Danni O'Connor Nutritional Therapy

Hi, I’m Danni.

In my early 20s, I struggled with debilitating gut issues (bloating, constipation, diarrhoea, wind, cramping).

As my physical health deteriorated, so too did my confidence and happiness. The list of symptoms grew, as I began to suffer from anxiety, constant fatigue and frequent infections.

My GP told me that my lab results were ‘normal’ and I was given a diagnosis of ‘irritable bowel syndrome’ with no advice or support, other than a prescription for laxatives.

Determined to feel better, I resorted to Dr Google instead. I bought a book on the low FODMAP diet and a bunch of promising supplements from my local health store.

Despite my best efforts, I felt little improvement and without professional support, I started to develop a difficult relationship with food.

I now found myself in tears in front of the mirror trying to decide which outfit would disguise the inevitable post-meal bloat, hiding in restaurant toilets to catch my breath from the overwhelm of having to make food choices, and leaving social occasions early due to particularly bad symptom flares.

At breaking point, I reached out for 1:1 nutrition support. I thought I was going to change my diet – I didn’t realise I was about to change my entire life.

Working together with a nutritional therapist, I was able to uncover the root causes of my symptoms. Fast forward a few months, on a personalised diet, lifestyle and supplementation protocol, alongside functional testing, and I no longer identified with the diagnosis of ‘irritable bowel syndrome’ that had plagued me for so many years.

Amazed by the powerful healing potential of food, I felt inspired and curious about naturopathic medicine. I enrolled to study at the College of Naturopathic Medicine and dedicated myself to helping others optimize their health.  

As I continued on my healing journey, I made the decision to come off the contraceptive pill and regain a natural menstrual cycle. Painful periods, debilitating PMS and acne returned.

I was once again failed by conventional medicine, who disregarded my symptoms and whose only answer was to re-prescribe the pill – a band-aid approach to plaster over my symptoms.

Once again, I worked alongside a nutritional therapist, using a root cause approach, to help bring my body back into balance.

My experience with acne has been an emotional journey. As a nutritional therapy student at the time, I felt so much shame and embarrassment in having such a visible condition.

My acne journey has not been linear, with many setbacks along the way. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t found this frustrating, but I’m so grateful as this has taught me the importance of holistic healing.

While as a nutritional therapist, using food as medicine will always be the foundation of my practice, I now truly appreciate the impact that our environment, stress and emotional burdens can have on our overall wellbeing.

I committed to levelling up with a vision of being the healthiest version of myself. Now I guide others on their journey who feel lost, stuck or dismissed – just like I once did.