Today I’m sharing that after 10 years helping build and lead this movement and seven years at Autoimmune Wellness and AIP Certified Coach with Mickey, I have decided to step away from my work in the AIP space.
In a general sense, I am making this decision because I believe that slowing down and practicing community care are the next right things for me. I am so proud of everything Mickey and I have built and all the ways we’ve been able to serve the AIP community, but I don’t believe that my leadership in this space is the most valuable way I can contribute at this point.
To clarify, I still believe AIP is an incredibly powerful tool in the autoimmune management toolbox. I think that the future of AIP is bright and has already changed the standard of healthcare for autoimmune patients. After a decade of this work, I’d love to contribute to different conversations about health and wellness and support new voices ready to lead with fresh approaches to the AIP movement and new takes on the autoimmune healing journey.
My personal vision for the work I did in the AIP community was always to empower others so they could courageously contribute their voices to a revolutionary shift in the standard of autoimmune healthcare. And it’s right in our tagline here at Autoimmune Wellness that together, Mickey and I had a vision to build community. There are many, many voices now and the community is thriving. I think those visions are realized and now I’m making space for new visions.
I’m not entirely certain about all the details of my next steps, but if you’d like to follow my writing or learn a little more about the personal aspects of the decision to step away, you can find me here on Substack.
So, what does this mean for Autoimmune Wellness?
After I shared my decision with Mickey this past summer, we started to consider the best way forward for Autoimmune Wellness. We decided that turning it into an archive was the right path.
As an archive, all the current Autoimmune Wellness content, from groundbreaking research to definitive guides on the AIP basics, from practical how-to articles to hopeful stories of recovery, from the podcast to the hundreds of recipes, will continue to exist as a kind of dependable digital library to serve the autoimmune community. The resources on the site itself and the email auto-responder which offers free downloadable tools will be available to anyone looking for support in their healing journey.
New content will be limited and focused on opportunities to leverage the site and subscriber list to amplify the work of others in the Autoimmune Protocol space or share new and relevant events or research for those utilizing nutrition and lifestyle approaches in their autoimmune disease management.
Autoimmune Wellness social media accounts will also continue but will be used to amplify information and events important to the AIP community, share the work of other AIP recipe creators, spotlight AIP Certified Coach alumni, or to occasionally broadcast live interviews with autoimmune experts.
In particular, Mickey is looking forward to ramping up on the AIP research front and will serve as curator and steward of the Autoimmune Wellness archive and social media presence going forward.
What does this mean for AIP Certified Coach?
Mickey will continue to teach AIP Certified Coach and train new AIP coaches from across the health and wellness spectrum. Angie will be stepping away, but a dynamic new partnership is in the works and will be announced soon. If you are an AIP Certified Coach alum, look for emails with more details from Mickey soon.
If you are a provider interested in training, join the interest list here. If you are looking for AIP coaching support, find a coach at the directory here.
Thank you!
We had no idea what would happen when we started, but our intuition said to go for it. Thank you for also believing there was something here worth growing. We are deeply, sincerely grateful to all of you for being our readers and cheerleaders. For literally supporting us by clicking on this blog, buying our books, enrolling in our programs, and helping spread AIP.
We also want to acknowledge, with the deepest sense of gratitude, the team who helped grow and sustain Autoimmune Wellness over the years: Grace Heerman, Alicia Green, and Jordan Taylor.
We have also had an amazing core recipe and article team over the years who took the site to new levels with their contributions: Dr. Rob Abbott, Sarah Kolman, Sophie Van Tiggelen, Christina Feindel, Kate Jay, Alaena Haber, Kelsey McReynolds, Wendi Washington-Hunt, Beth Chen, Indira Pullidath, Kris King, and Erin Shearer.
It’s a privilege to have come this far and have a platform that now has long-term value for our fellow autoimmune patients. We know the legacy of our work represented in this archive, only possible because of your support and the work of our team, will continue to benefit and sustain the AIP movement well into the future.
If you’d like to listen to us discuss this decision, we uploaded a short episode of The Autoimmune Wellness Podcast that you can listen to below:
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26 comments
I don’t know what I would have done without AutoimmuneWellness when I was first diagnosed with Hashimoto’s Disease six years ago. You helped me see that there was hope and that I could have some control over what I was going thru. Wishing you both the best of everything for the next steps of your journey.
Linda, we are so glad it made the difference for you.
Thank you for pioneering & educating curious masses wanting to understand a way to feeling better through food….you really helped solidify that food truly is medicine! In a world filled with the naysayers & happy inside the box people you also gave us a place to feel “normal” which is a tremendous comfort on a lonely journey to recovery. Best wishes on your next chapter!! Thank you thank you thank you 🙏
It’s a privilege to be pioneers! Thanks for believing we had something worthy to offer & helping spread that information, Jill.
Thank you Angie, for all your help over the years, and the very best of luck to you for the future, whatever it holds. If I can be of any help, please get in touch.
Aaaw, you are so welcome, Roger! It was my privilege to serve.
Dear Mickey and Angie, A big thank you for all of your amazing work! Your website and books have been a huge support. Many blessings to you both💗Love, Gale
Gale, thank you for following along here & sharing this!
Dear Angie, dear Mickey, dear aipWellness-team, I felt left alone with my autoimmune disease(s) 12 years ago. There was hardly any information in Germany. Then I found Mickey’s “Autoimmune Paleo Cookbook” and followed the AUTOIMMUNEWELLNESS.com. I didn’t feel helpless and alone anymore. You guys accompanied me with your work and knowledge for 6 years now. I also bought your co-production “The Autoimmune Wellness Handbook” which I really love. There were ups and downs, and I took many detours cause my patterns to function, to perform and to “deliver” were too strong. But I have progressed step by step (and still do) and am now at a point of absolute gratitude for everything. You played a big role in this development. THANK YOU!
Dear Angie, I wish you all the best for your new direction. I’ve been following you on instagram, so I am already “part of this turn”, and I like it. Thank you for that too.
I could write a novel here (or rather sing an ode to you guys) in bad English, but limit myself to these lines, and hope that my gratitude comes across.
Best wishes and lots of gratitude and love, Kiki
Sirit, thank you so, so much for this share! We are privileged to have accompanied you.
Dear Angie and Mickey, I have been using AIP since May of 2021 after taking a SAD to AIP in 6. What a tremendous change in my health. Having previously been bed ridden for over a month with many doctor visits, er visits and hospitalization for over 3 weeks and still no answers I found your website with my own research and dove in. Now 18 months later I am having similar symptoms again but not as severe with some more medical explanations. Sjogren’s! Which I suspected and told them all along. Having had a flare up recently makes me feel like I got this now and will not get as bad as last time thanks to AIP. Sharing your journeys, others, recipes, coaching when needed etc., has been a life saver for me and many others. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Wishing the best for both of you moving forward. Sending love and prayers in your new endeavors and continued health for you both. Laura
Laura, wishing you lots of wellness!
I echo the accolades above. I found your community when I was diagnosed with my second autoimmune disease, one that was life-threatening. I follow this blog, participated in the SAD to AIP in 6 program and utilize your cookbooks and guides from the transition class frequently. I have shared your info, especially the evidence-based research, with my medical providers once they saw that I had stabilized and am on a reduced level of medications. I hope you realize that you HAVE exceeded your goals and the word is spreading. Thank you for myself and for others who may catch their symptoms early and limit, if not eliminate, the long-term effects of their disease(s). You have truly made a difference in this world. And Kudos to you for recognizing and pursuing continued care for yourself (the need to regain your personal space).
Joyce, this is incredible. Thank you for sharing, it was a privilege to be part of your journey.
Thank you Angie and Mickey for all the work you have done. You have helped me without even knowing it. I have all your cookbooks either in print or digital. I’ve enjoyed reading about the studies that you have done to put AIP out as a treatment for autoimmune disorders. I’ve learned the old adage, you are what you eat is true. I will miss this blog, but am glad it is being preserved as an archive. I wish you well in your new endeavor, Angie.
Thank you, Cathy!
I want to thank you for all that you’ve contributed to the autoimmune world. I was diagnosed in 2015, and I’ve been following you since. You two have been the most humble, clear, generous, and caring of the many bloggers I’ve followed over the years. Just seeing the picture of the two of you pop up made me feel more at ease! I’ve purchased several books, loved the recipe roundtable, and all the information you’ve so generously shared over the years. Wishing you all the best in your future goals. Thank you so much!
Aaaaw, thanks for this message, Christa. Appreciate the kind words so much.
Angie & Mickey – Thank you for all of you have done to bring autoimmune illness and healing into the light. I found you back in 2016 after searching for help for 10 years for my conditions. Your podcasts, blog and books made an incredible difference in my healing journey. Thank you!
You are so welcome, Rachael! Thanks for commenting here.
Dear Angie and Mickey, I was diagnosed in 1985 with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Sjogren’s syndrome, and, most challenging of all, severe RA (with very painful joints, deep fatigue, and limited mobility comprising the majority of my adulthood). NOTHING in my long healing journey – and I’ve tried almost every “alternative” as well as allopathic modality out there – has helped me as much as the AIP diet, which I began in 2016. The results have been unbelievable and, very importantly, SUSTAINED – and growing – over time! Now 65 years old, I’m finally experiencing the most freedom I’ve ever had from RA symptoms. It feels so good to have my body back! It was The Autoimmune Paleo Cookbook that provided my introduction to the AIP, and the information and guidance (and hand-holding!) I needed to help me overcome my initial resistance to eating meat and to strike out on this most amazing healing path. I’m so grateful for, as other commenters noted, your generosity, and the heart and effort you’ve both contributed to help change so many peoples’ lives. I send my deep appreciation and best wishes to both of you, and will look forward to following each of you as things evolve.
That makes me so happy to read, Liza. Thank you for sharing & for the support of our work.
All the best and thank you! You have given hope. My sentiments echo all those above. Feeling bad with covid at the moment, (Sjogrens and RA usually!) but needed you to know that you really have made a difference to people facing concerning, chronic health issues. So glad this will be archived. Best wishes X
I can only agree with the other commentors. Your work saved me and helped me through my desperation after beeing diagnosed with my 3rd ai disease in 2019. As there in Austria information about autoimmune diseases is hardly found, your site was my favourite resource. I hope that the recipe area won’t become a simple archive, but that new ones will still be added, because the meals are easy and taste great. Thank you very, very much for all your hard work and I wish you all the best.
Your work has meant so much to me. Sufficiently that I couldn’t respond straight away in November. I applaud you following your truth and I hope to do the same as I continue to try to implement AIP in my life. The Autoimmune Wellness Handbook was the first AIP book I got and I honestly don’t think I would have had the courage to go forward without it. This was followed by The Paleo Approach and then the attached cookbook plus listening to pretty much all of your and Sarah Ballantyne/Stacy Toth’s podcast episodes. Going forward the work is all mine. Words simply don’t do justice to my gratitude but Thank You again. Love, Angela (that’s my name too as I’m known by my surname)
Angie and Mickey, I am SO very grateful to you both for all that you’ve done, and continue to do for our community. Your guidance on my journey has been invaluable! In my darkest hour you were both there, along with the other community members to help light my path so I could see the way forward. When I was feeling alone in my diagnosis, you were there, with unconditional love, support, candor, humor and so much more. You helped to clarify a confusing and overwhelming time in my life and brought levity to a seemingly very heavy situation. For all of that, I thank you both from the bottom of my heart. I wish you both the best of luck on your new endeavors. I will continue to do my small part to pay forward the gifts you’ve given to me. 🙂