Shows
The Autoimmune Babe PodcastHow Nervous System Dysregulation Can Trigger Autoimmunity
How Nervous System Dysregulation Can Trigger Autoimmunity
Have you ever wondered: “Why do I feel worse even when I’m eating ‘healthier’?” “Why do flare-ups hit harder on stressful weeks?” “Is there a gentler way to reduce inflammation without living on elimination diets?” this episode is for you.
In this eye-opening talk, Gianna explains how feeling chronically unsafe in your body keeps you stuck in inflammation and why healing starts with a gentle, 'more feminine' approach that highlights regulation, connection, and nourishment. You’ll learn the three mistakes that stall progress (it’s not just diet), how to...
2025-10-2138 min
The Autoimmune Babe PodcastHow Start Healing Your Gut Health? — An Interview with Emily PradaYou've likely Googling it — Can autoimmune disease go into remission? What foods heal autoimmune symptoms? What’s the fastest way to reset your immune system?
In this episode, Gianna is interviewed by Emily Prada and discusses the popular questions about starting a healing journey, gut health and autoimmune remission. You’ll discover why gut healing starts with digestion, why elimination diets don't always work , and how to start a healing journey if you’ve been told “there’s nothing more you can do.”
Chapters00:00 Intro & why “health” ≠ restriction03:05 Gianna’s diagnosis story (linear morphea scleroderma...
2025-10-1436 min
The Autoimmune Babe PodcastHow I Reversed Scleroderma Naturally as a Clinical Nutritionist | Q&A Episode
How I Reversed Scleroderma Naturally | My Story as a Clinical Nutritionist
Episode Summary
In this unfiltered Q&A episode, Gianna opens up her unread DMs and answers questions from autoimmune women like you on what she did to achieve unmedicated remission and what she diet(s) were a resource to her autoimmune healing along the way.
Gianna opens up about the dark side of anti-inflammatory diets, the emotional side of remission, and why strengthening your digestion—before focusing on your gut—is what truly changes the game. You’ll walk away with cla...
2025-10-0721 min
The Autoimmune Babe PodcastPOSTbiotics or Probiotics? The Gut-Health Duo Changing Autoimmune HealingPOSTbiotics or Probiotics? The Gut-Health Duo Changing Autoimmune Healing
Episode Summary
What if probiotics aren’t the first step and sometimes, probiotics can make symptoms worse?
In this episode, Gianna explains the crucial difference between probiotics and POSTbiotics, and why introducing the right supplement at the right time can make all the difference on your healing journey. You’ll learn how your gut microbiome functions as an ecosystem (not a math equation), why adding probiotics at the wrong time can backfire, and increase your odds of a flare up.
What You’ll Learn...
2025-09-2310 min
The Autoimmune Babe PodcastWhat Are Probiotics & Do They Increase Your Odds of Remission?
What Are Probiotics & Do They Increase Your Odds of Remission?
Episode SummaryProbiotics are a multi-billion dollar industry, but are they really worth the hype when it comes to autoimmune healing? If you’ve ever wondered whether probiotics can actually help reduce inflammation and increase your odds of remission, this episode is for you.
Gianna breaks down what probiotics are, how they interact with your gut microbiome, and why supplement quality matters more than you think. You’ll also learn why random probiotics can sometimes make symptoms worse, and the crucial role prebi...
2025-09-1708 min
The Autoimmune Babe PodcastLiving Life Again with Lupus: How Megan Found Freedom from Autoimmune Fear After 25 Years
When you've been sick for so long (I'm talking years), it can feel delusional to hope in healing. Because countless times before you've likely tried to eat better, hydrate more, work out consistently, and nothing seemed to help you truly feel better.
In this week's episode, we get honest about the messy middle of autoimmune healing. Gianna sits down with her client Megan (25+ years with lupus) to unpack how she started living life again—finding joy, advocating with confidence, and finally experiencing freedom from all-consuming autoimmune fear.
This conversation reflects the same patterns Gian...
2025-09-0254 min
The Autoimmune Babe PodcastWhy Your Autoimmune Symptoms Aren’t Improving Despite Eating Healthy
Are you doing all the right things, eating healthy, working out, taking supplements and still not feeling better? You’re likely making these 3 mistakes. In this episode, I break down 3 "wellness" mistakes that keep your body stuck in pain, fatigue, and inflammation.
These are the very patterns I see over and over again in my clients and the same ones I made during my 10-year battle with scleroderma before finally reaching unmedicated remission.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
Why the all-or-nothing mentality sabotages healing.
The truth about elimination diets (and...
2025-08-2648 min
The Autoimmune Babe PodcastFoods That Help You Heal: Postpartum Recovery, Breastfeeding, and Mental Wellness
Did you know that after birth, your placenta leaves behind a wound the size of a large dinner plate?
In this nourishing and insightful episode, Gianna sits down with postpartum specialist Samantha Franceschini to explore what most new moms aren’t told about recovery: the power of food, rest, and gentle support. Together, they unpack the physiological changes that occur after childbirth, how under-eating can hinder healing, and why warm, nutrient-dense meals are essential for both physical and mental wellness.
Whether you’re expecting, recovering, or supporting a postpartum mom, this conversation will chang...
2025-08-1933 min
The Autoimmune Babe PodcastYour Illness Is Not Your Identity: How to Reclaim Your Life with Scleroderma and Start Healing
If you’ve struggled with autoimmune disease for years, you likely understand the grief that often comes with symptoms, flares, and changes that feel beyond repair.
In this intimate and empowering solo episode, Gianna shares how her identity was shaped by 12 years of living with scleroderma—and what it took to finally break free from the “sick girl mentality.” Through personal stories and real-life strategies, she offers hope to anyone who’s ever felt trapped in their diagnosis and shows what’s possible when you stop identifying with your illness and start believing in your ability to he...
2025-08-1216 min
The Autoimmune Babe PodcastReclaiming Rest & Intimacy with God: A Guide for Women with Autoimmune Disease with Flo
What if the path to remission didn’t start with hustle, but with rest?
In this tender and transformative episode, Gianna sits down with Flo Pina, functional nutritionist and founder of The Catholic Nutritionist, to explore the intersection of women's health, autoimmune healing, and intimacy with God.
Flo shares her personal journey with Hashimoto’s, the lessons she learned from burnout, and how reclaiming Sabbath rest became a turning point in her physical and spiritual renewal. If you’ve ever felt like your worth is tied to productivity, or that slowing down is failing...
2025-08-0536 min
The Autoimmune Babe PodcastSmall Steps, Big Shifts: A Realistic Path to Healing Autoimmune Disease
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 possibl...
2025-07-2913 min
The Autoimmune Babe PodcastThe Bounce Back Lie: Real Talk on Weight Loss After BabyThe 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 actua...
2025-07-2221 min
The Autoimmune Babe PodcastHow I Started Healing from Scleroderma After 12 Years of Flares
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 d...
2025-07-1513 min
The Autoimmune Babe Podcast14 Years With Crohn’s: How Hannah Rebuilt Her Body and Put Crohn’s Into 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 belie...
2025-07-0831 min
The Autoimmune Babe PodcastHealing Alongside Medication: Why Autoimmune Drugs Aren’t the Whole Solution Can you actually start healing while taking autoimmune medication?
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 supp...
2025-07-0113 min
The Autoimmune Babe PodcastEp 13: Surviving Holiday Stress with Chronic Illness: The Next Step MentalityThe 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 s...
2024-12-0316 min
The Autoimmune Babe PodcastEp 12: How to Boost Your Fertility Naturally After Miscarriage with Dr. Heather RhodesEpisode 12 – How to Boost Your Fertility Naturally After Miscarriage with Dr. Heather Rhodes
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 in...
2024-11-261h 00
The Autoimmune Babe PodcastEp 11: "Lupus No Longer Defines Me" Megan Sexauer’s Road to Relief StoryIn 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...
2024-11-1855 min
The Autoimmune Babe PodcastEp 10: Battling Depression, Embracing Fatherhood, and Overcoming Debilitating Crohn's Disease With Tony DiBernardoDid 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 sha...
2024-11-1252 min
The Autoimmune Babe PodcastEp 09: News Flash - You Are NOT What You Eat!
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...
2024-10-2909 min
The Autoimmune Babe PodcastEp 08: Breaking Through Autoimmune Weight Loss ResistanceAre you someone who has been doing (what feels like) all the things when it comes to your health—exercising regularly, avoiding processed foods, and eating healthier than most people you know—but you’re not seeing any changes, especially with weight loss, this episode is for you.
What We Discuss: In today's episode, we’re diving into autoimmune weight loss resistance—what it is, how autoimmune inflammation plays a major role in your body’s ability to shed weight, and why it can feel like your efforts are being sabotaged.
Workshop Announc...
2024-10-2209 min
The Autoimmune Babe PodcastEp 07: When Miracles and Medicine Meet: A New Path to Life-Giving Symptom ReliefPodcast Title: Ep 07: When Miracles and Medicine Meet: A New Path to Life-Giving Symptom Relief
Episode Summary:In this episode of the *Road to Remission Podcast*, Gianna explores the miraculous story behind her healing journey, where faith and science came together in ways she never expected. If you’ve ever questioned how faith could play a role in physical healing, or wondered how science supports the body’s natural ability to fight autoimmune disease, this episode is for you.
Gianna shares the moment that changed everything—the miracle that started her path to remi...
2024-10-1516 min
The Autoimmune Babe PodcastEp 06: The Truth About Anti-Inflammatory Diets: Breaking the MythsEpisode Summary: In this episode of the Road to Remission Podcast, Gianna dives into a critical topic that often leaves women with autoimmune diseases feeling stuck: the truth about what an anti-inflammatory diet really is. If you’ve ever wondered why simply eating healthy or balanced meals isn’t providing the relief you expect, this episode is for you.
Gianna shares a powerful client story that highlights how shifting focus to anti-inflammatory nourishment—beyond just balance and blood sugar regulation—can bring real, lasting symptom relief. Gianna introduces her 3D Framework, designed to help you create anti-inflammatory meals th...
2024-10-0808 min
The Autoimmune Babe PodcastEp 05: The Secret to Overcoming a Sluggish MetabolismEpisode Summary:In this episode of Road to Remission Podcast, you dive into one of the most frustrating obstacles women with autoimmune disease face: a sluggish metabolism. If you've ever felt like you're doing everything right—eating healthy, staying active—but still not seeing the weight loss or health improvements you deserve, this episode is for you. Gianna reveals how inflammation plays a hidden yet powerful role in blocking your body's ability to metabolize nutrients effectively, making weight loss feel like an uphill battle.
Gianna explains how inflammation affects your metabolism much like a broken outlet disru...
2024-10-0108 min
The Autoimmune Babe PodcastEp 04: The High Cost of Waiting: How Investing in Your Health Today Saves You Thousands TomorrowEpisode Description: In this episode, we dive into the real cost of putting off your healing journey. For women with autoimmune diseases, the longer you wait to prioritize your health, the more it impacts not just your quality of life but your wallet, too. From rising medical bills and expensive treatments to the emotional toll of unmanaged symptoms, delaying action only adds to the burden.
We’ll break down how investing in your health now can save you thousands in the future—and give you the relief you’ve been searching for. Tune in to learn how taking...
2024-09-2412 min
The Autoimmune Babe PodcastEp 03: You Are Not a Math Equation: The Truth About Autoimmune Remission
This is a special episode where we dive deep into the science proving that autoimmune remission is possible. We explore how food can be powerful medicine when this one area of your health is functioning effectively, and how starting the healing journey means embracing your humanness, not just following a formula.
I’ll share insights from both my personal journey and nutrition frameworks based on the latest research, showing you that healing is not about checking off a list of rigid rules but about meeting yourself where you are and taking steps that feel right for...
2024-09-1711 min
The Autoimmune Babe PodcastEp 01: How to Break Free From Sick Girl Identity
In this episode of the Road to Remission podcast, Gianna discussed the often overlooked emotional and psychological experience of living with an autoimmune disease—and how, for many women, it can become deeply intertwined with your sense of self. We’ll explore the "Sick Girl Identity," what it is, and why breaking free from it is crucial to your healing journey.
Gianna shares her personal battle with the "Sick Girl Identity" and how confronting this mindset was a pivotal moment on her road to remission. This episode offers actionable steps to help you rediscover who you are...
2024-09-1011 min
The Autoimmune Babe PodcastEp 02: Discover the Overlooked Catalyst to Transformational Healing
In this episode of the Road to Remission podcast, Gianna "Gigi" takes a deep dive into the powerful impact of stepping into new spaces—both physically and mentally—and how this can be the catalyst to transformation healing.
Gigi shares her personal story of seeking quick tips to manage her condition, only to discover a life-changing framework that empowered her to fight for her health in a whole new way—where she and her body became partners on the same team. Through her experiences, she highlights the importance of finding support systems to guide you on your p...
2024-09-1009 minThe Autoimmune Babe PodcastEpisode 00 - Welcome to Road to RemissionWelcome to the Road to Remission podcast, where we believe remission from autoimmune disease can be a realistic goal. Hosted by Gianna Michalak MS, CNS - a functional nutritionist, autoimmune warrior in remission, and your guide to transformational relief. You can expect this podcast to offer inspiration, expert insights, and actionable strategies that help see that increasing your odds of remission is possible. In this trailer episode, Gianna introduces the heart of Road to Remission, and her mission to help women with autoimmune diseases live deeply fulfilling present lives. Whether you're new to a life with autoimmune disease or...
2024-08-1901 min
Understanding Disordered Eating: Eating Disorder Recovery and Body Image HealingGut Health and Disordered Eating with Gianna Michalak MS, CNSWhen gut health issues, chronic illness, and disordered eating meet at a crossroads, how does someone take steps towards healing? That's the subject we tackle today with Gianna Michalak, a Certified Nutrition Specialist and specifically gut health nutritionist. She works with women who have chronic illnesses to optimize their digestion and improve their quality of life. If you're an Instagram person, Gianna puts out TONS of information that's both entertaining and informative on her Instagram and she has a new program out: The Gut Restore Program. Normally, when you go to some...
2022-08-0241 min