How To Train Like An Olympian with Hashimoto’s
In this episode, Jackie Ulm shares her journey from Olympic athlete to thriving with Hashimoto’s, and why she continues to lift weights, cycle, and train with intensity despite her diagnosis. She explains the pivotal changes she made with gluten and dairy removal, how medication and supplementation support her, and the role of recovery, sleep, and mindset in long-term health.
You’ll also hear Jackie’s reflections on the stress-relieving power of lifting, the importance of starting slow and building consistency, and her perspective on why women shouldn’t fear getting “too bulky” in the weight room.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- Jackie’s path from high school athlete to the 2004 Athens Olympics
- How she discovered her Hashimoto’s diagnosis in 2008
- Why removing gluten and dairy made such a big impact
- Her approach to balancing T3/T4 medication with supplements like selenium and magnesium
- How she combines weightlifting, CrossFit, and zone 2 cycling
- The critical role of sleep and recovery in managing Hashimoto’s symptoms
- Why strength training builds both physical and mental resilience
- Encouragement for women hesitant to lift weights and where to start
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
Apply for 1:1 Root Cause Functional Medicine Coaching
👉 1:1 Functional Health Coaching – Dr. Emily Kiberd
Learn my secret to sustainable weight loss for Hashimoto’s.
👉Join Thyroid Strong Elite: 6-Month Group Coaching
Book a free discovery call with me
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