Three days into January, and your resolutions are mocking you with that wired-tired crash? Snoozing five times, three coffees by 10am, napping in your car, brain fog rereading emails, sound familiar? As a 32-48-year-old high-achiever in marketing, healthcare, or corporate mid-level, I've lived the flop: Normalizing exhaustion, joint pain, bloating, guilt over takeout, snapping at loved ones, and fearing flares cost your career. This episode pierces "everyone's tired" scripts: tired isn't normal, it's common and gives four science-backed tools for real, sustainable shifts without quitting your job or toxic positivity. No bubbly vibes, just hopeful realism fitting your hustle culture.

✓ Tool 1: 8-Min Energy Anchor – Vagus stimulation (Huberman Lab at hubermanlab.com) with hum (like Aerosmith's "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing") and eye trace to calm nerves, dodge 2pm crashes, and cut brain fog.✓ Tool 2: Blood Sugar Balancer – Pair carbs with protein to stabilize energy, end shaky irritability, and reduce flares.✓ Tool 3: Resolution Reframe Script – Shift "push through" guilt to grace (Gabor Maté at drgabormate.com), like closing 47 tabs on 2% battery.✓ Tool 4: Desk Drawer Reset – 5-min doodles for cortisol regulation, turning snaps to steady focus.

That crash taught me we're adapting, not failing, let's flare-proof your year.

Grab the free Flare-Proof Fresh Start Toolkit (with these tools expanded + planner) here: Fresh Start and Flare Free in 2026

For 1:1 coaching, book at desireewerland.com/privatecoaching. Individuals — Desiree Werland

Corporates, email desiree@desireewerland.com for wellness or Employers — Desiree Werland#AutoimmuneWarrior #HashimotosHealing #ChronicFatigue #NervousSystemRegulation #WomenWithAutoimmune #NewYearAutoimmune #InvisibleIllness #ThyroidHealing #AutoimmuneAtWork #BurnoutPrevention

Dive into this inspiring episode of Stronger Than Autoimmune featuring Russell Carter, co-owner of Heartland Elderberry Farms in Northern Indiana. Russell shares his journey from corporate America to sustainable farming, growing six varieties of American elderberries for premium immune-supporting syrup, and managing over 450 beehives for raw honey. Explore natural remedies, beekeeping, regenerative practices, and how elderberries aid autoimmune health. Ideal for wellness seekers!

About the Guest:Russell Carter is the co-owner of Heartland Elderberry Farms, located in Northern Indiana. Alongside his wife, he has built a vertically integrated farming operation specializing in cultivating six varieties of American elderberries. These nutrient-rich berries are crafted into premium elderberry syrup designed to support immune health. After leaving a career in corporate America, Russell pursued his passion for niche farming, combining innovation with tradition to bring high-quality, natural wellness products to families. In addition to elderberries, he manages a thriving beekeeping operation with over 450 beehives, producing the raw honey that sweetens Heartland’s elderberry syrup. Dedicated to transparency, sustainability, and uncompromising quality, Russell’s work reflects his mission to provide authentic, farm-grown wellness from the heart of the Midwest. Visit their website: https://www.heartlandelderberryfarms.com/

Timestamps:0:00 - From Corporate to Farming: A New Beginning4:26 - The Buzz About Beekeeping: A Sweet Hobby6:51 - Elderberries: A Family Tradition and Health Secret8:55 - The Quality of Elderberry Syrup: A Game Changer11:07 - Personal Experience with Elderberry: A Natural Remedy13:02 - Crafting the Perfect Elderberry Syrup: Ingredients Matter15:17 - Daily Rituals: How to Use17:36 - Sustainable Farming Practices in a Changing Climate21:22 - The Future of Farming: Regenerative vs Organic25:25 - Quality Over Certification: The Heartland Approach27:25 - The Health Benefits of Elderberries29:22 - Podcast Outro

About the Host:Dez is the host of Stronger Than Autoimmune Podcast, an advocate for autoimmune disease awareness. She offers private coaching and corporate consulting services to support individuals with autoimmune conditions. Through her solo podcasts and programs, Dez helps people with autoimmune disease in the workforce continue to work and thrive both at home and at work.

To learn more about the host: Desiree Werland

#ElderberrySyrup #ImmuneBoost #AutoimmuneHealth #SustainableFarming #Beekeeping #RegenerativeAgriculture #NaturalRemedies #ElderberryFarms #PodcastEpisode #WellnessTips #StrongerThanAutoimmune

As we head into New Year's, if your resolutions are already fading into that wired-tired crash, hitting snooze five times, chugging three coffees by 10am, napping in your car at lunch, or doom-scrolling "normal TSH but still exhausted", you're not failing!

As a high-achieving professional like you, I've lived those flop years: Normalizing brain fog rereading emails three times, guilt over takeout, snapping at your partner, and fearing this invisible illness will steal your career and dignity.

This teaser episode pierces those "everyone's tired" scripts: tired isn't normal, it's common and validates your autoimmune signals without shame. No toxic positivity, just two science-backed tools for real, sustainable shifts without quitting your job.

✓ Tool 1: 5-Min Vagus Nerve Anchor – Calm inflammation with a quick inhale-hold-exhale hum (like Aerosmith's "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing") and eye trace to dodge 2pm crashes and shaky irritability.✓ Tool 2: Symptom Reframe Script – Turn "I'm weak" guilt into empowering data, spotting triggers like stress to reduce flares.

Pushing through until you can't? I've been there! Let's make 2026 your breakthrough. For the full flare-proof episodes dropping soon, subscribe now.

Grab my free Flare-Proof Fresh Start Toolkit at desireewerland.com/newsletter. Ready for 1:1 coaching?

Book at Individuals — Desiree Werland

Corporates, email desiree@desireewerland.com for wellness to retain top talent or learn more here: Employers — Desiree Werland

#AutoimmuneWarrior #HashimotosHealing #NewYearAutoimmune #ChronicFatigue #NervousSystemRegulation #WomenWithAutoimmune #InvisibleIllness #ThyroidHealing #AutoimmuneAtWork #BurnoutPrevention

✓ Tool 1: 5-Min Vagus Nerve Anchor – Calm inflammation with a quick hum and eye trace (Huberman Lab-backed) to dodge 2pm crashes and shaky irritability.✓ Tool 2: Symptom Reframe Script – Turn "I'm weak" guilt into empowering data (inspired by Dr. Mark Hyman), spotting triggers like stress to prevent flares.

I've been there—pushing through until I couldn't. Let's make 2026 your turning point. Ready for 1:1 guidance? Visit desireewerland.com/privatecoaching. For corporate support to retain top talent, email desiree@desireewerland.com.

#AutoimmuneWarrior #HashimotosHealing #NewYearAutoimmune #ChronicFatigue #NervousSystemRegulation #WomenWithAutoimmune #InvisibleIllness #ThyroidHealing #AutoimmuneAtWork #BurnoutPrevention

Today on Stronger Than Autoimmune, I’m joined by Dr. Jason Bachewich, a naturopathic doctor who’s become the Sherlock Holmes of complex illness. After his own life-altering battle with Lyme disease, Dr. Jason made it his mission to uncover what most providers miss: hidden infections, co-infections, gut dysfunction, detox roadblocks, and the real reasons people don’t fully heal.

Dr. Jason has spoken internationally, helped develop Canada’s first publicly funded Lyme clinic, and now works with patients who’ve been told “your labs are normal”—yet still feel exhausted, inflamed, and stuck.

If you’ve ever wondered:👉 Why am I only 20–30% better?👉 Is this autoimmune… or something deeper?👉 Why do I flare when I start treatment?

This conversation will change how you look at healing.

We cover:• Why autoimmune symptoms can be driven by chronic infections• The truth about Lyme testing and why so many people test negative• Co-infections like Bartonella and Babesia—and how they complicate recovery• How to tell the difference between an autoimmune flare vs. infection activity• What Herxheimer (die-off) reactions actually mean—and how to manage them safely• Why chronic Lyme treatment can take months to years• When antibiotics, herbal protocols, or combined approaches make the most sense• Natural therapies for those who can’t tolerate long-term antibiotics• What Dr. Jason discovered working with CelWel, Long COVID, and chronic Lyme patients

If you want to work with the Lyme Doc Dr. Jason Bachewich, ND | Winnipeg Naturopath — Nature DoctorsCelWel Home – CelWel USA

If you’re navigating autoimmune disease, chronic Lyme, or unexplained symptoms—or you support employees dealing with invisible illness—this episode is a must-listen.

00:00 – Why this conversation matters if you’re “not getting better”

02:15 – Dr. Jason’s personal Lyme journey & how it reshaped his practice

06:40 – The top 3 reasons patients improve but never fully heal

11:10 – What co-infections are (Bartonella, Babesia) & why they matter

12:45 – Infection vs autoimmune flare: how to tell the difference

14:30 – Signs your autoimmune diagnosis may have an infectious root cause

18:10 – Understanding Herxheimer (die-off) reactions & staying safe

24:20 – Detox overload: liver & kidney warning signs to watch for29:50 – Why Lyme testing fails so many patients

35:15 – International testing: what’s different & why it’s more accurate

35:40 – Why chronic Lyme treatment can take 3 months to 2 years
38:30 – CelWel, Long COVID & chronic Lyme: what Dr. Jason discovered

✨ Ready to stop guessing and start healing?

If you’re an individual navigating autoimmune disease or chronic illness, learn how we work together through nervous-system-first autoimmune coaching. 🔗 Work with me: ⁠Individuals — Desiree Werland

If you’re an employer, HR leader, or executive looking to support employees with invisible illness and reduce burnout, absenteeism, and healthcare costs—I also work as a Corporate Autoimmune Health Consultant.🔗 Work with me: Employers — Desiree Werland

🎧 Don’t forget to follow Stronger Than Autoimmune, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who’s still searching for answers.

#StrongerThanAutoimmune #LymeDisease #ChronicLyme #AutoimmuneHealing #InvisibleIllness #ChronicIllness#FunctionalMedicine #NaturopathicDoctor#CoInfections #LongCovidRecovery #AutoimmuneCoach
#CorporateWellness #EmployeeHealth

Feeling like autoimmune is quietly stealing your ambition, your fire, your “I’ve got this” energy?

This episode is your Monday-morning shot of military-grade resilience.

30-year Army veteran and congressional-honored leader Otis “Scotty” Scott Jr., author of the book Stay Hungry joins Desiree for a no-BS conversation about how to stay driven when your body is throwing every possible roadblock at you.

Scotty doesn’t hand out supplements or vagus-nerve hacks. He hands out something way more powerful: the exact mindset framework (built on Maslow’s Hierarchy from his book, Stay Hungry) that has kept soldiers, CEOs, and now high-achieving women with autoimmune from ever giving up, even on the days they can barely get out of bed.

You’ll discover:✓ Why most motivation fails the second a flare hits – and the one question Scotty asks himself every morning to stay hungry anyway

✓ How to reframe “I’m exhausted” into “My physiological needs are screaming – now what do I do about it?” (the Maslow pivot that changes everything)✓ Why self-esteem isn’t about affirmations – it’s about stacking tiny, undeniable wins on your worst days (Scotty shows you how he does it)

Zero fluff. Zero “just meditate.” Just pure, battle-tested mindset from a man who has led through war and boardrooms, now passed straight to women who refuse to let chronic illness write the ending of their story.

✨ You were built for the boardroom AND the battle. Let’s keep both.

Connect with Scotty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/otis-scotty-scott-jr-scott-5ba8937/Grab Stay Hungry on Amazon from Otis “Scotty” Scott Jr. ⁠https://a.co/d/3Qd7eLq

🔗 Private coaching for ambitious women who want to protect their fire (and their body): Individuals — Desiree Werland

📧 Bring this mindset training to your team: desiree@desireewerland.com or Employers — Desiree Werland

#StrongerThanAutoimmune #StayHungry #MaslowMindset #AutoimmuneWarrior #CorporateAutoimmune #WomenWithAutoimmune #ChronicIllnessWarrior #HashimotosAtWork #InvisibleIllness #AmbitiousAndAutoimmune #AutoimmunePodcast #DesireeWerland #LeadershipMindset #ResilienceMindset

If you’ve ever heard “your labs are normal” while secretly crying in the work bathroom because you can barely function, this episode is your permission slip to stop gaslighting yourself.In this raw, 15-minute episode Desiree shares the exact four things she did the week she almost quit her director-level job with perfect attendance and a TSH of 2.8. No green juices, no quitting your career, no toxic positivity—just real, science-backed tools that actually work when you have Hashimoto’s, RA, lupus, or any autoimmune disease but still have KPIs to crush.

You’ll discover:

- The 90-second morning energy audit that cut Desiree’s flares by 60 % in two weeks

-The two-sentence “flex medical days” email script that gets approved in minutes without disclosing your diagnosis

- The $43 Amazon cart that replaced car naps (foot hammock, blue-light blockers, timer caps, Liquid IV sleep—exact links below)

- The zero-cost wellness-stipend tweak (backed by 2020 Journal of Pain Research meta-analysis) that cuts chronic-illness absenteeism up to 50 % and how companies are already doing it

Perfect for professional women searching: normal TSH but still exhausted, Hashimoto’s and career, autoimmune disease at work, invisible illness corporate job, chronic fatigue 2pm crash, brain fog at work, how to ask for accommodations without saying autoimmune.

Private 1:1 coaching (2 spots left in 2025): https://www.desireewerland.com/coaching/Corporate

Consulting: https://www.desireewerland.com/employers

If you’re crying in the work bathroom

→ 00:00The permission slip you’ve been waiting for

→ 00:30The week I almost quit (my ugly truth)

→ 01:00Tool #1: 90-sec energy audit that cut my flares 60%

→ 01:45Tool #2: Email script for 12 extra “flex medical days” (copy-paste ready)

→ 04:00Tool #3: My $43 Amazon kit that ended car naps

→ 06:15Tool #4: The $0 wellness tweak companies are sleeping on

→ 08:45You don’t have to choose health vs. career → 11:45

For every high-achieving woman with autoimmune disease who’s exhausted from choosing between her health and her ambitions — this episode is for you.

If you’re ready to stop white-knuckling through flares, get your energy and confidence back, and build a career that doesn’t cost you your body…

→ Send “Diana, I’m ready” to hello@desireewerland.com

or

→ Book your free Flare Management Strategy Call: desireewerland.com/individuals

Not ready for 1:1 yet? Join thousands of women getting weekly strategies that actually work with autoimmune: desireewerland.com/newsletter (free, zero fluff, open-and-save-every-time vibes)

For leaders & HR: Keep your top talent healthy, present, and thriving. I help progressive companies lower absenteeism and burnout in employees with autoimmune + chronic illness without stigma or generic wellness checklists.

→ Email hello@desireewerland.com with “Corporate” in the subject

or book a free consult: desireewerland.com/employers

You’re allowed to feel incredible in your body AND unstoppable in your career. Let’s make both true. You are #StrongerThanAutoimmune

Desiree Werland

Autoimmune Advocate | Flare-Proof Leadership Coach

#AutoimmuneDisease #AutoimmuneWarrior #Hashimotos #RheumatoidArthritis #Lupus #ChronicIllness #InvisibleIllness #AutoimmuneLife #FlareUp #ChronicFatigue #WomenInLeadership #CorporateWellness #WomenWithAutoimmune #AutoimmuneAtWork #ThriveWithAutoimmune #EnergyManagement #BurnoutPrevention #HighAchievingWomen #WomenSupportingWomen #ChronicIllnessWarrior #AutoimmuneCoach #FlareManagement #SpoonieLife #AutoimmuneHealing #WomenAndAutoimmune #HRWellness #EmployeeWellbeing #ChronicIllnessAdvocate

#NormalTSHButExhausted #NormalLabsButDying #Hashimotos #InvisibleIllness #ChronicIllnessAtWork #AutoimmuneBoss #SpoonieProfessional #ButYouDontLookSick #HashimotosWarrior #AutoimmuneDisease #ThyroidProblems #ChronicFatigue #BrainFog #CorporateWellness #WomenInLeadership

Are you dreading Thanksgiving because you know you’ll pay for it with a massive autoimmune flare in December?

You’re not alone. Thousands of professional women with Hashimoto’s, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, MCAS, or other autoimmune diseases search every year for “how to survive holidays with autoimmune disease” or “thanksgiving Hashimoto's or Sjogren's, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis flare ” and this episode is the exact roadmap my private clients are using right now to enjoy pie, laughter, and twinkle lights without waking up in January feeling like they got hit by a truck.

You’ll discover:

• Why your body feels like a Sims character who hasn’t peed in 3 days during the holidays (and how to hit pause)
• The 48-Hour Rule that lets you change plans without guilt (my client Sarah went from hosting 22 people to brunch-only and saved her entire December)
• The Pretty Plate Strategy so you’re the hero bringing the dessert everyone wants instead of the “weird diet” person
• The Bathroom Rescue Kit I tell every client to keep in their purse (peppermint oil + Loops + vagus nerve hack)
• The 4-minute art prompt that drops inflammation by calming your nervous system fast (science-backed)
• What managers/HR need to know when your rock-star employee suddenly needs more sick days in December

Plus a free Holiday Survival Guide with meal plans, scripts for food pushers, and daily rhythm checklist at desireewerland.com/holiday (link also below – grab it before it comes down Jan 2nd)

For every high-achieving woman with autoimmune disease who’s exhausted from choosing between her health and her ambitions — this episode is for you.

If you’re ready to stop white-knuckling through flares, get your energy and confidence back, and build a career that doesn’t cost you your body…

→ Send “Diana, I’m ready” to hello@desireewerland.com

or

→ Book your free Flare Management Strategy Call: desireewerland.com/individuals

Not ready for 1:1 yet? Join thousands of women getting weekly strategies that actually work with autoimmune: desireewerland.com/newsletter (free, zero fluff, open-and-save-every-time vibes)

For leaders & HR: Keep your top talent healthy, present, and thriving. I help progressive companies lower absenteeism and burnout in employees with autoimmune + chronic illness without stigma or generic wellness checklists.

→ Email hello@desireewerland.com with “Corporate” in the subject

or book a free consult: desireewerland.com/employers

You’re allowed to feel incredible in your body AND unstoppable in your career. Let’s make both true. You are #StrongerThanAutoimmune

Desiree Werland

Autoimmune Advocate | Flare-Proof Leadership Coach

#AutoimmuneDisease #AutoimmuneWarrior #Hashimotos #RheumatoidArthritis #Lupus #ChronicIllness #InvisibleIllness #AutoimmuneLife #FlareUp #ChronicFatigue #WomenInLeadership #CorporateWellness #WomenWithAutoimmune #AutoimmuneAtWork #ThriveWithAutoimmune #EnergyManagement #BurnoutPrevention #HighAchievingWomen #WomenSupportingWomen #ChronicIllnessWarrior #AutoimmuneCoach #FlareManagement #SpoonieLife #AutoimmuneHealing #WomenAndAutoimmune #HRWellness #EmployeeWellbeing #ChronicIllnessAdvocate

#NormalTSHButExhausted #NormalLabsButDying #Hashimotos #InvisibleIllness #ChronicIllnessAtWork #AutoimmuneBoss #SpoonieProfessional #ButYouDontLookSick #HashimotosWarrior #AutoimmuneDisease #ThyroidProblems #ChronicFatigue #BrainFog #CorporateWellness #WomenInLeadership

Follow on IG @strongerthanautoimmune

#AutoimmuneWarrior #AutoimmuneDisease #ChronicIllness #InvisibleIllness #Hashimotos #ChronicPain #Spoonie #SpoonieLife #ChronicIllnessWarrior #ButYouDontLookSick #RheumatoidArthritis #Lupus #Endometriosis #ThyroidHealth #FlareFreeHolidays #ThanksgivingWithChronicIllness #HolidayBoundaries #ChronicFatigue #AutoimmuneProtocol #WomenWithAutoimmune

Carolyn Routh (Nu-Blu) turned multiple strokes and Type 1 Diabetes into the heartbeat of a 20-year bluegrass career. Host, Desiree Werland uncovers how music became medicine, how Carolyn manages intense touring with T1D, and why giving up was never an option, no matter what her body threw at her.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome & Carolyn’s first stroke at the peak of her career
06:40 – Learning bass as stroke rehab that changed everything
15:20 – Daily realities of touring with Type 1 Diabetes
28:10 – The moment music became more than a job, it became survivalAdvice for anyone feeling their diagnosis stole their passion32:00 – Final thoughts

This episode is pure proof: your condition doesn’t get the final say : YOU do.

Huge gratitude to Carolyn Routh for her raw honesty and beautiful spirit!

Follow Nu-Blu everywhere: https://nu-blu.com | @nublubluegrass

You don’t have to figure this out alone.

For every high-achieving woman with autoimmune disease who’s exhausted from choosing between her health and her ambitions — this episode is for you.

If you’re ready to stop white-knuckling through flares, get your energy and confidence back, and build a career that doesn’t cost you your body…

→ Send “Diana, I’m ready” to hello@desireewerland.com

or

→ Book your free Flare Management Strategy Call: desireewerland.com/individuals

Not ready for 1:1 yet? Join thousands of women getting weekly strategies that actually work with autoimmune: desireewerland.com/newsletter (free, zero fluff, open-and-save-every-time vibes)

For leaders & HR: Keep your top talent healthy, present, and thriving. I help progressive companies lower absenteeism and burnout in employees with autoimmune + chronic illness without stigma or generic wellness checklists.

→ Email hello@desireewerland.com with “Corporate” in the subject

or book a free consult: desireewerland.com/employers

You’re allowed to feel incredible in your body AND unstoppable in your career. Let’s make both true. You are #StrongerThanAutoimmune

Desiree Werland

Autoimmune Advocate | Flare-Proof Leadership Coach

#AutoimmuneDisease #AutoimmuneWarrior #Hashimotos #RheumatoidArthritis #Lupus #ChronicIllness #InvisibleIllness #AutoimmuneLife #FlareUp #ChronicFatigue #WomenInLeadership #CorporateWellness #WomenWithAutoimmune #AutoimmuneAtWork #ThriveWithAutoimmune #EnergyManagement #BurnoutPrevention #HighAchievingWomen #WomenSupportingWomen #ChronicIllnessWarrior #AutoimmuneCoach #FlareManagement #SpoonieLife #AutoimmuneHealing #WomenAndAutoimmune #HRWellness #EmployeeWellbeing #ChronicIllnessAdvocate#NormalTSHButExhausted #NormalLabsButDying #Hashimotos #InvisibleIllness #ChronicIllnessAtWork #AutoimmuneBoss #SpoonieProfessional #ButYouDontLookSick #HashimotosWarrior #AutoimmuneDisease #ThyroidProblems #ChronicFatigue #BrainFog #CorporateWellness #WomenInLeadership

Follow on IG @strongerthanautoimmune

#StrongerThanAutoimmune #Type1Diabetes #StrokeSurvivor #Bluegrass #ChronicIllness #ResiliencePodcast #MusicAndHealing #AutoimmuneWarrior #T1D #WomenInMusic #NuBlu #HealingThroughMusic #DesireeWerland #InvisibleIllness #ChronicIllnessWarrior #InvisibleIllness #AutoimmuneDisease #Spoonie #Type1Diabetes #T1D #StrokeRecovery #BluegrassMusic #WomenInBluegrass #MusicHeals #HealingJourney #ResilientWomen #ChronicIllnessLife #AutoimmuneAwareness #SpoonieLife #DisabilityAndDreams