The Wellness Rebel Podcast

Today's conversation is all about parasites- the symptoms to watch for and the natural remedies that actually work. My guest is Chadwick O'Brien (The Rope Worm Coach). He'll be sharing his story and how he learned to detox the mysterious parasites that were disrupting his health. 

It's estimated about 1 in 4 people have intestinal parasites. It's also well documented that certain types of parasites and gut infections can actually change your mood by modulating your neurotransmitters and causing neuroinflammation. This is called infection-induced depression or anxiety.

If you've never heard of 'Rope Worm' infections, you're not alone. Rope worms were first reported in 2009 and formally introduced to the scientific community in 2013 by researchers Nikolai Gubarev and Alex Volinsky. If you look up 'rope worm' on Wikipedia, they'll confidently state that rope worms are pseudoscientific, arguing they're just intestinal mucus, not parasites.

My own crazy parasite illness story:

I seriously wish rope worms were fake, but I've actually lived through this mysterious infection, while simultaneously dealing with mold, h. Pylori, long-haul syndrome and SIBO. At it's peak, my gut infection was so bad that I had to stop working and became bedridden for awhile (or couch-ridden in my case. Oh the endless hours spent binging New Girl while researching parasites on my phone😂). 

My well-meaning medical doctor believed that I had some type of roundworm infection, and his advice was to continue taking round after round after ROUND of anti-parasitic medications. He actually wanted to write my case up in a medical journal, to record his findings and share his success treating me. Except the parasites didn't get cured, and he steadily got more and more frustrated when I didn't respond to treatment. Poor guy- he was doing his best.

So I took matters into my own hands and ordered my first coffee enema kit. And that's when I finally started recovering.

A few months later I started working with Chadwick. Getting his compassionate support along the way was one of the best things I could do to heal through this (isolating and rather traumatizing) mystery gut infection. 

🌱 Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Download my FREE 'Heal Your Mood For Good' eGuide (the exact approach I used so I didn't have to get on SSRI's during my parasite infection)
• Work with Chadwick HERE 
• Chadwick's Coffee Enema How-To eGuide
• Parasite Questionnaire 
• Parasite Testing
• What are Rope Worms? Article

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Book with Annika at: nourishedbynature.co
Instagram: @nourished__by__nature



IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER:
 This podcast episode is for educational and informational purposes only and solely as a self-help tool for your own use. I am not providing medical, psychological, or nutrition therapy advice. 

You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your own medical practitioner. 

Always seek the advice of your own medical practitioner and/or mental health provider about your specific health situation. For my full Disclaimer, please go to https://www.nourishedbynature.co/disclaimer

Are you experiencing anxiety, racing pulse, brain fog, dizziness, low moods or even feeling some weird 'out of body' symptoms? Environmental mold toxins might be the problem! In this episode, Dr. Courtney Snyder shares her expertise on mold toxicity and the most common brain and mental symptoms it can cause. You'll learn if mold could be a factor in your own health, and practical strategies to guide your mold recovery journey, one step at a time. 

We cover everything you need to know about mold and your mood, including:

• Sources of mold exposure in the environment
• Testing methods for mold in the home and body
• Symptoms of mold toxicity including mental health issues
• Treatment options including binders and antifungals
• Environmental remediation and prevention tips

Helpful links we mention in the episode:

• Annika's Free Anxiety Relief eBook: https://www.nourishedbynature.co/free-anxiety-relief-ebook
• Dr. Courtney Snyder’s blog on mold: https://www.courtneysnydermd.com/blog/mold-toxicity-the-brain
• Work with Dr. Courtney: https://www.courtneysnydermd.com/consults.html
• Mold Symptom Questionnaire (Dr. Jill Crista): https://drcrista.com/pages/questionnaire
• Mold Clean Up Guide (Dr. Jill Carnahan): https://www.jillcarnahan.com/2018/06/12/your-definitive-mold-clean-up-guide/
• Home Mold Test: https://www.thedusttest.com/
• Realtime Mycotoxin Lab testing for the body: https://realtimelab.com/
• Finding Mold Consultants & Remediation Professionals: https://iseai.org/iep-list/ 

Send us Fan Mail

Book with Annika at: nourishedbynature.co
Instagram: @nourished__by__nature



IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER:
 This podcast episode is for educational and informational purposes only and solely as a self-help tool for your own use. I am not providing medical, psychological, or nutrition therapy advice. 

You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your own medical practitioner. 

Always seek the advice of your own medical practitioner and/or mental health provider about your specific health situation. For my full Disclaimer, please go to https://www.nourishedbynature.co/disclaimer

It's undeniable that we're experiencing anxiety, depression and mood disorders on a global scale now, with kids and teens being some of the most vulnerable in this epidemic. We need immediate solutions. 

If you can believe it, we've actually had the missing piece to our mental health crisis for decades.

In this episode I'm interviewing my mentor Julia Ross M.A., who is sharing her decades-long research and the 5 super-supplement solutions that will rebalance your depleted brain! 

⭐ If you like this interview, please give it a quick 5-star review and share it with your friends! 

 Inside this episode:

🧠 Your brain isn't broken, it's just depleted!

🌱 The fascinating story behind Julia's natural treatment for anxiety and depression (with a 90% success rate!)

⚡ The 5 super-supplements that Julia uses to solve mood, cravings and addiction problems

 🥗 Why don't we all know about amino acids if they actually work?? 

 🌿 How this holistic approach can help you even if you've tried EVERYTHING 

Julia Ross' website 

Julia's Youtube channel 

Send us Fan Mail

Book with Annika at: nourishedbynature.co
Instagram: @nourished__by__nature



IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER:
 This podcast episode is for educational and informational purposes only and solely as a self-help tool for your own use. I am not providing medical, psychological, or nutrition therapy advice. 

You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your own medical practitioner. 

Always seek the advice of your own medical practitioner and/or mental health provider about your specific health situation. For my full Disclaimer, please go to https://www.nourishedbynature.co/disclaimer

Not all anxiety is the same. In this episode, we break down the 3 main anxiety types—low GABA, low serotonin, and blood sugar–driven anxiety—and the amino acids that help calm each one.

In this episode you'll learn:

• The 3 main anxiety types (and how learning my own changed everything!)
• How to use natural amino acids to stop these stubborn false moods 
• Why anxiety isn’t always psychological
• How supporting brain chemistry with amino acids can restore calm within 1-3 days

Grab the free ebook 'Quick Anxiety Relief With Amino Acids'

Send us Fan Mail

Book with Annika at: nourishedbynature.co
Instagram: @nourished__by__nature



IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER:
 This podcast episode is for educational and informational purposes only and solely as a self-help tool for your own use. I am not providing medical, psychological, or nutrition therapy advice. 

You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your own medical practitioner. 

Always seek the advice of your own medical practitioner and/or mental health provider about your specific health situation. For my full Disclaimer, please go to https://www.nourishedbynature.co/disclaimer

After decades of research and working with tens of thousands of people in the mental health population, Dr. Walsh from the Walsh Research Institute finally narrowed down the 5 most common causes of depression. Today, we're going to talk about the TOP cause that he and his team uncovered- and how nutrient therapy can fix it!

In this episode you'll learn:

• What surprising common root-cause ADHD, chronic depression, anxiety, OCD and autism share
• Why 'Undermethylation' is the top cause of chronic, dark-cloud, low serotonin-type depression
• How the MTHFR gene plays a big role in the Methylation Cycle
• Exactly how I'm helping my clients in Mood Alchemy to address this type of depression and which nutrients I use

☀️ Learn about Mood Alchemy

☀️ Take the Anxiety Quiz to see if your moods are linked to low zinc + B6!

Send us Fan Mail

Book with Annika at: nourishedbynature.co
Instagram: @nourished__by__nature



IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER:
 This podcast episode is for educational and informational purposes only and solely as a self-help tool for your own use. I am not providing medical, psychological, or nutrition therapy advice. 

You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your own medical practitioner. 

Always seek the advice of your own medical practitioner and/or mental health provider about your specific health situation. For my full Disclaimer, please go to https://www.nourishedbynature.co/disclaimer

Curious about naturally boosting your serotonin levels to decrease depression and anxiety?

We have 2 incredible nutrients that can do just that- and within minutes to hours, not weeks or years!!

5-HTP and Tryptophan have both been used in the holistic mental health space for decades. These natural nutrients are the precursors to making serotonin, our body's feel-good, happy neurotransmitter. 

In this episode you'll learn:

• What low serotonin looks and feels like
• Why we might have low serotonin- the top 4 root causes in my practice
• How to use either 5-HTP or Tryptophan to naturally rebuild your serotonin stores 
• My experience using 5-HTP with clients and for my own low moods (which were connected to spike protein illness and it's documented affects on the nervous system)

Episode Links:

🌻 Mood Alchemy

🌻 Download the Free Mood Type Questionnaire HERE 

🌻 Take the Pyrrole Test HERE (low zinc + B6)

🌻 Fullscript Link to Buy 5-HTP and Tryptophan at a Discount

Send us Fan Mail

Book with Annika at: nourishedbynature.co
Instagram: @nourished__by__nature



IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER:
 This podcast episode is for educational and informational purposes only and solely as a self-help tool for your own use. I am not providing medical, psychological, or nutrition therapy advice. 

You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your own medical practitioner. 

Always seek the advice of your own medical practitioner and/or mental health provider about your specific health situation. For my full Disclaimer, please go to https://www.nourishedbynature.co/disclaimer

If you’ve ever felt confused or overwhelmed trying to support your child’s mood or mental health—this conversation is for you! 

Today we’re diving into a topic that hits home for so many parents and caregivers—kids’ mental and emotional health. Did you know that 1 in 5 children in the U.S. alone have been diagnosed with a mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder? So what’s really going on beneath the surface? And how can we support our kids naturally—beyond just symptom management?

My guest today is Jess Sherman, a functional nutritionist and author who specializes in children’s brain health and resilience. 

We talk about:

🌻 How amino acids can offer a natural alternative for mood and behavior support in kids
🌻 Which natural nutrients Jess uses for anxious, angry or stressed kids
🌻 All of the hope, solutions and answers that functional medicine is bringing to kids with mental or behavioral struggles
🌻 Resources for overwhelmed parents

➡️ Jess's Website

➡️ Jess's Blog

➡️ Amino Acids For Kids Course

Send us Fan Mail

Book with Annika at: nourishedbynature.co
Instagram: @nourished__by__nature



IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER:
 This podcast episode is for educational and informational purposes only and solely as a self-help tool for your own use. I am not providing medical, psychological, or nutrition therapy advice. 

You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your own medical practitioner. 

Always seek the advice of your own medical practitioner and/or mental health provider about your specific health situation. For my full Disclaimer, please go to https://www.nourishedbynature.co/disclaimer

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Transformational Hypnotherapist Holly Higgins to explore the incredible potential of the subconscious mind. 

Holly overcame 10 different diagnosed 'mood disorders' with a holistic approach. She now helps other unconventional humans finally resolve their most challenging inner struggles, whether that’s really stuck habits, phobias or limiting beliefs.

I also share about my own recent personal experience of getting to the subconscious root-cause of an OCD type of tic (that I've had for 27 years) and resolving my annoying habit in just 3 days after working with Holly!

In this episode we talk about:

• How transformational hypnosis actually works  
• Healing younger parts and the "inner child" from a somatic and subconscious lens
• How Holly's clients are healing through major phobias and limiting beliefs 
• Why you don’t need years to make a very profound shift in all those 'sticky' areas of life!

🧠 How to work with Holly: 

Website: hollyfisherhiggins.com

Holly's Podcast: Mindspeak

Holly's Instagram 

Send us Fan Mail

Book with Annika at: nourishedbynature.co
Instagram: @nourished__by__nature



IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER:
 This podcast episode is for educational and informational purposes only and solely as a self-help tool for your own use. I am not providing medical, psychological, or nutrition therapy advice. 

You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your own medical practitioner. 

Always seek the advice of your own medical practitioner and/or mental health provider about your specific health situation. For my full Disclaimer, please go to https://www.nourishedbynature.co/disclaimer

Did you know that cacao—the sacred plant behind chocolate—is also a powerful mood medicine? In this episode, we're diving into the heart-opening, brain-supporting, and nervous system-soothing benefits of ceremonial cacao. 

You'll learn:

✨ The 3 science-backed compounds in cacao that support mood, energy, and emotional resilience

✨ How whole cacao differs from regular cocoa powder and why it’s so supportive for trauma healing and nervous system regulation

✨ How cacao affects dopamine, serotonin, and stress hormones

✨ My favorite simple cacao recipe

🍫 Tune in, sip slowly, and let’s explore cacao as a cozy medicine for softening our heart space and encouraging deeper regulation.

✨ Maya Moon Cacao is currently my fave organic ceremonial-grade cacao! They also serve their yummy cacao at the Maya Moon Cacao Cafe in San Diego, CA. 

Send us Fan Mail

Book with Annika at: nourishedbynature.co
Instagram: @nourished__by__nature



IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER:
 This podcast episode is for educational and informational purposes only and solely as a self-help tool for your own use. I am not providing medical, psychological, or nutrition therapy advice. 

You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your own medical practitioner. 

Always seek the advice of your own medical practitioner and/or mental health provider about your specific health situation. For my full Disclaimer, please go to https://www.nourishedbynature.co/disclaimer

In this episode, we explore copper overload — a little-known root cause of anxiety, emotional overwhelm, depression, and even hormonal imbalances. You’ll learn what copper does in the body, how it becomes imbalanced, and why it’s such a common (and overlooked) issue in sensitive, intuitive, and anxious individuals.

Inside this episode:

• How excess copper is one of the main drivers for anxiety, ADHD, sensitivity, hyperactivity and even postpartum depression
• What causes high copper in the body
• How to accurately test for copper and the correct lab ranges to look for
• How vitamin C, zinc, B6 and other minerals can help the body detox copper
• How I approach this in my Root + Rise healing program

If you’ve tried everything for your anxiety and nothing sticks — this episode might be your missing piece!

Send us Fan Mail

Book with Annika at: nourishedbynature.co
Instagram: @nourished__by__nature



IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER:
 This podcast episode is for educational and informational purposes only and solely as a self-help tool for your own use. I am not providing medical, psychological, or nutrition therapy advice. 

You should not use this information to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting your own medical practitioner. 

Always seek the advice of your own medical practitioner and/or mental health provider about your specific health situation. For my full Disclaimer, please go to https://www.nourishedbynature.co/disclaimer