Podcast Summary: The Dr. Josh Axe Show – "She CURED Her Auto-Immune Disease Eating This One Thing | Mikhaila Peterson"
Introduction
In the April 17, 2025 episode of The Dr. Josh Axe Show, host Dr. Josh Axe welcomes Michaela Peterson, a pioneer of the Lion Diet—a strict carnivore diet centered on red meat consumption. Joined by Jordan Peterson, they explore Michaela's remarkable journey overcoming severe auto-immune diseases through dietary changes, her insights into chronic inflammation, and her ongoing mission to help others achieve similar healing.
Michaela’s Health Journey
Michaela Peterson offers a candid recount of her lifelong battle with auto-immune disorders. Diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis at age seven, she endured multiple joint replacements by her late teens and was prescribed immunosuppressants and antidepressants to manage her symptoms and mental health challenges.
Notable Quote:
- Michaela Peterson [00:16]: “I was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis at 7… [it] took about five years to diagnose, because at that time, it was rare.”
Her health deteriorated further during university due to a poor diet rich in processed foods, leading her to drop out. By age 23, motivated by persistent symptoms, Michaela began experimenting with elimination diets to identify triggers exacerbating her condition.
Notable Quote:
- Michaela Peterson [07:24]: “I’ve been only eating beef since December 2017.”
The Lion Diet and Its Impact
Michaela explains her transition to the Lion Diet, a regimen consisting solely of beef, which has been instrumental in bringing her auto-immune symptoms into remission. This drastic dietary shift not only alleviated her physical ailments but also her psychiatric issues, enabling her to reduce and eventually eliminate multiple medications.
Notable Quote:
- Michaela Peterson [00:14]: “I’ve only eaten beef since December 2017. But I’ve popularized the Lion Diet because thousands of people with autoimmunity or psychiatric disorders go into remission eating only meat.”
Dr. Axe and Jordan Peterson discuss the effectiveness of meat-based diets in reducing inflammation and managing chronic diseases, emphasizing that meat is easier to digest and less fermentable, thereby minimizing gut microbiota disturbances.
Notable Quote:
- Jordan Peterson [09:07]: “Most people think that meat's hard to digest and it's actually the opposite. Meat is much easier to digest than raw nuts and vegetables.”
Challenges and Reintroducing Foods
While the Lion Diet has yielded significant health improvements, Michaela shares her attempts to reintroduce other foods, which often resulted in severe auto-immune flare-ups. Her experience underscores the challenges many face in moving beyond an all-meat diet, highlighting that while some can slowly reintroduce foods, others remain dependent on meat to maintain their health.
Notable Quote:
- Michaela Peterson [16:33]: “Half, maybe more than half, there’s definitely a subset of people that are like, I can’t eat anything else. My symptoms come back.”
Dealing with Mold and Secondary Factors
Michaela recounts a period when she moved into a mold-infested house, which triggered a resurgence of her auto-immune symptoms. This experience led to a diagnosis of Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (CIRS), emphasizing the importance of environmental factors in managing chronic health conditions.
Notable Quote:
- Michaela Peterson [12:50]: “I moved into a particularly moldy house… I had a bunch of my autoimmune symptoms come back. Now, I was still functional, but it got to a point where I was having trouble walking upstairs.”
Dr. Axe highlights the crucial role of addressing environmental toxins alongside dietary interventions to achieve comprehensive health improvements.
The Role of Faith
A profound aspect of Michaela’s journey is her spiritual growth. Raised with Christian principles, her faith deepened through personal and family health crises, providing her with resilience and a sense of purpose. Her mother's battle with cancer and subsequent spiritual transformation inspired Michaela to embrace Christianity more fully, integrating faith with her health journey.
Notable Quote:
- Michaela Peterson [51:53]: “I think the best piece of advice my dad has given me was, hey, everyone. ... Don’t use your illness as an excuse.”
Jordan Peterson and Michaela discuss how faith has been integral to her healing process, offering emotional support and a framework for understanding her experiences.
Peterson Academy and Future Endeavors
Michaela highlights her involvement with Peterson Academy, an online educational platform co-managed with Jordan Peterson. Launched six to seven months prior, the academy has already attracted 47,000 users, surpassing her expectations. She expresses excitement about the platform’s growth and future plans, including accrediting courses and expanding educational offerings.
Notable Quote:
- Michaela Peterson [60:43]: “I’m really excited for the direction Peterson Academy is heading in… We have 47,000 people on the platform.”
Additionally, Michaela mentions her aspiration to open a health-focused restaurant, emphasizing her commitment to promoting wellness through both diet and lifestyle.
Conclusion
Michaela Peterson’s story is a testament to the transformative power of diet and holistic health practices in overcoming severe auto-immune conditions. Her advocacy for the Lion Diet has provided hope and tangible relief for thousands struggling with chronic illnesses. Through her work with Peterson Academy and her ongoing health journey, Michaela continues to inspire and empower individuals seeking to reclaim their health and well-being.
Notable Closing Quote:
- Michaela Peterson [02:22]: “I think if I can help some, like one person, avoid the hell that I’ve experienced with autoimmunity, my suffering will be worth it.”
This summary captures the essence of Michaela Peterson’s interview on The Dr. Josh Axe Show, highlighting her personal health journey, the impact of the Lion Diet, challenges faced, the role of faith, and her future endeavors. Notable quotes with timestamps are included to provide direct insights from the conversation.