#78: Can Prayer, Martial Arts & Your Nervous System Heal Chronic Illness? Danielle Pashko

#78: Can Prayer, Martial Arts & Your Nervous System Heal Chronic Illness? Danielle Pashko

🧠Start healing today with our #sponsor BetterHelp and get 10% off your first month by going to:https://www.betterhelp.com/ichoosehealth [https://www.betterhelp.com/ichoosehealth]For years, Danielle Pashko did everything "right."She ate clean, practiced yoga, worked in one of Manhattan's top wellness clinics, and tried every advanced biohacking therapy imaginable, including peptides, hyperbaric oxygen, neurofeedback, ozone therapy, IV treatments, and more.Yet she continued battling thyroid cancer, Lyme disease, long COVID, chronic fatigue, vertigo, and debilitating nervous system dysfunction.In this powerful conversation, Danielle shares the unexpected path that finally helped her recover—not through another supplement or expensive protocol, but by addressing the missing piece of healing: the nervous system, visualization, prayer, purpose, Tai Chi, Qigong, and reconnecting with the soul.We also explore:Why stress may be more damaging than poor nutritionThe surprising limits of biohackingHow trauma impacts physical healthThe role of prayer and visualization in healingWhy many chronic illnesses require a different approachHow nature, movement, and purpose regulate the nervous systemWhy doing "everything right" doesn't guarantee perfect healthThe importance of resilience over perfectionWhether you're struggling with chronic illness, burnout, unexplained symptoms, or simply want to live healthier without becoming obsessed with optimization, this episode offers a refreshing perspective on what true healing looks like.Follow Danielle Pashkowebsite: https://www.soulhakker.com/ [https://www.soulhakker.com/]https://tinyurl.com/ywuv7x8z [https://tinyurl.com/ywuv7x8z]Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesoulhakker/?hl=en [https://www.instagram.com/thesoulhakker/?hl=en]If you enjoyed this conversation, please Like, Subscribe, and share it with someone who needs encouragement on their healing journey.Chapters00:00 – Are You Missing the Real Cause of Your Illness?01:59 – Meet Danielle Pashko02:40 – From Nutritionist to Chronic Illness Recovery Expert04:18 – Why Biohacking Wasn't Enough06:20 – Prayer, Visualization & Martial Arts Changed Everything08:54 – Does Spirituality Affect Healing?11:44 – The Story Behind Smile at Your Challenges15:33 – Can You Still Get Sick If You Do Everything Right?19:18 – The Hidden Role of Stress in Chronic Disease22:00 – Why Biohacking Isn't the Whole Answer25:19 – How to Reduce Stress in Modern Life28:28 – Choosing Health Instead of Hustle30:44 – When Healthy Living Becomes Unhealthy35:15 – Why Joy Is Missing from Modern Wellness38:46 – Learning to Respect Yourself41:41 – Danielle's New Book & Soul Healing44:28 – Avoiding Information Overload46:41 – Biohacking Culture Explained49:52 – Burnout, Recovery & Starting Again51:56 – Rapid Fire Questions57:49 – Final Thoughts#ChronicIllness #HealingJourney #NervousSystem #StressRelief #Biohacking #Prayer #MindBodySpirit #HolisticHealth #MentalHealth #Wellness #LongCovid #LymeDisease #MetabolicHealth #HealthPodcast #ichoosehealth 🔔 Subscribe & Connect with I Choose Health:🎥 YouTube Podcast Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@IChooseHealthPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@IChooseHealthPodcast ]💪 Fitness Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@mindcorefitness1 [https://www.youtube.com/@mindcorefitness1 ]📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ichoosehealthpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/ichoosehealthpodcast/]🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ichoosehealthpodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@ichoosehealthpodcast]🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://anchor.fm/mindcore-fitness [https://anchor.fm/mindcore-fitness]🛍️ Shop Merch: https://linkly.link/2ii1x [https://linkly.link/2ii1x]

#77: Can Peptides Really Improve Performance? The Truth About GLP-1s, Muscle Loss & Longevity | Tony Medrano

🧠Start healing today with our #sponsor BetterHelp and get 10% off your first month by going to:https://www.betterhelp.com/ichoosehealth [https://www.betterhelp.com/ichoosehealth]Are peptides the future of health optimization—or just another trend?In this episode of the I Choose Health Podcast, Stefan Lessie sits down with Tony Medrano—former U.S. Naval Officer, former NYC physics teacher, Ironman athlete, AI entrepreneur, and founder of LongevityPlan.ai—to break down the science behind peptides, GLP-1 medications, recovery, muscle preservation, longevity, and performance.Topics include:✅ What peptides actually are✅ GLP-1s (Ozempic, Wegovy & more) explained✅ Why people lose muscle on weight-loss medications✅ How to avoid "Ozempic Face"✅ Peptides for injury recovery and athletic performance✅ AI and personalized longevity medicine✅ Performance-enhancing peptides vs steroids✅ Celebrity physique discussion (The Rock, Chris Hemsworth, Joe Rogan & Hugh Jackman)Whether you're trying to lose weight, improve performance, recover from injury, or simply understand the hype surrounding peptides, this conversation provides practical insights backed by experience and medical collaboration.⬇️ Learn more about Tony Medrano & LongevityPlan.ai🌐 Websitehttps://www.longevityplan.ai [https://www.longevityplan.ai]LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tonymedrano/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonymedrano/]https://www.linkedin.com/company/longevityplan-ai/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/longevityplan-ai/]YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@LongevityPlanAIhttps://www.youtube.com/@LongevityPlanAI-Videos [https://www.youtube.com/@LongevityPlanAIhttps://www.youtube.com/@LongevityPlanAI-Videos]Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/longevityplanai/ [https://www.instagram.com/longevityplanai/]https://www.instagram.com/tmedranosd/ [https://www.instagram.com/tmedranosd/]X (Twitter)https://x.com/longevityplanai [https://x.com/longevityplanai]https://x.com/TMedrano2 [https://x.com/TMedrano2]TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@longevityplan.ai [https://www.tiktok.com/@longevityplan.ai]Substackhttps://substack.com/@longevityplanai [https://substack.com/@longevityplanai]Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/anthonypmedrano [https://www.facebook.com/anthonypmedrano]https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582868553480 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582868553480]Reddithttps://www.reddit.com/user/LongevityPlan_AI/ [https://www.reddit.com/user/LongevityPlan_AI/]Blueskyhttps://bsky.app/profile/longevityplan-ai.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/longevityplan-ai.bsky.social]Quorahttps://www.quora.com/profile/LongevityPlanAI [https://www.quora.com/profile/LongevityPlanAI]Chapters:00:00 The rise of GLP-1 medications01:15 BetterHelp Sponsor02:18 Meet Tony Medrano04:29 Why Tony entered the longevity space08:23 What are peptides?12:44 Are peptides safe?17:42 Ozempic Face explained20:46 Can you prevent muscle loss?21:20 Diabetes vs weight loss23:20 Peptides vs traditional drugs27:20 AI and personalized longevity34:20 Are peptides performance-enhancing drugs?36:27 Celebrity physiques: The Rock, Chris Hemsworth, Joe Rogan & Hugh Jackman44:56 Can personal trainers embrace peptides?48:13 Will peptides become mainstream?50:15 How LongevityPlan.ai helps clients53:16 Final thoughts#Peptides #GLP1 #Ozempic #Longevity #Performance #WeightLoss #Fitness #MuscleGain #Recovery #HealthOptimization #Biohacking #TonyMedrano #IChooseHealth #AI #podcastbrasil 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere podcasts are available.👍 If you enjoyed this conversation, don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and Share.DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before beginning any medical treatment or peptide therapy.🔔 Subscribe & Connect with I Choose Health:🎥 YouTube Podcast Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@IChooseHealthPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@IChooseHealthPodcast ]💪 Fitness Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@mindcorefitness1 [https://www.youtube.com/@mindcorefitness1 ]📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ichoosehealthpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/ichoosehealthpodcast/]🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ichoosehealthpodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@ichoosehealthpodcast]🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0rxOkqBlAQBZVfznoUpNvP [https://open.spotify.com/show/0rxOkqBlAQBZVfznoUpNvP]⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/0rxOkqBlAQBZVfznoUpNvP🛍️ Shop Merch: https://linkly.link/2ii1x [https://linkly.link/2ii1x]

#76: Burnout Isn’t Your Fault: Julie Merriman on People Pleasing & Living Past Capacity

🧠Start healing today with our #sponsor BetterHelp and get 10% off your first month by going to: ⁠https://www.betterhelp.com/ichoosehealth [⁠https://www.betterhelp.com/ichoosehealth] Are you really falling apart, or are you operating past capacity?In this episode of the I Choose Health Podcast, Stefan Lessie speaks with Dr. Julie Merriman about women’s burnout, people pleasing, nervous system dysregulation, compassion fatigue, resentment, midlife identity shifts, somatic therapy, and why rest alone often does not fix burnout. Dr. Merriman explains how many women are rewarded for overfunctioning until their bodies finally say, “enough.” She also shares practical tools for reconnecting with the body, recognizing emotional signals, and rebuilding a life that no longer requires living past capacity. Julie Merriman’s Website: https://www.juliemerrimanphd.com/ [https://www.juliemerrimanphd.com/] Books Mentioned: In Pursuit of Soul Joy by Dr. Julie Merriman: https://tinyurl.com/23durwy3 Are We Gonna Have Sex Or What?: https://tinyurl.com/mumz3zwt Podcasts: Sexy After 50: https://www.juliemerrimanphd.com/sexy-after-50 Compassion Fatigue Cure: https://www.juliemerrimanphd.com/compassion-fatigue-cure-1 Chapters: 00:00 People pleasing and living past capacity 02:31 Welcome Dr. Julie Merriman 04:11 What burnout feels like in the body 06:36 Numbness, exhaustion, and compassion fatigue 07:26 Burnout in New York City vs slower cultures 13:05 Somatic therapy, chakras, and nervous system healing 16:34 Movement as emotional release 19:30 Therapy, trauma, and the body 22:27 Burnout, autoimmune issues, and women’s health 26:38 Midlife divorce, resentment, and relationship burnout 31:14 Soul joy, identity, and women after 50 38:31 Novelty, adventure, and staying open to life 42:11 Men’s mental health and emotional language 44:52 How to identify emotions in the body 50:08 Why women miss the signs of overcapacity 56:35 Dr. Julie Merriman’s books and final encouragement #BurnoutRecovery #WomensHealth #PeoplePleasing #SomaticHealing #MentalHealth #CompassionFatigue #IChooseHealth #JulieMerriman #NervousSystemHealing #SelfCare 🔔 Subscribe & Connect with I Choose Health:🎥 YouTube Podcast Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@IChooseHealthPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@IChooseHealthPodcast ]💪 Fitness Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@mindcorefitness1 [https://www.youtube.com/@mindcorefitness1 ]📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ichoose [https://www.instagram.com/ichoosehealthpodcast/]healthpodcast/⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/ichoosehealthpodcast/]🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ichoosehealthpodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@ichoosehealthpodcast]🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://anchor.fm/mindcore-fitness [https://anchor.fm/mindcore-fitness]🛍️ Shop Merch: https://linkly.link/2ii1x [https://linkly.link/2ii1x] #BurnoutRecovery #WomensHealth #PeoplePleasing #SomaticHealing #MentalHealth #CompassionFatigue #IChooseHealth #JulieMerriman #NervousSystemHealing #SelfCare

#75: ER Nurse Exposes Why the Healthcare Industry Is Keeping You Sick | Melissa Ficarra

🧠Start healing today with our #sponsor BetterHelp and get 10% off your first month by going to:⁠https://www.betterhelp.com/ichoosehealth⁠ [ https://www.betterhelp.com/ichoosehealth⁠]What happens when an ER nurse watches open-heart surgeries, sees clogged arteries firsthand, and realizes that almost nobody is talking about the role food plays in chronic disease?In this powerful conversation, Melissa Ficarra shares how working in healthcare led her to question everything she thought she knew about nutrition. From witnessing coronary bypass surgeries to becoming a professional vegan bodybuilder and Strongwoman competitor, Melissa explains why she believes nutrition is one of the most overlooked tools in modern healthcare.We discuss:• What Melissa saw working in emergency medicine• Why nutrition education is largely missing from medical training• The relationship between food and chronic disease• How a vegan lifestyle transformed her health and athletic performance• Plant-based nutrition for strength, recovery, and longevity• The biggest myths about protein and muscle building• Why more athletes are embracing plant-based eating• The future of healthcare and preventative medicineWhether you're curious about plant-based nutrition, healthcare, fitness, or simply living a healthier life, this episode offers a unique perspective from someone who has seen both disease and recovery up close.Chapters00:00 The Open Heart Surgery That Changed Everything01:56 Melissa's Health Journey Begins03:11 Why Healthcare Workers Eat Unhealthy Food05:35 The Missing Nutrition Education in Healthcare07:31 Growing Up Healthy in Colorado08:47 Becoming Vegan10:34 Building Muscle Without Meat12:49 Dealing With Critics and Vegan Myths14:27 The Road to Olympia17:15 Why Doctors Ignore Nutrition20:11 Celebrity Influence vs Science22:32 Plant-Based Athletes and Recovery24:39 Does Food Affect Mood and Energy?26:23 Competing at 39 Years Old27:00 The Problem With Performance Enhancing Drugs31:14 Finding Love Through a Vegan Lifestyle34:51 Life as an ER Nurse and Professional Athlete36:07 Can Healthcare Workers Influence Patients?38:31 Common Nutrition Myths in Healthcare40:58 Why Most People Struggle to Change42:00 Choosing Health, Purpose and Possibilitycd 🔗Connect with Melissa Ficarra:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fit_by_ficarra/ [ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fit_by_ficarra/ ]Subscribe for more conversations about health, fitness, nutrition, mental wellness, and living with purpose.#IChooseHealth #MelissaFicarra #PlantBased #VeganAthlete #Healthcare #Nutrition #PreventiveHealth #HealthyLiving #Strongwoman #bodybuilding 🔔 Subscribe & Connect with I Choose Health:🎥 YouTube Podcast Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@IChooseHealthPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@IChooseHealthPodcast ]💪 Fitness Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@mindcorefitness1 [https://www.youtube.com/@mindcorefitness1 ]📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ichoosehealthpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/ichoosehealthpodcast/]🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ichoosehealthpodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@ichoosehealthpodcast]🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0rxOkqBlAQBZVfznoUpNvP?si=1322c21652c74cf4 [https://open.spotify.com/show/0rxOkqBlAQBZVfznoUpNvP?si=1322c21652c74cf4]🛍️ Shop Merch: https://linkly.link/2ii1x [https://linkly.link/2ii1x]

#74: Oral Health and Your Overall Health Dr. Eugene Antenucci

🧠Start healing today with our #sponsor BetterHelp and get 10% off your first month by going to:⁠https://www.betterhelp.com/ichoosehealth⁠ [ https://www.betterhelp.com/ichoosehealth⁠]What if the real cause of your heart disease, cognitive decline, and chronic inflammation has been hiding in your mouth this whole time? In this eye-opening episode, Stefan sits down with Dr. Eugene Antenucci who is a dentist, professor, Air Force veteran, nutritionist, and author to reveal the shocking connection between oral health and whole-body health.From the 20 billion bacteria living in your mouth right now, to how gum disease can trigger heart attacks and dementia, Dr. Antenucci breaks down what most doctors and dentists will never tell you and exactly what you can do about it.Choosing health is choosing power, possibility, and purpose.Chapters:00:00 – The Mouth-Body Connection Nobody Talks About01:18 – 20 Billion Bacteria Are Living in Your Mouth Right Now02:56 – BetterHelp Sponsor Message05:23 – How Gum Disease Leads to Heart Attacks and Dementia07:14 – Does Intermittent Fasting Improve Oral Health?08:56 – Why the American Diet Is Destroying Your Teeth and Body12:45 – What Does It Really Mean to Be Healthy?16:29 – Oral Health in the U.S. Air Force19:29 – How Dr. Antenucci Coaches Patients on Nutrition21:06 – The Oral Health Mistakes You're Probably Making24:51 – Oil Pulling, Tongue Scrapers & Other Overlooked Techniques27:27 – The Right Way to Brush (Most People Get This Wrong)29:25 – The Mediterranean Diet vs. The American Diet33:15 – Blue Zones, Barbados & Raising Healthy Kids35:07 – Why Dentists and Doctors Need to Work Together36:30 – Dr. Antenucci's New Book: The Hidden Inflammation You Can't See39:33 – The Longevity Series & What's Coming Next🔗 Connect with Dr. Eugene Antenucci🌐 Website: https://www.dreugeneantenucci.com [https://www.dreugeneantenucci.com]📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eugene_antenucci [https://www.instagram.com/eugene_antenucci]📖 View All Books by Dr. Eugene Antenuccihttps://www.amazon.com/Dr-Eugene-Antenucci/e/B0C99HCBPV [https://www.amazon.com/Dr-Eugene-Antenucci/e/B0C99HCBPV]📚 Read Dr. Eugene Antenucci's Latest BookThe Hidden Inflammation You Can't See: How Oral Health Affects Your Whole BodyInflammation often develops silently long before symptoms appear. In this book, Dr. Eugene Antenucci explores the connection between oral inflammation, the immune system, and overall health, helping readers understand how hidden inflammation may influence long-term wellness.📖 Get the book on Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Inflammation-You-Cant-See-ebook/dp/B0GH6BD5M2 [https://www.amazon.com/Hidden-Inflammation-You-Cant-See-ebook/dp/B0GH6BD5M2]🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week.🔔 Subscribe & Connect with I Choose Health:🎥 YouTube Podcast Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@IChooseHealthPodcast [https://www.youtube.com/@IChooseHealthPodcast ]💪 Fitness Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@mindcorefitness1 [https://www.youtube.com/@mindcorefitness1] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ichoosehealthpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/ichoosehealthpodcast/]🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ichoosehealthpodcast [https://www.tiktok.com/@ichoosehealthpodcast]🎧 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0rxOkqBlAQBZVfznoUpNvP?si=1322c21652c74cf4 [https://open.spotify.com/show/0rxOkqBlAQBZVfznoUpNvP?si=1322c21652c74cf4] 🛍️ Shop Merch: https://linkly.link/2ii1x [https://linkly.link/2ii1x]#DrEugeneAntenucci#OralHealth#DentalHealth#OralMicrobiome#Longevity#HealthyAging#HealthPodcast#Wellness#PreventDisease#HealthyLiving#FunctionalMedicine#HolisticHealth#Inflammation#HealthTips#IChooseHealth