Autoimmune Besties Podcast Shanna Nemrow and Alene Brennan

Welcome to Season 4 of the Autoimmune Besties Podcast. 
Shanna and I are thrilled to be back with you - our autoimmune besties - for this very special episode!
This community spans the globe and covers the gamut of countless autoimmune diseases.
We come together here on this podcast to talk about day-to-day living with an autoimmune disease. 
If you’ve been with us since Season 1, welcome back! Thank you for your continued support by subscribing to the podcast. 
If you’re tuning in for the very first time today, welcome! We hope you enjoy the conversation and be sure to check out our previous seasons on iTunes and join the conversations we have over on Instagram at the Autoimmune Besties Podcast Page. 
It feels really good to be back recording a life update after a short break since Season 3. 
And we hope that our break serves as a reminder and encouragement for you to create space in your life too, when and where you need it. 
When living with an autoimmune disease, it’s important that you give yourself permission to manage your health and your energy. 
If you are in a season of life right now where you need to lighten the load in any aspect, give yourself permission to do so and equally as important, have the courage to start making that change today.
We often wait for a perfect moment to start - whether that’s a diet, a new lifestyle habit, or self care. And because the perfect moment never really arrives, those desires keep getting pushed back.  
As you hear us say often, celebrate progress over perfection.
Just take one small step each day in the direction of your goals and desire, and know that we’re cheering you on every step of the way. 
So, on today’s episode, Shanna and I are sharing life updates on our daily walk with autoimmune disease. We share what life has looked like for us over the past couple months and what we are excited about as we look forward to 2023.
So grab your favorite beverage, kick your feet up and enjoy this episode! And be sure to stay until the end because we have a special announcement about the future of our podcast that you won’t want to miss. 
Today’s episode highlights life updates from Alene and Shanna on: 
What’s one thing they’ve done over this break to help refresh themselves. What they’re doing differently now to manage your autoimmune disease than when you were first diagnosed. What are some things that you’re most excited about as we start this New Year?  Tune in and be sure to share your thoughts on today’s topic. We love to hear from you! And join the conversation on instagram with your fellow autoimmune besties at https://www.instagram.com/autoimmunebestiespodcast. 

We all know that no one and nothing is perfect. Including living well with autoimmunity.
Many of us experience times when we feel like we’ve got this whole “nutrition, lifestyle, and mindset to support autoimmunity” thing down…
And many of us experience times when we feel like we’ve fallen off the wagon, either all the way off or just a leg dangling.
I think it’s safe to say that we all can experience times of frustration in our wellness journey…when maybe we don’t have all our ducks in a row.
Alene and I are no different.
So today, we are opening up and sharing our own experiences with how to get back on track with autoimmune health.
In this episode we cover:
 
Our go to tips to get back on track as far as nutrition What we do when one or more of our lifestyle factors (like stress or sleep) gets off The first thing we do when we notice our mindset is slipping As always, think of what we share as a buffet. Take what serves you today, in this moment, and leave what doesn’t. We’d love to hear your tips for getting back on track…please head on over to our Instagram page Autoimmune Besties Podcast and share your go to tips.

Managing an Autoimmune Disease can feel like a full time job. 
Following the AIP or Wahls Protocol can feel like a full time job. 
Going to all the doctors appointments can feel like a full time job. 
So, what happens when you have an actual full time job on top of this? 
Managing a career while living with autoimmune disease is no easy task. 
Maybe you’ve had big dreams for your career and are starting to wonder if your autoimmune diagnosis is going to prevent you from achieving those dreams. 
Or maybe you’re simply figuring out how you can maintain your current job while still protecting your health. 
That’s why Shanna and I are sharing how we navigated the many challenges in our careers while living with autoimmune disease. 
We know that no two experiences with autoimmune disease are the same. 
Whether you’re working in an office or the CEO of your home, we hope you enjoy today’s conversation.
Tune in to learn: 
Shanna and Alene’s career journeys with autoimmune disease How to get your boss and coworkers to understand your needs and support you How to manage expectations when you have a desire to progress in your career but don’t feel you have the energy or health to do so.

With hundreds and autoimmune diseases and countless career paths, we know that no two journeys are the same. It’s important to honor where you’re on your journey - both health and career wise. 
Give yourself some grace because this road is not easy. 
But most importantly remember that you are not your diagnosis. You can have an amazing life - and career - while living with autoimmune disease. 
 
Please join the conversation on Instagram at the Autoimmune Besties Podcast page. Your voice and your story matters. 

Are mornings one of THE toughest times of day for you? 
Do you WANT to consistently start your day in a way that sets you up for success, but feel unsure as to what to include in a morning routine?
Are you looking for a couple of simple, practical tips to start your day in a supportive way?  
If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, this episode is for you! 
Today we are talking all about morning routines to support autoimmune health and wellness.
In this episode, Alene and I share:
What our morning routines looked like when we started our wellness journeys versus now The non negotiable part of our morning routines How our morning routines change at certain times of the year As always, we encourage you to take what we share that resonates with you today, and leave what doesn’t. Each of us are different, and we think that is a beautiful and powerful thing. 
YOU are the expert of your body, and the author of your story. We believe in you, and are cheering you on as you find your own personal morning routine that helps you feel your best inside and out! 
We’d love to hear what your favorite part of your morning routine is! Head on over to our Instagram page, Autoimmune Besties Podcast and share with us. We’d love to connect with you!

Today we have something special for you! Shanna is joined by her 16 year old daughter and they are diving into motherhood and autoimmune disease.
Being a mama bear and going through the experience of years of undiagnosed health issues, then hitting her rock bottom and starting her wellness journey is one of THE hardest things Shanna has gone through.
Shanna personally knows how hard it is to be a mama with autoimmune disease, but today she is here to tell you that what may feel devastating and heartbreaking today CAN strengthen your family.
In this episode Shanna shares some of her experience and asks her daughter to share her perspective as well. They laugh, they cry, and this episode will warm your heart!

Autoimmune Disease and pregnancy 
Does one affect the other?
Does your diagnosis impact your ability to get pregnant and sustain a healthy pregnancy?
Is it possible to follow the Wahls Protocol or AIP during pregnancy?
What about a post partpartum flare… are you at risk? 
Hi I’m Alene and today, I’m opening up about my fertility journey and pregnancy at 42 years old living with Multiple Sclerosis. 
It has been a long journey with a lot of doubts, fears, uncertainty and endless questions.
Because let’s face it, the road to motherhood is not always easy when you have “perfect health” let alone living with a chronic illness.
That’s why Shanna and I are opening up about our journeys with motherhood. 
This week I’m answering all your questions about fertility and pregnancy, as I’m a new momma living with MS. 
And next week Shanna will be back to continue the conversation on motherhood and autoimmune disease as she interviews her children to get their perspectives.
As always we share our stories, not to suggest that we’re doing it the “right way”
We share our stories because we know first hand how lonely this road with autoimmune disease can be… and how uncertain it can be. 
And we want to open the conversation up and simply share our experience in hopes that it will help to bring comfort and perhaps some clarity on your journey. 
Like you, I had many questions swirling around in my head about my dream to get pregnant and be an active mom. 
And since sharing about this journey, you’ve been asking me these same questions about yourself. 
So that’s what I’m answering for you today. 
This session is for you whether you are...
Newly diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and wondering what it means for your future plans of becoming a mother Actively trying to get pregnant, or Currently pregnant and wondering what’s ahead for you and baby. Whichever stage you’re at, I want to welcome you to this space where we can begin to answer the many questions that are likely running across your mind.