In this episode of Thyroid Strong, Dr. Emily Kiberd is joined by Jackie Ulm, a former Olympian and lifelong athlete, to talk about training hard with Hashimoto’s—and why strength training may be the key to thriving with an autoimmune condition.

Jackie shares her journey from competing in the 2004 Athens Olympics in the hammer throw to being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s in 2008, and how she’s learned to manage symptoms through nutrition, medication, supplementation, and consistent training. From weightlifting to road cycling, Jackie shows that women with Hashimoto’s don’t need to shrink back from exercise, they just need the right approach.

You’ll hear how she balances medication, gluten and dairy-free living, sleep optimisation, and recovery practices to keep her energy and performance high, plus her perspective on why strength training helps women not only feel physically strong but also handle life’s inevitable stresses with more resilience.

If you’ve ever felt hesitant to lift weights because of your Hashimoto’s diagnosis, this episode is a must-listen. Jackie’s story is both inspiring and practical—reminding us that strength and autoimmune disease can co-exist, and that consistency is often more important than perfection.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Jackie’s path from high school athlete to Olympian in the hammer throw
• Her Hashimoto’s diagnosis in 2008 and the surprising reaction from her naturopath
• Why gluten and dairy removal made a major difference in her symptoms
• How she combines T3/T4 medication with supplements for long-term management
• What zone 2 training is and why she integrates it with lifting
• The role of sleep, recovery, and smart nutrition in keeping symptoms at bay
• Why strength training helps women show up to stress differently
• Practical advice for women starting their weightlifting journey
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Highlights:

00:00 Introduction and Athletic Background

01:24 Olympic Journey and Hashimoto's Diagnosis

03:18 Managing Hashimoto's with Diet and Exercise

11:15 Fitness Routine and Training Philosophy

14:27 Recovery and Sleep Strategies

21:40 Empowering Women Through Weightlifting

23:29 Building Consistency in Fitness

25:22 Managing Hashimoto's and Mental Clarity

27:34 Stress Management and Weightlifting

30:52 Post-Workout Routines and Dietary Adjustments

33:47 Effective Upper Body Workouts

37:58 Dealing with Soreness and Injury

42:39 Starting with CrossFit and Finding Good Coaching

44:34 The Olympic Experience

46:32 Encouragement for Women to Start Weightlifting

Links & Resources

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