About Danielle Pashko & Her Healing Journey

Q: Who is Danielle Pashko, and what is her professional background?

A: Danielle Pashko is a holistic nutritionist, certified health coach, yoga instructor, licensed massage therapist, detox specialist, and author. She has spent over two decades working in functional medicine clinics and the wellness industry, including developing customized nutraceutical products for prestigious doctors and consulting for healthy menu development.

Q: What personal health challenges led Danielle to create Soulhakker?

A: Danielle was diagnosed with thyroid cancer at age 30, followed by Lyme disease, which was initially undiagnosed for a year. Later, a severe case of COVID-19 reactivated her Lyme symptoms, leading her to realize the limits of conventional and even functional medicine when dealing with chronic stress and nervous system dysregulation.

Q: How did Danielle's approach to healing evolve during her own health crises?

A: When functional medicine protocols ceased to be effective due to her extreme state of panic and dysregulation, Danielle shifted her focus inward, prioritizing nervous system regulation, mental and emotional well-being, and spiritual reconnection. She incorporated practices like visualization, Tai Chi, Qigong, and Wing Chun kung fu, which helped her regain balance and vitality.

"What is the core philosophy behind Danielle Pashko's 'Soulhakker' approach?"

Understanding Long COVID & Lyme Disease

Q: What are the similarities between Long COVID and Lyme disease symptoms?

A: Both Long COVID and Lyme disease can present with a wide array of similar and often confusing symptoms, sometimes up to 200 different manifestations. Common overlapping symptoms include fatigue, brain fog, dizziness, blurry vision, light sensitivity, heart palpitations, body aches, and post-exertional malaise (PEM). Both conditions are strongly linked to inflammation within the body.

Q: Why are Long COVID and Lyme disease often difficult to diagnose?

A: These conditions can be challenging to diagnose because standard lab tests often appear normal, and their symptoms mimic many other diseases, earning Lyme disease the nickname "the great mimicker". Many patients, including Danielle herself, may not exhibit the classic bullseye rash associated with Lyme disease, and some common diagnostic tests for Lyme are not highly sensitive.

Q: Can a past COVID-19 infection or Lyme disease reactivate other viruses?

A: Yes, both Lyme disease and COVID-19 can reactivate dormant viruses from childhood, such as Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), and cytomegalovirus (CMV), which can contribute to chronic fatigue and other persistent symptoms.

Q: What specific tests should I ask my doctor for if I suspect Long COVID or Lyme disease?

A: Beyond routine blood work (like CBC, glucose, and lipid panels), Danielle Pashko recommends asking for specific tests such as ANA (antinuclear antibodies), EBV (Epstein-Barr virus), HHV-6 (human herpesvirus 6), CMV (cytomegalovirus), and a full Lyme disease panel to get a clearer picture of potential underlying issues.

Suggested additional question: "Is there an FDA-approved treatment for Long COVID?"

Soulhakker Wellness Practices & Philosophy

Q: What is "Soulhakker" and how is it different from traditional "biohacking"?

A: "Soulhakker" represents a holistic approach to healing that moves beyond external "biohacking" trends, which often focus on performance and longevity. While valuing science, Soulhakker emphasizes inner work, nervous system regulation, energetic rewiring, and spiritual reconnection to find joy, purpose, and growth, believing that true healing comes from within and addresses the root cause of illness.

Q: What role does nervous system regulation play in the Soulhakker approach to healing?

A: Danielle's experience showed her that when the body is in a constant state of fight-or-flight due to stress or chronic illness, many therapies become ineffective. Soulhakker focuses on stabilizing the nervous system, creating a sense of safety within the body, and restoring internal rhythms, which allows other healing modalities, such as dietary changes and supplements, to work more effectively.

Q: What types of movement practices are incorporated into the Soulhakker method?

A: The Soulhakker method emphasizes gentle, intentional movement practices that support the nervous system and overall vitality, rather than over-exertion that can worsen symptoms like post-exertional malaise (PEM). These include Tai Chi, Qigong, yoga, stretching, and mindful walking. Specific Qigong exercises are recommended to help balance energy and improve sleep and digestion.

Q: What is Danielle Pashko's nutritional philosophy for chronic illness?

A: Danielle advocates for an anti-inflammatory, whole foods diet tailored to individual sensitivities, rejecting a "one-size-fits-all" approach. This typically involves organic fruits and vegetables, grass-fed meats, wild fish, and healthy fats like olive oil and avocado. She recommends avoiding processed foods, sugar, gluten, dairy, coffee, and alcohol, and has found low-histamine or temporary carnivore diets beneficial for some with neurological and mast cell activation symptoms. Monitoring glucose levels can also be a helpful tool.

Q: What supplements does Danielle recommend for supporting the immune system and reducing inflammation?

A: Danielle frequently recommends AHCC (Active Hexose Correlated Compound), a shiitake mushroom extract, known for improving immune health, lowering inflammation, reducing viral load, and managing glucose levels. Other recommendations include probiotics for gut health, high-grade oregano oil (antiviral/antibacterial), and essential vitamins and minerals like C, D, zinc, and magnesium.

Q: How important is sleep in the Soulhakker healing process?

A: Sleep is considered critical for recovery, as it is when the body performs most of its healing and restorative functions. Danielle emphasizes prioritizing sufficient sleep, recommending 8-10 hours a night for those dealing with chronic illness to aid in nervous system recovery.

Suggested additional question: "What is the '90 Day Reset' program?"

Coaching & Programs

Q: What can I expect from a 60-minute session with Danielle Pashko?

A: A 60-minute session with Danielle is a deeply personalized experience designed for individuals navigating complex health issues, chronic conditions, post-viral recovery, and nervous system dysregulation. These sessions integrate healing, nervous system regulation, spiritual reconnection, and expert guidance on nutrition and metabolic health.

Q: Does Soulhakker offer group programs or retreats?

A: Yes, Soulhakker offers a membership community and hosts retreats focused on intensive nervous system work, meditation, visualization, Tai Chi, Qigong, energy healing, and nutrition. A "90 Day Reset" program is also available for those struggling with mysterious symptoms and fatigue.

Booking & Contact Information

Q: How can I book a session or join a program with Danielle Pashko?

A: You can book individual sessions or learn more about the "Soulhakker" membership and upcoming retreats by visiting the soulhakker.com website.

Q: Where can I find more tips and connect with Soulhakker on social media?

A: Danielle Pashko regularly shares tips and insights on Instagram at @the_soulhakkker and @pashkowellness, and on Facebook at PashkoWellness.