What if your weight loss resistance wasn’t about willpower… but about what’s being missed?

In this episode of the Thyroid Strong Podcast, Dr. Emily Kiberd sits down with her client Donna, who shares her powerful six-month transformation after years of feeling stuck, inflamed, and exhausted.

Donna wasn’t just dealing with Hashimoto’s.

Her case included a layered history of Lyme disease, chronic fatigue, systemic yeast overgrowth, mold sensitivity—and even a recent concussion that required her entire fitness approach to be modified.

And yet… she still lost nearly 40 pounds.

This is what happens when you stop guessing—and start addressing the root cause.

In This Episode, We Cover:

Why “eat less, move more” failed Donna for years
The hidden root causes keeping weight stuck (including parasites)
How high eosinophils can point to deeper immune activation and a parasitic infection
The exact shifts that helped her go from 220 → 181 pounds
How to rebuild strength when your body can’t tolerate intense workouts
Why microdosing movement (instead of long workouts) can be a game-changer
The role of sleep, hydration, and macros in thyroid-friendly fat loss
How personalized coaching (not cookie-cutter plans) accelerates results

Key Takeaways

Donna’s success wasn’t about doing more.

It was about doing what actually worked for her body.

Her protocol included:

Customized macros + consistent food logging
Increased daily water intake
Earlier bedtime (10 PM) to support recovery + hormones
Gradual walking progression up to 45 minutes
Strength “microdosing” throughout the day using phone alarms

When her labs revealed elevated eosinophils, we dug deeper—

and uncovered two underlying parasites contributing to inflammation and weight retention.

Once addressed, everything started to shift.

00:00 Welcome and why Donna’s Hashi story might sound like yours

00:39 Years of chronic illness and burnout

01:50 Deciding to invest in herself

02:53 Starting point and weight loss goal

03:44 Concussion-friendly fitness strategy

05:24 Sleep and walking habits that stuck

06:19 Macros tracking and hydration basics

07:13 Parasite clue and deeper testing

08:59 Commitment and paying for tests

09:55 Closet wins and daily life changes

11:49 Family ripple effects and support

12:24 Program structure and extra calls

12:46 Coaching Access and Support

14:04 Accountability Without Shame

14:49 Biggest Wins and Macros

15:49 Locking In for Life

17:36 Payment Options and Testing

20:32 Supplements Made Simple

21:55 Handling Stress and Self-Priority

23:49 Final Encouragement and Wrap Up

What Makes This Story Different

This wasn’t a perfect, linear journey.

Donna navigated:

A concussion recovery
Winter setbacks
Fluctuating energy levels

But with ongoing support—including text access and additional coaching calls—she stayed consistent, adjusted when needed, and built momentum.

Now, she’s not just lighter—she’s stronger, more mobile, and confident in maintaining her results.

If You Feel Stuck…

If you’ve been told your labs are “normal”…

If you’re doing everything right but not seeing results…

If your body feels inflamed, fatigued, and resistant…

This episode will show you what’s possible when you finally address the full picture and look at Hashimoto’s from a root cause approach.

Ready for Your Own Transformation?

If you’re ready to stop guessing and get a personalized plan built for your body:

👉 Apply for 1:1 Functional Medicine Coaching:

https://www.dremilykiberd.com/functional-health-coaching/

👉 Want to figure out what’s driving your Hashi symptoms? Sign up for our Hashi Symptom Audit

https://l.bttr.to/zD2Uu

👉 Or get custom workouts + macros inside Thyroid Strong Elite:

https://www.dremilykiberd.com/elite/