple guide that outlines the steps I recommend

The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Please note: these are affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you purchase through them, at no additional cost to you.

Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

Send us Fan Mail

Have you ever felt like your symptoms don't quite fit together?

Perhaps you've struggled with IBS, migraines, chronic fatigue, dizziness, joint pain or food sensitivities, yet every symptom has been treated in isolation. What if they were all connected?

In this episode, I'm exploring the often-overlooked world of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD), and why being "double-jointed" is only a small part of the story.

We'll discuss how connective tissue influences almost every system in the body, why hypermobility can affect your gut, immune system and nervous system, and why so many people spend years searching for answers before receiving a diagnosis.

I also share why this topic has caught my attention recently, including reading Lena Dunham's memoir, where she describes how a reader recognised the signs of hypermobility after seeing a photograph of her bending her thumbs backwards. It's a powerful reminder that sometimes the clues have been there all along—we've just never been taught how to connect them.

We'll also look at the exciting changes coming to the diagnostic criteria for EDS and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders, and what these updates could mean for improving recognition and diagnosis in the future.

Finally, I'll share some practical ways to support connective tissue, the nervous system and overall health through nutrition and lifestyle, regardless of whether you have a diagnosis.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why EDS is about far more than flexible joints
• The overlooked signs and symptoms of hypermobility
• The connection between hypermobility, IBS, bloating and gut motility
• Why migraines, dizziness and fatigue may share a common thread
• The relationship between hypermobility, POTS and the autonomic nervous system
• Histamine, mast cells and why some people become increasingly reactive
• The upcoming changes to EDS and Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder diagnostic criteria
• Nutrition and lifestyle strategies to support connective tissue health
• Why understanding patterns—not just individual symptoms—can transform your health journey

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review and share it with someone who has been searching for answers to seemingly unrelated symptoms.

📥 Ready for a more structured, personalised approach?
→ Apply to work with me
— we’ll create a clear, step-by-step plan tailored to your body, your symptoms, and your goals.

🧪 Want to understand what’s happening beneath the surface?
→ I use functional testing in clinic to assess gut health, nutrient status, and digestion — including markers related to bile flow, microbial balance, and inflammation.
You can explore the tests I use here:
https://theautoimmunitynutritionist.com/functional-testing/

📥 New to the podcast or need a starting point?
→ Download my free The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan
— a simple guide that outlines the steps I recommend

The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

Send us Fan Mail

If you've ever worried that your child isn't eating enough vegetables or wondered how to improve their diet without creating stress around food, this episode is for you.

In this short, practical episode, I share five simple ways to increase the nutrient density of your child's meals without focusing on restriction or perfection. Instead of asking, "What should I take away?" I encourage you to ask, "What can I add?" Small, consistent changes can make a remarkable difference to your child's nutrition, growth and long-term health.

We'll explore easy ways to include more nutrient-rich foods that support immune function, brain development and overall wellbeing, while keeping meals familiar and family-friendly.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why focusing on nourishment rather than restriction creates a healthier relationship with food.
• How to introduce organ meats in a way children are unlikely to notice.
• Simple ways to make smoothies far more nutrient-dense.
• How to incorporate extra vegetables into sauces and everyday meals.
• Easy swaps and additions that significantly improve the nutritional value of familiar family favourites.
• Why tiny changes, repeated consistently, have a much bigger impact than striving for perfection.

Whether you're raising a toddler, feeding teenagers, or simply looking for realistic ways to improve your family's nutrition, this episode is packed with practical ideas you can start using today.

If you enjoyed this episode, I'd love it if you subscribed, left a review, or shared it with another parent who wants to support their child's health through nutrition. For more evidence-based advice on children's health and autoimmunity, visit my website or connect with me on Instagram.

🧘‍♀️ Need nervous system support?
→ I personally use and recommend SONA, a vagus nerve stimulation device clinically shown to support immune balance, inflammation, and stress recovery.
Use code VJ10 for 10% discount at checkout. 

📥 New to the podcast or need a starting point?
→ Download my free The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan
— a simple guide that outlines the steps I recommend to all clients as they begin calming the immune response and rebuilding resilience.

The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

Send us Fan Mail

What if healing is not just about changing your diet, but also changing the thoughts, beliefs and patterns that keep you stuck?

In this episode of The Autoimmune RESET, I am joined by Wendy Valentine, author, speaker and host of The Midlife Makeover Show, to discuss reinvention, self-worth and creating a life that truly supports your health.

After experiencing divorce, health challenges and major life changes, Wendy shares how she rebuilt her life by reconnecting with herself, shifting old beliefs and taking small steps towards the future she wanted to create.

We explore the connection between our thoughts, emotions, energy and physical wellbeing — and why healing often starts with becoming aware of what we are holding onto.

In this episode we discuss:

• Wendy’s journey of transformation and reinvention
• How beliefs and old stories can keep us stuck
• The role of mindset, emotions and energy in healing
• Why self-awareness is the first step towards change
• How to connect with your future self
• Why it is never too late to create a new chapter

A powerful conversation about letting go of what no longer serves you and stepping into the life you truly want to live.

Connect with Wendy Valentine:
To continue your journey of reinvention, Wendy has created a range of free resources including her Happiness Hacks, Trigger to Treasure Technique, Emotional Master Manual and Superhero Quiz.

You can access these here:
https://wendyvalentine.com/freebies

You can also find Wendy’s book, Women Waking Up: The Midlife Manifesto for Passion, Purpose, and Play, where she shares her roadmap for creating more passion, purpose and joy in your next chapter.

Find out more here:
https://womenwakingup.com

📥 New to the podcast or need a starting point?
→ Download my free The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan
— a simple guide that outlines the steps I recommend

You can also connect with me here:

Instagram: @theautoimmunitynutritionist

Website: www.autoimmunenutritionclinic.com

If you enjoyed this episode, I would be so grateful if you shared it with someone who may benefit from hearing it, or left a review on your podcast platform of choice.

The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.

Send us Fan Mail

In this solo episode of The Autoimmune RESET Podcast, VJ shares five of her favourite books for cultivating more calm, presence and mindfulness in everyday life.

While nutrition, movement and supplements can all play an important role in supporting health, learning how to slow down and create moments of safety is just as important for supporting the nervous system.

VJ shares the books she comes back to whenever life feels overwhelming — the ones you can pick up at any time for a little more perspective, self-compassion and inspiration.

In this episode, VJ explores:

• Why living in the present moment can help reduce stress and overwhelm
• The importance of creating simple rituals to pause and reset
• How self-compassion supports healing and personal growth
• Why small, ordinary moments often bring the most joy
• How letting go of control can create more peace and freedom

Books mentioned:

• The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
• Good Vibes, Good Life by Vex King
• The Pivot Year by Brianna Wiest
• The Unexpected Joy of the Ordinary by Catherine Gray
• The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, constantly “on”, or simply craving a slower pace, this episode is your reminder to create space, reconnect with yourself and find moments of calm in everyday life.

🧘‍♀️ Need nervous system support?
→ I personally use and recommend SONA, a vagus nerve stimulation device clinically shown to support immune balance, inflammation, and stress recovery.
Use code VJ10 for 10% discount at checkout. 

📥 New to the podcast or need a starting point?
→ Download my free The Autoimmunity Recovery Plan
— a simple guide that outlines the steps I recommend to all clients as they begin calming the immune response and rebuilding resilience.

The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Thanks for listening! You can join The Autoimmune Forum on Facebook or find me on Instagram @theautoimmunitynutritionist.