In this episode of Soul Sparks, host Yusuf sits down with J'Nai Danielle Zugates and Stephanie Thorpe, founders of The Meraki Way and Meraki Functional Reset, to talk about what really sits underneath autoimmunity, long COVID, chronic inflammation, and burnout. They unpack how unresolved emotions, unprocessed stress, and survival chemistry can keep the body stuck even when labs, medications and protocols look “fine.”
J'Nai explains how their method combines functional medicine, nervous system regulation, somatic work, energy tools and human design to help clients move from constant fight-or-flight into safety and coherence. Stephanie draws on 15 years in traditional nursing and her own autoimmune journey to show how cortisol resistance, chronic stress and gut breakdown are not character flaws. They are biochemistry.
If you are a high-achieving woman running on fumes, this conversation strips away the fluff. You will hear practical language for understanding cortisol, inflammation and nervous system overload, plus simple practices like the Meraki Walk, daily mantras and energetic “returning” of other people’s stress so you can stop carrying more than your body was built to hold.
J'Nai Danielle Zugates is a co-founder of The Meraki Way and Meraki Functional Reset. After healing her own autoimmune symptoms and long COVID when conventional medicine stalled, she developed an integrative framework that blends functional testing, somatic healing, energy work, nervous system tools and human design to help clients resolve chronic pain, inflammation and burnout from the root.
Stephanie Thorpe is a registered nurse, functional practitioner and co-founder of Meraki Functional Reset. With 15 years in traditional healthcare, she reached a breaking point with her own autoimmune illness, heavy medications and long-term infusions. That lived experience pushed her into a data-driven but deeply holistic approach that tracks biomarkers, cortisol rhythms and gut health while addressing the emotional and lifestyle patterns driving chronic stress.
Together, J'Nai and Stephanie support high-achieving, highly sensitive clients who are tired of feeling “broken” by their own bodies and want a medically literate, spiritually grounded path back to real energy and regulation.
Chronic stress is not just “in your head.” Long-term cortisol activation, cortisol resistance and inflammation change how your cells, gut barrier and nervous system function and show up as burnout, brain fog, gut issues and reactivity.
Functional testing can reveal what standard labs miss, including how cells are firing, how the gut is performing and how stress hormones are actually behaving throughout the day. Data becomes a mirror for hard lifestyle truths.
The Meraki Way links functional medicine with somatic healing, energy work and nervous system tools. When the body is supported and the mind feels safe, symptoms often shift more quickly and more sustainably than with protocols alone.
Techniques like holographic memory work aim to help the brain update old traumatic imprints so the body no longer reacts as if an old event is still happening now. Framed as client stories, not universal promises.
High-achieving women often burn out from chronic over-care, perfectionism and self-betrayal. The nervous system stays on permanent “bear chase,” and eventually cortisol drops, leaving exhaustion, inflammation and nothing that seems to work.
Simple daily practices matter. Returning other people’s stress “back” in visualization, using grounding mantras, walking after stressful moments, shaking out energy and reconnecting with nature all help discharge survival chemistry.
Human design is used as an optional lens to help clients understand their decision-making style, energy patterns and timing, so they stop forcing themselves into identities and rhythms that work against their system.
How to Connect with J'Nai Danielle Zugates and Stephanie Thorpe :
You can connect with J'Nai and Stephanie and explore The Meraki Way here:
Website. https://merakifunctionalreset.com
Learn about The Meraki Way, their 90 day program and sign up for the free Meraki Walk nervous system reset practice.
Email: [email protected]
Reach out to share your story, inquire about working with them, or ask questions about functional testing, holographic memory resolution, long COVID recovery and nervous system regulation.
They support high achieving women and sensitive leaders who are tired of being told it is all in your head and are ready for data driven, soul aware healing.
The Meraki Walk. A free guided 5 day walking and nervous system practice, delivered by email.
Functional and somatic containers that combine lab testing, nervous system regulation and mindset work.
Visit their site and follow their social accounts for updates on programs, education and ways to work with them.
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Disclaimer: This video is for educational and informational purposes only. The views expressed are the personal opinions of the guest and do not reflect the views of the host or Healthy Mind By Avik. We do not intend to harm, defame, or discredit any person, organization, brand, product, country, or profession mentioned. All third party media used remain the property of their respective owners and are used under fair use for informational purposes. By watching, you acknowledge and accept this disclaimer.
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