Life with Autoimmune Disease
In this blog post, we’re breaking down the key takeaways from our latest episode of Black Iron Radio, where Sam sits down with coaches Amanda and Acacia to talk about what it really looks like to live and train with an autoimmune disease. From Hashimoto’s and lupus to rheumatoid arthritis and celiac, they open up about their personal journeys and share what’s helped them—and their clients—navigate flare-ups, fatigue, food sensitivities, and the emotional toll of chronic illness. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been managing an autoimmune condition for years, this conversation offers practical tools, encouragement, and validation that you are not alone.
BLACK IRON RADIO EP. 239: LIFE WITH AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE
Sam, Amanda, and Acacia have a candid conversation about living, training, and fueling with autoimmune disease. From lupus and rheumatoid arthritis to Hashimoto’s and celiac, they dive into the daily realities of managing symptoms, advocating for your health, and finding balance through nutrition and lifestyle. They talk flare-ups, food triggers, elimination diets, alcohol, mindset shifts, and how to meet your body with compassion—especially on the hard days. Whether you’ve been diagnosed or love someone who has, this episode is full of insight, validation, and practical strategies for showing up when your body feels like it’s working against you.
📲 Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Living with an autoimmune disease often means waking up to a body that feels like it’s fighting you. At Black Iron Nutrition, we work with countless clients navigating that reality—and many of us live it ourselves. In this episode of Black Iron Radio, coaches Amanda and Acacia joined dietitian Sam to talk about what it really looks like to manage an autoimmune condition while still showing up for your goals.
From lupus and rheumatoid arthritis to celiac and Hashimoto’s, autoimmune diseases span a wide spectrum. Each person’s experience is unique—but a few things remain true across the board: inflammation plays a huge role, diagnoses can take years, and nutrition, movement, and mindset can dramatically shift the experience of living with these conditions.
The Basics: What Is an Autoimmune Disease?
At its core, an autoimmune disease occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own tissues, treating healthy cells as invaders. The result? Chronic inflammation, fatigue, joint pain, gut issues, and a host of unpredictable symptoms that often make diagnosis and treatment frustratingly complex.
Autoimmune conditions can stem from genetics, hormones, infections, medications, and environmental triggers. And often, they don’t travel alone—once you have one, you’re more likely to develop another.
How Nutrition Plays a Role
No, food won’t “cure” your autoimmune disease. But it can support your body’s ability to function, reduce flare frequency, and improve your quality of life. As Amanda put it: “The stuff that works to manage an autoimmune disease is the same stuff we teach any client—it’s just no longer optional. It’s non-negotiable.”
A few key themes:
Anti-inflammatory eating isn’t a buzzword—it’s a baseline. Focus on whole, colorful foods, omega-3 rich fats (think fish, avocado, olive oil), lean proteins, and fiber-rich plants.
Alcohol is a major trigger for most autoimmune clients. It’s inflammatory by nature, and even a glass of wine can tank energy, sleep, and joint comfort.
Micronutrient deficiencies are common due to poor absorption or medication interactions. Even if you’re eating well, testing might be necessary to spot gaps—especially for B12, vitamin D, iron, and magnesium.
Undereating is a flare trigger. Low calorie intake = systemic stress. Most clients do best at maintenance intake or above, not in constant deficit.
As Acacia shared: “If I don’t give myself what my body needs, I go from having a bad day to a horrendous day. It’s that simple.”
Elimination Diets: Helpful or Harmful?
Used correctly, elimination protocols like AIP or low-FODMAP can help pinpoint inflammatory food triggers. But too often, people never make it to the reintroduction phase—and end up over-restricted, undernourished, and burned out.
The bottom line? If a food isn’t a trigger for you, it’s not a trigger. More diversity = more resilience. The goal is always to eat as broadly and nutritiously as your body allows.
Living with a Flare: Grace Over Grind
One of the hardest parts of autoimmune life is accepting that your capacity changes—sometimes daily. You can feel fine one week and barely make it through the next.
So how do you care for yourself through the rollercoaster?
Prep “flare day” meals ahead of time—easy wins you can microwave when cooking feels impossible.
Build autonomy into your routine: frozen meals, snacks, and safe staples in the pantry.
Set boundaries and communicate with loved ones before you’re in a flare.
Keep a log to help spot patterns (even subtle ones).
Rest proactively, not just reactively.
Celebrate small wins. Sometimes eating a few bites is a victory.
As Amanda put it: “Your perception becomes your reality. You can’t always control the diagnosis—but you can control how you show up for yourself every day.”
You Are Not Broken
There’s grief in receiving a diagnosis—especially one that doesn’t go away. But you are not your disease. You are not weak. And you do not have to do this alone.
If you’re navigating life with an autoimmune condition, our team sees you. We are you. And we’re here to help you nourish yourself with compassion, resilience, and purpose.
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If you enjoyed this conversation, check out more episodes of Black Iron Radio, where we cut through the noise and give you real, no-BS advice on feeling, performing, and looking your best. Each week we share practical nutrition, training, and wellness strategies and tips to help you succeed.
📲 Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify