How I Cured My Two Autoimmune Conditions

Podcast: How I Built My Small Business
Host: Anne McGinty
Date: November 4, 2025

Episode Overview

In this deeply personal and unconventional episode, host Anne McGinty departs from her usual business-focused content to share her journey of healing from two autoimmune thyroid diseases. After 13 years on medication with more than a dozen endocrinologists telling her a cure was impossible, Anne charts the path she ultimately forged—a mix of Western and Eastern medicine, deep self-reflection, and lifestyle overhaul. Her hope is to offer insight, inspiration, and practical takeaways to others suffering from autoimmune conditions, and to create a lasting record for her family.

"I'm not a doctor and this episode certainly isn't medical advice. I'm simply sharing what worked for me in hopes it may help someone out there shortcut their recovery back to wellness."
— Anne McGinty (02:45)

Key Themes and Discussion Points

1. Early Signs, Missed Signals, and Diagnosis

[03:40–13:30]

• Anne recounts the subtle warning signs her body gave (“hands trembling after a fight”, “too excitable”, “heart pounding walking up a hill”) that she brushed off at the time.
• She describes how her workaholic tendencies, people-pleasing behaviors, poor sleep, and stress were compounding the situation.
• Looking back, she now recognizes these symptoms as her body “screaming to be heard”.

2. Frustrations with Conventional Medicine

[13:35–20:30]

• 10+ years of rotating endocrinologists, repeated drug tweaks, and even the suggestion of surgically removing her thyroid.
• Anne took medication “to buy time” but felt that it merely masked symptoms rather than solving the underlying imbalance.
• Notable quote:

  “Artificially controlling my levels and masking symptoms was never going to bring my body back to ideal wellness.”
  — Anne McGinty (16:55)

• Her ultimate decision: Stop outsourcing, become her own best physician, and find the root cause herself.

3. A Roadmap to Healing: Western Meets Eastern

[21:51–23:20]

Anne’s healing approach married Western and Eastern modalities—she initially thought the mix was 70% western, 30% eastern, but later realized the balance was flipped. Her roadmap consisted of six core focus areas:

A. Healing the Adrenals & Nervous System Regulation

[24:00–31:50]

• Anne posits that “thyroid disease is an adrenals problem that flows downstream to the thyroid.”
• Intensive rest: 10–12 hours/day sleep for six weeks—difficult at first but transformative by week three.
• Breathwork (4-7-8-4 method), mindfulness, epsom salt baths, less caffeine/sugar, adaptogenic supplements (ashwagandha, rhodiola, holy basil, selenium).
• Shifted from HIIT and competitive tennis to yoga, hiking, Pilates, gardening, sauna for gentle circulation and detox.
• Quote:

  “If you are not getting enough quality sleep, I would place attention there first. Remember, it's stress on the body that you're trying to find, when, where is the mental stress, emotional stress, physical stress and environmental stress?”
  — Anne McGinty (31:30)

B. Gut Healing & Reducing Inflammation

[32:00–39:45]

• Completed a strict 3-month AIP (Autoimmune Protocol) elimination diet (no grains, dairy, eggs, legumes, nightshades, nuts/seeds except coconut, processed foods, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, high glycemic foods).
• Gradual reintroduction phase plus meticulous journaling revealed surprising sensitivities (gluten, dairy, peppers, watermelon, eggplant).
• Anne shifted to a long-term diet: 99% gluten-, dairy-, and soy-free, focused on whole foods, mostly vegetables, and healthy fats.
• “It’s amazing what the body will communicate to you if you know how to listen.”

C. Mind–Heart Connection & Processing Grief

[40:00–47:20]

• The sudden death of Anne’s father (early 2021) caused her “first significant relapse”—bloodwork plummeted out of normal range and symptoms returned.
• Grief became an unexpected portal to deeper healing:

  “Grief… is like a cracking open.”
  — Anne McGinty (41:20)

• Leaned on gratitude practices, talking about her dad, grief-specific meditations, journaling.
• It took six months to reestablish balance, showing “the body can respond faster after it’s been through healing once.”

D. Expression & Protection of One’s Voice (Vagus Nerve/Vagal Tone)

[47:25–54:40]

• Relapse #2: A traumatic family incident showed Anne the need not only for mental boundaries but “training my body to feel those boundaries.”
• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy let her safely process a memory in a single, impactful session.
• Starting her podcast in honor of her father unexpectedly fostered more vagus nerve activation—“using my voice” through speaking, podcasting, and singing.
• “Your voice is medicine.”
• Notable quote:

  “When vagus nerve function or vagal tone is strong, it means your body can calm itself more easily after stress… and improve sleep and mood.”
  — Anne McGinty (50:05)

E. Alignment of Heart, Mind, and Gut (Authentic Self)

[54:45–59:20]

• Relapse #3: A heated argument/suppressed self-expression led to a physical flare. Anne recognized lifelong people-pleasing, avoidance of conflict, and fears around expressing her needs.
• She reflects:

  “You can try and be universally liked or you can be authentic, but you can't be both.”
  — Anne McGinty (58:32)

• Ongoing work: Letting go of bottled emotions, practicing self-acceptance, and adjusting the environment/lifestyle that nurtured illness.
• “Your authentic self is the integrated version of you that exists when all external pressures, expectations and fears fall away.”

F. Somatic Work & Emotional Release

[59:25–1:07:16]

• Joined a women’s circle; serendipitously connected with a friend studying somatic therapy—six weekly sessions ensued.
• Through guided breathwork and body scanning, she uncovered and released deep-seated guilt, pressure, and forgotten memories.
• Physical markers of healing included improved sweating/detoxification.
• Notable “synchronicity”: After asking her late father for a “hummingbird sign,” a hummingbird landed on her friend’s daughter’s wrist the same day as their Somatic session.

Maintaining Health Post-Recovery

[1:09:50–1:13:55]

Anne’s ongoing regimen for staying well, symptom-free, and medication-free for over three years includes:

• Time in nature, grounding, vitamin D from sunlight.
• Deep, heart-centered social connections and a sense of purpose.
• Using her voice compassionately and frequently.
• Daily deep breaths, meditation as prevention and self-regulation.
• Limiting caffeine and sugar, moving her body gently, frequent sauna.
• Practicing body scans (five minutes with silencing headphones).
• Living at a more relaxed pace, guided by intuition and a strong mind–body connection.

Final Reflections

• Anne stresses that autoimmunity is a message from the body that something is out of alignment.
• “Your body whispers before it screams, so learn how to listen early.”
• “You can't heal in the same environment or lifestyle that made you sick.”
• Foundational pillars: sleep, movement, nutrition, time in nature, authentic self-expression, and deep mind–body–spirit alignment.

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• “Even though the medical literature says there is 'no cure' for autoimmune diseases… Deep in my core, I knew it was possible.”
  — Anne McGinty (06:10)

• “I stopped outsourcing and decided to solve this myself… I am convinced that each person has the ability to be their own best physician.”
  — Anne McGinty (20:20)

• “It's amazing what the body will communicate to you if you know how to listen.”
  — Anne McGinty (38:10)

• “Grief… is like a cracking open.”
  — Anne McGinty (41:20)

• “Your voice is medicine.”
  — Anne McGinty (53:35)

• “You can try and be universally liked or you can be authentic, but you can't be both.”
  — Anne McGinty (58:32)

• “Your authentic self is the integrated version of you that exists when all external pressures, expectations and fears fall away.”
  — Anne McGinty (59:36)

• “Your body whispers before it screams, so learn how to listen early.”
  — Anne McGinty (1:13:10)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Diagnosis & backstory: 03:40–13:30
• Conventional medicine & frustration: 13:35–20:30
• Outline of Anne's approach: 21:51–23:20
• Adrenals & nervous system: 24:00–31:50
• Gut & inflammation: 32:00–39:45
• Grief & heart connection: 40:00–47:20
• Voice/vagus nerve: 47:25–54:40
• Authenticity & people-pleasing: 54:45–59:20
• Somatic work & synchronicity: 59:25–1:07:16
• Ongoing wellness regimen & closing thoughts: 1:09:50–end

Tone & Style

Anne’s delivery is compassionate, honest, and warmly educational. She combines vulnerability and detailed personal narrative with practical tips and gentle encouragement—a style that invites trust and deep reflection.

“Thank you for listening and going deep with me. If you have any questions, I welcome you to reach out.”
— Anne McGinty (1:14:10)

This episode stands as both a powerful story of self-healing and a resource-rich guide that blends science, intuition, and holistic wellbeing—an inspiring listen for anyone seeking hope, actionable wisdom, and mind–body resilience.